Four separate sightings of a mature cougar near "A" Street and Highway 30 have recently been reported.

If you see the cougar, please contact the following agencies immediately:

• Oregon State Police - (503) 397-3131

• C-COM (Dispatch) - (503) 397-1521

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - (503) 621-3488

After the sighting, please leave paw prints and other possible signs undisturbed if possible.

Identifying characteristics: Adults of both sexes have light tan coats and long black-tipped tails, with black coloration on the backs of their ears. Adult males may exceed 8 feet in length, from nose to the end of their very long tail, and weigh between 130 and 170 pounds. Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 75 and 105 pounds.

Safety precautions: The potential for human/cougar interactions has increased in recent years. However, more people are injured or killed by deer, bees, dogs and spiders than by cougars. If you are concerned about safety, familiarize yourself with the signs of cougar and their habitat and follow these suggestions:

Keep an eye on your children. Don't let your children play unattended in the backyard, especially when cougars are known to be in the area. You also want to keep your children away from dense brush, which the cougar may use for cover.

Be cautious at dusk and dawn. Contrary to popular belief, most predators are most active at dusk and dawn. This is a time to be especially cautious.

Don't leave food or garbage outside. The strong smell of food or garbage may attract a cougar into your yard.

Keep your pets indoors. While you may have left your pet in the backyard in the past, you may want to start bringing it indoors with a cougar in the area. Cougars can easily kill the largest dog and leaving your pet out may prompt an attack. Don't feed pets outside as this can attract cougars and their prey.

Don't feed wildlife: By feeding deer, raccoons or other wildlife in your yard, you may inadvertently attract cougars, which prey on them as a food source.

Do not hike alone: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

Do not approach a cougar: Most cougars will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

Do not run from a cougar: Running may stimulate the instinct to chase. Stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they don't panic and run. Try to pick them up without bending over or turning away from the cougar.

Do all you can to appear larger: Raise your arms, open your jacket, throw stones or whatever you can without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak in a firm, loud voice. Fight back if attacked, and remain standing and face the attacking animal. Use rocks, sticks, jackets, garden tools, camping gear and your hands to fend off the attack.

Introduction: The "L" Street Bridge over Portland & Western Railroad (PWRR) is scheduled for replacement starting this winter. Columbia City retained OBEC Consulting Engineers to design the project.

The bridge provides the only grade-separated crossing over the PWRR in Columbia City. The existing bridge is supported by timber trestle piles and has significant decay. It is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, and has a posted load restriction of 15 tons. The vertical alignment is very poor with grades exceeding 10 percent on the ends and abrupt grade changes across the bridge. The vertical clearance over the railroad is also deficient.

Road improvements for this project extend only from Highway 30 to Fourth Street. The City is planning on replacing the bridge with a modern structure having a 34-foot roadway width consisting of two travel lanes and wider shoulders to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians.

Proposed Project: The new bridge is designed in a manner to minimize maintenance and provide safe access to area residents and visitors. The new bridge will be constructed of concrete and will have a concrete baluster rail topped with fencing to protect the railroad. Retaining walls will be necessary to maintain the minimum horizontal clearances from the railroad tracks, contain the approach earth embankments, and eliminate any right-of-way acquisition requirements. The retaining walls will be fabricated from precast concrete panels. The bridge will have a stone facing profile for aesthetic purposes that is designed to discourage graffiti. Guardrails will be added to the bridge ends in order to protect public traffic. Several trees near the bridge will need to be removed due to the wider bridge.

Construction Schedule: The project was recently let for bid, and a contract should be awarded by late December. Portland & Western Railroad will remove the existing bridge in late January, and the new bridge should be fully constructed by the end of June.

Traffic Control: During the construction phase of the project, "L" Street between Fourth Place and Highway 30 will be closed to traffic. Traffic will be re-routed to and from Highway 30 via "I" and "E" Streets. Short-term interruptions will also occur on "L" Street down to Fourth Street during delivery and placement of bridge slabs and while constructing the new approach roadway.

Funding: The City received $1.2 million in Federal funding under the Local Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRR), and revenues collected from Transportation System Development Charges will also be used to fund the project.

In a disaster, you might be cut off from food, water and electricity for days. By preparing emergency provisions, you can turn what could be a life-threatening situation into a manageable problem.

