The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Friday, March 1, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING... ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 2 AM PST MONDAY... * WHAT...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, very steep and hazardous seas 15 to 21 ft at 12 to 14 seconds expected and southwest winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts to 35 kt. For the small craft advisory, steep west swell 11 to 17 feet at 12 to 13 seconds. * WHERE...All coastal waters. * WHEN...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, until 10 PM PST this evening. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 10 PM this evening to 2 AM PST Monday. * IMPACTS...Very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Suspect Sought in Florence Area Shooting
Lane County sheriff’s deputies are seeking the public’s help in finding a suspect allegedly involved in a shooting that seriously injured a man in the Florence area on Monday evening, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO officials said deputies responded with Florence police officers at about 10:30 p.m. on February 26 to a reported shooting in the area of the Goose Pasture Staging Area on South Jetty Road. Responding deputies and officers found a male victim who had shot while inside his trailer and suffered serious gunshot-related injuries, authorities said.
Sheriff’s officials said that the victim was transported to the hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Detectives are continuing to actively investigate the incident but have not yet located the involved suspect, authorities said.
LCSO said that anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Detective Hudson at 541-682-4150, select option 1, and reference case number 24-0990,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Incident: Suspicious Circumstance — Newport Police
Details: On February 29, 2024, the Newport Police were dispatched to Sam Case Elementary School on the report of an attempted stranger abduction. Officers learned that between 7 AM and 7:45 AM, a student at Sam Case Elementary was walking to school when they were approached by a woman in a white van on NE 9th Street between NE Grant Street and NE Fogarty Street in Newport. The woman walked around the van, opened the passenger door, and tried to talk the student into getting in for a ride. The student refused to get in the van and ran to school. Once at the school, the student reported the incident to school staff, who immediately reported the incident to the Police. The student is safe.
Newport Police searched the area for the van and suspect but were unable to locate either. The Newport Police Department is working with the Lincoln County School District, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police to provide additional resources to try to locate and identify the suspect, along with providing a safe area for parents and children to commute to and from school.
The incident remains under investigation. The Newport Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance and seeking anyone who lives in the area and may have a home security or camera system that may have captured video of the suspect vehicle. Or, any other person who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed the event occur. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Clark of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.Information Released By: Lt. Haynes, 541-574-3348
Body Found on Chetco River Gravel Bar Identified
Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call from an off-duty Cal Ore Employee late Saturday afternoon, February 24th, regarding a body of an elderly man found on a gravel bar on the Chetco River.
A Sheriff’s Deputy along with the Patrol Lieutenant and a Sheriff’s Detective responded to the location where the body of an unidentified elderly man was found face down on dry gravel near At Rivers Edge RV, east of Brookings.
When authorities arrived, they found the unidentified man face down on dry gravel and it appeared that the man had been in the river when the river was high and when the river receded, the man was left where he was found.
The man did not have any identification on him and there was no indication for what happened to him. The District Attorney was notified, and the man’s body was released to Redwood Memorial pending an autopsy to help determine the cause of death. Deputies and Detective made numerous contacts trying to find the identity of the man.
On Tuesday, February 27th, an autopsy was conducted at the Oregon State Crime Lab in Medford during which the Oregon State Police fingerprinted the man and identified him as 75 year old Michael Rupert, of Brookings.
Results of the autopsy are not yet known but according to the medical examiner, at this time there does not appear to be any indication of foul play.
The next of kin has been notified and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.
Coos Bay’s Property Watch Program Enhances Safety for Local Property Owners
The Property Watch program in Coos Bay aims to enhance community awareness. Initiated by the Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) in 2019, the program helps commercial property owners, businesses, and apartment complexes to curb incidents that happen after business hours or in the absence of the owner or manager. The CBPD can address non-criminal issues on private property, like loitering nonresidents or unauthorized vehicles.
