Oregon Beach News, Friday 1/3 – Prepare for Gusty Coastal Winds, Arrest Made in Connection with Newport Missing Person Cold Case & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Friday, January 3, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Active Weather Alerts – National Weather Service

...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM PST SATURDAY...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 PM PST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...West to southwest winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and very steep wind driven seas 11 to 16 ft. Winds diminishing and seas becoming west 13 to 15 ft at 14 seconds.

* WHERE...All areas.

* WHEN...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, until 1 AM PST Saturday. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 1 AM to 7 PM PST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Prepare for Gusty Coastal Winds

A powerful low-pressure system is set to bring gusty coastal winds and heavy rain to Oregon on Friday, posing safety risks for residents and travelers. Wind gusts are expected to reach 50 mph, especially north of Cape Blanco, with the strongest winds likely near coastal highways.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the gusty conditions could down power lines, causing outages. High-profile vehicles may face hazardous driving conditions on exposed roadways, and loose outdoor items should be secured ahead of the storm. Travel along major routes such as U.S. Highway 101 could be treacherous during peak gust periods.

Rain will accompany the winds, with up to half an inch of precipitation expected in Medford and surrounding areas. Residents are advised to prepare for wet roads and limited visibility during commutes.

Looking ahead, showers will linger into Saturday morning before tapering off, leaving cooler temperatures with highs near 48°F. Sunday’s forecast offers a brief reprieve with partly sunny skies and a high of 50°F. By Monday, drier conditions are expected, but lows could dip near freezing.

Residents should monitor local updates and plan for potential disruptions. NWS recommends avoiding outdoor activities during peak wind hours and ensuring emergency supplies are on hand.

Arrest Made in Connection with Newport Missing Person Cold Case

A search warrant related to the disappearance of a former used car dealership owner was issued last Friday morning.

The search is believed to be in connection to an ongoing investigation surrounding the disappearance of Ryan Staggs in January 2022.

Newport Police, the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office and Major Crimes Team executed the warrant at the home of Jack David Baird. A probable cause document shows that Jack Baird was arrested for abuse of a corpse in the second degree last Friday. He appeared in court on Monday.

The probable cause document says someone tipped off police, telling them that Baird killed Staggs and then buried him in Baird’s backyard with a backhoe.

Court documents show Baird was arrested at the scene and charged with abuse of a corpse in the second degree.

Seaside Aquarium was alerted of a sea turtle on Sunset Beach near Fort Stevens State Park.

Unfortunately, the 40-pound olive ridley sea turtle was already dead upon washing ashore. Recent storm systems coming up from the south are responsible for the recent strandings. Essentially, sea turtles forage for food in an offshore, warm water current. Weather conditions (such as a long, constant string of south-southwesterly winds) can drive the warm water current (and therefore the turtles) further north and closer to shore than normal.

When the weather conditions suddenly change, the warm waters quickly dissipate and the turtles find themselves trapped in the colder waters of the natural currents running along the Oregon and Washington Coasts. When this happens, their bodies slow down and they become hypothermic.When found on the beach, it can be difficult to determine if a sea turtle is dead or alive. A turtle suffering from extreme hypothermia can be unresponsive to touch and have a heartbeat so slow and weak that it is difficult to detect.

Most sea turtles found on Oregon and Washington shores do not survive, even if found and recovered quickly. Those that do live are taken to one of two licensed rehab facilities on the Northwest Coast; the Oregon Coast Aquarium or the Seattle Aquarium. When stabilized (which, if successful, can take up to a few weeks), the turtle is transferred to a center in California, where it will be released back into the wild.Though the Oregon Coast may see as many as five different species of sea turtle, the most commonly found is the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). https://www.facebook.com/SeasideAquarium

Thirty inmates have been released early from the Coos County Jail after budget constraints forced a reduction in capacity.

The jail’s bed count was cut from 98 to 49 after voters rejected Measure 6-217, which would have funded staff and operations through a tax levy. Released inmates faced charges ranging from misdemeanors to felony property crimes and parole violations. Officials say future releases are likely, prioritizing the detention of inmates with the most severe charges.

 Join Us for the Yachats Lions Club All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed! 

