6
in other words
december21
2017
Columbia County Awarded
$1.2 Million Grant for Justice System Innovations

On December 6, 2017 District Attorney Jeff
Auxier, Columbia County Sheriff Jeff Dickerson, and
Department of Community Justice Director Janet Ev-
ans were officially awarded a $1,239,999 grant from
the State of Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The
money will allow the County to employ a Deputy Dis-
trict Attorney, Sheriff’s Deputy, and Probation Officer
(PO) paid for by the State of Oregon. The award will
also pay for a patrol car for the Sheriff’s Deputy.

The Criminal Justice Commission awarded the
grant to Columbia County based on a proposal from
Auxier, Dickerson, and Evans to create a new unified
team consisting of a prosecutor, a police officer, and a
PO. The team will be charged with identifying the best
candidates for probation sentences while simultane-
ously stepping-up enforcement of probation violators.

“This new program will help make sure that
we give probation to defendants who actually deserve
it, and that probation violators will face swift sanc-
tions,” Auxier said.

Echoing this sentiment, Sheriff Dickerson
added, “This program will enhance our enforcement
efforts to conserve the peace in our County and expand
the jail’s potential for holding violators of that peace
accountable.”

While the program is still in development,
continued on page 7
On the Shelves
By Shannon Romtvedt
Staff at the Vernonia Public Library
wish everyone a Merry Christmas
and wonderful holiday season. The
Library will be closed Monday and
Tuesday, December 25 and 26, and
Monday, January 1, to give staff time
to celebrate with family.
The Library has been filled
with more holiday cheer than ever
this year, due to the support and
participation of many volunteers.
It’s hard to spend enough time
thanking individuals and groups for
everything you do for the library. To
name a few, thank you to students at
the Vernonia Academy for decorating
the Library for Christmas. Thank
you to Lorna Poetter and friends
for pruning, raking, and preparing
the Library grounds for the winter.
Thank you to Susan Schmidlin,
Caitlin Hunter, and Amy Ragan for
volunteering to host (in order of
volunteer), a Writer’s Group, Knitting
Group, and an upcoming Puppetry
workshop for children. Thank you to
all Library staff family members for
putting your time in at the Library.
Thank you Library Board members
for volunteering to improve the
Library and services. Thank you to
Cici Bell for wearing many hats for
the Library and helping wherever
needed, and Donna Webb for hours
devoted to our ongoing newspaper
project. And to the Friends of the
Library and Vernonia Hands on Art
for hosting programs and purchasing
membership passes to share with the
community.
Thank you to City staff and
in particular, the wonderful Library
support staff Nancy, Brandi, and
Jamie, for all you do for the Library.
On Saturday, December 9
the Library hosted a Story & Craft as
part of the Spirit of Christmas line-
up. Library staff, Jamie Adams, read
“Mooseltoe” by Margie Palatini with
the help of her husband, Jess Adams,
and audience members. Over 45
kids came to the Library to enjoy the
story and create Christmas moose,
mustache trees, and scratch art
ornaments. What an amazing line-up
of events for Spirit of Christmas this
year. Appreciation goes out to the
committee in charge. Well done!
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses.
Puppet show is tentatively scheduled
for Tuesday, February 27, 6:30
pm. For a successful performance
students must plan on attending as
many Tuesday classes as possible.
Register at the Library (503) 429-1818
or email shannonr@vernonia-or.gov
Ongoing Programs
Kids Book Group
Thursday, December 28, 2-3:30 pm
Featuring: Rise of the Guardians
Free movie and popcorn
Friday, January 12, 4:30-5:30 pm
January Selection: Lost Treasure of
the Emerald Eye by Geronimo Stilton.
Meetings once a month, 2 nd Friday at
4:30 pm. For kids and families with
children grades 3-5, or thereabouts.
Copies of books will be available
following the meeting. If interested
in the book group and want to be
on a contact list, email shannonr@
vernonia-or.gov or contact the library
(503) 429-1818.
Author Night: Brian K. Friesen
Book Discussion Group
Thursday, January 25, 6:30 pm
Portland author of At the Waterline:
Stories from the Columbia River will
be coming to the Vernonia Library
for a reading, Q & A about his book,
and book signing. Sponsored by the
Friends of the Vernonia Library. Light
refreshments served.
Last Monday of every month,
5:30 pm. No Meeting in December.
Discussion for January 29: Astoria by
Peter Stark.
Upcoming Events
Family Movie Matinee
Puppetry Workshop
Tuesdays, 4-5 pm
January 16 - February 27
Registration required. Limited to
10 participants, open to 3 rd - 5 th
grade. $10.00 material cost per
student. Students will make their
own puppets, learn puppetry skills,
and work towards a performance of
Knitting Group
Saturday, January 20, 10 am-Noon
For knitters with all levels of
experience. Contact Caitlin at
boylandknitworks@gmail.com if
you are new to knitting and need
materials or more information.
Writer’s Group
Thursday, December 21, 6-7:30 pm
Third Thursday of the month. For all
levels of writing experience. New
members always welcome.
VERNONIA
Friends of the Vernonia Public Library
C H I RO P R AC T I C C L I N I C, I NC.
Membership Dues:
VernoniaChiro.com
Joseph Dombek, DC
(971) 248-4055
Now Accepting New Patients
610 Bridge Street • Vernonia, OR 97064
Family:
Minimum:
$10.00 Individual:
$5.00
$1.00 plus 2 hours minimum of work in the library
Make checks payable to: Friends of the Vernonia Public Library
Mailing Address: 701 Weed Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064
Name
Address
City
Phone
Date
State
Zip
Storytimes
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, 10:30-11:15 am
Songs, short stories, toys, and
bubbles for 0-3.
Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30-11:15 am
Stories and a craft/activity for up to
age 5. Older siblings welcome!
No Storytime on Friday, December 22
Did You Know?
Book and DVD Donations
The Friends of the Library takes
donations of books, DVDs, and
audiobooks. The Friends are a 501(c)
(3) non-profit and donations are tax
deductible. Bring donations to the
Library during open hours. Some
items are added to the collection
and the rest are saved for the annual
Jamboree booksale. Items should
be clean and gently used. Please no
textbooks, magazines, encyclopedias,
Readers Digest Condensed books,
or very outdated non-fiction
information. For large donations,
please call ahead at the Library (503)
429-1818. Thank you!
Library Closures
Monday and Tuesday, December 25
and 26 for the Christmas Holiday
Monday, January 1 for New Years
Hours & Contact Info
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am - 5 pm
Tues & Thurs 1 pm - 7pm
Sat 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov
FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES
IN AND AROUND THE
VERNONIA AREA
Police and County personnel are required
to use a rotation of available providers,
UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK
for a service by name.
REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM
Amount Enclosed $
I am interested in helping with the following committees (optional):
Please Circle •Membership •Endowments •Book Sales •Publicity & Public
Relations •Fund Raising •Library Services •Finance-Budget-Legal Matters
Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00