Oregon Beach News, Friday 11/8 — Yachats Celtic Music Festival Starts Today, Small Earthquake off Coast of Yachats & 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, November 8, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

As Oregon heads into the back side of fall, what does the weather have in store?

The signs are still pointing towards a weak La Niña winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and snow is already falling in the mountains while rain soaks the valleys. La Niña was favored to emerge between September and November, said Marissa Anderson, a spokesperson for NOAA. Of course, it is already November, but Anderson said there was still a 60% chance of the pattern emerging and it was expected to persist from January to March.

For November, NOAA is predicting equal chances that the entire state of Oregon has above-normal, near-normal and below-normal temperatures. Basically, temperature-wise, that means anything could happen. And, with a weak La Niña, that “anything” could also change more frequently. As far as precipitation, most of the state is favored to have above-average levels of rain, snow and everything in between.

For 2025, we are likely to start off wet but not too wet in the first week, then maybe a small break, before returning to wet conditions, especially the northern half of the state.

Yachats Celtic Music Festival Starts Today

Get ready for Craic agus Ceol which means fun and music. The 2024 Yachats Celtic Music Festival promises to be a delight for young and old. If you are not familiar with Celtic music, it is the grandparent of many of our American music genres.

The dates for this annual event are Nov. 8, 9, 10, 2024. This year the festival is presenting 20 different artists, performing solo and in bands. The festival atmosphere invites rare unique collaborations among the musicians.

The festival is continuing the popular daytime “pub style” format at the Commons. The doors open Friday at noon with free entertainment in the Commons. Enjoy three days of free, and ticket required concerts, workshops, jamming, dancing, vendors and whisky tasting. Celtic inspired food and beverages will be available in the Commons during the festivities. Five concerts will take place in the beautiful Yachats Community Presbyterian Church.

The “Church of the Agate Windows” located at 360 West 7th Street, is a short walk from the Commons. The village of Yachats embraces the festival and many shops and restaurants show their Celtic enthusiasm during the weekend. Experience the magic of watching the sunset at the edge of the earth , while listening to our 2024 ‘Piper on the Point’ . The always popular Free Ceili dance, with lessons, returns again along with our Sunday closing concerts. https://yachatscelticmusicfestival.org/ — FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CelticMusicFestival

Small Earthquake off Coast of Yachats Thursday

A magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon early Thursday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake had a very shallow depth of 10 km (6 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so).

Officials said the quake happened around 6:17 a.m. and was about 79 miles west from Yachats, Oregon. No tsunami warning was issued. https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes/quake-info/9693402/mag2quake-Nov-7-2024-Off-Coast-Of-Oregon.html

Coos County Sheriff’s Office Search Warrant Nets Drugs, Cash and Guns

On October 23rd, 2024, Coos County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy J. Gray applied for and was granted a search warrant for a residence located south of Bandon, in the 45000 block of Highway 101, State of Oregon.

On October 24th, 2024, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Bandon Police Department, and Coquille Tribal Police Department executed the search warrant. CCSO-SCINT members located about 100 grams of suspected fentanyl, meth, and heroin. Additionally two firearms were located and $3,365.00 U.S currency.

No arrest was made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. “Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law”

Arrest Made In Sexual Abuse Of A Minor Case
Lincoln City Police 

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Detectives from Lincoln City Police Department arrested 53-year-old Angela Rose Schafer, of Lincoln City on charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. 

Detectives began the investigation after the victim came forward and reported the activity to law enforcement. Detectives learned that the suspect, Angela Schafer, was a Lincoln County School District employee who worked at Taft High and Taft Elementary schools. Upon receiving the report, Detectives moved quickly but thoroughly, and as part of their investigation, obtained a search warrant for Schafer’s residence. It is believed that the crimes occurred in January of 2024 and the victim was a student of Taft High School. 

