Oregon Beach News, Friday 3/6 – Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Succombs to Injuries, Time Change Sunday & 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, March 6, 2026

Oregon Beach Weather

Here’s the overview of our weather outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

It is recommended to check specific, updated local forecasts as conditions can change rapidly on the coast.

Travel Oregon Seeks Opinions in Survey on Coastal Tourism

The Resident Sentiment Survey, conducted by Travel Oregon, asks Oregon residents about their experiences with and perspectives on tourism. Feedback helps guide strategies that support responsible travel and resilient communities, ensuring tourism benefits both residents and visitors alike. The survey is short, anonymous, and open until March 31, 2026—and participants are entered to win up to $1,000 in Amazon gift cards.

How to participate and share:

• Take the survey: Visit or share the Travel Oregon industry site landing page for more details and to see last year’s results
• Share via newsletters: Use this sample invitation, or write your own!
• Hang flyers at your business or around town
• Share the short link:bit.ly/OR26Resident
• Post on social media: Here’s a sample post you can use:

ARE YOU AN OREGON RESIDENT? In partnership with Travel Oregon, we want to hear your perspective on tourism across the state as we work to improve the lives of all Oregonians. Fill out a short, anonymous survey from Travel Oregon by March 31, 2026, and be entered to win up to $1,000 in Amazon gift cards. Your feedback will help encourage responsible travel practices and shape the future of tourism in your community.

To take the survey, go here

Coastal residents have until the end of March to weigh in on their attitudes toward tourism.

Those living on the Oregon coast can reflect how important the issue of tourism is to their communities and economies by leading the way in terms of overall participation.

Of the nearly 7,000 Oregonians who took the survey in 2024, more than 1,800 reported their residences as on the coast. That outpaced the 1,518 Portland-area respondents and the 1,041 who lived in eastern Oregon.

Results of the formally named “resident sentiment survey” are released every two years. The survey, conducted by Travel Oregon, asks Oregon residents about their experiences with and perspectives on tourism.

This year’s survey, coming when some communities are re-thinking their promotional efforts to lessen the impact of tourists, will be used by Travel Oregon to monitor progress against the agency’s own 10-year strategic vision.

Survey questions ask whether respondents in their own various geographic areas of the state are confident that their quality of life will improve in the coming year and whether they would recommend their areas to others as tourism destination points.

Coastal residents two years ago, for instance, said that the negatives associated with the environmental, cultural and social impacts of tourism narrowly outweighed the positive economic aspects. They were also less likely than not to say that their area’s quality of life would improve over the coming year.

U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician 2nd Class and Rescue Swimmer Tyler Jaggers, from Air Station Astoria, was seriously injured in what has been described as a tragic accident on February 27th. Sadly he has succombed to those injuries this week. Or condolences to his family and crew. We have all lost a hero.

—– On the 27th of February, during a medical evacuation mission off the Washington coast, U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician 2nd Class and Rescue Swimmer Tyler Jaggers, from Air Station Astoria, was seriously injured in what has been described as a tragic accident. The crew was responding to a vessel approximately 140 miles offshore near Cape Flattery after a medical emergency was reported onboard.Tyler was transported to Victoria General Hospital in British Columbia, where he remains in critical condition on life support.For those of us in the rescue swimmer community, stories like this remind us of the risks that come with the calling we share. Rescue swimmers train relentlessly and deploy into the most demanding environments with a single purpose, to save others.At EURORSA, our thoughts are with Tyler, his family, his aircrew at Air Station Astoria, and the entire U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer brotherhood during this incredibly difficult time.To Tyler’s family: please know that the rescue swimmer community across the world is standing beside you. You are not alone. The strength and solidarity of this community reaches far beyond borders.For those who wish to help, the Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Association is organizing donations to support Tyler and his family during this time of need. If you are able and would like to contribute, you can do so here:https://www.zeffy.com/…/ab2704d2-f865-4fd6-b4e2…

Tillamook Forest Center to Hold First Ever Volunteer Open House Saturday

Tillamook State Forest, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Tillamook Forest Center (TFC) will hold a Volunteer Open House Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

“Volunteers are a key part of the team that makes the Tillamook Forest Center such a great place for our visitors,” said Denise Berkshire, Director of the TFC.  “People ask us a lot of questions about how to volunteer and what volunteers can do here, so we thought it would be great to have a dedicated day to explain how folks can share their love of the forest.”  

During this first ever Volunteer Open House potential volunteers will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the center, meet the TFC’s friendly team, and learn how they can help share the forest’s story with visitors.

