Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 2/26 – Wind and Rain Wrecks Havoc Through Out the Region, Efforts to Bring Back Sea Otters to the Oregon Coast are Underway & 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

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Wind and Rain Wrecks Havoc Through Out the Region

Winds reached up to 50 mph in the valley, with gusts of 60-75 mph along the Oregon Coast. Top gust was 85 at the mouth of the Columbia River.

In addition to the extreme high winds, torrential rains, lightening, thunder, hail, and power outages happening, trees fell creating more problems.

Elecricity went out for a large section of the Oregon Coast from just south of Lincoln City to north of Florence, with power outages up and down the coastline.

Several regional schools had delayed openings due to power loss, or they had to adjust bus service on roads that were still being cleared of debris following Monday’s storm.

There are still a few outages reported this morning by Central Lincoln PUD, but the majority of the restorations were completed yesterday.  All of the Florence area has been restored.  4 active outages were still under repair with one in Mapleton and the other 3  in Seal Rock and Newport.  Crews worked late into the night to get power up. 

Yesterday evening after the majority of power had been restored Central Lincoln PUD reported another outage around 6pm off of Rhododendron Drive on Sea Watch Place and Coast Guard Road.  That repair was completed by 8:30.  Winds today are expected to die down by the afternoon.

The wind whipped through already soggy ground in the Willamette Valley, and although things were worse north and south in Oregon, many people experienced damage on the coast and western valleys.

UO Student Suffers Severe Injuries From Falling Tree

Prayers for all including the UO student who is still in hospital after tree fell on them at the campus.

Power outages happened and crews responded quickly. In Portland, over 60,000 people lost power thanks to brutal wind and rain. Gusts up to 50 mph knocked down trees and power lines all over the area. Meanwhile, the coast saw 2 to 4 inches of rain since Saturday, causing major flooding in some areas. And there was up to 10 inches of snow and 60 mph winds in the Cascades.

Central Lincoln PUD ireported a large power outage in Lincoln County. They warned people to please take precautions incase the outage lasts for a long time. Reserve your cell phone battery for emergencies, check on your friends and loved ones, and remember to only call 911 for life safety emergencies.

Efforts to Bring Back Sea Otters to the Oregon Coast are Underway

The Elakha Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oregon, founded by tribal leaders, conservationists, and nonprofit advocates united by a powerful vision. We imagine an Oregon coast where future generations thrive alongside a restored sea otter population and a resilient marine ecosystem.

After being absent for more than a century, an effort to repopulate the Oregon Coast with sea otters is in the works.

Oregon non-profit The Elakha Alliance was founded in 2018 by Tribal leaders and conservationists to restore the sea otter population on the coast. The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, Defenders of Wildlife, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Suislaw Indians, as well as the Yurok Tribe, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Oregon Coast Aquarium and Oregon Zoo are also participating in the effort.

After being hunted in the 19th century as part of the maritime fur trade, sea otters have been absent from the coast for over 100 years. Elakha Alliance Executive Director Jane Bacchieri says many people are surprised to find out this fact. Since sea otters would likely be a protected species, Bacchieri says hunting would no longer be a concern.

She also says re-introducing sea otters would help reduce sea urchin over-population, since sea urchins are one of the primary food sources for sea otters. As a result, this would produce healthier kelp forests.

For reintroduction to be successful, Bacchieri stresses that there must be enough prey and habitat resources available. Additionally, the non-profit would examine the socio-economic implications of reintroducing the species. Bacchieri says a realistic time frame for this to occur would be gradually over about 10 years.

Since sea otters don’t migrate, she says there’s a very good chance they could be a thriving, self-sustaining population if re-introduced successfully. MORE INFO: https://www.elakhaalliance.org/

The City of Newport Parks and Recreation

Time is running out, the My VIP and Me Dance is just 2 days away! While you can get tickets at the door, we recommend getting tickets by noon Wed (tomorrow!) so you can make sure to get a delicious cupcake from @mypetitesweet!

We can’t guarantee cupcakes for those who buy tickets at the door. We’ll have extras until they run out. Get your tickets here My VIP and Mini Me (6-7pm, ages 3-6)https://secure.rec1.com/OR/newport-or/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMzNTUyMDE=My VIP and Me (7-9pm, ages 7-13)https://secure.rec1.com/OR/newport-or/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMzNTUxNzc=

A judge on Monday ordered fired St. Helens High School choir teacher Eric Stearns to remain in jail pending trial, finding he poses a danger of “sexual victimization to the public.”