The Property Watch program follows successful models from other Oregon law enforcement agencies. It works on a legal basis of a signed agreement between the property owner or manager and the CBPD, giving the CBPD the right to deal with individuals on private property and ask them to leave if needed.
The program’s objective is to give the CBPD legal authority to help property owners and managers keep their properties safe when they are away. This is especially useful for properties that are prone to incidents after business hours.
Enrollment in the program is free and can be renewed annually. Property owners and managers can opt out at any time, offering them the flexibility to use the program as required, and enhancing the security of their properties.
For more details about the Property Watch program, interested individuals can reach out to the CBPD on their non-emergency line. The program is a useful tool for property owners and managers in Coos Bay, offering extra help in ensuring the safety and security of their properties. MORE INFO: https://www.coosbayor.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1023/222
Woman Rescued From Ocean Near Yachats
US Coast Guard and Yachats fire personnel were sent to Bob’s Beach Sunday when it was reported that a woman had fallen into the ocean and was being swept out. US Coast Guard received the report at 11:42 a.m. and dispatched a helicopter from Newport and crews from two stations.
Yachats Rural Fire Protection District personnel, along with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and ambulance personnel were also dispatched to the scene. However, when rescue personnel arrived on the scene, they found the woman was out of the water. Bystanders told fire personnel that a man in the woman’s party went in after her and both were able to get to a rock offshore before others helped the back to the beach.
The two were examined for injuries at the scene and treated by medical personnel. Responding units were canceled. (SOURCE)
Road Crews Continue To Clear Hazard Trees and Debris Near Hwy 126 Tunnel
If you are traveling westbound on Highway 126 this week should expect delays up to 20 minutes as road crews continue work to clear hazard trees and debris near the tunnel in the area of Knowles Creek, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
ODOT said that a small section of Highway 126 West was closed on February 26 while workers focused their efforts at the west entrance of the tunnel which impacted traffic for the day. Motorists traveling through the area were backed up as a result of the closure, and while it can be challenging to remain patient during travel delays there was at least one driver who kept his spirits up by just surrendering to the conditions at hand.
“Saw the signage but don’t have any choice so I expected, I expected that we would just come here and get comfortable and what else can we do so here we sit,” said Jack Winter, a Yachats resident. “It would have been nice if they could have done it to where they have lanes open and just let some traffic through slowly but clearly the tunnel has some role in all of this so, we’ll survive. It’s just time.”
Delays will continue this week between milepost 11 and milepost 41 as work crews continue their efforts to clear trees and debris following last month’s ice storm, ODOT officials said. State transportation officials said motorists should plan ahead for delays or else consider an alternate route if they wish to avoid delays. Road conditions can be monitored on ODOT’s Tripcheck website.
3A State Basketball Championships Start Thursday in Coos Bay Area
High school hoops makes its annual stop to the Bay Area for the 3A State Championship tipping off Thursday and bringing with it economic wins for local businesses. Marshfield High School (MHS) in Coos Bay and North Bend High School (NBHS) will host 16 teams, eight boys teams and eight girls, with their eyes on the title.
As for the teams to be on the lookout for, they say Cascade Christian High School has an opportunity to win its third consecutive state title this weekend.
They’ll play De La Salle North Catholic out of Portland on day one of the tournament at 6:30 p.m. at NBHS. On the girls side, Mulkey says Corbett and Sutherlin are expected to have a strong showing.
The quarterfinals begin Thursday at 1:30 p.m. with the girls at MHS and the boys at NBHS. The championship games will be played at MHS Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. for the boys and the girls at 8:45 p.m. MORE INFO: https://www.oregonsadventurecoast.com/event/osaa-3a-basketball-state-championship-tournament/
Gas Prices Rise Along the Coast
Gas prices along the coast have risen an average of 30 cents in the past two weeks. The local average of a gallon of regular gas in $3.49 a gallon with several stations topping $3.55. According to Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon some of the increase is due to a shutdown of a refinery in Indiana. The refinery was closed due to damage sustained and is being evaluated. The shutdown has limited availability of gas to certain regions.