On November 5, 2024, LCPD Detectives served the search warrant on Schafer’s residence and she was arrested from the school. Schafer was subsequently lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following criminal charges: Rape in the third degree, Sexual Abuse in the third degree, Contributing to the Sexual Delinquency of a Minor, and Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor. 

LCPD would like to thank the Lincoln County School District for their full cooperation and assistance with our investigation. 

If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Bud Lane at 541-994-3636.

US Coast Guard Delivers Revamped Jayhawk Helicopter to Air Station Astoria

The US Coast Guard has shipped a modified MH-60T Jayhawk medium-range recovery helicopter to Air Station Astoria in Oregon as part of its service life extension program.

The modernized aircraft is part of an ongoing effort to extend the operational lifespan of the coast guard’s existing Jayhawk fleet — in service since the 1990s — by fitting them with new hulls, electrical wire harnesses, and main rotor blades.

Through the process, the helicopters will gain about 20,000 additional flight hours.

Another approach to this initiative involves using low-flight-hour US Navy H-60 hulls, specifically from the HH-60H Pave Hawk and SH-60F Seahawk airframes, to further increase the size of the Jayhawk fleet.

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has already delivered three of the 45 new hulls ordered for the program.

A new air station in Point Mugu, California, received another upgraded MH-60T with a converted navy hull in August 2024.

Assembly, installation, and related manufacturing tasks to complete the program are being performed at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

“The sustainment effort has expanded to include increments for fleet growth as the service transitions to an all MH-60T fleet,” the coast guard said.

“Consolidation of the Coast Guard’s rotary wing fleet to a single MH-60T airframe is necessary to mitigate sustainability challenges with the MH-65 short range recovery helicopter and maintain the service’s rotary wing capability until recapitalization in line with the Department Defense’s Future Vertical Lift program.”

The Jayhawk measures 64 feet (20 meters) long and has a wingspan of 53 feet (16 meters).

In addition to its search and rescue equipment, the platform can be mounted with weapons for enhanced protection during deployments, including semi-automatic rifles or medium machine guns.

It flies with two gas turbine engines with 1,890 horsepower each for an altitude of up to 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), a top speed of 207 miles (333 kilometers) per hour, and a range of 806 miles (1,296 kilometers). (SOURCE)

Coos County Sheriff is expressing disappointment in voters’ apparent lack of support for a proposed tax levy

Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio spoke while votes were still being tabulated, but the first release showed voters rejecting Measure 6-217 with 63% of the counted votes.

“It was a county levy. It’s not just the sheriff’s office. Obviously it’s going to affect my office, and when I took this job I knew that I was going to be charged with protecting peoples’ rights with the safety and security of 65,000 people, and unfortunately the commissioners now are going to have to make a decision with what my budget going forward looks like,” he said.

The measure would have created a five-year tax levy of 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. That money would have gone toward maintaining jail staff and capacity.

Psilocybin Business Bans Wins in Brookings

Three cities in Curry, Douglas and Jackson Counties decisively said “No” to psilocybin businesses

All three cities previously approved two-year moratoriums on psilocybin businesses, but those temporary bans expire at the end of this year. So, residents voted again on the future of psilocybin businesses in their cities.

As of Wednesday morning, voters in Brookings were passing the ban 60 percent to 40 percent.

The ban in Sutherlin was passing 65 percent to 35 percent.

In Rogue River, the ban was passing 63.5 percent to 36.5 percent.

Psilocybin is found in psychedelic mushrooms and used to treat mental health issues, like PTSD and severe depression. It was approved for therapeutic use in Oregon in 2020, but municipalities are allowed to govern its use within their borders.

Razor Clam Harvest Closure Cascade Head to California Border

– Razor clam harvesting is now closed from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. Recent razor clam samples indicate levels of domoic acid (a marine biotoxin) are above the safety threshold.

People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest any shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

Current harvest closures and openings:

Razor clams:

OPEN from the WA border to Cascade Head.

CLOSED from Cascade Head to the CA border.

