Oregon Beach News, Friday 12/27 – Scientists Predict Undersea Volcano Eruption Near Oregon in 2025, Christmas Storm Wrecks Havoc Along Oregon Coast & 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, December 27, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Gale Warning Issued– National Weather Service

...GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and seas 18 to 24 ft at 16 seconds. Seas will be augmented by short period wind waves of 10 to 15 feet before and during frontal
passages.

* WHERE...All waters.

* WHEN...Until 7 AM PST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds and very steep seas could capsize or damage vessels. Low visibility conditions are expected.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong fronts will bring gales tonight,Friday evening, and Saturday night into early Sunday morning. There will be decreases in wind speeds between fronts, but
seas will remain very high and steep to very steep.

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

Heavy rain is expected late this week and especially this weekend. The Coquille at Coquille is under a flood warning already and additional rivers, creeks and streams could approach bankfull or flood as we head into this weekend. Most areas west of the Cascades are under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall that could lead to flooding, while most of Coos, Curry, Josephine, SW Douglas and western Siskiyou counties are under a slight risk Saturday into Sunday morning. With the risk of flooding please see the river forecasts at water.weather.gov.

Scientists Predict Undersea Volcano Eruption Near Oregon in 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christmas Storm Wrecks Havoc Along Oregon Coast

High winds gusts in excess of 70 mph in many places over Christmas Day took their toll on the Oregon coast, knocking out power for thousands all around the state, usually because of downed trees. It has closed at least four state parks on the coastline and caused Shore Acres Light to cancel for one night.

The wild weather continues as high winds will hit the south coast again tonight and waves up to 30 feet create an extended high surf warning that now runs through the weekend.

Cape Meares State Park is closed due to downed trees and as-yet-unspecified damage, along with Ecola State Park at Cannon Beach, Saddle Mountain near Seaside and Geisel Monument near Brookings.

“Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint will remain closed until further notice,” said the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Reserve. “This closure is due to downed trees from the recent storm event. The wildlife refuge and park will remain closed while clean up efforts take place.”

Courtesy Oregon Coast Wildlife Refuge

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) said the four state parks were under emergency closures listed as of Thursday: there may be more announced.

Among the issues, OPRD said fallen trees are blocking the entrances at this time. There are photos of that here.

In the Coos Bay / Charleston / North Bend area, power outages have caused the cancellation tonight (Thursday) of Shore Acres Lights festival. As of 7 p.m., Pacific Power is reporting over 340 customers in the area without power. Some estimates for restoration are not available, but most so far range from “before 10 p.m.” tonight to by 3 a.m. in the morning.

Shore Acres Lights (courtesy Oregon’s Adventure Coast)

Is is not certain when power will be restored to Shore Acres State Park, but the visitor’s center for the area is hopeful it will be back Friday. Check status here.

There is still a high surf advisory for the northern half of the Oregon coast and most of the Washington coast. However, on the southern Oregon coast, dangerous conditions remain and the high surf warning there has been extended into Sunday – two days beyond the original expiration date of Friday.

This expires at 7 a.m. on Sunday, but until then the National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of waves 25 to 30 feet breaking onshore. They also have a very long timing period between swells, which brings more power to waves at times. It causes some sets of swells to combine and charge up the beach much faster and become even more powerful.

Expect “extremely large breaking waves” and hazardous conditions, the NWS said. “Surf conditions will be occasionally worsened by high winds and seas as fronts pass each day through Sunday,” the NWS said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Indigenous Culture Exhibits Open at Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria

Just added to our Chinook exhibit, ntsayka ilíi ukuk – This is Our Place, a contemporary canoe of the Chinook Indian Nation. The ancestors of the Chinook Indian Nation have lived along the waters of the Lower Columbia River for at least 10,000 years. Today the Chinook Indian Nation has more than 3,000 enrolled members and consists of descendants of the five westernmost Chinookan Tribes. They are the Lower Chinook, Clatsop, Wahkiakum, Kathlamet and Willapa.

The Chinook have multiple canoes owned by individual families and the Tribe itself. The one seen here is the product of a unique collaboration between the Tribe and the Clark family (of Lewis and Clark fame). When Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery left this area in 1806 they stole a canoe from the Clatsop people to facilitate their return upriver. This was not forgotten and during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial a plan for reparation was put into motion that resulted in the building and naming of this canoe in the fall of 2011.

