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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2011)
Page 4 The INDEPENDENT, September 7, 2011 Oregon starts mandatory boat checks Fire restrictions increased for now Motorists hauling boats in Oregon are now required to stop at boat inspection stations to have their watercraft inspect- ed for aquatic invasive species under a bill signed into law by Gov. John Kitzhaber on August 2. Failure to stop at an inspec- tion station could result in a $142 fine. Motorists are alerted to in- spections stations by orange “Boat Inspection Ahead” signs. All vehicles carrying kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, sail- boats and any other boats, non-motorized or motorized, are required to stop. Inspections usually take about 10 minutes if boats are free of invasive species. If a boat is found to be contaminat- ed with quagga or zebra mus- sels, it will be cleaned on site by the boat inspection team with a pressure washer. There is no penalty or cost for the boat owner if their boat is found From page 1 drying of wildland fuels, and forecasted weather patterns calling for warmer and drier weather with no measurable precipitation in the foreseeable future.” The stepped-up restrictions include the following: 1. Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehi- cles on improved roads. 2. Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warm- ing fires, except at designated locations. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bot- tled fuels are allowed. 3. Non-industrial use of chainsaws is prohibited, except as waived by the forester. 4. Use of motorized vehi- cles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles, is prohibit- ed, except on improved roads. 5. Possession of the follow- to be contaminated with inva- sive species. When a motor boat passes inspection a zip-tie will be con- nected from the boat to the trailer as proof the boat has been inspected and is clean to launch. Boaters can easily re- move the zip tie when they launch. All boaters will be given a copy of the inspection form. Non-motorized boaters can show their inspection form if re- quested by law enforcement. According to Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Spe- cialist, inspection stations will be set up at roadsides and boat ramps throughout the state. ODFW’s four regional inspec- tion teams are based in Med- ford, Clackamas, Madras and La Grande. “Zebra and quagga mussels are established in many states and we want to make sure they don’t end up in our waterbod- ies,” said Glenn Dolphin, Aquatic Invasive Species Coor- dinator for the Marine Board. “And, we have to contain the invaders we already have in the state, New Zealand mud snail and Eurasian water mil- foil, so they don’t get transport- ed to new areas.” Columbia 9-1-1 Administrator quits Rick Whitehead, Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Administrator, has notified the board of directors of his intent to resign for personal reasons effective September 15. The board has indicated that it will explore options to fill the position as quickly as possible. In the meantime, administrative staff will assume some of the duties of the administrator. Whitehead held the adminis- trator position for nine months, following the retirement of long- time administrator Sally Jones. ing firefighting equipment is re- quired while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2-1/2 lb. or larger fire ex- tinguisher. 6. Use of fireworks is prohib- ited. 7. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited. 8. Use of exploding targets is prohibited. The ODF field districts en- compassed by the regulated- use closure include the Astoria, West Oregon, Forest Grove and Tillamook districts. Current information on local fire season regulations for both public and industrial users may be obtained by calling the Co- lumbia City office of the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503- 397-2636. Community Calendar VERNONIA Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays 6:30 p.m., 410 North Street Alcoholics Anonymous Thursdays (Big Book Study) 7:00 p.m., 410 North Street American Legion Post #119 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., 627 Adams Avenue Booster Club 2nd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., VHS Library Boy Scout Troop 201 Tuesdays 7:00 p.m., Scout Cabin Boy Scout Troop 860 Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., LDS Church