Mussels:

OPEN coastwide.

Bay clams:

OPEN coastwide.

Crabs:

OPEN coastwide.

NOTE: sport crabbing in the ocean off the Oregon coast is closed through Nov. 30.

ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.

For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503- 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2024/10_Oct/102524.asp

Yachats City Council OKs $370,000 Bid to Renovate City’s Little Log Church Museum

The Yachats city council has approved a bid to begin renovations on the city’s historic Little Log Church Museum despite the higher-than-expected cost.

During a public hearing at its Wednesday meeting, the council approved a $370,000 bid from Top to Bottom Contractors of Newport to begin renovations — weather willing — sometime this winter.

The city received two bids for the project, which Civil West Engineering Services estimated would cost about $263,000. The other bid from Lippincott Construction & North Pacific Woodworks was $460,000. But its bid was for a new log-cabin-style structure, which is not what the city requested.

Prior to its unanimous decision to accept the bid, the council heard from Civil West’s senior project manager Tim Gross and Top to Bottom’s Jose Gonzales. Gross stood by the company’s cost estimate and submitted documents advising council to reject both bids and instead seek new ones in the spring.

Gross said bids would be more competitive in the spring when companies were seeking summer work and have better weather to begin the project. It would also give Lippincott a chance to re-submit a bid for renovation only.

“I guess it depends on your position in the city,” Gross said. “If the city has the funds to do the work and you just want to get it done, I don’t think you’re going to make a bad decision to award the contract.”

And he added that by waiting, the city could be more intentional in finding local contractors to bid.

It’s a question of how quickly the city wants to get the project finished, Gross said, which he suggested would not take much longer if council decided to wait for bids in spring because of the approaching rainy season. There is only so much a contractor can accomplish in winter, he said.

Jose Gonzales with Top to Bottom told councilors he had reviewed Civil West’ estimate and believes it was low because it was completed in 2019 before the post-Covid increase in material costs.

“I pulled new numbers based on current prices for the same materials they had asked for and just for the siding alone, (it) came in at an extra $20,000,” Gonzales said. “Electrical came in at an extra $50,000 from the numbers that they had estimated. So that’s the reason why our estimate is a little bit higher than what their estimates came in at.”

He said he checked prices with the same suppliers used by Civil West in its estimate.

“And also, I think doing the project now, in the wintertime is also when we as the contractor have the most time,” Gonzales said. “Summertime is when we have the most amount of work so it might be harder to do during the summertime. We are ready to go if you guys decide to go for it.”

The company has a lot of experience with this type of renovation, he said, and is currently remodeling the homeless shelter in Newport, which will be finished in the next couple months. READ MORE: https://yachatsnews.com/yachats-council-oks-370000-bid-to-finally-renovate-citys-little-log-church-museum/

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

Governor Tina Kotek is calling for peaceful demonstrations, if people want to express their opinion about the election.

In a statement, Kotek said she’ll have zero tolerance for actions that threaten and terrorize others. She says Oregonians will stand together as a shield against any attempt to undermine fundamental freedoms.

Election Results: https://results.oregonvotes.gov

In election news, Oregonians will stick with winner-takes-all elections for federal and statewide offices, after the state’s voters rejected Measure 117 Tuesday. Incomplete returns as of 6:45 a.m. Wednesday showed 60% of voters opposing the measure and 40% supporting it.

The ballot measure would have required officials to put ranked-choice voting into place by 2028 for elections for president, Congress, governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and labor commissioner. It would have also allowed cities and counties to implement the voting system for local elections and required the Secretary of State’s Office to create a voter education program for the new system.

Under the ranked-choice system the measure would institute, voters rank candidates on their ballot in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than half of the first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes for that candidate are then redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the voters’ subsequent preferences. This process continues until one candidate receives a majority of the votes.

Voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have raised corporate taxes to give all Oregon residents an estimated $1,600 per year.