Along the coast it is maintenance season according to Dodds which further puts pressure on supply. Demand is slowly increasing and the switch to the more expensive summer blends is underway. Summer blends help reduce gasoline emissions.
BANDON CRAB FESTIVAL — March 9th
Join your fellow seafood lovers for a crab dinner, music, dancing, and fun.
Crabbing holds a special place in the heart of the Bandon community. To celebrate and pay homage to this cherished tradition, we are thrilled to announce the third-annual Bandon Crab Fest, taking place on the second weekend of March 2024.
This delightful event will feature a scrumptious dinner accompanied by live music and dancing. We have invited some of Bandon’s most beloved musicians to entertain you throughout the meal. Trust us, the Annual Bandon Crab Fest is an experience you don’t want to miss!
The Bandon Crab Festival was established as a “rotating fundraiser,” with the proceeds from previous events benefiting the Bandon High Industrial Arts vocation class and the Bandon Historical Museum. In 2024, we proudly announce that the Bandon and Pacific Booster Clubs will be the beneficiaries of this year’s festivities.
Join us for a shell of a good time at the Crab Fest Fundraiser!
Next Steps For Recovery Of Endangered Orcas In Oregon
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to list Southern Resident orcas as an endangered species.
With it comes guidelines for how the decision will protect the remaining population of about 74 West Coast whales.
Ben Enticknap, Pacific Project manager and senior scientist for Oceana, said ensuring the orcas have enough salmon to eat is the main barrier, and the federal government, Washington state, tribes and the public sector were working on this prior to Oregon’s listing decision.
“What this does is really prioritize Oregon’s work on this issue of recovering salmon and added another layer of understanding and reason for why we need to be doing this now and doing it more urgently than is already being done,” Enticknap explained.
Enticknap pointed out listing by Oregon could help the state get more resources from the federal government for salmon recovery. Southern Resident orcas already are listed as endangered federally and by Washington state.
The endangered listing in Oregon comes with guidelines for how to recover the species, including addressing pollutants, increasing boaters’ knowledge about federal vessel buffers to decrease noise disturbance, and enhancing hatchery Chinook salmon production if possible.
Enticknap noted the orcas feed on Chinook at the mouth of the Columbia River in the winter and spring.
“To really have a long-term sustainable fix, we need to be investing in wild salmon recovery,” Enticknap contended. “That means doing things like river restoration, dam removal, sustainable harvest limits and things like that can help these chinook salmon populations recover.”
Enticknap added dam removal on Columbia River tributaries could help the fish. He also noted warmer waters and lower snowpack from climate change are increasingly impacting salmon populations, which is also hurting Southern Resident orcas. (SOURCE)
Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem BayNorth County News
Our GoBag Pop-Up Shop is back by popular demand after a seasonal break. Get a complete GoBag or choose individual items.
Learn important communication skills necessary during an emergency. You’ll be able to use your Yellow Radio to keep in touch with neighbors and support services.
Register now! https://evcnb.org/events-and-training/yellow-radio-03162024 —- https://evcnb.org/yellow-radio
Coos Bay Police Department Asks Community to Help Tackle Abandoned Shopping Cart Issue
The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) is asking for community help to deal with abandoned shopping carts in the city. In 2023, the Coos Bay City Council passed a law to address this problem. Since then, local businesses have started marking their shopping carts with contact details for their collection services. This allows the public to report any abandoned carts.
The CBPD has started the Shopping Cart Watch Program to support this law. This program, like the Property Watch Program, aims to hold people accountable for using shopping carts for personal use. It also allows the CBPD to take legal action against shopping cart theft.
Currently, four local businesses are part of the Shopping Cart Watch Program. The CBPD believes that with community involvement, abandoned carts can be reported and collected. The department also hopes to prevent thefts through police enforcement.