There are three main roles for volunteers at the TFC: field trip assistant, information desk greeter, and facilities and grounds assistant.

“If you want to inspire the next generation then consider helping out as a field trip assistant during our forestry field trips programs,” said Berkshire. “If you love to talk with people and want to be the welcoming face of the center then an information desk greeter is a great fit.  On the other hand, if you like to work outdoors or like to organize and tidy up then volunteering as a facilities and grounds assistant might be for you.”

And once you find your perfect fit at the open house you can apply on-site Saturday. To register for the Volunteer Open House, email:  pretationandEducation@odf.oregon.gov” target=”_blank”>TFC.InterpretationandEducation@odf.oregon.gov with your name and potential interest area.

Consider bringing others along for the day even if they are not ready to volunteer. They can see the innovative programs and hands-on exhibits in the 13,500 square-foot center. The goal of the TFC is for visitors to gain a greater understanding about what a forest is, how it works, and forest history. Discover the power of fire through the award-winning film Legacy of Fire, the miracle of the salmon lifecycle, and the resilient, dynamic, and productive nature of state forests.

 There is also plenty to explore outside the center including: A 40-foot-tall fire lookout tower that offers a unique view of the area and the surrounding forest canopy. A 250-foot-long suspension bridge over the Wilson River and interpretative trails that lead from the building, through the woods and along the river, providing insight into the past, present, and future of the forest. Plus, much more. 

Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Several in Florence Search Warrant Operation

On March 4th at 7 a.m., deputies assigned to the Lane County Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT), detectives, the West Lane district deputy, Florence Police officers and an Oregon State Trooper served a search warrant at a residence in the 2200 block of 12th Street in Florence. The suspects were believed to be in involved in numerous burglaries and thefts in the west Lane County area.  

The West Lane district deputy authored the search warrant based on his investigation. SRT was used for the service of the warrant as the primary suspect, Jason Scott Sprinkle, 35, of Florence, had attempted to flee and assaulted deputies in past contacts.  

As deputies cleared the property, Sprinkle attempted to flee on foot while armed with a knife. He was initially pursued by K9 Ripp, but encountered a detective on perimeter who deployed a taser. Sprinkle dropped the knife and was arrested without further incident.  

During the search, deputies and officers located stolen property connected to several cases, as well as additional construction materials and tools that were out of place, but not identifiable to a specific case.  

Several individuals were detained in addition to Sprinkle. After additional investigation, three suspects were arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail:  

Sprinkle was charged with: – Theft in the 1st Degree – Burglary in the 2nd Degree – Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree – Failure to Report as Sex Offender – Possession of a Stolen Vehicle – Parole Violation on an original conviction of Assault on a Public Safety Officer – Jackson County Circuit Court warrant for Driving with a Revoked License – Florence Municipal Court warrants for Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Providing False Information to a Police Officer  

Skeyla Aireann Wardrobe, 29, of Mapleton was arrested for: – Theft in the 1st Degree – Burglary in the 2nd Degree – Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree  

Kurt Dillon Eskildsen, 34, of Florence was arrested for: – Douglas County Circuit Court warrant for Trespass in the 2nd Degree  

Thanks to the Florence Police Department and Oregon State Police for their assistance on this call.

Springfield Man Arrested in Lincoln City For Child-Luring Attempt

On February 27, 2026, Rigoberto Lezama-Luna, age 38 of Springfield, OR, was arrested after attempting to pick up a minor at an undisclosed location in Lincoln City.

Lezama-Luna is accused of sending sexually charged messages through social media to an undercover Officer posing as a minor. Lezama-Luna was transported to the Lincoln County Jail for Luring a Minor and Online Sexual Corruption of a Child 1st Degree.

On March 5, 2026, a Lincoln County Grand Jury issued a True Bill Indictment against Lezama-Luna for the crimes.

The Lincoln City Police want to encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and discuss with them the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. These investigations are conducted in a continuing effort to protect our children from predators who target children for sexual exploitation and to reduce crime and further enhance the safety of our community. We would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon for their assistance in investigation, and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office for their support of these operations.

Florence man arrested after starting fire, fighting with deputy in Dunes City

On March 4th at 11 a.m., a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Dunes contract responded to the 83700 block of Clear Lake Road, Dunes City, for a report of trespassing and reckless burning. An area resident reported a male entered their property, lit a brush pile on fire, and threatened the property owner.