Bring your appetite and friends for a feast like no other! Our annual Crab Feed is back, offering a delicious meal and a wonderful community gathering. Saturday, January 25, 2025

 Seating Times:12:30 PM @ Yachats Lions Hall
4:00 PM @ Yachats Lions Hall
4:00 PM @ Yachats Commons (Groups of 6+ only) Locations:
Yachats Lions Hall (344 W 4th St, Yachats, OR 97498)
Yachats Commons (4:00 PM seating for groups) What to Expect:
All-You-Can-Eat Dungeness Crab: Fresh and delicious, straight from local waters.
Tasty Sides: Baked beans, coleslaw, fresh bread, and soda included!
Great Atmosphere: A fun and lively event for crab lovers of all ages.
 Tickets: $45 per person. Seating is limited (100 at each Lions Hall seating; 140 at Yachats Commons), so reserve your spot early! Reserve Your Spot: Visit yachatslionsclub.org/shop.

Scientists Predict Undersea Volcano Eruption Near Oregon in 2025

This much advance notice is a big deal, because forecasting eruptions more than hours ahead is “pretty unique,” says geophysicist William Chadwick. But 470 kilometers off the Oregon coast and over a kilometer beneath the waves, a volcano known as Axial Seamount ticks all the boxes that hint at imminent activity, Chadwick and his colleagues reported December 10 at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington, D.C.

For the past decade, a suite of devices have been monitoring Axial’s every action — rumbling, shaking, swelling, tilting — and delivering real-time data via a seafloor cable. It’s “the most well-instrumented submarine volcano on the planet,” says Mark Zumberge, a geophysicist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif., who was not involved in the work.

But in November, a particular milestone caught Chadwick’s eye: Axial’s surface had ballooned to nearly the same height as it had before its last eruption in 2015 — fortuitously, just months after monitoring began. Ballooning is a sign that magma has accumulated underground and is building pressure.

The 2015 swelling allowed Chadwick, of Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, and colleagues to predict that year’s eruption — “our best forecasting success,” he says. The recent swelling, along with increased seismic activity that indicates moving magma, has led the researchers to narrow in on the next one.

The broader team of Axial researchers also has a new tool for estimating the day-of magma burst that will set things off. And other researchers recently used artificial intelligence to dig into recordings of earthquakes that preceded the 2015 eruption and identified exactly what patterns they should see hours ahead of the next one . “Will this precursory earthquake detection work?” Chadwick asks.

If it does, it will be a field day for volcanologists such as Rebecca Carey (SN: 1/25/18). Detecting early warning signals offers the “exciting opportunity to deploy remotely operated vehicles to catch the eruption occurring,” says Carey, of the University of Tasmania in Sandy Bay, Australia. In addition to volcanology insights, she says, catching the eruption in the act would offer a glimpse into its effects on hydrothermal systems and biological communities nearby.

For human communities, volcanoes on land generally pose a bigger hazard than ones underwater do (SN: 9/2/22). But there are exceptions. For example, the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption in the South Pacific Ocean triggered a tsunami that caused an estimated $90 million in damages (SN: 1/21/22). In general, Chadwick says, “forecasting is difficult.” One disincentive for experimental forecasting on land is the risk of false alarms, which could cause unnecessary evacuations, and future distrust . At Axial, he says, “we don’t have to worry about that.”

Forecasting is only possible thanks to extensive monitoring data and knowledge of how a specific volcano behaves. “There’s no crystal ball,” says Valerio Acocella, a volcanologist at Roma Tre University in Rome. Rather, predictions are based on the expectation that when a volcano’s activity reaches some threshold that it reached before, it may erupt.

Geophysicist Michael Poland of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash., agrees. Because most of today’s efforts rely on recognizing patterns, he says, “there’s always the risk that a volcano will follow a pattern that we haven’t seen before and do something unexpected.” Both Poland and Acocella hope that forecasts will evolve to be based on the physics and chemistry of the magma systems that underlie a volcano.

Until then, scientists will learn what they can from any successes. And Axial is a good place to try, Acocella says. It has relatively frequent eruptions, and each one is an opportunity to test ideas. That regular behavior makes Axial “a very promising volcano,” he says. “We need these ideal cases to understand how volcanoes work.” (SOURCE)

Commercial Dungeness crab season opening delay from Cape Falcon to Washington border continues

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery is delayed until at least Jan. 15 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. A third round of preseason testing in Long Beach, WA shows crab meat fill remains lower than required for commercial harvest.