The ruling came after an hourlong detention hearing for Stearns, arraigned on an amended indictment that now alleges he abused a total of 16 people from 2015 through this school year. They include current students, former students, a teacher from theSt. Helens School Districtand a fellow church member. 

Circuit Judge Brandon Thompson said he considered that the allegations span decades while Stearns held a position of authority and involved more than a dozen people, ranging in age from 15 to adults in their 20s. Thompson was assigned to the case after Columbia County Circuit Judge Nickolas Brajcich recused himself to avoid any appearance of bias following concerns raised by Stearns’ defense lawyer, who argued Brajcich was dishonest during a closed-door conference in his chambers.

Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has introduced bipartisan legislation that would preserve coastal beaches in Oregon and nationwide by providing funding for state, local, and tribal governments to test, monitor, and identify recreational waters that are contaminated.

The reauthorize of the $30 million program would expand the eligible uses of this grant to include the ability to trace any contamination to its source, so that local governments can respond accordingly

“The Oregon Coast offers unmatched opportunities for visitors to make fond memories and for residents of one of America’s most iconic coastlines to live and work in and next to the Pacific Ocean,” Wyden said. “But the ongoing threat of pollution piling up on our coastal beaches every year demands commonsense solutions that help protect this treasure and keep Oregonians healthy. This bill accomplishes those goals by protecting, preserving, and improving our beaches in every corner of Oregon and America for generations to come.”

Wyden said that currently, there’s dedicated federal funding for monitoring and notifying beachgoers of contaminated coastal waters – but there is no money allocated towards identifying contaminated sites.

Wyden said the new bill, the BEACH Act, would reauthorize this $30 million program over the next four years to allocate funding for identifying contaminated beaches and trace the source of the contamination.

Wyden’s bill would also expand testing locations to include shallow recreational waters near the beaches, where children and seniors often play and swim, who are more at risk of experiencing health issues from contamination.

The legislation is endorsed by Environment America, Surfrider, the America Shore & Beach Preservation Association, and the Coastal States Organization.

Cannon Beach Named One of the 50 Most Beautiful Places in America

Condé Nast Travele released its 50 Most Beautiful Places in America, and names two Oregon destinations on the list.

Condé Nast Traveler named Cannon Beach as one of the most beautiful places in America, calling it an “essential pit stop off Highway 101” and “one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.”

The beauty of Cannon Beach is well known in Oregon, and somewhat famous outside the state due to movies like “Twilight” and “The Goonies” being filmed there. Most recognizable, and specifically noted by the magazine, is the 235-foot Haystack Rock that towers over the Pacific Ocean tides.

Crater Lake named one of the 50 most beautiful places in America by Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler recognized Crater Lake as one of the most beautiful places in America, noting that its pristine waters and depth give the lake its beauty.

Not only is Crater Lake the deepest lake in the America, with depths reaching up to 1,943 feet, or 592 meters, according to the National Park Service, but the magazine pointed out the lake’s “clarity and intense blue hue” caused by hundreds of years of glacial runoff and precipitation.

Crater Lake National Park also was recently recognized for the view of its night sky and was named one of the best U.S. national parks for stargazing. (SOURCE)

Coos County Sheriff’s Office  ·  Shooting Arrest

On 02/22/2025, around 8:22 PM, North Coos dispatch received a call from a female claiming she accidentally shot her boyfriend in the foot after an argument at a residence off North Way Lane in North Bend, Oregon.

Deputy Francis and Deputy Converse arrived on scene and contacted an intoxicated female named Kendell R. Senn (20). Kendell was found to be the reporting party and girlfriend of the gunshot victim. Deputies and an Oregon State Trooper that arrived to assist, quickly made the scene safe and tended aid to the male victim inside the residence.

As Deputies began their investigation, medical units arrived and continued care for the male gunshot victim.

Upon further investigation, Deputy Francis took Kendell into custody for the requested charge of Assault III. Deputy Freerksen responded to assist with the investigation and assisted with transporting Kendell to Coos County Jail. The male victim was taken to BAH for further medical treatment for the gunshot wound to his foot. “Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Officer Involved Shooting in Gold Beach

On February 22, 2025, at approximately 7:40PM, a Gold Beach Police Officer responded to a disturbance on June Street in Gold Beach. Based on events that took place upon the officer’s arrival, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect.

The suspect was transported to Curry General Hospital, stabilized, and transported to Springfield for treatment. The Curry County Major Crimes Team, led by the Oregon State Police, was activated and is investigating the incident, which is standard protocol for an officer-involved shooting.

Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no further details will be released by the Curry County District Attorney’s Office. Had there been any danger to the public following this incident, information would have been provided as soon as possible.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is looking for its newest crew member!

MUSEUM EDUCATOR — Full Time, Salary Position reporting to Director of Education

Full job description and employment application are available on our website – https://www.crmm.org/join-our-crew.html

PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical center has recently opened a satellite ear, nose and throat off in Florence at the Peace Harbor Campus. 

Dr. Frank Chen is one of the physicians there and he say the response has been impressive with the offices booked out more than 3 months already. “Nearly all the patients have said that they are grateful and they are happy that there is a service line there for ENT and they don’t have to travel as far.”

Last week Dr. Chen performed the first ENT surgery at the hospital on an adult male patient.  He says the services will expand moving forward. “We are right now doing procedures for adults and then we eventually will start doing the pediatric population later this year.” The ENT offices are opened only on Fridays and are by referral only.

Oregon Coast Humane Society to Acquire Vet Clinic

The sale won’t be final for a few more weeks, but the Oregon Coast Humane Society announced Friday they are in the process of buying Oceanside Veterinary Clinic at 1739 21st Street.   Elizabeth Thompson, the Executive Director of OCHS, said once the acquisition is complete the first priority is on transferring current veterinary services for shelter animals to the clinic.

“Plan is that we will not be open for public animals probably for this entire year, maybe into 2026.”

Thompson acknowledged the shortage of veterinary care in the Florence area.  Unfortunately, it will be several months before they’ll be able to open to the public.

“The goal will be that we can focus on high quality, high volume spay and neuter when we do open to the public so that we can really try to get a grip on this community cat situation and all these unexpected litters that people are not planning to have because they can’t get access to care for their animals.”

Buying and staffing the clinic means volunteers will no longer have to shuttle ailing shelter pets to other clinics out of the area.  That will save time, and ultimately money.   The Oregon Coast Humane Society is a “no-kill” shelter that has been operating in Florence for more than three decades. Follow and Support on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastHumaneSociety

Coos Bay Police Department –  WE’RE HIRING 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS

$4684 – $5972/Month DOQ — We offer:•A dynamic team environment •Alternative schedule benefiting work/life balance •Up to 5 weeks paid time off per year after the first year •The opportunity to serve your community

Our team members have come from a variety of work fields- no experience necessary! For additional information from the North Coos 9-1-1 Recruitment Team or to schedule a ride-along please email: join911@coosbayor.govhttps://www.coosbayor.gov/…/Compon…/JobPosts/Job/126/107

The City of Florence is looking to fill a vacancy on the City Council following Councilor Bill Meyer’s resignation, which takes effect February 28th. Meyer made the announcement during Monday’s City Council meeting.

“To Mayor Rob Ward, I hereby notify you of my intention to resign from my council position with the City of Florence, Oregon, effective February 28, 2025.”

Meyer said he was honored to work with the council and the city staff and wished them success in the future.  The city will now need to fill that vacancy. Applications for the position are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19. Applicants must have lived within city limits for at least a year and be registered voters. The City Council will review applications and may invite candidates for interviews on February 27. The position is voluntary, offering residents a chance to be actively involved in local government. More details and applications are available at www.ci.florence.or.us.

February is Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month in Oregon

Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed February Tsunami and Earthquake Awareness Month in Oregon. 

In the past, Oregon has suffered considerable damage from moderate earthquake events–such as the 1993 Scotts Mills and Klamath Falls earthquakes–and from a deadly tsunami that originated in Alaska in 1964. 

Scientific evidence indicates that the State of Oregon is at risk for a much larger event associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone that is expected to generate strong ground shaking and a destructive tsunami, similar to the event that occurred in Northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011.  

Loss of life and property is minimized by natural hazard mitigation planning and grant funding at the state, Tribal, and local levels, which reduce the impact of disasters through risk assessment and mitigation actions–such as seismic strengthening of existing buildings and public education on local tsunami evacuation routes. 

As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), within its role as chair of the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team (IHMT), will be working with IHMT member agencies, federal partners, local jurisdictions, and neighboring states to highlight jurisdictional earthquake and tsunami mitigation strategies and provide education and information about individual preparedness for Oregon residents and visitors throughout the month of February and beyond. 

Watch our social media channels and website for preparedness tips and upcoming dates for the Tsunami Preparedness Roadshow that will be traveling to numerous coastal communities February 27 through 28. 

