(St. Helens, OR)  --  A former Columbia County employee is facing multiple charges in connection with thefts totaling nearly 600-thousand dollars over 17 years.  Authorities say Linda Hald was a county employee for nearly 30 years and worked for the Community Justice Department when the thefts occurred.  Officials tell KOIN-TV the county has recovered most of the money through insurance, but will move forward with prosecuting the case to the fullest extent of the law.  Hald has pleaded not guilty to all charges.