The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, August 23, 2021
Oregon Beach Weather
Today– Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Tuesday– Partly sunny, with a high near 63. East northeast wind 5 to 14 mph becoming north northwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
Wednesday– Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Draft Plan to Protect Endangered Species from Entanglement in Commercial Fishing Gear
Oregon Fish and Wildlife officials released a draft conservation plan that aims to protect endangered whales and sea turtles from entanglement in Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.
In recent years, whales and sea turtles have increasingly become entangled in fishing gear in Pacific Ocean waters off the U.S. West Coast. Along with other impacts, entanglements in fishing gear threaten the recovery of endangered humpback whales, blue whales, and Pacific leatherback sea turtles that migrate and feed off the Oregon coast.
According to federal experts, roughly 75 percent of reported whale entanglements are fatal as whales or sea turtles can drag the heavy fishing gear for months, hindering their ability to dive and feed.
This can result in malnutrition, starvation, infection to damaged flukes or tails and even severed appendages and drowning.
“Whales and sea turtles swim thousands of miles to feed off our coast and we should do all we can to make sure they don’t face a deadly maze of fishing lines once they get here,” said Ben Enticknap, Pacific campaign manager and senior scientist with Oceana. “Entanglement in Dungeness crab fishing gear is an ongoing threat to marine life. We’re heartened to see the state of Oregon seeking solutions that would allow for commercial crab fishing without threatening the lives of endangered whales and turtles.”
“We encourage the testing and use of innovative “pop-up” gear to allow for safer and more sustainable crab fishing in the future,” said Enticknap.
Pop-up fishing gear—sometimes called “ropeless” gear—involves systems where lines and buoys remain with the trap on the ocean floor instead of hanging unattended in the water column for days connected to a surface buoy. Since 2018, Oceana has been partnering with Dungeness crab fishermen and scientists in California to test and develop pop-up gear. Pop-up gear would allow the opportunity for continued crabbing when entanglement risk is elevated.
“Ultimately we want to see an adaptive approach where fishermen have the opportunity to catch crab while avoiding the potential risk of whale or sea turtle entanglement,” said Geoff Shester, senior scientist with Oceana. “We see huge potential for innovative fishing methods like pop-up gear that allow for a vibrant fishery while also ensuring endangered whales and turtles can freely and safely feed off our shores.”
The draft Conservation Plan is posted on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife whale entanglement mitigation webpage and the agency is now taking public comment ahead of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Sept. 17 meeting.
Oregon Has Two Golf Courses Named To GOLF Magazine’s Latest Top 100 List, Both On The Oregon Coast
GOLF Magazine has picked the Top 100 courses you can play in the U.S. for under $150.
Oregon has two golf courses named to GOLF Magazine’s latest Top 100 list, both on the Oregon Coast: Bandon Crossings Golf Course as number 61 and Gearhart Golf Links as number 98. Both courses have distinctly temperate marine climates but have slightly less wind as they aren’t directly on the ocean.
Bandon Crossings is considered a heathland golf course. Heathland is a course that is built on sand and typically has gentler weather as those directly on the ocean.
Sandy soil also allows for very good winter playing conditions, important as most of the coast gets about 60 inches of rain each winter.
Being slightly inland offers better weather and scenic forests as well as open vistas. It is the only Bandon course to offer the option to ride a cart. https://www.bandoncrossings.com/
Gearhart Golf Links has been in continual operation since 1892, making it the oldest course west of the Mississippi River. https://www.gearhartgolflinks.com/
See the full GOLF Magazine list at: https://golf.com/travel/top-100-value-courses-you-can-play-150-less/
Oregon reports 2,187 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths
There are 19 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 3,012. The Oregon Health Authority reported 2,187 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 252,977.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (19), Clackamas (74), Clatsop (35), Columbia (32), Coos (47), Crook (13), Curry (28), Deschutes (147), Douglas (168), Gilliam (2), Grant (4), Harney (19), Hood River (12), Jackson (148), Jefferson (13), Josephine (125), Klamath (40), Lane (240), Lincoln (32), Linn (108), Malheur (15), Marion (164), Morrow (12), Multnomah (235), Polk (34), Sherman (2), Tillamook (36), Umatilla (94), Union (17), Wallowa (5), Wasco (39), Washington (176), Yamhill (45).
“Today, we mark another sad milestone in the pandemic: Our 3,000th COVID-19 related death,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen.
“We grieve for every person lost to the virus. I offer my deepest sympathies to every family who has mourned a parent, sibling or child who has died from the disease. Every death serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating personal impact COVID-19 has on all of us. Our sadness is deepened by the realization that these deaths are increasingly preventable. We know that the available vaccines provide a reliable protective shield against serious illness and death from COVID-19. These vaccines are saving lives every day and I urge every Oregonian who has not yet received the vaccine to please make a plan vaccinated.”