RESOURCES 

• Tips for Earthquake Preparedness 
• What to Do If You’re Driving When an Earthquake Hits 
• How to Prepare for Tsunamis and Help Your Community Become More Prepared    
• Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit 
• Learn About the Cascadia Subduction Zone Hazards and Preparedness 
• Learn About Cascadia Island Mapping 
• Oregon’s Tsunami Inundation Map (TIM) Series 

Gleneden Beach Community Club Events

Look what’s coming up soon at the Club… (sign up at glenedenbeach.org)

ODOT launches roadwork projects to boost safety in Curry County on Hwy 101

In Curry County, a $4.5 million emergency repair project will address sunken road surfaces on U.S. 101, with work taking place between mileposts 303-306 and 342-351. Single-lane traffic and delays of less than 20 minutes are expected. Additionally, pavement repairs will be made in Gold Beach and Brookings with intermittent lane closures and minor delays. — Drivers are advised to follow posted signs and be prepared for delays. For more information, visit the ODOT website.

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

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

The Providence Strike Is Over: Historic Contracts Ratified at Eight Hospitals Across Oregon

(PORTLAND, Ore.) – In a major victory for the nearly 5,000 ONA-represented frontline nurses at Providence, all eight registered nurse (RN) bargaining units voted overwhelmingly to ratify their contracts and end the strike. The historic agreements come after 46 days on the strike line and more than a year of bargaining, and will set a new standard for wages, staffing, and patient safety at one of Oregon’s largest healthcare systems.

“These contracts represent a major victory for frontline caregivers, but more importantly it’s a victory for Providence patients and the communities we serve,” said Virginia Smith an RN from Providence Willamette Falls and leader of the ONA bargaining unit. “As RNs, we believe that these contracts will lead to greater recruitment and retention of frontline nurses as wages become more aligned with other health systems, and we have staffing language that will allow us to spend more time with the patients that need the most care.”

Key Highlights of the Contracts Include:

• Major Wage Increases: Nurses will receive substantial wage increases ranging from 20% to 42% over the life of the contract, with an immediate 16% to 22% raise upon ratification. 
• Smarter Staffing for Safer Care: Patient acuity will now be factored into staffing plans, helping to improve nurse workloads and the quality of patient care. 
• Retroactive Pay and Bonuses: For nurses at bargaining units with contracts that expired before December 2024, retroactive pay will cover 75% of all hours worked in 2024 (including education, meetings, PTO and vacation used for low census). Nurses at Providence Portland Medical Center and Providence Seaside will receive a $2,500 bonus. 
• Unified Contracts for Stronger Solidarity: An overwhelming majority of contracts (10 bargaining units) now align with expiration or wage reopener dates within three months of each other; strengthening ONA’s collective voice.  
• Stronger Health Benefits Advocacy: A new Statewide Health Benefits Workgroup will be established to evaluate current plans and explore the creation of a statewide health benefits trust, ensuring comprehensive coverage for nurses. 
• Guaranteed Break & Meal Pay: Nurses will now automatically receive penalty pay–equal to one hour of wages–for every missed break or meal, with payment included in the next paycheck. 

These hard-won contracts reflect the dedication and determination of ONA nurses who stood strong on the strike line in their fight for fair treatment, safe working conditions, and better healthcare for all Oregonians.

“This is a transformative victory, not just for Providence nurses but for healthcare workers the length and breadth of this country,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “These dedicated and determined frontline caregivers stood up for fair wages, safer staffing, and better care for their patients–and this contract proves that when we unite and fight, we raise standards for everyone. It underscores, once again, the power of solidarity and of collective action. I am proud to have had these workers’ backs, and the 1.8 million members of their national union salutes them.”

Nurses will return to work starting on the night shift of Wednesday, February 26.

Oregon Lawmakers Target High Screening Fees and Deposits for Renters

With a lack of housing in Oregon, rents have soared.

Before they ever sign a lease, start packing boxes or line up moving day help, Oregonians hoping to move into a new rental home can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on application fees and deposits. 

Some Democratic Oregon lawmakers want to cut those costs. Lawmakers last week considered proposals to ban landlords from charging screening fees and charge landlords who take a holding deposit and then fail to actually rent the apartment, as well as a bill tenant advocates objected to that would allow landlords to charge monthly fees instead of a security deposit.

Nearly 37% of Oregonians rent their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s higher than the national average, and renters are in the majority in cities including Eugene, Corvallis, Monmouth, Beaverton and Seaside. 