The suspect, Dustin Steven Lafrance, 34, of Florence, was also wanted in other cases.   The deputy encountered Lafrance nearby on Clear Lake Road. As the deputy attempted to detain him, Lafrance pulled out a knife. The deputy was able avoid injury and separate himself from Lafrance, who then ran north on Clear Lake Road.  

The deputy gave chase as officers and deputies responded. A Florence Police officer located Lafrance on Huckleberry Lane and deployed a taser. An Oregon State Trooper assisted with detaining him.  

Lafrance was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges: – Resisting Arrest – Menacing – Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Trespass in the 2nd Degree – Reckless Burning – Theft in the 2nd Degree from a prior case – Probation Violations on convictions of Assault in the 4th Degree and Disorderly Conduct   Thanks to the Florence Police Department and Oregon State Police for their assistance on this incident.

Registration Opens for SOLVE’s Month-Long Spring Cleanup

Registration is now open for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup, in partnership with Portland General Electric. This year, SOLVE is expanding its largest spring volunteer initiative to span the entire month of April, turning Earth Month into coordinated action across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup is SOLVE’s largest spring volunteer initiative, bringing together individuals, families, schools, businesses, and community groups to care for beaches, neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, and waterways. Projects include litter cleanups and habitat restoration efforts such as native plantings, invasive species removal, and mulching. In April 2025, the initiative supported 214 projects, engaging nearly 4,500 volunteers who removed 26,077 pounds of trash and cleared more than 22 acres of invasive species across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

With 65 events already open for registration, volunteers can sign up for projects taking place throughout April. SOLVE is aiming for 200+ projects across the region and continues to recruit additional event leaders to broaden statewide engagement. Expanding the initiative to a full month creates greater access and enables more communities to take part in coordinated Earth Month action.

“Earth Month is a powerful reminder that local action drives meaningful environmental impact,” said Kregg Arntson, Director of Community Impact at Portland General Electric. “Through our partnership with SOLVE, PGE deepens its commitment to helping Oregon’s vibrant communities become climate resilient communities.”  

As global attention turns toward environmental awareness in April, the Oregon Spring Cleanup provides a way to translate that momentum into tangible results. Each project contributes to protecting natural spaces, improving neighborhood livability, and preventing litter from entering rivers and the ocean ahead of peak recreation season.

SOLVE is actively seeking additional event leaders to host cleanup or restoration projects in April. Whether returning hosts or first-time leaders, participants receive planning support, free supplies, disposal assistance, and volunteer recruitment tools. Hosting a project can be as simple as identifying a site in need and completing the new leader orientation at volunteer.solve.org/orientation.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer: Browse the event calendar and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solve.org/oregon-spring
• Lead your own project: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
• Encourage participation: Invite schools, workplaces, and community groups to take part in Earth Month action

The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2026 is made possible through the partnership with Portland General Electric and the generous support of Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon State Park & Recreation, The Standard, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, KOIN6, LAM Research, Lithia & Driveway, National Parks Recreation & Parks Association, and PepsiCo.

For more information or to register, visit solve.org/oregon-spring

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

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has made a decision with a vote of 6-1 to reject a petition from environmental organizations that sought to implement more stringent regulations on the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

This petition, initiated by groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Oceana, aimed to further reduce the risk of whale entanglements along the coast. During a well-attended meeting in Springfield, numerous local fishermen provided testimony opposing the proposal, contending that external interests should not control local fishery management.

In the end, the commission opted to allow the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) to proceed with its existing rulemaking processes and ongoing collaboration with federal agencies.

The city of Newport is preparing to ask voters to pass a $50 million bond in November to help pay for a litany of upgrades and repairs from sewer infrastructure to park improvements.

The city has identified over 27 possible projects, but a bond would not be able to completely foot the bill. City councilors discussed the bond and other potential revenue sources in their seven-year financial strategy at their Feb. 17 meeting.

Much of Newport’s infrastructure was built in the 1990s and a lack of funding has resulted in deferred maintenance. Now, some of the sewer, water and road infrastructure are starting to fall apart.

There are several projects in need of attention including adding more lighting and accessibility improvements to Sam Moore Park, replacing water transmission lines, fixing sidewalks and streets and expanding the infrastructure at the Nye Beach pump station – which alone is estimated to cost $3 million to $4 million.

If the bond went to the ballot and voters approved it, it would collect $1.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value which translates to about $50 a month for property assessed at $450,000. If passed, the bond would start collecting taxes after the city’s water treatment bond expires in 2029.