The CBPD is urging community members to report any abandoned shopping carts to the relevant businesses. This joint effort between the police, businesses, and the community aims to decrease the number of abandoned carts in the city.
The CBPD’s work to tackle the problem of abandoned shopping carts shows its dedication to keeping the city clean and orderly. The department is optimistic that with community help, this issue can be effectively handled. https://www.coosbayor.gov/Home/Components/News/News/983/222
Forest Service Seeks Concessionaire For Devils Churn Day Use Site
The Siuslaw National Forest is soliciting proposals for a business opportunity at the Devils Churn Day Use Site within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. A 100-square-foot concession space is available within a Forest Service building, and the agency is seeking a food and beverage service provider to operate this facility. Devils Churn is a popular year-round day use area and trailhead along U.S. Highway 101 just south of Yachats, Oregon.
The Forest Service has released a prospectus to advertise the opportunity and explain the application process. Interested parties are encouraged to review the prospectus and accompanying appendices. The application period opens on January 30, 2024. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3. Please read the instructions carefully before submitting an application.
One successful applicant will be chosen. The successful applicant will be issued a 5-year special use permit to conduct business in the concession space. MORE INFO: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/siuslaw/home/?cid=fseprd1162886
Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy – Waldport
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
More about these quarterly events:
Every three months our office will partner with a local coffee shop in Lincoln County to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to meet our team and share what’s on their minds. Coffee with a cop events are a friendly and relaxed way for communities to connect with the deputies that serve them.
These events offer a unique opportunity for community members to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you’re a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with deputies on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback.
The City of Reedsport is Seeking a City Attorney
A City release said they are inviting proposals for contracted attorney service. For a list of duties and services required, go to the city’s website: www.cityofreedsport.org. Proposals are due to the city recorder’s office by 4:00 p.m. this Friday. Call 541-271-3603 for more information.
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Drawing to Promote Tourism
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is consistently working on building the tourism traffic to Florence. The latest is a drawing for a two-night stay at the Driftwood Shores Conference Center and Resort.
The drawing is open to the public. Chamber President and CEO Betting Hannigan says the drawing comes with the two-night stay and a $50 certificate to the resort Market and Dine-in Deli.
You can register by using the qr code the link posted below. https://bit.ly/2NightsinFlorence
Florence Café 60 Senior Meals Program Reopens for Dine-In Meals
Lane Council of Government’s Senior Meals Program is reopening its Café 60 location in Florence after being closed for the past three years.
LCOG officials said that during the closure, LCOG’s Senior and Disability Services division offered grab-and-go meals but the reopening of Café 60 will provide a dine-in location for seniors who might otherwise go hungry. The Florence location will reopen on December 4 and operate three days a week at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Florence Senior Center located at 1570 Kingwood Street, LCOG officials said.
Organizers said that interested seniors should make reservations at least a week in advance by calling ahead at 541-997-5673 or filling out a reservation menu at the Café 60 location. The program is open at no cost to seniors 60 years of age or over and those not 60 years or older are welcome to join by paying the meal cost of $8, program organizers said. Donations are welcomed to support the program’s continued operation in the community, LCOG officials said.
Volunteers are also sought to help with the program and those who would like to participate may call 541-682-1366. More program information is also available here: https://www.lcog.org/sdslane/page/florence-caf%C3%A9-60-reopens-dine-meals
Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management is announcing the opening of the Resilience Hubs and Networks grant
Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) is announcing the opening of the Resilience Hubs and Networks grant. This funding is intended to support communities and individuals as they work to prepare for disasters and emergencies.
“I’m excited that OREM, through the Oregon Legislature, can offer this funding. I know that communities across the state work every day to prepare for emergencies. This funding is intended to support and enhance that work,” said Ed Flick, OREM director.
A resilience hub is a location where people come together daily to share resources, support one another and find resources during emergencies. A resilience network is an association of facilities, organizations, resource providers or service providers outside of a physical resilience hub facility that collectively serve the purposes of a resilience hub.