The canoe was named kɫmin. kɫmin means “moon” in the Chinook language and is considered good luck because of the moon’s control of the tides. It also was the name of a Kathlamet chief who resided near here. kɫmin has carried members of the Chinook Indian Nation hundreds of miles on the Lower Columbia River, Willapa Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Stop by, step into the Museum, and see this beautiful canoe for yourself!

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria; $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $8 for kids. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lincoln City Police Department

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

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

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

Search For Missing Coos County Man Suspended Pending Further Information

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

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

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

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

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

Winter Whale Watch Week Returns to the Oregon Coast December 27-31

— Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast Friday, Dec. 27 through Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Trained Oregon State Park volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico. 

The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online at the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching

“Now is a perfect time to see the whales as their population rebounds on the Oregon Coast,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales. Since then, the estimated population has increased by roughly 30% from 14,530 last year to 19,260 this year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.

“While there are more gray whales to see now on the Oregon Coast, the calves remain a rare and important sight,” said Michael Milstein, public affairs officer with NOAA Fisheries.

Winter Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers. 

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 27-31. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.

All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and always keeping an eye on the surf. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.

For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit oregonstateparks.org.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Winter Whale Watch Week on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch24.

Sandbagging Stations in Lincoln County

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

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

Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Bill Barring Utility Rate Increases

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oregonians Need To Watch Out For ‘Smishing’ Packages

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known as smishing scams.

Smishing, said John Hyatt – a strategic communication specialist with the USPS – is the practice of sending fake text messages to smart phones, asking users to click on a link to resolve a zip code or other issue with a pending package.

He warned that personal data is what the sender is after.

“Basically, criminals trying to obtain personally identifying information about a person,” said Hyatt, “such as accounts, user names, passwords, dates of birth, credit card numbers – things like that.”

In 2020, the Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over 240,000 victims of smishing, phishing, and other fraudulent schemes – costing over $54 million, with the average person losing about $800.

Smishing texts can be relentless this time of year, but Hyatt said you should never follow the message prompts.

“When you get a suspicious text message,” said Hyatt, “if you click on those links, it will take you to a website that could be downloading onto your phone – and once you submit that information then they use it for nefarious purposes.”

Hyatt said you will only receive text messages from the USPS if you have gone online and registered for such services.

“You can sign up to receive text messages about a tracking number,” said Hyatt, “or you can go into the tracking service and put the number in and then ask for text message updates, or even an email update on usps.com.”

He said the USPS informed delivery program is being used by millions of Americans to receive legitimate messages about what packages are on the way. Go to the USPS.com website for more information.

Guided First Day Hikes at 30 Oregon State Parks on New Year’s Day

— Whether you prefer a sunset hike along the coast or a paved wooded trail inside city limits, First Day Hikes has a hike for you on New Year’s Day, Wednesday Jan. 1. 

Rangers and volunteers will lead 37 guided First Day Hikes at 30 parks around the state with distances ranging from a quarter-mile stroll to a 5-mile trek. Hikes are free, and the $5 day-use parking fee is waived on that day at the state parks that charge for parking.

America’s State Parks sponsors the First Day Hikes program nationwide to encourage everyone to start the year outside and connect with nature. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has participated since 2012.

“First Day Hikes has become a fun tradition for both visitors and staff on New Year’s Day. Rangers and volunteers get a chance to share park history, geology, wildlife and plants, and visitors get to experience an adventure with friends and family to start the new year,” said Lisa Sumption, director of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Visit the Oregon First Day Hikes web page to see the list of parks hosting hikes. Additional hike information such as hike times, meet-up locations and trail terrain are available via the park links on the web page. A few hikes require registration including Champoeg, Detroit Lake, Emigrant Springs and Smith Rock. 

If you have questions about accessibility or to request reasonable accommodations needed for you to participate in a hike, see contact information for each of the hikes.

Remember to plan for winter weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and carry binoculars for viewing wildlife. 

Share photos of First Day Hikes on Instagram by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikesor tagging “Oregon State Parks” on Facebook. 

About America’s State Parks
America’s State Parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states. The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) promotes and advocates for the state park systems across America in providing conservation and management of natural and cultural resources, quality outdoor recreation experiences, and connecting children and families to nature and the outdoors. With collectively more than 9,817 park areas covering over 20 million acres of land, and visitation of nearly 9 million people annually, state park systems across the country are an integral part of protecting natural and cultural resources while providing guests amazing access to the outdoors. Learn more about America’s State Parks at stateparks.org.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Payments Going Out Quickly To Wildfire Vendors After Special Session

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Forestry has been delivering on the commitment to get outstanding payments to wildland fire vendors as quickly as possible. The department processed $88 million since the Legislature allocated the department $191.5 million for the historic and costly 2024 fire season during its recent special session.

