[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6276372,"mediaKeyId","2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b","parentId",2660516,"title","Commissioners approve letter and logo to support pilot for small modular reactors under House Bill 2410","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",2509000,"endMs",2696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b&start=2509&end=2696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b/thumbnail_2509000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6276372/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commissioners-approve-letter-and-logo-to-support-pilot-for-small-modular-reactors-under-House-Bill-2410","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276372-b288cca766de98ebddd95c60e3cc1645/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158025&Signature=WT9qHvRanl8Pty3-NTbt4J9K64HAFvrNB9huqUsEjyOThgxttSSKPjWKRDeXfAXNTaMfOMSrJXd2AHBpfzLHi~cwhYVOVMktGIGjVCbDrFkRIUdKCgojpVgX0apb1skjyVPrg4bxb8JUzgiwl9K033xnsifOZyFGpq4j6gok67QgH-6BfGx2DzIvmOCr5d26UUE63BeA2Y3jEiEf2PIeNjZZGAZ~PBPZhIJdfK7oWWYj8eqxnIgGE1jWQhn-jbTlP22FaixPSi1I46D7UOgu1Y9OVGyFEyaRRzn0Maba6V8dQZZE24MosvuPh7x6TDYfXRPeZGkYR7SfK-P72YCYLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","OR / Columbia County ","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Columbia County commissioners voted on Feb. 26 to approve a letter of support and to allow the county logo to be placed on a joint communication backing House Bill 2410, which would authorize a pilot project for small modular reactors (SMRs) in Umatilla County.

A commissioner described the request as coming from Commissioner Doran of Umatilla County and framed the pilot as one of several options counties are examining to address power supply needs. The board's motion authorized submittal of a letter of support for the bill and the use of Columbia County's logo on a general letter of support. Commissioners voted to approve the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded on the public record other than the board's affirmative voice vote.

One commissioner noted minor edits to the draft wording and the removal of overly formal salutations, and the act of placing the logo on the letter was treated as part of the motion. The board directed staff to transmit the letter to the Salem hearing process in advance of the near-term legislative action.

The board did not record further conditions or financial commitments with the endorsement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia County Board of County Commissioners Meeting February 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board voted to sign a letter supporting House Bill 2410, which would authorize a pilot for small modular nuclear reactors in Umatilla County, and to add the Columbia County logo to a shared letter of support.","taxTitle","Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276377,"Columbia County Justice of the Peace warns commissioners of sweeping Justice Court rewrite in House Bill 2460",243,77000,320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b&start=77&end=320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b/thumbnail_77000.jpg","/articles/6276377/Columbia-County/Oregon/Columbia-County-Justice-of-the-Peace-warns-commissioners-of-sweeping-Justice-Court-rewrite-in-House-Bill-2460","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276377-a30d036e08a7064cf92b6a98dc20850f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158025&Signature=YA76-RGO2aD27YAXJA~VPkh37q3p2gL-~XGqHauwNqdbb29a5ZnpwGm2K3XtwuYbTEL8SbBXi5YAu9WyjfE-IfigA7uTznjNsHv0axDIiPdLMUYNS6JFOqN7O9dsnNZfYXpPHbmD~8cb-qW3JS0kAvDP2f-7B4XFQJiPoNHVr1p03ZvykTC19NYLHdxIFhF4JLBE-sFg7B1EEPV~WbklPU3TlNoB6V5H2BFBseYJWETsN~rxez6P2szy5fHZv~belH~sW8GF89xg~~svN7lXwXrWkfVsBFFI3e2Nutt4GJFFBSSb9ccZyhosJzSn8bpQ2YPH9-RHexX7ixxuUaxgiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia County Justice of the Peace Jim Gibson used the visitor comment period on Feb. 26 to alert the Board of Commissioners to House Bill 2460, saying it is \"pretty much a total rewrite of justice courts and how we function.\" Gibson said he learned of the bill only the day before the meeting and planned to contact the bill sponsors and local representatives to provide input.

Gibson told the board House Bill 2460 spans about 28 pages and could require the county to change ordinances that define Justice Court jurisdiction. \"I just wanted to make sure you were aware of House Bill 24 60. It's a 28 page rewrite of the Justice Court statute,\" he said. He described a key issue for the county as the limits on Justice Court jurisdiction in the county seat and said he would push to allow Justice Courts to hear county ordinance violations within the county seat.

Gibson said he supports keeping a caveat that prevents holding Justice Court in the county seat if that interferes with circuit court operations, but he urged commissioners to follow the bill and coordinate with state legislators. He told the board he would prepare written comments after reviewing the bill.

Commissioners thanked Gibson and noted the House bill was scheduled for a hearing and work session in Salem, and that interested local officials could submit comment, including at the hearing the following day.