Voters were against the measure 79% to 21% in partial returns as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Measure 118 would have implemented a 3% tax on most corporations’ total sales in Oregon above $25 million and distributed the revenue equally among all residents through direct cash payments or refundable tax credits starting in 2025. The measure would have established the nation’s largest universal basic income program.

Measure 119, which would ease the way for cannabis workers to form unions, passed on Tuesday, leading 55%-45%.

The measure will require cannabis businesses to enter “labor peace agreements,” promising to stay neutral when union organizers communicate with their workers. After lawmakers declined to pass a similar law last year, union representatives brought the measure to voters, arguing the agreements were needed because of uncertainty over how federal labor law applies to cannabis workers. While the measure faced no organized opposition, business interests and attorneys for the Legislature previously argued that the agreements could conflict with federal labor laws.

Oregon lawmakers will continue to set their own salaries and those of the governor, secretary of state and certain other elected officials after voters rejected a measure that would have assigned the responsibility to an independent commission.

The measure was failing 53% to 47% in partial returns as of Thursday morning, leaving no plausible path for the outcome to change.  Measure 116’s defeat marks a blow for many lawmakers, unions and progressive groups, which have said for years that the low salaries for Oregon lawmakers and other elected officials discourage young and less affluent individuals from running for office.

Lawmakers currently earn about $35,000 per year, plus $157 daily stipends during legislative sessions. Other statewide elected officials earn some of the lowest salaries for their offices in the nation. Oregon’s governor makes $98,600, its attorney general earns $82,220 and its secretary of state, treasurer and labor commissioner receive $77,000.

Voters in more than a dozen Oregon cities, including in the Portland area, voted to ban the regulated sales and use of psilocybin mushrooms.

Anti-psilocybin measures were on the ballots in 16 cities and unincorporated Clackamas County, and are passing in coastal communities to urban Portland and central and southern Oregon by 55% to 70% of the vote.

Bans against psilocybin businesses are passing in Brookings, Rogue River, Sutherlin, Redmond, Lebanon, Jefferson, Sheridan, Amity, Hubbard, Mount Angel, Estacada, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Seaside and Warrenton. Redmond’s measure would enact a two-year moratorium on psilocybin businesses. Comment was not immediately available from psilocybin opponents. Supporters of the drug expressed disappointment with the results Wednesday.

Administrator at UO Placed on Leave After Posting Offensive Reaction to Presidential Election

An administrator at the University of Oregon is on leave after posting an offensive reaction to the 2024 presidential election.

Leonard Serrato, the Ducks’ fraternity and sorority life assistant director, posted an expletive-filled rant mocking supporters of President-elect Donald Trump on his public Instagram page, the Daily Emerald reported on Wednesday.

Belted into the seat of his car,  the unhinged Serrato ended the video by flashing a peace sign and suggesting Trump’s supporters: “go jump off a bridge,” with an added expletive. Serrato’s social media page is now private, but the video has been reposted and is making the rounds elsewhere.

Among those reacting with a comment was the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr. Sharing his expletive-filled comments on social media shows the Trump derailment syndrome hatred that continues in this country and could end up costing Serrato his position at UO.

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at Oregon State Capitol Park

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during its Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

This event will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”

The celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras and will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park located on Court Street Northeast in Salem — directly in front of the main entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

The event is open to the public and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.

For those unable to attend, the event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet. If you have any questions about this event, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit www.oregon.gov/odva.

Oregon Housing and Community Services invests $165 million to build 550+ affordable homes across Oregon

— On Friday, the Oregon Housing Stability Council approved a significant $165 million investment to help address the affordable housing crisis. This funding will support the construction of eight new housing developments, delivering more than 550 affordable homes to communities statewide. These projects will include 465 new rental homes, 87 homes for low-income homebuyers, and offer rental assistance and support services for residents at The Commons on MLK in Eugene.