Based on this result not meeting Tri-State meat recovery criteria, and in consultation with Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Tri-State fishery managers agreed to delay the season from Cape Falcon to Klipsan Beach, WA until at least Jan. 15. WDFW will conduct another round of preseason meat fill testing to help inform whether this area will open Jan. 15 or Feb. 1.

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery opened Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border. Despite rough ocean conditions this past week, over 2.5 million pounds of crab were landed into Oregon ports in that area. Price at the docks averaged $4.50 per pound, well above last season’s total season average of $3.79 per pound.

Weekly season opening updates will continue to be posted until the decision is made to open the north coast. Check ODFW’s website for more on Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

Travelers planning to navigate the Oregon coast will need to adjust their routes as Highway 131 has been closed for emergency repair work.

The closure, which affects the stretch between Oceanside and Netarts, comes after severe erosion has compromised the integrity of the road.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDOT/bulletins/3c857a0

The emergency repairs were initiated last Friday morning, with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) signaling that the road will be inaccessible until at least the first week of January 2025.

ODOT disclosed in a notification hat the specific area of concern is at milepost 1.6 where erosion has taken a significant toll. The closure is expected to remain until ODOT can safely open a single lane to flag traffic through, projected to take place the week of January 6, 2025.

Until then, should motorists need to detour to quickly reach their destinations, ODOT suggests utilizing the Cape Mears Loop Road as an alternate route.

The comprehensive repairs are projected to last up to 60 days, with the initial phase culminating in the reopening of a single traffic lane. Meanwhile, signals are expected to regulate the flow of vehicles through the area.

Those heading toward Netarts will have to follow Highway 131, as per ODOT’s instructions, while voyagers to Oceanside are advised to adhere to the signed detour via Cape Mears Loop Road. For further information regarding the repair work and updates on the road’s status, travelers should monitor ODOT’s communications and plan accordingly during this period of reconstruction. http://tripcheck.com

Commercial Dungeness crab season opening delay from Cape Falcon to Washington border continues

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery is delayed until at least Jan. 15 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. A third round of preseason testing in Long Beach, WA shows crab meat fill remains lower than required for commercial harvest.

Based on this result not meeting Tri-State meat recovery criteria, and in consultation with Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Tri-State fishery managers agreed to delay the season from Cape Falcon to Klipsan Beach, WA until at least Jan. 15. WDFW will conduct another round of preseason meat fill testing to help inform whether this area will open Jan. 15 or Feb. 1.

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery opened Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border. Despite rough ocean conditions this past week, over 2.5 million pounds of crab were landed into Oregon ports in that area. Price at the docks averaged $4.50 per pound, well above last season’s total season average of $3.79 per pound.

Weekly season opening updates will continue to be posted until the decision is made to open the north coast. Check ODFW’s website for more on Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln City Police Department Respond to Concerning Letters Circulating

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office recently learned about a letter being circulated throughout Lincoln County which encourages community members to track and report information regarding people of color, specifically community members that are believed to be undocumented. We want to be unequivocal in our stance: this type of behavior is harmful, divisive, and inconsistent with the values we uphold as public servants and community members. Targeting individuals in this manner erodes trust and undermines the sense of safety and inclusion that we strive to maintain in Lincoln County.

A photo of the full letter sent to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office can be found below:

One of the things we tell each person when they join our team is to “do the right thing”. We are encouraging our community members to do the right thing and use compassion as we encounter these types of messages. We strongly advise against engaging in activities such as those outlined in this letter, including collecting or sharing information about individuals based on their demographic or perceived immigration status.  

In addition to valuing diversity and equity, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is committed to upholding Oregon law with regard to immigration enforcement. Oregon law generally prohibits the inquiry or collection of an individual’s immigration or citizenship status, or country of birth, with few specific exceptions as outlined in Oregon Revised Statute 181A.823. Consistent with this, the Sheriff’s Office does not inquire about, document, or share such information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These provisions are embedded in our policy manual and are essential to ensuring that our practices respect the rights and dignity of all individuals. 

The mission of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is to enhance public safety, reduce the fear and impact of crime, and improve the quality of life for all. We are committed to continuous learning and growth to better serve every member of our community. Diversity strengthens our communities, and we take pride in growing and thriving alongside the people we serve.

