Oregon Beach News, Tuesday 9/2 – Coast Guard Suspends Search for Two Men off Gold Beach, Quick Updates from the Weekend & 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

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

We’re not out of the woods yet – Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

With hot, dry conditions in the forecast & increased crowds for Labor Day weekend, Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

9/2 – 8 am Fire Updates

2 FIRES in EVALUATION MODE:24 Oregon Wildfires – many are silent fires between 1 to 3 acres. These silent fires can quickly turn into dangerous fires. Please stay alert and ready.#douglascounty Dads Creek Fire  – 130 ACRES – 0% containment – LEVEL 1 Evacuation- #JeffersonCountyFLAT FIRE #deschutescounty 67% containment – Evacuation LEVELS 1, and 2 – 23,346 ACRES -Silent Fires and Evacuations can change very quickly, so please stay alert  and safe. WILDFIRE MAP: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html…

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Two Men off Gold Beach

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for two men who went missing after the motorized catamaran they were on capsized Sunday night near Gold Beach, Oregon.

A third person, who was on the catamaran, was rescued and transported by a good Samaritan to Gold Beach for medical evaluation by local EMS. It was reported that the three individuals donned life jackets prior to the vessel capsizing.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., Sunday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a report from Curry County 911 of an overturned 26-foot catamaran approximately 4 miles off the coast of Gold Beach.

Boat crews aboard a 47-foot motor lifeboat and 29-foot response boat small from Station Chetco River and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend were dispatched to search for the missing men. A two-person jet ski team from Gold Beach Water Safety also assisted in the search. Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay, California was called to assist and arrived on scene at approximately 4:00 a.m.

A MH-65 from Air Station North Bend, conducted a first light search Monday morning, but were unfortunately unable to locate the missing men.

Crews searched over 130 track-line miles, covering more than 75 square nautical miles.

“This is a very tragic situation,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Carlos Hessler Officer in Charge of Station Chetco River. “Anytime there is a vessel in distress, we do everything we can to help those in need. Our hearts are with the boaters and their families during this difficult time”

Weather conditions at the time of search were 18-20 knots winds, 4–6-foot waves, 57-degree air temperature, and 55-degree water temperature. (SOURCE)

Oregonians gathered across the state to join in nationwide protests on Labor Day

People turned up all along the Oregon Coast. Demonstrators came out in Astoria and Seaside over the weekend for a “Blanket the Beach” protest, organized by Indivisible North Coast Oregon.

In Portland, a large crowd assembled to rally and march downtown at Tom McCall Waterfront Park as part of the “Workers Over Billionaires” protests taking place across the country in opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, as well as pushing for more workers rights and reinvestment in social services like health care. Over 2,000 protests occurred nationwide.

The protests were organized by the 50501 Movement. Other demonstrations were set up in East Portland, Salem, Corvallis, Bend, Madras, Hood River and other Pacific Northwest cities.

Many of the demonstrators promoted messages against the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown. Last week, two firefighters, including one from Keizer, were detained by federal agents while working at the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington. Several advocacy groups organized a caravan from Portland to the Northwest ICE Processing Center, a detention facility in Tacoma, Washington.

A separate demonstration in Portland is expected to gather this evening in the south waterfront and march to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on South Macadam Avenue, where protests have regularly occurred all summer.

The Labor Day demonstrations come after a weekend of action. In Eugene, more than a hundred people gathered Sunday to protest against President Trump, decrying policy decisions like tariffs and the deployment of the National Guard into Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.

Medford had hundreds of protesters at the Veterans Memorial Park. In Central Oregon, protests took place in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters.

A Workers Over Billionaires Rally in Grants Pass had more than 800 participants attend.

Fall with SOLVE Launches: Registration Now Open for the 2025 Beach & Riverside Cleanup

As the air turns crisp and the season shifts, SOLVE invites community members across Oregon and Southwest Washington to Fall into Action with SOLVE. At the heart of the season is the Beach & Riverside Cleanup, September 20–28, one of the largest volunteer events of the year. Registration is now open.