“We know there is more work to do, yet these gains show what’s possible when we work together,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “With each new home, we are building a brighter future for the state we love. A future where families won’t be forced to move multiple times in a school year to find an affordable place to live. A future where progress is driven by the community and supported by the state. A future where we bridge the gap between our current reality and our potential, making life better for all Oregonians.”

Development details:

Rental

Development name	City	Number of homes	Awardee
Elmonica Station	Beaverton	81	REACH CDC and Mercy Housing Northwest
Gussie Belle Commons	Salem	120	Green Light LLC and Seed of Faith Ministries
Legin Commons	Portland	124	Our Just Future and Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
Marine Drive	Astoria	33	Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare and Edlen & Co
Woodland Hearth	Tigard	63	Community Partner for Affordable Housing
Colonia Libertad II	Salem	44	Farmworker Housing Development Corporation
The Commons on MLK	Eugene	51	Homes for Good

Homeownership

Murphy Crossing 2	Bend	74	Thistle & Nest
Thompson Springs	Tillamook	13	Sammy’s Place

These developments address a critical need for affordable housing and community resources. Many of the rental developments will include spaces for resident services, such as community rooms, playgrounds, and on-site programs. For example, Colonia Libertad II in Salem will offer after-school programs and financial literacy workshops to support agricultural workers and their families.

Homeownership developments, such as Thompson Springs in Tillamook, are designed with affordability and inclusivity in mind. Thompson Springs will incorporate universal design features to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

After Decades of Growth, Oregon’s Population Is Shrinking. A Top Economist Examines Why.

Economist Mark McMullen produced a snapshot of Oregon last week that could make readers fear the state is in the kind of decline Rust Belt states such as Ohio and Michigan have endured. Seen from another angle, the same report could leave you feeling pleasantly surprised.

McMullen’s report drew on new U.S. census data and found big shifts. “Since 2020, the state has witnessed profound changes in its demographic dynamics,” the report says. “Although migrants continue to be drawn to the state, some residents are leaving and the birth rate has been very low, leading to small population losses.”

Source: After Decades of Growth, Oregon’s Population Is Shrinking. A Top Economist Examines Why.

Prosecutors in southern Oregon unveiled felony charges against two women accused of forging a will to steal a roughly $2 million estate

The charges against Renee Pereira and her daughter, Kristine Pereira, include attempted aggravated theft, identify theft, forgery, and computer crimes. Both pleaded not guilty in court appearances late last month.

A prior KATU investigation found how difficult it can be to stop an invalid will from taking effect in Oregon.

Kristy Gerlett – the daughter of the woman who died in this case – has been fighting for more than a year and pushing investigators to charge the women she believed forged her mom’s signature on a will. The will disinherited Kristy.

The indictments accuse the women of forging the notary’s signature and seal, the signatures of two witnesses, and the signature of Cathy Gerlett on the will. It says they did so to steal Cathy’s estate. The alleged forged will gave 80% of Cathy’s estate to Kristine Pereira.

“Out of the 8 billion people on this planet, only one benefited from it. One. And it just so happens that her mom was the one that turned it in,” Kristy said.

A prior KATU investigation found it was up to Renee Pereira to vet the will in question. Court records show she filed it in probate court in April 2023. The judge initially accepted it and allowed it to go into effect. The same judge threw it out in September 2023.

Klamath County District attorney David Schutt said the suspects preyed on the death of a loved on and did so to steal a $2 million estate.

“This involved a premeditated and coordinated effort of the defendant and her mother to steal a vast sum of money – an estate valued in excess of $2 million dollars, and in so doing disinherited a biological daughter which is Ms. Gerlett. They preyed on the circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one to get this done,” Schutt said at Kristine Pereira’s arraignment.

Now, Kristy wants more done – including additional criminal charges over the use of her mom’s credit card account after she died. The charges included two $1,000 purchases at Fred Meyer. Kristy said she got receipts from Fred Meyer showing the purchases included 4, $500 Visa gift cards.