Lincoln City Police Department

 · Recently, disturbing letters titled “The brown round-up” were sent to public officials in Lincoln County. These letters include statements that instill fear in members of our Community. The mission of the Lincoln City Police Department is to maintain human rights, protect persons and property, and address Citizen concerns while providing the highest quality professional service to all.

We remain focused on enforcing the laws we swore to uphold. Oregon Revised Statue 181A.821 prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration or citizenship status. We conduct investigations into crimes based on law, regardless of a person’s citizenship status.

Oregon Revised Statutes 166.155 and 166.165 also charge us with investigating Bias crimes against our Community members, including criminal conduct based on perceptions of the other person’s race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin. To report a crime you can contact us in person at the Police Department or call our non-emergency number at (541) 994-3636.

Search For Missing Coos County Man Suspended Pending Further Information

On December 16, 2024, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office received a request for assistance from North Bend Police Department regarding a missing person from their jurisdiction, Joseph Neill. Mr. Neill was reported to have left his home to go photograph the King Tides at the beach and never returned home.

In the early morning hours of December 16, Mr. Neill’s vehicle was located on Transpacific Parkway near a landmark known as Jordan Point. North Bend Police requested a K9 team in order to track the area for Mr. Neill’s whereabouts as some of his property had been located in that area.

A Sergeant from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, a Coos County Search and Rescue trailing K9 Team, Flanker and a Deputy responded to check the area. The K9 checked the area and determined that Mr. Neill is no longer in that area.

Coast Guard assets were deployed at the request of North Bend Police Department as was a boat from North Bend Fire Department to check the Coos Bay and surrounding areas. As there was evidence to suggest that Mr. Neill was elsewhere, the search was suspended pending further information or clues.

The property the search was conducted on is private property and there are hazards to life and limb in that area. Members of the public should not be on that property without landowner permission. If anyone has any further information, please contact the North Bend Police Department at 541-756-3161.

Sandbagging Stations in Lincoln County

Lincoln County residents have access to three self-serve, public sandbagging stations located in Yachats, Newport, and Lincoln City.

If you plan on using the self-serve sandbagging station, remember to bring a shovel. Hours:  Mid-October through mid-April. You can access sand any time of day or night. Community members may gather up to 10 sandbags per household, per season.  Full news releases, flyers, and social posts in English and Spanish are attached.

Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Looking For Suspect in Sandstone Cliff Vandalism

Officials with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge are asking for the community’s help identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing a rock face recently.

According to the refuge, the names ‘Luke’ and ‘Niko’ were carved deep into a sandstone headland, which is located on public land. The refuge says the rock that was vandalized is on a section of beach between the cities of Gold Beach and Brookings.

Vandalism on public lands is illegal, and penalties include fines and jail time. Anyone with information or
knows who is responsible, is asked to contact the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge by emailing  oregoncoast@fws.gov.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Do you need a GoBag or GoBag supplies? Purchase supplies on the website and pick up items at the Pop-Up Shop. Pick up January 11, from 1:00-1:30 PM at the Manzanita Police Station — https://evcnb.org/events-and-training/gobag-popup-01112025

Oregon Nurses and Doctors Message to Elected Officials: Providence Executives Endanger Patients by Illegally Refusing to Bargain; Workers Willing to Meet “Anytime, Anywhere”

On Thursday, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) called on elected officials to intervene as Providence Health & Services continues illegally refusing to bargain with its healthcare workers; putting patients’ health and safety at risk ahead of a massive 5,000 healthcare worker strike Jan. 10.     

ONA has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Providence, citing its illegal refusal to bargain and asking local, state, and national elected officials to urge Providence executives to return to the table in order to reach a fair agreement for all Oregonians.  

Providence’s refusal to meet with its own workers is illegal and far out of step with its corporate peers. Other Oregon hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend, successfully met with healthcare workers and resolved negotiated contracts in the final days before scheduled strikes in 2021 and 2023 respectively. In recent years, ten California hospitals and health systems have also reached similar agreements in the 10 days prior to strikes. Multiple hospitals and health systems in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have all continued talks with frontline healthcare workers in the leadup to strikes and successfully reached agreements that prevented strikes from occurring. 