“Fall with SOLVE is about restoring and protecting the places we’ve spent the summer exploring,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “It’s about coming together to care for the places that matter most, from keeping school routes safe to preparing green spaces for the months ahead. It’s important to take action before rains wash litter into our waterways, and our local actions have lasting and far-reaching impacts. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup is the centerpiece of this season, connecting local efforts to global movements that protect our rivers, beaches, and public lands.”

Connecting Local Action to Global Movements
The 2025 Beach & Riverside Cleanup, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union, spans ten days of statewide volunteer opportunities, from the Oregon Coast to urban neighborhoods in Oregon and SW Washington, and is tied to three days of global significance:

• International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 20): Uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect waterways from harmful trash and debris.
• World Rivers Day (September 21): Celebrating rivers and emphasizing the need to protect them.
• National Public Lands Day (September 28): The nation’s largest single-day volunteer event focused on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

For nearly four decades, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has brought communities together to protect beaches, rivers, parks, and public lands. Over 60 projects are already open for registration, with opportunities for families, neighbors, community groups, and businesses to take part. From source to sea, volunteers will remove litter, restore natural areas, and create a visible difference across the region.

2025 Sponsors

SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2025, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union, is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Knife River, KOIN, Malibu Rum, Metro, National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), Oregon Parks and Recreation, Tillamook, and Wells Fargo.

What You’ll See This Fall

With cooler weather and the energy of back-to-school season, SOLVE volunteers will:

• Clean up litter from neighborhoods, trails, parks, and waterways
• Restore habitats by removing invasive ivy and weeds
• Prepare green spaces for winter with mulch and maintenance
• Join forces with schools and community groups to inspire youth action 

Key Fall Events:

While the Beach & Riverside Cleanup is the centerpiece, Fall with SOLVE also offers a variety of ways for communities to get involved:

• Pick It Up!: Large-scale community cleanups in Milwaukie (September 6), Bend (September 20), and Vancouver (October 10) bring together residents, businesses, and volunteers to give city centers a fresh start this fall.
• Waterway Cleanup Series Wrap-Up (October 15): The summer-long effort in partnership with Clackamas Water Environment Services concludes with a cleanup at High Rocks Park, Gladstone.
• Monthly Detrash Portland Events: Ongoing cleanups in Portland’s business districts, focused on revitalizing key gathering areas.
• Neighborhood & School Route Cleanups: Supporting cleaner, safer pathways for students and families as the school year begins.
• Restoration Projects: Removing invasive species, mulching, and preparing natural areas for the winter months.

Get Involved
SOLVE invites individuals, families, schools, and businesses to take part in Fall with SOLVE by signing up for a project, hosting a cleanup, or supporting restoration efforts. Whether joining solo or with friends, family, or coworkers, every action helps protect waterways, restore habitats, and strengthen communities.

Looking ahead, there are even more ways to celebrate the season with purpose, from Giving Tuesday contributions to corporate volunteer projects and sponsorship opportunities. Support during this time helps sustain SOLVE’s year-round work and expand its impact across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

For more information and to sign up, visit solveoregon.org/seasons.

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

Wildlife Center of the North Coast – We have several options for you to visit the wildlife center!

We are not yet open to the public, but private, guided property tours or live encounters with our Education Ambassador can be scheduled in advance.

Book online: https://coastwildlife.org/visit/*Please contact info@coastwildlife.org with inquiries about groups larger than 10 people.

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad‘s Coastal Excursion train is running between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach through September 28!

Take a step back in time by climbing aboard our signature historic train excursion along the scenic Tillamook Bay and coastal estuaries. On board narration treats passengers to an immersive step back in time, complete with beautiful views and educational information all while traveling at a leisurely pace to your destination. In Rockaway, passengers are able to get off to explore the restaurants, shops and of course the beach. Perfect for the whole family! Get your Coastal Excursion tickets here: https://oregoncoastscenic.org/tra…/oregon-coast-excursion/

Oregon Food Bank

Hunger in Oregon is rising — and federal and state cuts to food assistance are making it worse. In 2024, visits to food programs grew 31%, yet resources to meet this need are shrinking.

