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![Text Box: KOHI Local News
On Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:54 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 30, near milepost 51, in Columbia County.
The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe, operated by Lorenza Gaspar-Mateo (34) of Longview (WA), crossed into the westbound lane and struck a westbound Subaru Crosstrek, operated by Alissa Jenay Jarvis (23) of Astoria, head-on.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Gaspar-Mateo) was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The operator of the Subaru (Jarvis) was declared deceased at the scene.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. Impairment and lane safety are considered primary contributors to the crash.
OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Columbia River Fire, and ODOT.
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The St. Helens City Council will hold a Special Session on Wednesday,
February 11, 2026 beginning at 4:00 p.m. and one on Wednesday, February
25, 2026 beginning at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of these meetings is to consider adoption of an ordinance and referral for voter approval a municipal services fee, which would be used to maintain existing general fund staffing, programs, and services in police, library, parks, recreation, community development, administration, and municipal court. The first reading of the ordinance will be on February 11 with the second reading and possible adoption on February 25.
The agenda packet with Zoom details will be posted on the City’s website by
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at noon. The Special Session will be held via Zoom and in-person in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 265 Strand Street, Plaza Entrance, St. Helens, OR 97051. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272
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ST. HELENS, OR. [February 01, 2026] — The Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District will begin planned preventative maintenance and inspections at select radio tower sites starting the week of February 2, 2026. After meeting with local first responders and receiving input from community members, the District is taking steps to address the concerns raised and maintain reliable emergency communications.
In addition to preventative maintenance, the inspections will help identify equipment that may need updating or replacement to ensure the system is performing as designed. Maintenance activities will take place intermittently over an estimated three-week period. During this time, individual tower sites may be temporarily taken out of service while work is completed.
The District has worked closely with emergency responder agencies throughout Columbia County to identify practical, accessible solutions and to develop a coordinated plan that includes contingency measures to minimize any potential service impacts.
“Our priority is responding quickly and effectively to the concerns raised by the agencies and community members who rely on this system,” said Jeremy Hipes, Executive Director of the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District. “This work allows us to directly assess system performance and take appropriate action while keeping emergency communications available.”
Emergency services will continue to operate throughout the maintenance period. The District will provide updates as appropriate if conditions change.
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Governor Kotek Supports NXTClean Fuels (expert from Columbia County Spotlight)
In its quest to navigate the state’s rigorous permitting process, NXTClean Fuels has picked up support from multiple state politicians, including state Sen. Suzanne Weber and state Rep. Cyrus Javadi.
Gov. Tina Kotek has also joined the list of supporters. In a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — the reviewing body for the final major permit NXTClean Fuels will need to obtain — Kotek urged the Army Corps to “give full and timely consideration to this project.” “This $3 billion private investment represents a significant opportunity for rural Oregon, both economically and environmentally, and has undergone rigorous review and permitting at the state and county levels,” Kotek wrote.
Kotek’s endorsement comes as the company waits for the Army Corps’ decision on a permit under the Clean Water Act, which is expected to come this summer. “Gov. Kotek’s vocal support is another momentum-building milestone leading up to federal approval,” NXTClean Fuels CEO Christopher Efird said. “With her eagerness in seeing us succeed, we feel ever more confident that our flagship project is viewed as a strategic asset for the state of Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest region.”
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Deer Island, OR – December 23, 2025 — The Columbia River People's Utility District Board of Directors adopted a $49.6 million Operating and Capital Budget during their December meeting. This represents a 3.3% increase over the 2025 Budget. The new budget was adopted with a 7.6% overall rate increase taking effect on April 1, 2026. The increase is being implemented because costs from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) increased on October 1, 2025. The PUD's wholesale power costs will go up by 8.9% and transmission costs will go up by 19.5% due to this increase.
Power costs from BPA constitute roughly half of the PUD's budget. CRPUD purchases all the power it distributes from BPA, its wholesale power provider.
BPA markets power produced by 31 dams on the Columbia River and sells it to 131 public power providers, like CRPUD. Increased demand for electricity and state carbonization laws have forced BPA to purchase more power on the market, which can be significantly more expensive than hydropower.
"When BPA increases its rates, we must offset those increases by raising our rates to pay the difference," said PUD General Manager Michael Sykes.
The PUD instituted a 7.5% rate increase in April of 2025 as well, choosing to split the increase over two years rather than implement a 15% increase to CRPUD customers all at once.
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Columbia County Warming Center will operate only as a Severe Weather Center through February 28, 2026. CAT staff will continue to work with all unsheltered individuals in order to help them explore housing and shelter options.
CAT staff will monitor weather conditions using the National Weather Service. Days and Hours of Operation will be updated on the Columbia County Warming Center Facebook page.
The Severe Weather Shelter will open as needed when any of the following conditions are expected to persist for four (4) hours or more, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.
-Forecasted temperature of 25° F or below.
-Forecasted snow accumulation of 1.0 inch or more.
-Forecasted temperature at or below 32° F (0° C) with rain of
-1.0 inch or more overnight.
During severe weather events, the shelter will operate as following: Open - 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Check In - 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Location – 1775 St. Helens St., St. Helens OR.
Phone – 503-369-4889.
When severe weather thresholds are not met - but when overnight temperatures are forecasted at 32 degrees or below for roughly four (4) hours or longer - CAT will work in conjunction with other service providers to conduct additional focused outreach. The goal will be to identify vulnerable houseless individuals, triage the situation, and distribute cold weather gear as needed.
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The Oregon Employment Department released monthly employment and unemployment data for November 2025 in Columbia County, after a significant delay due to the federal government shutdown.
Grant County was the highest unemployment County at 7.9%, Followed by Klamath at 7.5%Curry at 6,9%, Dpuglas at 6.5% then Columbia at 6.1% unemployed in December up from 5.9% in September, and above the rate of 4.7% in December 2024. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 90 jobs was expected for the month, and the county’s payroll employment decreased by 20. Private sector employment decreased by 50, and government employment increased by 30. Leisure and hospitality lost 30 jobs. Local government added 30 jobs.](index_files/image313.png)
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Remember to Shop Local!! |
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Listen for the Taheebo Tea Club Show Tuesday’s from 2p-3p on KOHI and follow this link: taheeboteaclub.com
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