Anyone who supports a resilience hub or network can apply for this grant funding. Communities who are traditionally underserved and/or are disproportionately impacted by emergencies are encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to provide the exact address of their hub or network. Socioeconomic and demographic information about the community surrounding that address will be used to score applications. A total of $10,000,000 is available.
The application closes April 30, 2024.
OREM will host two information sessions to answer questions about the grant and the application process. These sessions are open to the public and all prospective grant applicants. These sessions will take place on:
- February 29, 2024 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
- March 12, 2024 9:30 – 11:00 A.M.
More information about these information sessions and a link to the application can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/emergency-management/Pages/resilience-grants.aspx
Questions about this grant opportunity can be sent to emgrants@odhs.oregon.gov“>oremgrants@odhs.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Employment Department’s website will be going offline for several days. The Employment Department says starting at 5:00 Wednesday night (2/28/24) the website will go offline until 8 a.m. on Monday, March 4.
OED says this is in preparation for the new system for unemployment benefits, which includes claims and questions for Paid Leave Oregon.
The new system, Frances Online, is scheduled to go live on March 4. People will not be able to file, restart, check, or make changes to claim information until next Monday. Customer service, along with making payments or ID verification will also be unavailable. https://www.oregon.gov/employ/pages/default.aspx
Oregon Main Street Adds Two New Affiliated Main Street Communities to the Network
SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street (OMS) has accepted the City Club of Forest Grove and Main Street Cascade Locks at the Affiliated Main Street level of the OMS Network.
Communities participating at this level have a high degree of commitment to using the nationally recognized place-based Main Street Approach™ methodology to create lasting impact in enhancing their historic downtowns.
Affiliated Main Street level communities must have a cohesive core of historic or older commercial and mixed-use buildings that represent the community’s architectural heritage and may include compatible in-fill. They must also have a sufficient mass of businesses, buildings, and density to be effective, as well as be a compact and pedestrian-oriented district.
The primary emphasis of the Affiliated Main Street level is to provide technical assistance to program’s in their formative years. Acceptance into this level allows communities to participate in training, community assessments, technical assistance, and receive local capacity building support. There isn’t a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network.
The selection process included submitting an application that describes their district, previous efforts to improve downtown, readiness to implement the Main Street Approach™, board development efforts, in addition to other criteria.
Currently, there are 100 communities in Oregon participating in one of the four levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, and Connected Communities. Both communities were represented by their cities at the Connected Communities level prior to being accepted at the Affiliated Main Street level. In Cascade Locks, a local Main Street group is just forming so the timing is good to benefit the assistance Oregon Main Street can provide. In Forest Grove, they have been exploring the right structure for the main street effort and found a willing partner in the City Club of Forest Grove.
Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. For questions, contact Oregon Main Street Coordinator Sheri Stuart, sheri.stuart@oprd.oregon.gov.
Oregon Senate Passes Anti-Book-Ban Bill Over Republican Objections
The measure would prohibit banning books because the author or subjects are part of a protected class
Oregon school districts would be unable to ban books simply because authors or characters are immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled or from other protected classes under a bill passed by Senate Democrats on Tuesday.
Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland, describes Senate Bill 1583 as a “simple” defense of free speech and a way to guarantee that all children in Oregon have the ability to see themselves represented in books they find in school libraries and classrooms. But it quickly became one of the most controversial issues of the five-week legislative session, with more than 1,600 Oregonians submitting written testimony about it.
“I want to see kids reading and getting books out of their libraries, and I lament that this bill has been politicized,” Frederick said. “This bill is not about politics for me. It’s about kids reading.”
The bill passed the Senate on a 17-12 party line vote on Tuesday after a heated hour-long debate that included one Republican accusing his Democratic colleagues of wanting to encourage pedophilia and another saying racism is “insignificant.” The bill now heads to the House, where Frederick said he expects it will soon pass out of the House Rules Committee and the full House.