Cemetery Beautification Comm. 2nd Thursday 6:30 p.m., Library CERT 4th Wednesday For Info Call 503-429-3018 Chamber of Commerce 2nd Wednesday For Info Call 503-429-6081 Community Coalition 2nd Monday 12:30 p.m. School District Ofc. Cub Scout Pack 201 Scout Cabin For Info Call 503-429-4250 Friends of the Library 1st Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Vernonia Library Girl Scouts, Neighborhood 4-2 For Info Call 503-819-0143 Izaak Walton League 3rd Thursday For location call 503-429-7193 Kiwanis Club 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., New Hong Kong Lions Club 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., New Hong Kong Municipal Airport Committee 1t Wednesday 6:30 p.m., City Hall Pioneer Museum For Info Call 503-429-3713 Public Works Committee 4th Tuesday 7:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Cares Directors For Info call 503-429-1414 Vernonia City Council 1st & 3rd Mondays 7:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Community PTA 2nd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., WGS Library Vernonia Garden Club 2nd Tuesday 1:30 p.m., Vernonia Library Vernonia Grange 3rd Monday 7:00 p.m., Grange Hall Vernonia Health Center 3rd Thursday 6:30 p.m., 510 Bridge St. Vernonia Learning Center 1st Wednesday 6:00 p.m., VLC Vernonia Parks Committee 3rd Wednesday 6:30 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Planning Comm. 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Pride 2nd Thursday 1:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Ridge Riders Last Thursday 7:00 p.m., Senior Center Vernonia RFPD Board 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Fire Station Vernonia School Board 2nd Thursday 6:00 p.m., District Office Vernonia Sr. Center Board 2nd Friday 10:00 a.m., Senior Center Vernonia Transfer Station 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Behind VHS Vern. Volunteer Ambulance Assoc. 1st Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Fire Station Vernonia Volunteer Firefighters 2nd Monday 7:00 p.m., Fire Station WOEC Directors 3rd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., WOEC MIST-BIRKENFELD M-BRFPD Board Business Mtg. 2nd Tuesday M-BRFPD Board Workshop 4th Tuesday M-B Ambulance Drill 1st & 2nd Thursdays M-B Fire Drill 1st & 2nd Wednesdays M-B Helping Circle 2nd Monday M-B SAR Drill 3rd Wednesday M-B Volunteer Assoc. 1st Tuesday Natal Grange 2nd Wednesday T.O.P.S. Mondays Upr Nehalem Watershed Council For date call 429-0869 BANKS Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous American Legion Post #90 Banks City Council Banks Fire District #13 Banks Library Commission Banks Planning Commission Banks School Board Banks Youth Group Chamber of Commerce CPO 14 Everybody’s Hometown Band Friends of the Library Lions Club Sunset Park Assoc. T.O.P.S. Friday Wednesday 2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 2nd Wednesday 3rd Tuesday Last Tuesday 2nd Monday Sunday, Wednesday 1st Thursday 3rd Monday Tuesdays 2nd Tuesday 1st & 3rd Mondays 3rd Wednesday Wednesday 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:30 p.m., Natal Grange Hall 9:00 a.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:30 p.m., Methodist Church 7:30 p.m., Methodist Church 7:30 p.m., Main Street Post 7:30 p.m., City Hall 7:00 p.m., Station 13 7:00 p.m., City Library 7:00 p.m., City Hall 7:30 p.m., Jr. High Library 7:00 p.m., UMC Youth Bldg. 12:30 p.m., Fire District Office 7:00 p.m., City Library 7:00 p.m., BHS Music Room 7:00 p.m., City Library 7:00 p.m., Brown Derby 8:00 p.m., Gun Club 7:00 p.m., Administration Bldg. COLUMBIA COUNTY (All meet in St. Helens unless otherwise noted.) Board of Commissioners Wednesday 10:00 a.m., Courthouse Citizens for Senior Justice 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Sunset Park Church Columbia Comm Mental Health 1st Tuesday 5”30 p.m., 58646 McNulty Way Columbia Soil & Water District 3rd Wednesday 7:30 p.m., NRCS , 2514 Sykes County Fair Board 2nd Monday 6:00 p.m., Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg. County Parks Commission 3rd Tuesday Times vary, 1054 Oregon St. Mental Health Advisory Comm. Quarterly For Info call 503-397-7211 Comm. on Children & Families 3rd Thursday 5:30 p.m. OSU Ext., 505 N. Hwy. 30 Local Alcohol & Drug Plan. Comm. Quarterly For Info call 503-397-7211 Organizations and meeting dates not listed may be included by calling 429-9410 or by mail to The INDEPENDENT, 725 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064.