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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2008)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 23, No. 13 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” Hot weather brings along beginning of Fire Season Summer is here Fire Season officially began for Northwest Oregon as of July 1. The fire season desig- nation includes lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry within Columbia, Clat- sop, Multnomah, Washington, Tillamook and Yamhill counties. Regulations that affect forest operations and open burning are now in effect. Those working in the woods must have fire protection and fire fighting equipment on the job site. In addition, a fire watch is required to be on the opera- tion site after the shutdown of equipment. The first level of precaution for forestry opera- tions is called an “Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1.” This is the first level of a four level system that regulates fire risks associated with industrial equipment operated within the forest protection district. For open burning, the decla- ration of the fire season means that no open burning is allowed until significant rains occur in the fall. The temperature at Vernonia’s official Rock Creek station was 99°F on Saturday, June 28. The thermometer above was on the front porch of a local home. Volunteers available to help flood victims Columbia County Flood Re- lief Volunteer Center is open and has people to assist in home rebuilding projects. Stop by their office at the Vernonia Community Learning Center or call them at 503-429-4948 to discuss your needs. Special Dog License Clinic in Vernonia SEE PAGE 7 Poker tourney to help injured man A Texas Hold’em Poker tour- nament will be held at Schlegel Hall on Sunday, July 13, with sign-in at 11:30 a.m. and a start time of noon. The buy-in will be $40.00 and half the proceeds will be donated to help support Paul Meeuwsen. Meeuwsen was paralyzed from the chest down in a motor- cycle accident while jumping his dirt bike. He is now under- going extensive physical and occupational therapy at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. To reserve a seat at the tour- July 3, 2008 nament, call Rob at 503-869- 3681 or Terri at 503-869-3679. A fundraising campaign has also been set up for Meeuwsen through the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Trans- plant Assistance Fund. Tax de- ductible checks, to be used for injury-related expenses only, can be sent to NTAF, 150 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Suite F- 120, Radnor, PA 19087. In the memo section of the check print: In honor of Paul Meeuwsen. Or go to www. transplantfund.org. $200,000 may get 47J funding started A funding request by U.S. Representative David Wu has resulted in $200,000 for Ver- nonia schools passing the first round of approval. Rep. Wu originally asked for $1 million to be used for tech- nology and equipment at Ver- nonia schools. Appropriations requests such as this one can- not be used for construction, hence the designation for tech- nology and equipment. The funding request must still win approval from the House Appropriations Commit- tee, the full House and Senate before the money becomes a reality for Vernonia schools. Fire officials want to alert all landowners to check areas where burning has been con- ducted recently, especially any heavy accumulations of piled woody debris. These old burn areas are known to hold hot spots that can come to life un- der warm and windy conditions. Mike Simek, Protection Unit Forester with the Department of Forestry, is reminding every- one that the severity of the fire season is dependent on the weather from this point for- ward. “It has been a cool and wet spring,” Simek noted, “however, those in the fire busi- ness know that the fire season could be a difficult one, espe- cially if drying continues through summer and into the fall.” The recent high tempera- tures, wind and low humidity have cured grasses and markedly dried out forest fuels. Please see page 4 Celebrate July 4th B A NK S Banks will celebrate the 4th of July starting at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Park with a Family Fun Festival. The Festival will include kid’s games and rides, cotton candy, strawberry shortcake and bar- beque ribs. At 6:00 p.m. there will be auto racing at the speedway and fire- works will start at 10:00 p.m. V E R NO N I A Vernonia’s July 4th celebra- tion will start with a parade at 7:00 p.m. There is no entry fee and it’s open to everyone who wants to celebrate the 4th of July. Join the fun at Weed Ave. and Bridge Street, beside City Hall, no later than 6:30 p.m. A great fireworks display will start at dusk on the high school grounds.