It comes amid a sharp increase in school book bans in Oregon and nationwide. The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse, run by the Oregon State Library, tracked attempts to remove 93 separate titles from schools and libraries between July 2022 and June 2023. Nationally, the free speech advocacy group PEN America reported nearly 3,400 instances of book bans in the 2022-23 school year, up from 2,500 in the 2021-22 school year.
In Oregon, more than 70% of the challenged titles were about or written by people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups, according to the state library.
It’s a personal issue for Frederick: His sharecropper grandparents left Mississippi almost exactly 100 years ago because they were threatened with arrest if they continued trying to teach Black children to read. They moved to the boot heel of Missouri, where they taught his father and other children with free books thrown out by white schools and established an expectation in Frederick’s family that children should learn more than their parents.
“I tell that story because in some places in this country, that story would not be allowed in a school,” Frederick said. “That story would not be allowed in a book in a school, and that story and stories like it are banned from books in schools across the country.”
Sen. Kayse Jama, a Portland Democrat who came to the U.S. as a refugee from the Somali civil war, said passing the bill sends a message to people like him and his children that they’re Oregonians and their culture and history matter.
“There is such a limited selection of books talking about my culture, my religion and my background,” Jama said. “And I want my children to have access to see their culture and their religion reflected through the materials that are in our libraries and our schools.”
Attempt at amendment — Sen. Art Robinson, R-Cave Junction, rejected the premise that books are excluded for discriminatory reasons, saying no Oregon community would remove books because of the author’s race.
“Despite claims made for political reasons, actual racism in America is insignificant,” Robinson said. “There is no community in Oregon that is going to accept removing books just because they were written by minority authors. It is an insult to tell our communities that a law is needed to protect this.”
Republicans tried to introduce their own amendment to replace the bill with a new measure creating a task force that would recommend legislation to “better establish standards for age-appropriate curriculum” and limit books that “contain graphic violence, are sexually explicit, contain vulgar language or lack literary merit or educational value.”
Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said the Republican amendment was necessary because Frederick’s bill would eliminate parental rights and local control.
“I think we all know that across the nation there have been different states that have handled this in different ways, but we think Oregon should take a little more time and make sure that the values or our communities are being respected,” Knopp said.
The Republican proposal also included a number of statements indicating the Legislature’s intent, including declarations that the Legislature believes that some unnamed books should not be in schools and that Canby “exhibited the best of Oregon” when it temporarily removed 36 books from school libraries.
Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, questioned whether lawmakers consider pedophilia a sexual orientation. He described how the Canby School District ultimately removed just one book from its library: Vladimir Nabokov’s polarizing 1955 novel “Lolita,” narrated by a middle-aged professor who kidnaps and sexually abuses a 12-year-old girl.
“This book paints this man as somebody that is empathetic,” Bonham said. “Is that something we want to teach to our children, that we should empathize with someone who has sexual attraction to a minor?”
Pedephilia is not a sexual orientation, which is defined in Oregon law as “an individual’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality.”
Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, recalled how one of her sixth grade classmates left the classroom every time the class read from a book about the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert in Africa because the book included references to menstruation that her classmate’s parents didn’t want her to know about. Parents still would be able to keep their own children from reading certain books.
“Parents still, under this bill, will have the right to make decisions about their own children and promote their own personal values about what they want their children to read or not read,” she said. “But what they won’t have is the right for a very small number of people to make decisions for any other group about how they parent their children and what values they convey to their children.” (SOURCE)
Nearly 300,000 Oregon Kids Await Approval Of Summer Food Benefits
A program that would provide food benefits to kids during the summer still needs funding approval from the Oregon Legislature.
The state has already approved the Summer EBT program, but needs to agree to pay for half the administrative costs in order to get access to federal funds.
It would help the families of nearly 300,000 kids receive about $40 for food each month over the summer.
Charlie Krouse, a community organizer with Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, said child hunger spikes during the summer months.