US regulators gave full approval to Pfizer COVID Vaccine this morning
The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, a milestone that may help lift public confidence in the shots as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet.
The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech now carries the strongest endorsement from the Food and Drug Administration, which has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety. More than 200 million Pfizer doses already have been administered in the U.S, and hundreds of millions more worldwide, since emergency use began in December.
Firefighters Make More Progress On Wildfires Across Oregon
Firefighters continue to make progress on encircling several wildfires or groups of blazes that have been burning around the state in recent weeks. But fire bosses say at least some of the blazes could continue to burn until autumn rains or winter snows.
The state of Oregon’s wildfires dashboard also shows signs of progress, with 40 active fires at present, compared to over 100 earlier this month, though the ones still actively burning continue to send smoke streaming into Central Oregon and other areas.
Fire activity picked up yesterday afternoon as smoke and clouds cleared in the Cascades where existing fires reported moderate growth. Below seasonal temperatures across most of the region yesterday with gusty winds in the Cascade Gaps. Cloud cover over the west side north of the Umpqua divide brought light scattered precipitation. There were good overnight humidity recoveries across the region. No lightning was observed in the geographic area.
An upper-level trough will dominate the weather through mid-week, keeping temperatures mainly on the cool side of
normal. The west side will see morning clouds through this period with clearer skies east of the Cascades. General winds will be lighter, but still a little breezy through Cascade gaps each afternoon.
Passing shortwave disturbances will periodically increase cloud cover and could generate some sprinkles, but no significant precipitation or lightning is expected through mid-week.
A system passing through Thursday could boost winds as well as shower chances, the latter primarily for northern Washington. The weekend could see some warmer weather, but models are still in disagreement about details.
Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity along with diminished fire danger will combine to limit the potential for new significant fires for the next several days. Good humidity recoveries across the region overnight.
Here are links to be able to see updated info on the larger fires in Oregon:
- Black Butte InciWeb
- Bootleg InciWeb
- Bruler InciWeb
- Bull Complex InciWeb
- Devil’s Knob Complex InciWeb
- Elbow Creek Inciweb
- Fox Fire InciWeb
- Jack Fire InciWeb
- Rough Patch Complex InciWeb
- Middle Fork Complex/Knoll Fire InciWeb
- Skyline Ridge Complex InciWeb
This public lands link is super helpful to check before you head outdoors. The Keep Oregon Green website carries ODF’s public use restrictions. Click the link for up-to-date information:
https://keeporegongreen.org/current-conditions/
Protesters Clash In Portland
Opposing rallies that drew hundreds of people in Portland, Oregon, sparked clashes on Sunday.
The two groups had gathered in different parts of the city after a far-right group changed the location of its event.
The right-wing rally drew about 100 people in a parking lot of a former Kmart store and clashes began as it wound down, KOIN-TV reported. A van tried to drive into the parking lot, but crashed and the driver ran away. Demonstrators then began igniting fireworks and similar devices. It was not immediately clear whether anyone suffered serious injuries.
Later, shots were fired near demonstrators downtown. Dustin Brandon Ferreira, 37, a left-wing activist, told The Oregonian/OregonLive he was with others Sunday evening when a man used a slur against a Black man in the group and then fired multiple rounds in their direction.
Portland police said the man was arrested. No one was injured.
Demonstrations associated with anti-fascists had earlier drawn more than 200 people downtown.
The plans for the opposing demonstrations had prompted Portland police to call in all available police personnel.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said Friday that despite expecting clashes, police will not necessarily be standing in between opposing groups.
Lovell and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler did not name the groups expected to gather that “may choose to confront one another.”
Oregon State Police, the sheriff’s office and other local partners were also helping address the situation.
Similar events in Portland between groups with differing political ideations or affiliations have resulted in violent clashes. Sunday’s event falls on the one-year anniversary of a particularly violent political clash in which the opposing groups brawled on the street next to police headquarters for hours.
You Can Help Redraw Oregon’s House and Senate Districts
The Oregon Legislative Information System has made a game to design a new political map of Oregon. The grand prize is political sway in Oregon for the next 10 years.
Normally this once-a-decade resizing of political districts has the legislature drawing maps, the legislature voting on maps and the governor signing off on maps. The public role is in hearings. If all goes well, there is a new political atlas for the next election.
This year, mapmaking is going pro-am as amateur cartographers can get on the OLIS video game to draw their own political dream maps. They’ll get the same recently arrived, deeply detailed U.S. Census tract information and software program as lawmakers use.