And rents continue to increase. The real estate market Zillow pegs the average rent in February 2025 at nearly $1,800 monthly, up $30 from last year. 

Rep. Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, introduced House Bill 3521 after hearing from renters across Oregon who lost hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to holding deposits for apartments they couldn’t move into. In some cases, Hartman said, renters showed up to find homes rife with mold, broken plumbing or pest infestations but were told they would lose their deposit if they didn’t sign a lease. In other instances, renters found that the landlord accepted their deposit to hold the unit and then rented it to someone else. 

“Tenants should not have to choose between signing a lease for an unsafe home or losing a significant amount of money,” Hartman said.

Landlords who spoke to the House Housing and Homelessness Committee about Hartman’s bill strongly disagreed with it. John Baker, who said he spoke on behalf of Oregon Realtors, said passing it would stop landlords from providing tenants the “favor” of keeping an apartment off the market in exchange for a holding deposit.

“The possible response of this bill, if enacted, is to no longer provide the favor to the tenant to hold the property until they’re ready, physically as well as financially, but instead require immediate execution of deposits and documents which may not be convenient or possible by the prospective tenant,” Baker said. 

Other landlords said they’d be penalized for situations outside of their control, such as a flood or delayed repairs that take a unit off the market. But Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland and chair of the housing committee, said that tenants also face unexpected circumstances and risk losing their holding deposits because of it. 

“I’m wondering why a landlord should get special treatment aside from what a tenant gets when we have experiences outside of control of one party or another,” Marsh said. “It seems like the consequences should be equal.” 

Ending application fees

Rep. Mark Gamba, D-Milwaukie, introduced House Bill 2967 to ban landlords from charging screening fees. It’s a problem that even affects lawmakers, Gamba said. Many rent apartments in Salem during the legislative session, and he talked to colleagues who shelled out money for application fees and are still waiting to get that money back.

Current law requires landlords to refund those fees within 60 days if they don’t run a background check. But they don’t always follow the law, leaving tenants to chase down that money, and when tenants apply to multiple apartments to up the odds of getting into a place, they can end up spending hundreds on screening fees.  

“If you put out 50 bucks, 60 bucks, 70 bucks, you’re not going to be able to take the time to take six different landlords to small claims court to get back your 50 or 60 bucks,” Gamba said.  “But that does add up.” 

Adriana Grant, a policy associate for the Eugene Tenant Alliance, is also a low-income renter. She moved last year and spent nearly $500 on application fees, and she hasn’t been able to get most of that money back. 

“Unfortunately, my priorities lie in ensuring that I have food security and other securities, not ensuring that I am following the trail of applications that I have put in,” she said. “For families struggling financially, these fees create a barrier to stable housing and push them into substandard conditions, limiting their access to better neighborhoods. 

Landlords objected to Gamba’s bill as well. Jason Miller, legislative director for the Oregon Rental Housing Association, said eliminating fees would make it harder for landlords to process applications and harder for tenants to find housing. 

“When applications are free, many individuals that know they will not meet the application criteria will apply anyways,” he said. “This will create a backlog when processing applications, and some qualified applicants will find themselves unable to find housing within their time frame, possibly becoming homeless while housing providers are dealing with the influx of under qualified applicants.”

It was mostly landlords, lobbyists and full-time tenant advocates who spoke during the meeting, but dozens of Oregon renters shared their own stories in written testimony published on the Legislature’s website. One, Whitney Donielson, wrote that she and her spouse have to pay $40 to $50 apiece in application fees each time they move. 

“If we apply for more than one housing unit, it costs, at minimum, $100 to find a new place to live, and often more, since, with the tight rental market, it’s often necessary to apply to multiple units in order to secure a place to live,” Donielson wrote. “This does not include the financial strain of what often amounts to a nonrefundable security deposit, cleaning deposit, and first and last month rent, as well as other moving costs.”

Another, Salem resident Blake Claiborne, was skeptical that getting rid of application fees would lead to people submitting applications on a lark. The process of applying and paying thousands in fees and deposits with the understanding that a landlord will find any excuse to keep that deposit money is a nightmare, Claiborne added. 

“The idea that so many of these opposing testimonies seem to focus on is that people will otherwise go around putting in housing applications ‘frivolously’ like it’s some kind of cool new TikTok prank, and I am genuinely confused whether any of them even truly believe that, and if so what they think other people do all day,” Claiborne wrote. 