“When they’re fed throughout the school year and they have access to meals throughout the school year, it’s only fair that they have access to food throughout the summer,” said Krouse. “Their income level doesn’t drastically change in the summer – they still need access to support, and access to food.”
Krouse said there have been bipartisan calls to fund the program. The state would get access to about $35 million a year from the federal government for benefits.
The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on March 10.
Matt Newell-Ching, senior policy manager with Oregon Food Bank, said Summer EBT benefits would be especially helpful for families in rural areas.
“While we love and are big proponents of summer meal sites, we also know that a lot of them are inaccessible,” said Newell-Ching. “And so, this new program was meant specifically to address gaps like that.”
Newell-Ching said everything else is in place – they just need the final piece from lawmakers.
“Ensuring that Oregon contributes its share of the administrative funding makes this all happen and builds on that groundwork,” said Newell-Ching. “And so, basically we’re asking legislators to do the right thing for 294,000 kids, make sure that that funding is there, so we can get this across the finish line and kids can get the support during the summer.” (SOURCE)
Oregon State Parks recruiting about 250 seasonal park rangers and assistants for 2024
SALEM, Oregon— Oregon State Parks is not just a beautiful place to visit – it’s also a spectacular place to work.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting 250 seasonal park rangers and assistants for positions across the state that range anywhere from four to nine months. The peak season is from April to September, but some of the positions start as early as March and run as late as December.
Seasonal staff help visitors access world-class experiences and ensure clean and safe park areas for everyone to enjoy. Duties include janitorial work, landscape maintenance, visitor education and visitor services.
Salaries start at $17.34 per hour for seasonal assistants and $20.06 for seasonal rangers. Both positions include comprehensive medical, vision and dental plans for employees and qualified family members. The positions also include paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Student workers, ages 16 and older, start at $17.32 or more per hour depending on experience (no benefits).
OPRD promotes from within and several of our top leaders started as seasonal employees.
“We love what we do at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department,” said Director Lisa Sumption. “We get to preserve and share some of Oregon’s most treasured landscapes and resources. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you’re part of that OPRD family.”
For more information about current openings, visit stateparks.oregon.gov. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in accessibility or alternative formats, please email Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recruiting D.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.
FBI-Portland Offers Sextortion Prevention Tips
FBI-Portland is ramping up efforts to prevent child sextortion, after seeing a massive increase in sextortion in recent years. “From out to Prineville, to Bend, to Medford to Eugene and here in Portland, to the coast. It is happening everywhere,” Supervisory Special Agent Travis Ostrem told parents during a Wednesday webinar.
The crime involving explicit images of children boils down to blackmail and there are two forms: Financial and Traditional. “Financial sextortion, where the predators are looking for monetary gain from the children, to stop them from sending images. We’ve also sextortion, which is the typical child exploitation of sexual images, where they’re asking for additional images.”
He urges parents to start talking with kids early about the dangers of sending any photos online. Predators target victims as young as 11. He also suggested parents monitor the apps children are using, set parental controls and know who kids are talking to online, “Technology is growing faster than we can control it. But you all can get ahead of it. Look out for your children.”
A similar webinar was offered last week to school administrators. “We’re trying to be proactive because we don’t want any more of these cases. If we can eliminate it, just like getting drugs out of the schools from our kids, eliminate sextortion,” said Ostrem. “Sextortion is on a massive rise. We’re seeing it throughout, not just the country but in Oregon too. In every portion of the state, if there is some type of wifi or cellular connection to the internet, children can be sextorted.” He notes Oregon cases have increased by 20%, and at least 20 resulted in the victim taking their own life. “One suicide is too many. One child being sextorted is too many. The damage that can do to mental health is horrible. What we see normally is one predator will target up to a hundred victims.”