“Without these vendors, we could not have provided Oregonians with the wildfire protection we did this year,” said State Forester Cal Mukumoto, ODF director. “It was critically important to take care of those who served right alongside us all summer.”

Prior to the recent special session, ODF had paid out $130 million in fire season costs. Some of that money came from the State Emergency Board—which allocated $40 million toward the state’s portion of large fire costs in September—but the other $90 million was paid from the budgets of non-fire ODF programs. Under the state’s current wildfire funding structure, ODF uses budgeted funds from its other lines of business to pay for fire season costs and then carries that debt while awaiting federal reimbursements. This approach worked when gross large fire costs were averaging $11 million a year. Over the past decade, that average jumped to around $79 million, but the funding provided for large fires hasn’t increased accordingly.

“I commend the ODF team for their swift action to ensure the state’s fire season costs are paid after having received the necessary resources from the Legislature during the recent special session. Again, my appreciation to lawmakers for their expeditious work,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “Next year, I look forward to working with legislators to ensure the state finds a pathway for sustainable funding to cover wildfire costs in the years ahead.”

Despite ODF’s effort, this year’s large fire costs far exceeded the funds ODF could muster, resulting in significant delays in payments to the companies that provide critical firefighting resources like people, aircraft and heavy equipment.

“It was a stressful time for our folks, as many had to take out credit lines to make their payrolls and pay their bills,” explained Deborah Miley, executive director, National Wildfire Suppression Association. “Our members provide a significant amount of response to assist our agency partners during fire season, and we are proud to provide quality, cost-effective resources in Oregon’s time of need and look forward to continuing to serve.”

Remaining fire costs are still under review. All charges and associated documentation are reviewed for accuracy and completeness by department payment teams prior to being approved for payment.

While the $191.5 million from the special session will help ODF considerably in cashflow management over the remainder of the biennium, the cashflow issue is just a symptom of the larger problem: how wildfire response and mitigation are funded in Oregon. “The way response and mitigation are currently funded is inadequate to address the growing complexity and cost of wildfires Oregon faces today,” Mukumoto said. “The workgroup we have been heading up with the Department of the State Fire Marshal has been working hard for the past several months to identify alternative funding strategies to bring to the 2025 Legislature for consideration.”

The Governor’s Recommended Budget for the 2025-27 biennium identifies the need for at least an additional $130 million through new revenue to modernize and fully fund the state’s wildfire readiness and mitigation programs on an ongoing basis. This direction is in addition to the specific recommendation for $150 million to be redirected from going into state reserves and instead be appropriated to the agencies to pay for wildfire suppression costs as needed.

More Funding Needed To Stem Oregon’s Public Defense Attorney Crisis

Oregon’s constitution guarantees criminal defendants a state-funded lawyer for those who cannot afford one but a massive shortage of public defenders makes it unachievable.

According to the Oregon Justice Research Center, more than 90% of people charged with crimes in Oregon depend on a public defender. However, Oregon has less than a third of the public defense attorneys needed to handle all the cases.

Currently, more than 3,400 Oregonians charged with crimes have no lawyer.

Shannon Wilson, executive director of Public Defenders of Marion County, said public defenders are so overwhelmed with cases they can get burned out after a few years.

“There’s not enough attorneys to address that work unless you want to adopt the belief that 300 clients per one attorney is enough to get legal representation,” Wilson pointed out.

The Oregon Public Defense Commission estimates the state needs 500 more public defenders to meet its obligations. In 2023, lawmakers approved $96 million for attorney retention, recruitment and pay equity with prosecutors. But the commission said it is not enough.

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission said recriminalizing low-level drug possession, enacted this year, will lead to nearly 2,300 additional convictions annually, disproportionately affecting people of color. Wilson noted if you can’t afford a lawyer, you will likely get put on a waiting list and the wait can be 5 months or more.

Without a lawyer, some people end up spending needless time in jail and are less likely to have a fair trial. Most of Wilson’s public defense clients face poverty, medical, or substance-abuse challenges and Wilson added stigma remains a significant barrier to fully funding Oregon’s public defense system.