Tenant advocates object to fee instead of security deposit

Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, described his Senate Bill 158, which received a hearing Wednesday, as a way to help renters get their foot in the door. It would allow landlords to charge a monthly fee instead of a security deposit. 

“A major reason why Oregonians struggle to find housing is that they simply cannot afford these high upfront costs,” Meek said. “Even for working families coming up with the first and last month’s rent, plus a security deposit, can be an overwhelming financial burden.” 

But the bill doesn’t have a cap on the total fees charged. A tenant who pays a $25 monthly fee instead of a $1,000 security deposit would have spent less money after a year, but if that tenant stayed in an apartment for more than three years they would have spent more than someone who paid an upfront security deposit. 

And unlike a security deposit, which a landlord can only keep if a tenant fails to pay rent or damages a unit, the bill has no requirement that a landlord return the fee. There’s also no guarantee that the fees tenants would pay would be used to address damages, as deposits do. 

That’s why tenant advocates strongly opposed Meek’s bill. Timothy Morris, executive director of the Springfield Eugene Tenant Association, said a fee instead of a high deposit might sound great on the surface, but in practice it will hurt tenants and especially low-income tenants. 

“But once you start looking into the details of the bill, its insidious nature becomes clear,” Morris said. “It’s ambiguous at best and lacks significant consumer protections.”  (SOURCE)

Providence and the union announced the new agreement, which comes after union members rejected another deal earlier this month, in separate news releases Friday. Providence said it reached the deal after three days of intensive bargaining. 

“Providence is hopeful that ONA-represented nurses will ratify the tentative agreements that pave a solid path forward for us all,” said Jennifer Burrows, chief executive of Providence Oregon.

The union hailed the agreement as a milestone, saying it represents “a significant achievement for ONA nurses, marking a powerful step forward in their ongoing commitment to fair wages, safe staffing, and high-quality patient care.” 

The strike, which started Jan. 10, is the longest in Oregon’s health care history. Nearly 5,000 nurses walked off the job at Providence’s eight hospitals in Oregon in Hood River, Medford, Milwaukie, Newberg, Seaside and Oregon City and two in Portland. The strike also included nurses, physicians and other staff at Providence’s six women’s clinics in the Portland area and hospital physicians at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in southwest Portland. 

The physicians and clinic union members approved their deals but the nurses rejected the early agreement by more than 80%.

The Oregon Nurses Association said the bargaining units for seven of the hospitals recommend that union members back the agreements, while the team at Providence Medford was neutral.

The deal includes wage increases for nurses from 20% to 42%, with an immediate 16% to 22% raise upon ratification, the union said. It also includes step increases starting next year along with guaranteed pay for missed breaks or meal breaks.

It also includes retroactive pay for nurses whose contract expired last year or earlier. The contracts for each hospital expired on different dates — for example, the Providence St. Vincent contract expired Dec. 31, 2023.

Under the deal, nurses would receive the new rates for 75% of all hours worked without a contract in 2024, including for vacation days and paid time off, the union said. Obtaining retroactive pay has been a major sticking point.

The contracts for nurses at Seaside and Portland expired this past Dec. 31, so they would not be eligible for retroactive pay, but would receive a $1,750 bonus spread over two pay periods after ratification, plus another $750 within six months.  

Nurses will vote on the agreement this weekend. If it’s ratified, nurses would return to work next Wednesday.

If adopted, the contracts would have a range of expiration dates, from Dec. 31, 2026 for St. Vincent, Newberg, Oregon City and Milwaukie and March 31, 2027 for Medford and Hood River. The contract for Providence Portland and Seaside nurses would expire Dec. 31, 2027.

Hospitals urge passage of HB 2010-A to protect care for 1.4 million Oregonians, prevent further financial stress on hospitals

–Oregon’s hospitals are calling on the Oregon House Revenue Committee to pass HB 2010-A, legislation essential to protecting health care access for 1.4 million Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and preventing further destabilization of hospitals.  

Without legislative action this session, OHP faces a $2 billion funding shortfall, threatening the benefits, services, and programs that support Oregon’s most vulnerable populations. 

Some 97% of Oregonians are now insured–the highest rate in state history. OHP has been central to this achievement, covering one in three Oregonians, including 57% of the state’s children.  

Oregon hospitals have long played a key role in helping fund OHP by supporting the hospital assessment, which–when combined with federal matching funds–accounts for nearly a quarter of OHP’s total funding.  

“As we continue to monitor potential federal policy changes that could impact Medicaid programs nationwide, our top priority must be supporting and stabilizing the health care system and the programs that we have today,” said Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon. “Passage of HB 2010-A supports continued health care access for Oregon families, children, seniors, and rural communities while also preventing further stress on our financially fragile hospitals.” 