No county action or formal motion was recorded on the bill at the Feb. 26 meeting.","Judge Jim Gibson told the board he recently discovered House Bill 2460 would substantially change the Justice Court statute and could require the county to amend local ordinances and court operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276382,"County conditionally approves ORRC Winona Marathon and Reach the Beach permits; safety conditions noted",655,1821000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b&start=1821&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b/thumbnail_1821000.jpg","/articles/6276382/Columbia-County/Oregon/County-conditionally-approves-ORRC-Winona-Marathon-and-Reach-the-Beach-permits-safety-conditions-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276382-fe8b6dd2308a18e9756de7fef491131d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158025&Signature=lFOC82s6kUfJiH14TFKvVhDZgaT~GJ5gMgaEj8zNd~AhrDoVwLYgIoig-DVytZMWW4QqQqpeNyBpD-UQoC9ai9KyYaQRuz7ne6kXbGEI2wG97aoq0C5y-bRJe~APQIA93rRJIvutupc-DsDHDoSAgf0~Bd6tKsaj6CA3Knjh2viLGN1ZKns7bCPMuubG027oL0wWwjncEe-NuB0MUhhYgg76EY2TI8Qvzfkt-wLueiAi9i7ozfrBWPM1xdCrPqwoSH7Dw4gG1nXuQzjW4kTYOUEmXiRKYbLYdG6ClfFtHCT9t9qFyO4Kr4MNOiVve1rVHOt7~Lk1nFZLIbPh9aVnUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia County commissioners on Feb. 26 authorized a permit for the Oregon Road Runners Club (ORRC) Winona Marathon in Vernonia and gave conditional approval for the Reach the Beach road and trail bicycle event, with the latter contingent on receipt of insurance documentation.

Engineering technician Sarah Smith told the board the ORRC Winona Marathon is planned for Sunday, April 13, 2025, and \"they're expecting approximately 600 participants, a 50 volunteers, and 15 support vehicles,\" using Vernonia streets and county roads. Smith said staff solicited comments from local agencies and did not receive concerns since last year's event; staff recommended approval and requested authorization for Public Works Director Mike Russell to sign the permit.

The Reach the Beach bicycle event is planned for Saturday, May 17, 2025, with an expected 450 participants, 40 volunteers and two support vehicles. Smith said the route uses a combination of city streets, county roads and a section of the Crown Z (Crownsey) Trail between Dyke Road and the Scappoose-Vernonia Highway. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office raised safety concerns about narrow, curvy stretches of Scappoose-Vernonia Highway and the larger number of cyclists. \"They do believe it's going to be a safety risk,\" Smith said, adding that event organizers have proposed mitigation including caution signage, flaggers at a key intersection and motorcycle and support-vehicle assistance.

Scappoose Fire and Rescue expressed concerns about ambulance access on portions of the trail; Smith said organizers contract private ambulance support and also station motorcycle support, radio-equipped ride command and ham radio operators at rest stops. Scappoose Public Works asked for additional signage on the trail to warn regular trail users; organizers agreed to add extra signs.

Staff recommended conditional approval of the Reach the Beach permit pending submission of insurance documents and placing the indemnity agreement on consent once insurance is provided. The board approved the Winona Marathon permit and conditionally approved the Reach the Beach permit with the insurance condition; the indemnity agreement will be signed after required insurance is received.

Commissioners noted prior permitting problems the first year the Reach the Beach route returned and said they expect public complaints on some highway segments; no injuries were reported to staff from last year's events.

Both permits are localized to Vernonia and Scappoose areas and require coordination with city jurisdictions for trail sections under city control.","Columbia County approved a Winona Marathon permit and conditionally approved the Reach the Beach bicycle event pending insurance; Sheriff and local agencies raised safety and ambulance-access concerns for the Reach the Beach route.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276386,"Columbia County opens recruitment for two-year health promotion specialist funded by Oregon Health Authority",140,636000,776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b&start=636&end=776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b/thumbnail_636000.jpg","/articles/6276386/Columbia-County/Oregon/Columbia-County-opens-recruitment-for-two-year-health-promotion-specialist-funded-by-Oregon-Health-Authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276386-e43285d0e49033d34ab9e551b3ca5a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158025&Signature=TczY8WO2xhsOdyK7za547sawm6iZmxh-6jsyN8JWjifHb8vHrQGXYG2iM-t2InlFYPb4qpw1v5g8dL8EezIzryZvU4PHx5wMp386uiqWu720BtnIRskGTpUKSbHWyuKHtNINGvTldx-a~mrkdPZrBig1dXRgYzorvBRmLr~N0xPNgEeSoCnvXBv9iU8Sl8YCWVeOhbvZ-Ra1~LAXq2TjGCihrB8kzaUvjCFdReYl2V2mfHtwkH-tFdg9cePdQ-lB64MpCiB~vJO03UJxlL1DPrP6SGjM1Fowsw7NMUwEQpyrrwHzG-n~owbT-aJyll30YPypwRs9dTpk~pbK6cUBRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 26 authorized Public Health to open recruitment for a limited-duration Health Promotion Specialist position funded by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Public Health Assistant Director Jerry Walker told the board the position was budgeted and funded by OHA and is intended to expand local alcohol and drug prevention work in schools and community settings. \"This was a budgeted and dollars were approved by OHA, given to us for the creation of this position,\" Walker said. He confirmed the position is limited to two years, subject to continued funding.