FBI-Portland hosted a chat on X – formerly Twitter – Thursday at noon to answer more questions about protecting kids from sextortion. (SOURCE)
Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest Underway
The front cover of the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book showcases a hillside covered in beautiful balsam root and lupine flowers at Rowena Crest, captured by Oregon photographer Micah Lundsted of Eugene. The book’s back cover shows an image of three rockfish made at the Oregon Coast Aquarium by Dale George of Grants Pass.
Which images will cover the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book? The Oregon Blue Book cover photo contest kicks off today, giving amateur photographers the chance to submit their photos to answer that question. Photo contest winners will be selected in October 2024 by Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.
“Choosing the cover photos for the Oregon Blue Book is an honor,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “The images are a chance to see our beautiful state through the lens of the many talented amateur photographers who live in Oregon.”
The contest is open to Oregon residents of any age who earn less than half their income from photography. Images must be Oregon related and should be submitted in the portrait, rather than landscape, orientation. Two images will be selected for the cover: one for the front and one for the back. Visit the Oregon Blue Book Photo Contest guidelines for more information: https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/about-conte…
Images can be submitted through the Oregon Blue Book website portal or via U.S. mail. The deadline to submit photos for consideration is October 27, 2024. Contact the Oregon Blue Book Managing Editor at Oregon.Bluebook@sos.oregon.gov with questions or for additional information.
DETAILS
What: 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest
Who: Amateur photographers who live in Oregon
When: February 7, 2024-October 27, 2024
Where: Submit online or through U.S. Mail
Why: Photo on the cover of the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book
ODFW Announces Stamp Art Competitions
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is making a call to area artists to compete in one, or all three, of ODFW’s 2025 stamp art competitions.
The winning artist in each contest receives a $2,000 award and their winning artwork is used to produce collector’s stamps and other promotional items, sales of which benefit Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
For more information on contest rules and to order stamps and art prints, visit: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/stamp_contest/index.asp.
Entries will be accepted beginning Aug. 30 through Sept. 27 by 5 p.m., at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr., SE, Salem, OR 97302.
Entries can be mailed or hand delivered. If you hand-deliver your entry, call ahead to make arrangements at 503-947-6314.
Here’s a look at the three categories:
Habitat Conservation Stamp
Art entries must feature a “Strategy Species” identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy in its appropriate habitat. Not all species in the strategy are eligible, so use the qualifying list of species.
See contest rules and entry form for more information and a list of eligible species at
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/habitat_conservation_stamp.asp.
Waterfowl Stamp Contest
Art entries must feature one of the following species in its natural habitat setting: Ring-necked Duck, White-winged Scoter, or Barrow’s Goldeneye.
See contest rules and entry form for more information at
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/waterfowl/contest/index.asp.
Upland Game Bird Stamp Contest
Art entries must feature California Quail in its natural habitat setting.
See contest rules and entry form for more information at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/upland_bird/contest/index.asp
Artists should not the highlighted new for 2025 information in the contest rules and the final page for packaging tips.
A panel will judge artwork based on artistic composition, anatomical accuracy of the species and general appeal.
Collector’s stamps, art prints and other promotional materials are produced from first-place artwork. Proceeds from product sales are used for habitat improvement, research surveys and conservation projects.
Interested artists are encouraged to visit ODFW’s stamp art competition website for more information on the contests and to view entries from previous years. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/stamp_contest/index.asp
Missing Yachats Man’s Vehicle Found in North Lane County
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.
83-year-old Clarence Edward Pitts walked away from his home in Bandon on Tuesday, January 31 at around 1:00 p.m. Pitts is described as:
- 6′ 00″
- 150 lbs
- Gray hair
- Brown eyes
- Last seen wearing an orange beanie, plaid jacket, tan pants and white shoes
- May have a walking cane
- Has dementia and PTSD
Pitts may be in a vehicle that was also found to be missing from the home:
- 1999 Toyota Van
- White
- Oregon license plate: WYN 788
If you see Clarence or have any information pertaining to where he may be, please call the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 541-396-2106 or the Bandon Police Department at 541-347-3189.
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