Passing HB 2010-A is a critical step in preventing further destabilization of Oregon’s hospitals, about half of which are operating at a loss. Since early 2020, hospitals’ facility payroll costs alone have increased 43%, as they have continued to invest more in staff to meet patient needs. But without adequate payment from Medicaid and other health insurers, hospitals are struggling to keep services available, including emergency departments, labor and delivery units, behavioral health care, and specialty services like oncology. Some hospitals have already been forced to reduce or eliminate services, a trend that will only accelerate if funding is cut. 

Oregon’s hospitals urge lawmakers to pass HB 2010-A to maintain health coverage and to help Oregonians access the care they need. 

About the Hospital Association of Oregon – Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon (HAO) is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 hospitals. Together, hospitals are the sixth largest private employer statewide, employing nearly 70,000 employees. Committed to fostering a stronger, safer, more equitable Oregon where all people have access to the high-quality care they need, the hospital association supports Oregon’s hospitals so they can support their communities; educates government officials and the public on the state’s health landscape, and works collaboratively with policymakers, community based organizations and the health care community to build consensus on and advance health care policy benefiting the state’s four million residents.

ODF proposes revised state forest implementation plans, opens 30-day comment period

SALEM, Ore.–The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) opens a 30-day comment period on proposed Implementation Plan revisions for the Astoria, Forest Grove, Tillamook, North Cascade, West Oregon, and Western Lane (including the Veneta and Southwest units) state forest districts. Implementation plans describe forest management activities such as timber harvest targets, road construction and maintenance, reforestation and young stand management, recreation, aquatic habitat restoration and protection strategies for species of concern.

The comment period begins Feb. 20 and ends March 21 at 5 p.m. The implementation plans are available on ODF’s website. Comments can be submitted online by using this form,  emailing ODF.SFComments@oregon.gov, or mailing comments to ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310.

State forests by law must provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to Oregonians, and are managed under long-range forest management plans, mid-range implementation plans, and annual operations plans.

At the direction of the Board of Forestry, ODF is continuing the development of a draft Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan and Forest Management Plan for Western Oregon State Forests. The draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is currently going through the National Environmental Policy Act process.  Finalization of this process and issuance of Incidental Take Permits is expected to occur within fiscal year 2026. Revising the current implementation plans allows the agency to continue operations during this time of transition and further align with the draft HCP while focusing resources on developing a new forest management plan and accompanying implementation plans required to implement the draft HCP.

The revisions to the current Implementation Plans include new information on the district land base and forest resources, updated Species of Concern strategies and associated Forest Land Management Classification map, clarified timber harvest target descriptions, and changes to the mapped landscape design of the desired future condition. These changes align with Division policy, current Forest Management Plans and draft HCP objectives. In order to cover the HCP approval timeline, the new Forest Management Plan and new Implementation Plan development timelines, the revised Implementation Plans have been extended through June 30, 2027.

A multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections has been linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak has resulted in 38 reported illnesses across 21 states, with 37 hospitalizations and 11 deaths. At least one case has been reported in Washington. The FDA was first notified of the outbreak on Nov. 25, 2024. The investigation revealed that many of the affected individuals resided in long-term care facilities prior to falling ill. The FDA’s traceback investigation identified that these facilities had received shipments of the implicated frozen shakes.

The CDC reported that the outbreak includes cases dating back to 2018, with 20 cases occurring in 2024 and 2025. Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 34 were either living in long-term care facilities or hospitalized before becoming sick. The FDA has confirmed that certain Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes are being voluntarily recalled.

The agency is collaborating with the recalling firms to address the situation. The affected products have a Best By date of 2/21/25 to 2/21/26.

The director of the Oregon Department of Transportation says his agency is willing to sit down with lawmakers and go through its budget, as lawmakers discuss a request from Gov. Tina Kotek to give the agency an additional $1.75 billion to focus on road maintenance and operation.

Kris Strickler said ODOT’s budget issues largely stem from declining gas tax revenues – as people switch to electric vehicles or more fuel-efficient cars – and inflation. The legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee will put together a funding package for ODOT.

Democratic legislative leaders on the committee said nothing is off the table — including hiking gas taxes, increasing vehicle registration fees, or coming up with new taxes and fees altogether. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis and Sen. Bruce Starr, both Republicans, are co-vice chairs on the committee. They are pushing their colleagues to prioritize a line-by-line budget review of ODOT to see if there are places to trim or reduce ODOT’s responsibilities to allow the agency to focus on road maintenance and operations before debating tax increases. Strickler said his agency would do that for lawmakers and has “nothing to hide.”