Commissioners asked about the duration and the work plan. Walker said the new hire will expand current work already allotted at 5–6% of staff time to a larger effort requested by local school districts and other partners. \"This is gonna cast a wider net and allow us to do more of that work that's being requested,\" Walker said.

The board voted to open recruitment for the limited-duration Health Promotion Specialist position. The job description had been approved previously, and today's action authorized advertising and recruitment to proceed.

Staff said continuation beyond two years depends on the availability of funding and OHA support.","The Board approved opening recruitment for a limited-duration Health Promotion Specialist position in Public Health supported by OHA funding to expand alcohol and drug prevention work in schools and the community.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276390,"Columbia County commissioners hear proposal to close Public Works office on Fridays",998,795000,1793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b&start=795&end=1793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660516-fe4cdf3ac251e2005b619f4cf83ec42b/thumbnail_795000.jpg","/articles/6276390/Columbia-County/Oregon/Columbia-County-commissioners-hear-proposal-to-close-Public-Works-office-on-Fridays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276390-64a4739f79dc47a051bba121167d6a81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158025&Signature=BJXnHe4TgHXuN~FIMAcUnjACqF-2P11T86LFfFTFTO3eFSbVrBRJjKKKkrQM6LQkWSKGW4ZiF0FXbglN-HdpG01GATGywsadFTBLUp3ENs8Jj07Ebv4i26Ql8~3M6GVXfG8yUfOc5-ohtvyBJP1QSzRB7GxNKW6pU6awEQtstURZMXdXqdrRIM8b3U688E8WeiXGDOezuzVNtTv~Y8sVC94WDP~Xn1FgTl6dtiui0hJP0-oeFwKBfOpFTR9QqA76UeVYLlxpAflnW7Wx~B~rmBqFUGyTj13W5tmESlZ0TYNrfI7tbY46DlU9bcH5PVImbBLt4CfiOuSE-CKIWbMAJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia County Public Works Director Mike Russell asked the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 26 to consider closing the Public Works office on Fridays and moving all staff to a Monday–Thursday 10-hour schedule, saying the change would put all office staff on the same schedule and better align field crews with daylight hours.

The proposal matters because it would change in-person office access for residents who do business with Public Works. Russell told commissioners that the department typically maintains five-day phone coverage even when many staff work a 4x10 schedule, but that Fridays are quiet in the office and calls rarely require an immediate field response. \"This suggests to us that the impacts to the level of service provided to the public by closing the office on Friday would be minimal,\" Russell said.

Commissioners pressed on public access and perception, noting the difficulty residents face when they travel to an office expecting counter service. Commissioner Garrett said the problem is \"when you show up to the door... on a Friday of trying to take care of business,\" and warned that signage and outreach would be required to avoid frustrated residents. Commissioner Smith and others asked whether phone coverage could be routed to a county dispatch or to an on-call cell phone as a mitigation measure.

Assistant Public Works Director Grant Young and Road and Bridge Superintendent Tim Hancock highlighted operational benefits of a 4x10 schedule. Young said the longer days make it easier for engineering staff to reach remote sites in a single trip: \"It's really easy to lose an entire morning, you know, just trying to get to Klatsk and I, which reduces the number of trips that we're able to make in a week to get out to some of those sites.\" Hancock introduced himself as the new road and bridge superintendent and invited commissioners to ride along to see field operations.

Public-safety routing and after-hours handling were discussed: Russell said non-emergency calls would be handled through Columbia 911 for after-hours issues and the department would treat Friday calls as after-hours callouts. Commissioners asked staff to consider a communications plan and possible phone-forwarding tools if the board were to approve the change.

The board did not take a final vote at the Feb. 26 meeting. Commissioners directed staff to continue studying options and to return with more details and outreach plans, including how phone coverage and public notice would be handled.

Background: Public Works currently runs a seasonal schedule with five 8-hour days from mid-October to mid-March and shifts to 4x10-hour days mid-March through much of the year. Russell said the department has historically kept five-day office coverage (7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.) even when many operating staff are on the 4x10 schedule.","Public Works Director Mike Russell asked the Board to consider moving all Public Works staff to a Monday–Thursday 10-hour schedule and closing the county Public Works office on Fridays. Commissioners raised concerns about counter service and public perception; no formal change was approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve letter and logo to support pilot for small modular reactors under House Bill 2410

Columbia County Justice of the Peace warns commissioners of sweeping Justice Court rewrite in House Bill 2460

County conditionally approves ORRC Winona Marathon and Reach the Beach permits; safety conditions noted

Columbia County opens recruitment for two-year health promotion specialist funded by Oregon Health Authority

Columbia County commissioners hear proposal to close Public Works office on Fridays