There are also hotel stays and a trip to a casino. Kristine Pereira admitted to staying at the hotels and the casino in testimony for the probate case over Cathy’s estate but denied knowing who made the charges.

An attorney for the personal representative of the estate said her excuses are not believable.

“It’s just not credible that Ms. Pereira could be receiving such a great benefit after the death of Cathy Gerlett and not have any knowledge as to how those charges were actually made,” attorney Clark Rasche said in a court hearing on the case.– as first highlighted in a KATU news investigation.

Oregon Forestry second-in-command fired over ‘drama filled and volatile’ relationship with subordinate

The second highest-ranking official at the state Department of Forestry was fired last week after an investigation determined he had a sexual relationship with a subordinate for about two years, records released Monday by the the agency show.

Deputy Forester Mike Shaw had been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 6. His last day with the department was Thursday, according to his termination letter. Shaw was paid an annual salary of $192,288.

Oregon begins rollout of new housing benefits for eligible OHP members with health conditions

SALEM, Ore. – Starting today, Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members with specific health conditions may qualify for new, first-in-the-nation benefits to keep their current housing and access other housing services.

The housing benefits include rent assistance for up to six months, utility set-up and payments for up to six months, home modifications and upgrades for health or safety reasons (e.g., grab bars, ramp installation, pest control), and rental navigation services. Unlike other state and local prevention services, eligible members can request these benefits ahead of receiving an eviction notice.

Not all OHP members will qualify for these new benefits. To qualify, OHP members must meet specific requirements, including at least one of the following health conditions: a complex physical or behavioral health condition; a developmental or intellectual disability; difficulty with self-care and daily activities; experience of abuse or neglect; be 65 years of age or older; be under the age of six; currently pregnant or gave birth in the past 12 months; or repeated use of emergency room or crisis services.

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, said, “Oregon’s health inequities are inextricably linked to our state’s housing crisis. Individuals and families who become homeless face a significantly higher risk of mortality and higher rates of behavioral and physical health conditions – even as they report poorer access to care. These Medicaid benefits can help stop that cycle and, in a model for the rest of the country, make it possible for Oregonians to maintain their current housing, connect with providers and access additional resources that support their well-being.”

Oregon received permission from the federal government to test whether and how addressing health-related social needs improves health outcomes. While other states have launched similar benefits, Oregon is the first in the nation to roll out rent assistance as a statewide Medicaid benefit for eligible OHP members.

“Housing plays a pivotal role in our physical and mental wellbeing. And yet, so many of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck, where an unexpected issue can lead to a loss of income and loss of a home,” said Emma Sandoe, Medicaid Director at Oregon Health Authority. “These benefits are one more tool to keep Oregonians housed during short-term disruptions and prevent negative health outcomes of homelessness.”

Of renters across Oregon, 22% have extremely low income, with $30,560 being the average income limit for a four-person household. Adults living with housing insecurity, including threat of eviction, are 19% more likely to lack access to a primary care provider and 35% more likely to postpone preventative health care even if they have chronic health conditions. Evictions and loss of housing can lead to negative health outcomes including:

• Increasing an individual’s risk for physical and mental health conditions
• Making an individual’s existing health condition worse
• Creating barriers to accessing medical care, medications and food

“Housing is a critical driver of health outcomes, significantly impacting social mobility and economic opportunity,” said Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director, Andrea Bell. “Stable housing serves as a catalyst for expanding access to preventive care, while reducing the monumental costs associated with emergency care. This is what transformative, integrated care looks like.”

Starting this month, housing providers are contracted to begin connecting with eligible members and delivering these new benefits across the state. Housing benefit applications may take up to two weeks to be reviewed. If approved, additional time may be needed to provide the benefit. These turnaround timeframes will depend on the capacities of individual CCOs and housing service providers as well as the volume of housing applications received. OHA is working closely with CCOs to continue to expand the network over the next year.

