community news
november2
2017
3
New Oregon Vehicle Fees Take Effect January 1, 2018
DMV renewal notices with
new registration fees start
going out in November
New Oregon vehicle reg-
istration, title and trip permit fees
take effect January 1, 2018, provid-
ing funding for a major investment
in the state’s transportation system.
Oregon residents with vehi-
cle tags expiring on or after January 1
will see new registration fees in their
renewal reminders starting in Novem-
ber. The fee for two-year passenger
vehicle registration renewal – DMV’s
most common vehicle transaction –
will go from $86 for two years to $112.
The registration fee is based
on the vehicle registration renewal
date, not when the fee is paid. DMV
mails renewal reminders several
weeks before a vehicle’s tags expire.
Vehicle registration fees, title
fees, and other motor vehicle-related
fees, such as fuels taxes and motor
carriers’ weight-mile taxes, help sup-
port Oregon’s transportation system
– statewide and at the local levels.
The increased fees are part of a major
funding package to improve Oregon’s
transportation system and to strengthen
the economy. The Oregon Legislature
and Governor Kate Brown approved
House Bill 2017 to provide Orego-
nians with improved roads and bridges,
more transportation options, and en-
hanced safety throughout the system.
In addition to this vehicle reg-
istration fee increase, the package is
funded by increases in other transporta-
tion-related fees that take effect January
1, 2018. These include increases on mo-
tor fuel taxes and fees for title transfers
and commercial motor vehicles. The bill
also creates a 0.5 percent privilege tax
on new vehicle purchases, and a $15 fee
on new adult bicycles that cost $200 or
more.
Here are some transportation
system investments your fees will sup-
port:
• Highway maintenance, preservation,
seismic upgrades and safety, including
specific construction projects across the
state.
• Increased funding for small cities and
counties.
• A Safe Routes to School infrastructure
program to reduce barriers and hazards
for children walking or bicycling to and
from school.
• Economic benefits by sustaining jobs,
keeping freight moving, and providing
a boost to local communities across the
state.
For upcoming transportation
projects in your area, visit www.oregon.
gov/ODOT.
Any time you need to visit
a DMV office, first check www.Or-
egonDMV.com to find office hours and
locations, and to make sure you have
everything you need before your visit.
You also can do some DMV business
from home at OregonDMV.com. You
can renew your vehicle registration, file
a change of address or file notice of the
sale of your vehicle online without get-
ting in line at an office.
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Karen Kain
Dr. Carol McIntyre
Rachel Wilcoxen
Photography
Karen Kain
Garry Kinney
Scott Laird
Aaron Scovel
Whitley Tolonen
Want to advertise?
Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
One year subscriptions
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Vernonia’s Voice is published
on the 1st and 3rd Thursday
of each month.
Columbia County Offers
Consultation with St. Andrew Legal Clinic
Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
The Columbia County Law Library’s “Lawyer in County Bar Association’s Law Library, Pam Davis Librarian,
Vernonia,
OR 97064
the Law Library” series welcomes St. Andrew Legal Clinic in conjunction with Columbia County Legal Aid.
503-367-0098
(SALC) to St. Helens, Thursday, November 16, 5:30 to 8:30
For further information, contact Maddy Sheehan,
pm for “night clinic” at the Law Library. The Law Library is attorney, Columbia County Legal Aid Board of Directors,
at 270 S. First St. in Old Town St. Helens.
(503) 543-7171
www.VernoniasVoice.com
This is a rare opportunity for local residents
who earn $3,500 per month or less to consult with an
attorney about family law issues for just $40. Further
representation by SALC’s experienced staff attorneys
is available on a sliding fee scale. Financial help and
continued from front page
convenient payment schedules may be arranged for
and how it’s affected me. For me spent the rest of her high school about going to court and have it
people experiencing financial crisis. Potential clients for
it wasn’t about how bad his pun- years. She said she was unaware delayed again,” said Alexis Baska.
the night clinic must pre-register to participate by calling
ishment was, or how easy it was. of Gene Baska’s other victims un- “The hardest part for me was hav-
(503) 281-1500.
It was more about the account- til they came forward and made ing so many relatives in Vernonia
SALC is a community-based organization
who I’ve lost through this.”
ability piece and finding peace their complaints against him.
providing reduced fee legal services for low-income
“My hope from this is that
Alexis Baska expressed
and wrapping things up and feel-
people with family law needs such a divorce, custody, and
people
aren’t
so quick to believe
disappointment
that
so
many
peo-
ing
like
there
was
some
type
of
restraining orders. SALC service for Columbia County
ple
spoke
on
behalf
of
Gene
Bas-
an
adult
or
treat
children like they
justice.”
residents is usually available only at the nonprofit’s
Alexis Baska says the ka, and was especially disappoint- are lying, just because the person
offices in NE Portland and Hillsboro. The upcoming
abuse
by
her grandfather hap- ed in several female staff members being accused is important in the
night clinic in St. Helens was arranged by the Columbia
pened in the summer of 2011. In from the Vernonia School District community, or that they might not
September of 2011 her father Scott who offered testimony on Gene be somebody you think could do
that,” said Alexis Baska. “Things
Baska died suddenly from a brain Baska’s behalf.
aneurysm. In October she was
The case had been de- aren’t always the way they seem.
placed in the care of her grand- layed several times over the years I wish that people would look at
Vernonia’s Voice is published on the
parents; in February she made due to claims by Gene Baska that the evidence and not the people
1st and 3rd Thursday. Look for our
involved.”
her first complaint against Gene he was sick or terminally ill.
next issue out November 16.
Baska. She was then placed in an-
“I’m relieved that this is
other foster care home, where she over and that I don’t have to think
Baska Sentenced in Sex Abuse Case
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