Following directives from President Trump, thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees have received termination letters in the mail last week, in some cases ending decades-long careers.

The firings are part of a wave of federal cost-cutting measures, which have caused uncertainty for many.  Here in Southern Oregon the Siskiyou Mountain Club lost more than $400k of federal funds which had previously been assigned for trail maintenance work in the Marble Mountain Wilderness and along portions of the Pacific Crest Trail One former Forest Service employee who spent the last six years working in the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest said the termination came as a shock. 

The lack of maintenance also raises concerns for fire danger in the coming years.

Medford Police used vehicle identification technology to respond to shots fired on Saturday, Feb. 22, leading to two arrests.

In a Facebook post on Monday, MPD said officers responded to reports of gunfire at around 11:58 p.m. on the 800 block of Archer Dr. Police found bullet impacts on the home, but no one was injured.

MPD said police used in-car video and automatic license plate reading technology in its patrol vehicles to identify the suspect vehicle as a Chevrolet Impala. This information was then put into the Flock camera technology system, alerting officers when a flagged vehicle is caught by one of more than 20 cameras throughout the city. 

On Sunday, Feb. 23 at about 2:30 p.m., Flock technology found the flagged Chevrolet Impala near N Foothills Rd. and Hillcrest Rd. in Medford. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office then found the car near N Foothills Rd. and Delta Waters Rd.

Police arrested the driver of the Impala, 24-year-old Cameron J. Tinsen of Medford, without incident. Police also stopped another car believed to be traveling with the Impala. The passenger of the second car was a 17-year-old male who attempted to walk away but was apprehended and found to have been carrying a rifle and handgun.

Tinsen was lodged in the Jackson County Jail, and the 17-year-old male was lodged at the Juvenile Detention Center. Both are facing charges of unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endangering and first-degree attempted assault.

A Lakeview woman appeared in court Tuesday afternoon after being accused of causing the death of her 17-year-old son.

38-year-old Amanda Joy Edwards and her boyfriend, 31-year-old Nathaniel Cullins, are facing charges of criminally negligent homicide, second-degree abuse of a corpse and first-degree criminal mistreatment. Cullins is also being charged with unlawful use of a weapon. Lake County Circuit Court documents say Edwards “did unlawfully and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate food, physical care and medical attention” from her son.

The state is also saying Edwards’ charges are connected or part of a plan.  Edwards’ bail is set at $750,000.  The Lake County Major Crime Team started an investigation last Tuesday, Feb. 18 into a juvenile death on the 300 block of South G St in Lakeview. NewsWatch 12 found a memorial outside 329 S G St on Monday for 17-year-old Thomas Strong, whose death was announced by the Lake County School District last Tuesday.

A Bend couple and their daughter have been placed in custody after hiding out at a hotel in Coos County, after being indicted on a sweep of child abuse charges, including attempted murder.

A nationwide warrant for their arrest had been issued, law enforcement thanks the public with their assistance in locating the trio, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said. After a lengthy investigation, a grand jury in Deschutes County indicted the family on a combined total of 28 charges, relating to alleged abuse of a minor relative. 

Sarah Session, 33, has been charged with 19 of those counts, which includes attempted murder, assault and criminal mistreatment. The alleged crimes took place between June 2023 and February 2024, when the child was under the age of 10. The 33-year-old was professionally responsible for the child who has specialized education and training required for care, which the court documents said Session disregarded.

On multiple occasions, Session allegedly knowingly caused harm to the child through physical injury by hitting them on the head or leg, and in some cases, involving a curtain rod and window stopper. In one instance, Session is accused of compelling the child to eat their own vomit in fear of physical harm, according to the court documents.  Other charges relate to Session’s allegedly withholding medication, treatment and food. In many instances, the court documents call Session’s actions “deliberately cruel.”

Registration Is Now Open For The Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K Run for the Trees

Oregon Parks Forever  —    Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests.  Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.

Participants can run, walk, hike, skate, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day).   Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week.  If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15.

For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks.  Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration.

Gather your friends, family and/or colleagues and create your own walk or run. Make it fun!

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include ten other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other ten states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.”

Oregon Parks Forever joined this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects.  Over the past three years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon.

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.” —  Learn more about the program at  http://www.orparksforever.org

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