Fostering healthy families and environments is one of the five pillars to achieving OHA’s strategic goal of eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030. The housing benefits are one of several new health-related social needs benefits Oregon is piloting to meet this goal. In March, the state launched climate benefits including air conditioners, air filters and other equipment to keep eligible members healthy amid extreme weather events. Nutrition benefits will be available for eligible OHP members starting in January 2025.

OHP members interested in receiving housing benefits can work with their health plan (coordinated care organization or Open Card), health care provider or a local OHP community partner to see if they qualify and apply.

OHP members should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557 or email Ask.OHP@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

For OHP members who are currently unhoused, resources may be available through 211.

For more information about these benefits, visit the OHP housing benefits web page.

Oregon Health Authority to launch new rental assistance program in November 

Oregon will be the first in the nation to offer a statewide rental assistance program through Medicaid 

The Oregon Health Authority is launching a new rental assistance program through its Medicaid plan that serves low-income Oregonians when medical crises impact their ability to pay rent. 

The health authority’s plans are intended to keep people housed who need a short-term bridge to make ends meet and pay rent. Its goal is to help people maintain their health and their housing, which can lead to better long-term outcomes. People who face homelessness or the threat of eviction are 35% more likely to delay preventative health care, according to one national study. 

To find out more about the housing program and eligibility, go here.

The program, which starts in November, will make Oregon the first state in the nation to offer a statewide rental assistance program through Medicaid. The Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program, provides more than 1.4 million Oregonians with health care, dental care and behavioral health care services. 

“It really is focusing on trying to keep those most at risk still housed, hopefully leading to them being able to have some short-term help,” said Dave Baden, the authority’s deputy director for policy and programs, in a recent press call with reporters.

The Oregon Health Authority is providing the program through its Medicaid waiver, which is a five-year plan that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approved. States can receive waivers as a tool to try new programs or approaches to Medicaid. Oregon’s current Medicaid waiver is in effect from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2027. 

During this period, Oregon has nearly $1 billion available for the rental assistance programs and other new programs within the Medicaid plan for air conditioners, air filters and food benefits. Most of the money — $904 million — is federal funding, with a state match of $71 million. 

The program can cover rental and utility costs for up to six months, including past-due amounts. People also can receive medically necessary home improvements, including wheelchair ramps, pest control and heavy-duty cleaning. 

The program covers rental assistance, but not new housing placements for people who are homeless.

“The goal of the housing benefit is really around keeping people housed and preventing houselessness,” said Steph Jarem, the authority’s waiver policy director. 

Not everyone on Medicaid is eligible. To qualify, an Oregonian enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan would need to have a qualifying risk factor, such as complex medical condition, behavioral health condition, pregnancy or repeated emergency department trips. 

The program can cover people who fall behind on rent because of a chronic condition or an injury that prevents them from working.

They also would need an income that is 30% or less than the median income of their region. For a family of four in Portland or Hillsboro, the cutoff is $35,400.  

State officials estimate 22% of Oregon’s 618,278 households that rent have incomes that fall below the threshold and are potentially eligible.

In one example, a person who lives alone in Hood River and makes $18,000 a year could get help for missing work with a broken leg while also living with chronic heart disease. 

The authority reached the eligibility determinations after negotiations with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (SOURCE)

Child Sexual Predator Eluded Capture in Idaho, Has Ties to Southern Oregon, He May Be Dressed as a Woman

– A fugitive with ties to the southern Oregon region is on-the-run after eluding capture Tuesday, October 22 in Idaho. Christian Bert Fischer, 42, is wanted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child.

Fischer is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. He is also known to dress like a woman. Before heading to Idaho, Fischer was in the Portland area. This June and July, he was in Ashland, Lake of the Woods, and Wolf Creek.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) task forces throughout the country have joined the search, including the local Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF). If you have any information on Fischer’s whereabouts, contact the local USMS office at (541) 776-4277, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations.