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers.

Family Disaster Supplies Kit should include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.

• One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.

• A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.

• Emergency tools, including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.

• Sanitation supplies.

• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.

• An extra pair of glasses.

Keep a small Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car. Be sure to include:

• Battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.

• Blanket.

• Booster cables.

• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).

• First aid kit and manual.

• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.

• Maps, shovel, flares.

• Tire repair kit and pump.

Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.

Locate your main electrical fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. If disaster strikes:

• Remain calm and patient.

• Check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.

• Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions.

• Evacuate if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

• Check for damage in your home:

• Use flashlights - do not light matches or turn on electrical switches if you suspect damage.

• Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.

• Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.

• Shut off any other damaged utilities.

• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.

• Remember to:

• Confine or secure your pets.

• Call your family contact - do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

• Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.

• Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.

• Stay away from downed power lines.

CHRISTMAS SHIPS

The Christmas Ship Parade will visit Columbia City on December 17^th. The ships will assemble at the St. Helens City docks at 6:00 p.m. and motor downriver to Columbia City. The Christmas ships will be out approximately two hours, will stay overnight at the St. Helens City docks and leave Sunday morning via the Multnomah Channel.

• Always use the proper fuel for each heater. Using non-approved fuels can be extremely dangerous.

• Never attempt to accelerate a fire with kerosene or gasoline. They will both "flash back" to the container with serious burn consequences.

• Be sure your space heater, fireplace, or wood stove is in good working condition. Clean your chimney at least once a year to prevent chimney fires.

• Maintain adequate clearance around all heating devices to ensure combustible material is well clear. Also, be sure to use a screen with your fireplace and avoid creating roaring fires which could ignite soot in your chimney.

The City's new Web site address is www.columbia-city.org, and the new e-mail address is colcity@columbia-city.org. If you'd like to receive our meeting agendas and/or meeting minutes via e-mail, please contact us and give us your e-mail address.

We'd like to extend a very special thank you to:

• Gloria Chinell, Nell Harrison, Shelia Jackson and Amy West for helping with the October newsletter and utility billing.

• Norm Jones for mowing Datis Park.

• The Columbia County Sheriff's Work Crew for helping with construction projects in our parks.

Columbia City has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2005-06 Budget.

The award reflects the commitment of the City Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:

• a policy document

• a financial plan

• an operations guide

• a communications device

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories to receive the award.

Since the inception of the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program in 1984, approximately 900 entities have received the award. This is the fifth year that Columbia City has received the award.

A detached garage, garden shed, and workshop are examples of an accessory building. Accessory buildings are detached and subordinate to your home. They are not dwelling units.

Accessory buildings must be similar in appearance to your home (constructed with similar siding and painted the same color). They cannot be of pole barn type appearance or made of corrugated material.

Each building must have its own 3-foot yard; thus 6 feet must be maintained between all buildings. Accessory buildings cannot exceed 1,000 square feet in size.

If you plan to build or install an accessory building that is over 10 feet in height or exceeds 200 square feet in size, you must first obtain a building permit from City Hall. All accessory buildings must meet the set back requirements and adhere to the lot coverage restrictions for the zoning district in which they are located.

Come listen to a story and make a bookmark in our new cozy children's corner.

Do you enjoy reading and quilting? A new group is starting. We'll read and discuss books and choose one on which to base a quilt. Our first book will be The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd.

Our adult patrons may feel free to check out or return materials when the United Koffee Shoppe is open, even when the library is unstaffed. Just fill out a check-out slip listing what you are taking, and place the items you are bringing back in the return bin. Note: Please check with the library staff to be sure that your library card is current before helping yourself.

We're now online at the new library location. The staff is available to help with online research or can guide new users.

Read, study, chat, play games, enjoy popcorn and other snacks, or just relax. Come celebrate National Children's Book Week with a special event after school on November 18th, from 3 - 4:30 PM.

The FCCCL supports the Library in developing its facility and services for the community, encourages gifts and bequests to the Library, and stimulates greater public support and use of the Library. The funds raised are used to purchase equipment, supplies, and support programs like the summer reading activities.

Annual dues to join the Friends are $25. Checks should be payable to the Friends of the Columbia City Community Library.