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Jan. 2, 2025 

AN OPEN LETTER TO OREGON’S ELECTED LEADERS 

Providence is putting patients at risk by illegally refusing to bargain with nearly 5,000 union-represented frontline caregivers.  

On January 10, thousands of Oregon’s most trusted nurses, physicians and caregivers will lead an open-ended strike—the largest healthcare workers’ strike in state history. This unparalleled action will affect all 8 Providence hospitals in Oregon as well as 6 Providence Women’s Clinics. It will impact Oregonians throughout the Portland metro area, on the Coast, in the Gorge, in Southern Oregon and beyond.  

For the first time in our state’s history, frontline nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives throughout the Providence system have voted to stand together to win fair contracts that will give patients more time with their doctors and healthcare providers; promote safe staffing; end cuts to employees’ healthcare; and provide competitive wages and benefits to recruit and retain essential frontline nurses and caregivers.  

Five thousand frontline healthcare providers are ready and willing to sacrifice to protect our patients and our colleagues—but striking is not our first choice.  

Many nurses and healthcare professionals have been bargaining with Providence for more than 15 months and working without a contract for a year. We are disheartened by Providence’s stalling tactics but energized and ready to stand up for patients and communities across Oregon. We have offered to meet with Providence executives anywhere and anytime to negotiate a fair agreement and avert a strike. 

Unfortunately, Providence executives are refusing to continue negotiations with us—making a resolution impossible and putting patients at risk. Refusing to meet with their workers to bargain is in direct violation of federal law and out of step with their peers; including Oregon hospitals and health systems like Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend which worked hard to negotiate successful contracts and avert strikes during 10-day strike notice periods. We have filed an unfair labor practice charge against Providence with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for illegally refusing to bargain, however an NLRB decision will likely come too late to bring Providence back to the table.  

As Oregon’s elected leaders, we call on you to urge Providence executives to return to the bargaining table and come to a fair agreement. If they refuse, we ask you to deny Providence public funds for illegal strikebreaking efforts—including hiring unlawful strikebreakers, locking out healthcare workers, and illegally refusing to bargain. Taxpayer dollars cannot support illegal activities that endanger patients while enriching executives.   

President Biden Approves Oregon Major Disaster Declaration

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from July 10 to August 23, 2024.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires in the counties of Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Ms. Yolanda J. Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/01/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-oregon-major-disaster-declaration/#:~:text=declared%20that%20a%20major%20disaster,10%20to%20August%2023%2C%202024.

Oregon Health Authority Issues Warning After 2 Children Die From Flu

The Oregon Health Authority released concerning stats on this flu season, including multiple deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations. Officials are now urging people to protect themselves.

The new report reveals that two children died in Portland from the flu in December, and hundreds of others were hospitalized.

Nearly 500 people in three counties – Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington – were hospitalized for the flu this season, which is over three times more than hospitalizations last year.

“We’ve seen our pertussis vaccination rates slip over the past few years. It hasn’t been huge, but it’s definitely down. As you probably know, we would like 100% of people to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. The data shows that fewer and fewer people are getting flu shots. The exact number is down 4% from last year and it has been steadily dropping since 2022.

Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Bill Barring Utility Rate Increases

Three Oregon lawmakers say they plan to introduce a bill that would bar utilities from raising rates if they have unresolved wildfire lawsuits for three or more years, describing it as an effort to hold PacifiCorp accountable as the utility faces a series of lawsuits stemming from the deadly 2020 wildfires that ravaged the state.

Republican state Reps. Jami Cate, Virgle Osborne and Ed Diehl announced their proposal in a statement Monday, on the heels of an approved rate increase for PacifiCorp customers and a federal lawsuit against the electric power company.

The federal government sued PacifiCorp last week over the Archie Creek Fire, which ignited in Oregon’s Douglas County in September 2020 and burned more than 200 square miles, about half of which was federal land. The complaint accuses the company of negligence for failing to maintain its power lines to prevent wildfires. In its filing, the government says it brought the suit to recover “substantial costs and damages.”

A PacifiCorp spokesperson said in an emailed statement Monday that the company was working with the U.S. government to resolve the claims.

“It is unfortunate the U.S. government decided to file a lawsuit in federal district court, however PacifiCorp will continue to work with the U.S. government to find reasonable resolution of this matter,” the statement said.

