Kaelyn Cassidy

Local ornithology enthusiast Tom Myers will make an appearance at the St. Helens Public Library to talk about one of his favorite subjects — birds. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Myers will host a Birding for Kids program in the Columbia Learning Center auditorium, located in the library at 375 S. […]

With the return of the rain and cooler weather, Columbia County’s burn ban has been lifted for the fall. The Columbia County Fire Defense Board, which is made up of firefighting agencies from across the county, announced the termination of the burn ban effective Oct. 10. Here’s what that means in your community: Scappoose Backyard […]

Out of six restaurants visited by Columbia County health inspectors in September, only one received less than a perfect inspection score. The county public health department inspects facilities that serve food on a semiannual, unannounced basis to look for compliance with health codes in three categories: Priority items, which have direct links to preventing foodborne […]

Columbia Community Mental Health is hosting a masquerade gala in support of its ongoing mission to create access to mental health services in the community. From 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, community members are invited to don masks for an enchanted evening at Buccini Hall, located at 165 S. 14th St. in St. Helens. Titled […]

Details of a county investigation into Columbia County Commissioner Casey Garrett reveal conflicting accounts of alleged workplace bullying targeting a county employee. Columbia County General Services Director Riley Baker accused Garrett in November 2024 of bullying him and creating an unhealthy workplace, but Garrett maintains that the incidents Baker reported were exaggerated, taken out of […]

An annual report evaluating each of Oregon’s 36 counties shows where Columbia County ranks on key measures of livability and economic health. The 2025 edition of the Ford Family Foundation’s Oregon by the Numbers report is full of data about life in Oregon. The report aims to provide key insights with which communities can make […]