“Oregonians can begin drawing new lines using the gold standard data,” said Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, co-chair of the House Redistricting Committee.
The starting point is https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting. After creating an account, taking a tutorial, and preparing a lot of patience to deal with the wonky program, mapmaking can begin.
As a template, the current districts with a 37-22 Democratic majority in the House and 18-12 edge in the Senate can be called up for reference. So can the U.S. House map of the delegation’s four Democrats and one Republican.
A few valley curves, a straight-edge county line, following a river path, or running up against a mountain range will be challenging. But with enough effort and time, voila! your own version of the political landscape of Oregon.
The full slate of work includes:
- Six congressional districts of 710,000 people each
- 30 Senate Districts of 127,700 people each
- 60 House Districts of 63,850 people each
The computer will tell you whether your maps meet geographical requirements and demographic goals.
One of the biggest tripping points is Oregon’s requirement that two House districts be completely “nested’ inside each Senate District. So, for example, House Districts 59 and 60 fit completely inside Senate District 30.
There also are federal voting rights laws. Oregon’s state directives say districts must be contiguous, be of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide “communities of common interest” and be connected by transportation links.
The full set of does and don’ts, rules, laws, and other mapmaking stuff is on the website.
When done, the map can be submitted to the legislature for consideration. The deadline is Sept. 7 by 5 p.m.
A note of receipt of the map will be sent by email. Whether maps found to have flaws will be noted in time for resubmission is still undecided.
“It depends on how many maps we receive,” said Allison Daniel, a legislative policy and research analyst.
Maps that make the cut by checking all the boxes for size, shape, location, equity, and other items will pop up on the legislature’s redistricting website.
After a whirlwind series of nine public hearings, the committee will deliberate on what plan to bring to the full legislature when it meets in a special session Sept. 20. The hope is the House and Senate can debate and pass the legislation quickly so it can get to Gov. Kate Brown for review.
The Oregon Supreme Court has set a Sept. 27 deadline to receive the maps.
Low Blood Donation Supply Shortage In Oregon
In a news release, Bloodworks Northwest shared that they are experiencing the lowest inventory of blood in more than a decade. The release continues on saying the record low supply and declining donations is forcing Bloodworks to cut back on the amount of blood it can provide to hospitals from the Canadian border to Southern Oregon and all across Western Washington.
“It’s been a hard summer,” said Vicki Finson, the Executive V.P. for Blood Services with Bloodworks Northwest. “We are seeing less donors, less people making appointments, and a much higher cancellation and no show rate. That combined with the inventory that was already fragile has really put us in a desperate situation.”
With less blood being provided to hospitals, the less care patients can receive. For example, a patient with immediate trauma may get blood but others who need care but not as urgently could be delayed.
“It does mean that someone might not be able to get care,” explained Finson. “A patient who maybe had surgery and their hemoglobin is low and they need a transfusion or a chemotherapy patient who needs to get a transfusion, they might be able to wait in the hospital and get it the next day. Certainly, that is not the best of care, but it does allow us to try and use a very fragile inventory.”
More donations can solve the problem, but there is no time to waste. Bloodworks requires donors to make an appointment. You can do that on their website.
Finson is urging those interested in donating to check all available appointment times. She says it’s possible that some weeks will be filled, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a need for blood.
Powerball Adds Monday Drawing
Powerball players will soon have the opportunity to start the week with a third chance to win larger, faster-growing jackpots! A new Monday Powerball drawing debuts August 23, 2021 and will join the current lineup of Powerball drawings held every Wednesday and Saturday, at 7:59 p.m. PT. All 48 Powerball lotteries will sell tickets for the Monday night Powerball drawing.
“Adding a third drawing will not change the Powerball game odds or cash prizes, but it will give players another chance to dream big,” said Oregon Lottery Director Barry Pack. “More importantly, more than half of all proceeds from the sale of Powerball tickets sold in Oregon, stay in Oregon, benefiting programs Oregonians value.”
In Oregon, ticket sales from the third weekly drawing will contribute to vital public programs and services including public education, economic development, state parks, Outdoor School, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. Since 1985, Oregon Lottery proceeds have helped contribute more than $13 billion.
Players can watch the new Monday night drawing live online at Powerball.com with a new live stream feature that launched earlier this summer; the Monday drawing will also be broadcast live by participating television stations.
About Powerball: Powerball tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, drawings are broadcast live every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:59 p.m. PT from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee and will include the new Monday drawing beginning Monday, August 23. Powerball drawings are also live streamed online at Powerball.com.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than
$13 billion for public education, economic development, state parks, Outdoor School, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org