The federal lawsuit was filed on the same day the Oregon Public Utility Commission approved a 9.8 percent rate increase for PacifiCorp’s residential customers next year. In its rate case filings, the company said its request to increase rates was partly due to higher costs stemming from wildfire risk and activity.

When the new rate takes effect in January, PacifiCorp rates will have increased nearly 50 percent since 2021, according to the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, which advocates on behalf of utility customers.

The three lawmakers said they will introduce their bill in the upcoming legislative session, which starts in January.

“The federal government is doing the right thing by filing this lawsuit, and we stand firmly behind it,” Osborne, who is set to be the future bill’s co-chief sponsor, said in a statement. “PacifiCorp needs to pay up and take responsibility for the destruction they’ve caused, and putting a stop to rate hikes is the best way to achieve it.”

PacifiCorp is poised to be on the hook for billions in damages in the series of lawsuits over Oregon’s 2020 fires.

The company has already reached two settlement agreements over the Archie Creek Fire, including one for $299 million with 463 plaintiffs impacted by the blaze and another for $250 million with 10 companies with commercial timber interests, according to its website.

In other litigation, an Oregon jury in June 2023 found it liable for negligently failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from top fire officials and determined it should have to pay punitive and other damages — a decision that applied to a class including the owners of up to 2,500 properties. Since then, other Oregon juries have ordered the company to pay tens of millions to other wildfire victims.

The wildfires that erupted across Oregon over Labor Day weekend in 2020 were among the worst natural disasters in state history, killing nine people and destroying thousands of homes. (SOURCE)

Rural Oregon saw a 29-percent increase in unsheltered homelessness in 2024, far outpacing metro areas, according to the latest Point-In-Time count.

Advocates cite improved counting methods and funding disparities as factors, with rural areas struggling to address rising living costs, stagnant wages, and aging populations losing housing. Limited resources and infrastructure leave rural counties underfunded despite growing needs.

On Jan. 1 several new laws went into effect in Oregon

Several new laws are now in effect across Oregon, addressing issues like public safety, healthcare, and environmental concerns.

These include penalties for drug use on public transit, a “right to repair” law for electronics, and a cap on insulin costs at 35 dollars per 30-day supply for insured residents. Other measures aim to enhance school bus safety with stop-arm cameras and boost transparency with recorded school board meetings.

The sale of fluorescent light bulbs became illegal on January 1, 2025, to encourage Oregonians to switch to energy-efficient LED lighting.

Additionally, Oregon plans to divest from coal companies and increase voter pamphlet translations to ten languages per county.

Bird Flu Alert: Northwest Naturals Recalls Feline Raw & Frozen Pet Food Due to HPAI Contamination

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is alerting pet owners that samples of Northwest Naturals brand two-pound turkey recipe raw and frozen pet food tested positive for a H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus.

Testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University confirmed a house cat in Washington County contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the raw frozen pet food. Tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” said ODA state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

Northwest Naturals, a Portland, Oregon-based company, is voluntarily recalling its Northwest Naturals brand two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food. The recalled product is packaged in two-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The product was sold nationwide through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and local public health officials are monitoring household members who had contact with the cat for flu symptoms. To date, no human cases of HPAI have been linked to this incident, and the risk of HPAI transmission to humans remains low in Oregon. Since 2022, OHA has partnered with ODA through a One Health approach to investigate human exposures to animal outbreaks of avian influenza. (SOURCE)

You’ll need a Real ID to fly domestically, starting in May of 2025, that’s unless you have a passport or enhanced driver’s license issued by several states.

The deadline is May 7, 2025, but you probably don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your Real ID. You can apply for your Real ID driver’s license or ID card through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Real IDs are marked with a star on the top of the card. Real IDs will also be needed to access certain federal facilities. Congress mandated the real IDs in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.

It may be too late to own rock star John Fogerty’s former eastern Oregon ranch. An offer for the rustically cool house on 274 acres in Wallowa County was accepted after 13 days on the market.

The asking price: $1,950,000. — California born and raised Fogerty, now 79, discovered the remote land on the banks of the Grande Ronde River near the unincorporated community of Troy in the 1970s while elk hunting.

He helped build the single-level, vaulted ceiling house that was completed in 1974, two years after Creedence Clearwater Revival, the successful band he formed with his older brother Tom and others, broke up. Singer, guitarist and songwriter John Fogerty then started a solo career.

