The INDEPENDENT, February 3, 2011
Phone calls from Microsoft may be scam
Better Business Bureau
warns that consumers in multi-
ple countries have received
phishing phone calls imperson-
ating Microsoft. BBB serving
Alaska, Oregon and Western
Washington confirms the scam
has hit the region.
How does the scam work?
The caller impersonates a Mi-
crosoft representative and
claims there is a serious virus
or issue with the consumer’s
computer. The caller may warn
that if the problem is not
solved, the computer will be-
come unusable. To “fix” the
problem, the consumer is di-
rected to visit a website or
download a program that gives
the caller remote access to log
in to the computer. In some
cases, the consumer is then of-
fered a preventive service for a
fee.
The scam: the caller does
not work for Microsoft. If the
consumer takes the suggested
actions, they give a stranger
access to the data on their
computer; putting themselves
at risk for identity theft.
See Scam on page 21
50 Years Ago This Month
A new 50 star flag for use at the
Vernonia Memorial cemetery was
presented to the city of Vernonia at
the council meeting held Monday
evening on behalf of the American
Legion post by E. Louis Towne,
local post commander. This flag
had droped (sic) the casket of
Frank Meibus for whom services
were held last week and is to be
dedicated in his memory on me-
morial day. The old flag will be
turned over to the Legion for prop-
er disposal.
W. A. Rumbaugh, high school
ag teacher, appeared before the
council on behalf of the class to
present a sketch of the area on un-
used city property near the sewage
lagoon which the class wishes to
tree farm. After discussion, the
city attorney, Donald Kalberer,
was instructed to draw a one year
lease with options to renew over a
ten year period.
Relative to previous discussion
of the need for new city maps, the
attorney reported that the county
surveyor would make up such
maps for $56 for the first four with
additional copies for $1.00 each.
The matter is to be investigated
further before action is taken.
Sale to the city of a street right
of way on the east side of the
Washington school has been ap-
proved by the International Paper
company and an ordinance is to be
prepared authorizing the purchase.
It was informally agreed by the
council that one of the new street
lights should be placed in that area
after the street is constructed.
Discussion of the installation of
water meters in the O.A. subdivi-
sion resulted in a decision to uti-
lize the large capacity six inch
mains rather than the smaller ones
now used for household service.
This will require some new pipe
for interconnection of separate
units and installation of a number
of valves, and quotations are to be
obtained from several suppliers
before buying new parts.
The renewal of the bank build-
ing lease previously acted on was
formalized by the passage of an
ordinance covering the terms of
the agreement between the city
and the U. S. National Bank.
The Columbia County Histori-
cal Society was entertained in the
Vernonia Grange hall Saturday,
February 18 with representation
from Portland and Westport as
well as most areas of Columbia
county. Present from Portland
were Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd A. Bur-
ris, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Hiatt,
Mrs. Doris Gillis and Lester Shee-
ley. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Parker,
Mrs. Sally McMahon and E. H.
Condit were present from West-
port.
The Parkers were early settlers
of the Vernonia area and he was
the first white child born here in
1872. Mrs. Parker told of coming
here as a bride in November 1900.
She came with her new husband
by buggy from Houlton. There
was a little snow on the ground
when they started across the
mountain range, but it got deeper
as they climbed to the higher
ground. They were fortunate in
falling in with the mail carrier, and
after an all day trip she reached her
RM
+
CM
new home. They celebrated their
60th wedding anniversary last No-
vember at Westport. Ed Condit
also told of early days when he
was in school here.
Allen York of Vernonia favored
the society with songs, self accom-
panied on the accordian (sic),
which were much enjoyed.
Walter Carl, a pioneer of the
Birkenfeld area, told of their fami-
ly going to Woods Landing to at-
tend school when there was no
school in the valley. This place is
now known as Woodson. Mr.
Wood and his wife taught the
school and also helped early set-
tlers on their way. The road was
about 12 miles over the steep
mountain. It is still listed as a
county road, but is not in repair for
travel.
Mr. and Mrs. John Krinick
were present from Vernonia. She
told of her grandfather, George
Morgan, coming to Sauvie’s Is-
land in 1844. Descendants of this
family still live on the island.
It was announced that exhibits
will be wanted for the historical
display at the county fair in Au-
gust. Also, the Historical booklet
will soon be finished and ready for
sale.
The next meeting of the society
is planned for Clatskanie in
March.
fore
ver
The February 23, 1961, is-
sue of the Vernonia Eagle in-
cluded the following two news
story on the front page:
Page 9
Bits & Bites
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Chapter whatever in the saga of the
Country Girl Moved to the Concrete Jungle.
A lot has happened to me since I last wrote
to you, but life goes on. You either go with
the flow or hang on to keep from going
down the drain. I’ve been fighting or putting
up with a physical problem since, I guess,
about the last of October of ‘10. I felt (and
still feel) lousy, and I looked it. I even had to
stop taking Shadow on her long daily walks
– just too blamed tired. Went to my doctor, was tested, slight heart
problem. Tests began.
24-hour heart monitor, change in pills, I still feel BLAH. Sent to
heart specialist. Wore a monitor for a month, kept a diary of any
and all pings, pains and flutters I felt. Night or day. Lost lots of
sleep (the monitor ran a tape of feelings if I pushed the button),
kept it on a tape, then I had to phone it in. Lots of fun. I turned in
the monitor, was to go in for final test and counsel February 2.
But, I developed a slight fever on a Saturday during my Dialysis,
so pills and info if it hung on or got worse over the weekend.
Crack of dawn Sunday – PAIN – whiter than a sheet, shaking in-
side and out, can’t catch my breath. Fuzzy wuzzy was a small ex-
ample of how I was walking.
I went to the E.R. in my orange P.J.s, maroon bathrobe and on
my feet were my electric pink fuzzy slippers. Do you get the pic-
ture?? A nurse asks, “Do you need to see a doctor?” (I wanted so
bad to say, “No, I just wanted you to see my outfit,” but I said, “I
think so.” I was wired for everything including moving pictures,
given Nitro pills, blood draws, x-rays, catscan with a dye run, no
food, wait for test results, more blood draws, wait some more, a
one-hour antibiotic drip. Final result: Walking pneumonia. Maybe
someone sneezed on me, who knows. Anyhow, I’m feeling better.
Still have Dr. appointments to keep. How do you spend your time,
really, when you think you’re having fun? Any of you out there re-
late to this experience? How do you feel? My only answer – I feel
with my fingers. Keep a bright light shining, it makes the road back
shorter.
P.S. One bright spot in my saga. Before E.R. I went to lunch
with a friend to Chevy’s and had a great salad with applecapolty
dressing, but have you ever eaten “deep fried ice cream”? WOW,
give it a try. One dish serves two very nicely. Did you know pneu-
monia does not kill your taste buds? Homemade nachos taste
real good and go down easy.
Keep lookin’ up – the fog will lift. I hope.
Luba needs a new home!
Luba (which means “Love”) was born in June, 2008, is about ten
pounds, all white with golden eyes and pretty pink ears. She is a
gorgeous inside cat, but not de-clawed. She is fine with dogs, but
must be the only cat. She
needs and gives lots of love
and attention and is a cham-
pion cuddler. She is spayed,
up to date on her vaccines
thru Valley Vet, and living
near Vernonia. If you know
someone with an empty lap
that needs filling,
please call.
503-429-0898