For more information here is the USMS Release:

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – The Hernando County Crime Stoppers in Florida is offering up a $5,000 reward for information directly leading to the arrest of Christian Bert FISCHER, a fugitive convicted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for the cash rewards of up to $5,000.00. For additional information and instructions for the reward, please visit the following Crime Stoppers link:

http://www.hernandocountycrimestoppers.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=wanteds&ID=449&Sort=Name&F=&W=.

FISCHER is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. FISCHER is also known to dress like a woman.

On the second day of FISCHER’s trial in Hernando County, Florida, he failed to appear in court and immediately fled the state the same day. Investigators learned he fled to California, Oregon and as of recently to North Idaho. FISCHER has been utilizing fictious name(s), likely utilizing cash and has had associates pay for certain expenses while he’s been on the run.

In North Idaho, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Greater Idaho Fugitive task force learned FISCHER has attempted to befriend multiple families in the area, to include those with children. Earlier this week, prior to the task force’s attempt to arrest FISCHER, he was seen carving pumpkins at his last known location off Kelso Rd in Athol with an unknown family. Investigators have not been able to identify the family yet and urge the family or anyone else who has had interactions with FISCHER to contact the local USMS office. All tips or information regarding this fugitive investigation case will remain anonymous.

The local task force is continuing to work closely with the USMS office in the Middle District of Florida, the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in Brooksville, Florida, as well as other investigators from multiple other states.

The following is a link to a short announcement on Facebook from Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis regarding fugitive Christian FISCHER:

https://www.facebook.com/HernandoSheriff/videos/manhunt-monday-02-12-2024/356273974034934/.

The USMS Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is a state-wide cooperative to locate and arrest violent offenders wanted for local, state and federal crimes. Member agencies throughout the State of Idaho include: the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho Department of Corrections, Idaho State Police, Nampa Police Department, Pocatello Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Anyone with information on FISCHER’s whereabouts is urged to contact the local USMS office at (208) 518-4024, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Groundbreaking Dedication Event for Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Oregon State Capitol- Friday, November 22, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.

The Oregon State Capitol will be the site of the highly anticipated dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. This momentous event will be the formal dedication of Phase 1 of the memorial, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s Vietnam veterans. The public ceremony will occur at Salem’s Willson Park memorial site on the Capitol grounds, at the corner of State and Cottage Street, with a reception to follow at the nearby Withnell Family YMCA. 

The memorial pays tribute to 710 Oregonians who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, along with the more than 180,000 Oregonians who served in Vietnam and around the world from 1955-1975. The design features 46 black granite columns engraved with the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It creates a reflective space for veterans, families, and the public to honor their memory. 

The event will include comments from local veterans, state officials, and Vietnam War Memorial Fund members, who have been instrumental in making this project a reality. The event is hosted by the Oregon Vietnam War Memorial Fund and is supported by a grant of Transient Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem.

The Importance of the Memorial – The Vietnam War remains one of the most challenging and divisive periods in American history. Veterans returning from the conflict were often met with indifference or hostility, making this memorial an overdue recognition of their service. The memorial offers a space for healing and remembrance, honoring both the sacrifices of the fallen and the resilience of those who served. Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF), emphasized the emotional impact of this project. “This is about giving our veterans a place of rest and, for all of us, a place to heal,” Bates said. The memorial will not only commemorate the service of Vietnam veterans but also serve as a reminder of the war’s lasting impact on the state and its people. 

Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the memorial will also serve as an educational resource when Phase 2 is completed. Phase 2, the Exhibit Phase, aims to help future generations understand the human cost of war and the bravery of those who fought.

For more information, see a virtual tour or donate, visit ocvvm.com. 

About the VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of applicable tax law. You can donate by sending a check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.

Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment

(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year begins Oct. 15 and remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). 

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:

• The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;” 
• The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000; 
• Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions; 
• Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
• Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.

“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy. 

Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages. 

SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.

Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services – The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. 

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com