Most of the ranch home’s 1,698 square feet of living space is a time capsule of 1970s decor — vintage orange shag carpet and the two bathrooms have either a turquoise or dark mustard colored tub, sink and toilet.

There are also rustic touches like wagon-wheel chandeliers. Steel plates connecting the exposed ceiling beams were made by Fogerty, who modeled them after gussets used in an old sawmill.

Behind the rock fireplace is a hidden stone stairway to a secret loft overlooking the open living room, dining room and kitchen. Two of the three bedrooms also have lofts. Some appliances and the heating-cooling system have been updated.

Fogerty owned the property for almost three decades. A canoe left behind by Fogerty, who sold the property in 2002 to brothers Patrick and Michael Burns, was hoisted into the open rafters in the living room to be on display. The Burnses used the property for family gatherings and rented it out as a vacation getaway.

An attached one-car garage is used as a gaming room and a 1,500-foot-long grass runway allowed Fogerty’s pilot and later the Burnses to land a small plane.

Lore also comes with the house. The ranch is a short stomp to the Wenaha Bar & Grill in Troy. The bar is famous for Fogerty’s hours-long impromptu jam sessions. Word would get out, local musicians would join in and the honky-tonk and rock hootenannies would go on well into the night.

Fogerty’s “Born on the Bayou,” “Proud Mary” and other hit songs are a blend of rockabilly, country, funk and swamp blues, with lyrics evoking Southern settings and tales.

The Burns brothers, retired commercial fishermen who live in Washington state, own other ranch properties and founded Alaska-based Blue North Fisheries, one of largest Pacific cod harvesters in the country. They listed the property Nov. 12 and accepted an offer Nov. 25. (SOURCE)

AmeriCorps NCCC Partnership Boosts Oregon’s Emergency Response

Join us in strengthening Oregon’s resilience by hosting an AmeriCorps NCCC team to support your community’s disaster response and recovery efforts!

Oregon is taking a significant step forward in enhancing its emergency response capabilities through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OregonServes and the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). This strategic partnership represents a collaborative effort to bolster statewide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

For more information on this partnership contact: Jennifer Denning Disaster Services Coordinator, OregonServes Jennifer.l.denning@hecc.oregon.gov.

What is AmeriCorps NCCC?

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based program for young adults aged 18-26. Members commit to a term of national service, which can include critical disaster response and recovery services. Through this partnership, NCCC teams will be integrated into Oregon’s disaster preparedness framework, offering vital support before, during, and after disasters.

Key Benefits of the Partnership:

This partnership brings several critical advantages to Oregon communities, including:

• NCCC teams work on a variety of projects filling critical gaps in local resources.
• NCCC members collaborate with local communities to strengthen response efforts, thereby accelerating recovery and repopulation of residents.
• NCCC teams focus on ensuring that underserved and vulnerable populations receive critical resources and assistance during emergencies, bridging equity gaps in disaster response and recovery.
• By integrating local resources with national service members, this partnership enhances Oregon’s capacity to build resilient communities.

Key Dates:

Nationally, NCCC Disaster Service Applications are received throughout the year. For purposes of the NCCC-OregonServes MOU, Pacific Region teams or Summer of Service can serve during these timelines (precise dates will vary year-to-year):

• November 1 – December 16
• January 8- April 16
• April 24 – July 23 (Traditional program applications due, February 7, 2025)
• Summer of Service June 20 – August 1

How to Apply to Be a Disaster Response AmeriCorps Volunteer:

First, download the application instructions below. Then, complete the Service Project Application for Disaster Response. No Project Concept Form is required.

Please note: Download the following document directly to your computer. Open and complete the document using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.

• NCCC Disaster Response Application Instructions
• AmeriCorps NCCC Disaster Project Application

Applications and questions should be submitted to: NCCCPRTerritory2@americorps.gov.

Want to Make Your Organization a Project Sponsor?

Nonprofit and faith-based organizations, government entities, public schools, and universities, as well as tribal and native nations are eligible to apply. Organizations complete an application detailing the need and project design and NCCC will review submissions and make a final determination. To learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC and how to apply, please visit the AmeriCorps NCCC webpage.

Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025

Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.

The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.

Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.

Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.

The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.

While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. 

Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person.

For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners  – visit the O[yes] online contest page.

The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.

### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com