Please return completed forms and dues to the library, with your water bill payment, or mail to PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018. Thank you for your support.

Yard debris may be burned outdoors beginning on Saturday, November 5, and ending on Sunday, November 20. Columbia City residents do not need to obtain a burn permit from the Fire District to burn yard debris during the outdoor burn period. However, they do need to call the "Burn Line" at (503) 397-4800 each day to see if it is a burn day.

Do you own a boat, RV, or trailer? If you need to temporarily park it on an improved public street, you may do so for up to 72 hours if:

• It is currently licensed and registered; and

• It isn't blocking traffic or obscuring the visibility of an intersection, crosswalk, or a traffic control sign or device.

The same rules apply to the undeveloped right-of-way, except the 72-hour time limit does not apply as long as:

• It is parked adjacent to the owners property; and

• It is at least six feet from the edge of the pavement.

The City is the recipient of a $25,000 Special City Allotment (SCA) Grant. The grant will be used to overlay Second Street between "E" and "I" Streets.

Free scrap wood is available at the Columbia City Shops. Please call (503) 366-0454 for more information or to make arrangements to pick up.

The Columbia City Police Department offers periodic home security checks for citizens who are away from home. To receive home security checks while you're out of town, please register with the Columbia City Police Department before you leave. Forms are available at City Hall.

The Columbia County Police Department would like to remind residents to not give personal information or donations to phone solicitors!

Recently, a resident received a telephone call from a man claiming to work for the IRS. The man already had the resident's phone number, address and Social Security number. The man claimed that the IRS was going to give him a free grant of $12,500, and that a package, valued at $550, would be delivered via UPS to his door which he could use, same as cash. The man then proceeded to ask the resident for his bank account number, and said a deposit of $8,500 would be made to his account on the following Monday.

Fortunately, the resident refused to give the man any personal information, and quickly reported the incident to the Police Department.

Please call C-COM (Dispatch) at (503) 397-1251 to report any suspicious activity.

08/23 /05 Welfare Check of small child wandering in the 3100 block of Sixth Street.

08/25 /05 Person arrested after investigation of domestic violence call in the 1500 block of Third Street.

08/26/05 Telephonic harassment in the 3000 block of Tahoma Street.

08/26 /05 Ordinance violation - theft of services. Trailer hooked to sewer in the 2200 block of Second Street.

08/26 /05 Excessive dust reported at construction site.

08/29 /05 Harassment reported in the 1600 block of Second Street.

08/30 /05 Disabled vehicle blocking the 1600 block of Second Street.

09/01/05 Landlord/tenant dispute in the 200 block of "F" Street.

09/02 /05 Suspicious vehicle checked on The Strand.

09/02 /05 Disabled vehicle checked near Fourth and "E" Streets.

09/02 /05 Suspicious vehicle checked in the parking lot of the Columbia City Mini Mart.

09/02 /05 Suspicious vehicle checked again near the Columbia City Mini Mart.

09/02 /05 Disabled vehicle on Highway 30 near "A" Street.

09/03 /05 Theft subject cited during a traffic stop.

09/03 /05 Shoplift reported at the Columbia City Mini Mart. Two juveniles referred to Municipal Court.

09/03 /05 Suspicious vehicle checked near Smith Road and "A" Street.

09/03 /05 Alarm sounded at the Foursquare Church.

09/05 /05 Officer responded to domestic dispute in the 1800 block of Fifth Street.

09/08 /05 Welfare check in the 2100 block of Third Street.

09/09 /05 Harassment and vandalism reported on Metlako Way.

09/15 /05 Runaway juvenile reported from the 2800 block of Seventh Street.

09/15 /05 Dog at large on Tahoma Street.

09/15 /05 Vandalism reported in the 1800 block of Fifth Street.

09/15 /05 Disturbance - out of control juvenile reported in the 2800 block of Seventh Street.

09/16 /05 Ongoing problem of loose dog in the 1700 block of Seventh Street.

09/16 /05 Traffic complaint reported on Highway 30 near "A" Street.

09/16 /05 Animal complaint - loose dog in 2000 block of "G" Street.

09/17/05 Citizen assist at City Hall.

09/18 /05 Harassment reported in 3200 block of Fifth Street.