Programs like SNAP, which help 1 in 8 Oregonians put food on the table, are facing deep cuts — leaving more families, children, veterans, and elders to make impossible choices between food, safety, and shelter.

We need policies that protect access to food for all our neighbors. Because no one should have to choose between staying safe and going hungry.

Food is available for those who need it and by entering your zip code at OregonFoodFinder.or -You can see each local program’s contact information, hours of operation and what kind of distribution it is.

We partner with 1,200+ free food markets, pantries and meal sites all across Oregon and Southwest Washington — and welcome anyone and everyone who needs food. OregonFoodFinder.org

An Oregon Republican and Democrat are teaming up to push a law enforcement accountability bill, they announced Sunday.

Cyrus Javadi, a Tillamook Republican, and Tom Andersen, a Salem Democrat, hope to get fellow state lawmakers to refer a proposed constitutional amendment to next year’s ballot that would ban what the lawmakers describe as “secret police.”

Their proposal would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings and would require them to wear “official uniforms” with badge numbers and names.

It would not apply to SWAT teams or undercover police officers as they currently operate. Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/…/a-democrat-and-a…

Transportation funding package clears Oregon House, moves to Senate

Governor Kotek’s proposal to raise billions for road maintenance and public transit in the coming decade advanced by the barest of margins Monday.

The Oregon House passed House Bill 3991 by a vote of 36-12, the minimum number of yes votes required to approve the suite of tax increases the governor has put forward.

The vote means that a special session Kotek called in order to avert laying off hundreds of state employees is a step closer to completion, after initially being plagued by delay and gridlock. That movement wouldn’t have been possible Monday without Republican help.

State Rep. Cyrus Javadi, R-Tillamook, crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats on the package, rescuing the bill from what would have been an ignominious defeat. Javadi, a moderate maverick who sided with Democrats on a number of contentious issues during the regular session this year, acknowledged he might be torpedoing his political career.

“I’ve received a lot of phone calls — sometimes at 10 o’clock at night — from people I have never met in my life asking me to vote no and threatening me that I will lose my job,” said Javadi, who argued new revenue was necessary to ensure state roads are passable. “To them I say: I think my job’s worth the handful of jobs it’s going to save in Astoria if it comes to that. Or the hundreds more it’s going to save across the state.”

HB 3991 now moves to the Senate, where margins may be similarly tight.

Kotek’s funding bill is a far cry from the more ambitious funding package Democrats attempted to pass earlier this year. But the bill contains some big revenue drivers. Following concessions made to Republicans on Sunday, it’s expected to raise about $4.3 billion in its first decade.

Among it’s provisions, HB 3991 would:

• Raise the state’s 40-cent-per-gallon gas tax to 46 cents beginning in January. That change is expected to raise around $90 million per year.
• Hike vehicle title and registration fees Oregon motorists pay. Registration fees would increase by $42 and titling fees by $139. Electric vehicles, which do not pay gas taxes, would be required to pay an additional $30 on top of existing fees.
• Double the payroll tax that currently takes 0.1% out of workers’ paychecks to support public transit. The increase was initially expected to be ongoing, but Democrats agreed to limit it to two years under pressure from Republicans.
• Require drivers of electric vehicles and hybrids to enroll in the state’s OReGo program, which charges drivers for miles driven. Such a shift is considered necessary for funding road projects as EVs continue to gain popularity and gas tax revenue is expected to decline.
• Require more frequent auditing of the Oregon Department of Transportation so lawmakers have better insight into the progress and cost of major road projects. Those accountability measures are a response to backlash over huge cost increases of ODOT projects.
• Eliminate existing statutory language requiring tolling for some highway projects. That language has caused heartburn for some lawmakers, even though Kotek paused tolling plans last year.

(SOURCE)

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