“This is our community, and I feel like we all have a responsibility to take care of everyone,” Wilson stressed. “Especially the most vulnerable people that can’t advocate for themselves. “

Despite the barriers, Wilson is optimistic Oregon legislators are heading in the right direction. The Oregon Public Defense Commission recommends doubling the state’s two-year public defense budget from nearly $600 million to $1.3 billion by 2030. (SOURCE)

New facial illustration released in Clatsop County cold case – Public assistance sought to identify remains

With the assistance of a new facial re-approximation from Parabon NanoLabs, a 25-year-old Oregon State Police (OSP) cold case is receiving new attention. Working closely with Oregon State Police Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Nici Vance, Parabon used the individual’s genetic phenotype to create the latest illustration.

On Nov. 3, 1999, mushroom pickers reported the discovery of human skeletal remains in rural Clatsop County. The unidentified partial remains were located in a wooded area off Hwy. 26 near milepost 29. At the time, searchers located remains over a wide area, including a skull and lower jaw with all the teeth present.

A forensic examination of the skeletal remains indicated the deceased is female, 16-30 years of age, about 5 ft. 2 in. tall, and weighing between 108-117 pounds. Forensic anthropologists believe the individual had given birth some time prior.

Investigators also found white athletic socks, Levi’s blue jeans size 33×34, a medium-sized black leather jacket, and a silver-colored “peace symbol” belt buckle in the same wooded area.

Investigators hope the new illustration will help renew interest in the case to determine the young woman’s identity. “This new illustration created by Parabon NanoLabs may be the key to unlocking her identity; we hope someone may recognize her now. We also know her ancestry includes relatives from Western Europe, West Africa, and Central America, which are huge clues to her origins and family. Everyone deserves the dignity of a name; through our partnership with Parabon NanoLabs, we will continue to search for her family and ultimately identify her.”

Since 2019, Parabon and the Oregon State Police have partnered to identify more than 30 previously unidentified individuals in Oregon using Parabon’s groundbreaking technology and investigative genetic genealogy research.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Derek Rose through OSP’s Northern Command Center at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) on a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP99433623.

Grants available for main street building projects statewide

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is offering grants for up to $400,000 in matching funds for downtown revitalization efforts in communities participating in the Oregon Main Street Network. The Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant funds may be used to acquire, rehabilitate, and construct buildings on properties in designated downtown areas statewide.

Funded projects must facilitate community revitalization that will lead to private investment, job creation or retention, establishing or expanding viable businesses, or creating a stronger tax base. Projects may include façade improvement, accessibility enhancement, basic utilities, second floor renovations, and more. Only organizations participating in the Oregon Main Street Network are eligible to apply. Projects must be within approved Main Street areas. Eligible organizations may collaborate with the local governments and private property owners to apply for projects that will have the biggest benefit to the downtown. The grant application deadline is March 13, 2025. 

In 2015, Oregon legislation established a permanent fund for the grant and provided an initial $2.5 million of funding as part of a larger lottery bond package. The $10,000,000 lottery bond funding for this grant cycle was approved in the 2023 legislative session.

Preservation office staff is happy to talk with applicants about potential grant projects and review applications prior to submitting. A free online workshop specific to the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant will be January 9, 2025 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration is required. 

Other resources available include:

• Prepping for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant – with tips for organizational preparation and project planning and selection. 
• Heritage Bulletin: Board Involvement with Grants – with tips on organizational success for grant management. 
• Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation – A webinar to share with the team and property owners. 

To learn more about the grant and workshop, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at i.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov“>Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-6085. To learn more about the Oregon Main Street Network contact Sheri Stuart at i.Stuart@oprd.oregon.gov“>Sheri.Stuart@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0679.

Holiday Express Steams Up – Rides run every Friday – Sunday through Jan. 4.

The countdown is on! The first day of the highly anticipated Holiday Express is almost here, and it’s your chance to ride a train pulled by a historic steam locomotive—an unforgettable experience like no other.

Santa’s nearly ready—list checked, elves prepped, lights sparkling, and candy canes in hand. The only thing missing is YOU!

Get your tickets now for this beloved annual tradition. Create lasting memories with friends and family aboard the Holiday Express. Rides begin Nov. 29 and run every Friday – Sunday through Jan. 4.

Special Offer: Get 10% off select rides from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8! But don’t wait, tickets are selling fast.

Be part of the magic this holiday season. Reserve your seat today! Oregon Rail Heritage Center 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com