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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2008)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 23, No. 24 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… December 18, 2008 Fire Chief Paul Epler resigns Vernonia’s long-time Fire Chief, Paul Epler, resigned his position during the December 9 meeting of the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Board of Directors. His resignation was effective December 15. When contacted on Decem- ber 17, Don Schulte, one of the board members, did not give any reason for Epler’s resigna- tion, saying that any additional information would need to come directly from Epler. Min- utes from the December 9 board meeting have not yet been transcribed and were not available at press time. “The board will fill an interim position in order to maintain service to the community and are actively going to pursue fill- ing the position,” stated Schulte. Epler did not return phone calls on Wednesday. A log truck contributes color to a landscape that became increasingly snow-covered on Wednesday, December 17. This photo was taken at 9:30 a.m. Reward offered for info about damage to trees A reward of $1000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for criminal activity on Longview Timber Property, off Scap- poose-Vernonia Hwy. near milepost 11. The incident occurred either on the evening of Friday, No- vember 21, or the early morn- ing hours of November 22, when a person(s) entered Longview Timber property and used equipment, which was on site for a nearby logging opera- tion, to destroy about a 370’ x 15’ section of 18-20 year-old re-prod timber. A total of 47 trees were destroyed with dam- age estimated in the thou- sands. Anyone with information re- garding this incident is asked to contact Sr. Trooper Robin May at 503-397-0325 ext. 43, or the Oregon State Police TIP line at 1-800-452-7888. Callers may remain anonymous. The reward is being offered by the Oregon Hunters Associ- ation-Columbia County Chap- ter and Longview Timber, in co- operation with the Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division. Vernonia Cares still seeking donations Children, including this one, enjoyed the snow on Wednes- day, December 17, in Vernonia’s Anderson Park. Back to basics. These three simple words describe the ef- forts at Vernonia Cares food bank. We all need food and shelter. Everyone is feeling the effect of the current economic crisis across the country and it is compounded, here in Ver- nonia, in the wake of last De- cember’s flood. Back to basics. Vernonia Cares is committed is now assisting, on average, 475 people per month. Over one-third of this number are children. We have found that the most flexible family budget item is food, therefore your help is greatly needed. Vernonia Sentry is also help- ing by accepting “Check Stand Donations” through December 24. A ten-dollar donation will to helping local residents with food assistance. “Cares” can really stretch your monetary donation through the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, in St. He- lens, by purchasing food for ap- proximately 14 cents per pound. All of your donations (dollars or food) stay here to help this community. Vernonia Sentry has step- ped forward to help our com- munity in several ways. Their donation of approximately 100 turkeys to this year’s Christmas food boxes at Vernonia Cares will make a huge difference to those in need, right here. The dollars saved in meat products, allows Vernonia Cares to stretch their funds into the New Year for clients. Vernonia Cares purchase a turkey and a thirty- dollar donation will sponsor a family’s Christmas meal, in- cluding a turkey. Please specify your donation preference on your check by indicating ‘tur- key’, ‘meal’, or ‘general fund’. As always, it is 100 percent tax deductible. Vernonia Cares needs your help to get back to basics.