Even with yearly utility rate increases, the city’s revenue covers operational expenses for providing water and wastewater services and there isn’t a lot of money for capital improvements. System development charges are earmarked for infrastructure improvements but with a smaller sized town, it takes a long time to accrue the amount needed, city manager Nina Vetter told the council.

“Right now, we only might have 20 percent of the project funded and the bond could get that across the finish line,” Vetter said.

There are also federal, grant funded projects that require matches that would be able to be leveraged with the bond, Vetter said.

The city has had successful bonds in the past including one for the water treatment plant in 2008 and another for the aquatic center that voters approved in 2013.

“Our recommendation is to replace the water treatment plant bond, which expires in June of 2029,” Vetter said.

There are 27 possible capital projects that range from sewer infrastructure to street improvements that total $80 million. The city would seek community comments to understand what the public would want to prioritize for the bond, Vetter said. The city is planning to hold a series of outreach events before any formal action is taken.

But there are other revenue sources available to fill in the gaps that the city could possibly go with. One is a public safety fee. That would look like a monthly charge on utility bills that could fund police, fire, and emergency services – placing less of a strain on the city’s general fund and freeing up money that could be used for capital projects. The city council has not made any decisions about a public safety fee or any other revenue generating tools but is in the beginning stages of identifying different ways to fund capital projects in addition to a bond.

After listening to Vetter’s presentation, city councilors gave a thumbs up and directed staff to continue to pursue the bond as an option for the November general election. Councilors have not yet voted to put the bond on the ballot.

Staff will provide information about the bond monthly at city council work sessions and start doing community outreach. Councilors are expected to make a decision in August whether to put the bond in front of voters. If it does end up on the ballot and voters pass it, property taxes would begin collecting in 2029. (SOURCE)

LCPD Seeks Assistance in Locating Juan Antonio Suarez Jimenez
Lincoln City Police 

The Lincoln City Police Department is desperately seeking assistance from the public in locating a wanted suspect, 45-year-old Juan Antonio Suarez Jimenez, of Lincoln City, Oregon.

A nationwide extradition warrant has been issued for his arrest as the suspect in a hit-and-run crash leading to the death of a local pedestrian. If you know of Juan Suarez’s whereabouts, please contact your local law enforcement.

Juan, if you are reading this, please turn yourself in to start bringing closure to those that loved Joe. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy – Newport
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office

The next Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is just around the corner. Join us on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 9:30am – 11am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Ultralife Cafe (located at 715 NW Beach Drive Newport, OR 97365).

More about these quarterly events:
Every three months our office partners 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 our 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 our team on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback.

YACHATS LIONS Announces Launch of Bird City Yachats

Bird City Yachats (BCY) will hold its official launch on March 1st, 1:30 PM at the Yachats Lions Hall when Bird City Oregon will present the designation to the Mayor of Yachats. This will be followed by a talk entitled “Taking Refuge on the Oregon Coast”, a history of our coastal wildlife refuges, which provide critical seabird nesting habitat. BCY is sponsored by the Yachats Lions Club.

In the Fall 2025 the city of Yachats was awarded an Oregon Bird City, the first bird city on the Pacific Coast. This certification rewards cities for their efforts to help wildlife. Bird City Yachats (BCY) is part of a national program, Bird City Network ( https://birdcity.org/) of more than 300 “Bird” cities across the country. A steering committee for BCY has been established to encourage our citizens to protect and enjoy our precious wildlife and to develop projects for their protection.

BCY projects range from education (e.g., speaker series, bird walks) to removing threats (e.g., bird strike prevention) and marketing (e.g., website, ads promoting Yachats as a birding destination). Birds have unique threats. One that kills millions of birds a year is striking windows. In that regard BCY been working with the city manager on window treatments for the new pavilion that will minimize bird strikes. Open pipes and chimneys that can trap birds are another threat. Working together with Seven Capes Bird Alliance, BCY has surveyed 24 state parks in Lincoln County and identified over 150 open pipes which we will help cap.

BCY now has a website (https://birdcity.org/oregon/yachats) and information available at the Visitor Center on birds and birding sites. This month we will unveil a photo exhibition of local birds and wildlife in the children’s section of the new Yachats library.

Established in 1950, the Yachats Lions Club serves Yachats and South Lincoln County. With our motto of “WE SERVE”, we provide service for eyeglasses and exams, hearing aids and exams, eye screening in Lincoln County schools, pancake breakfasts, crab feed, lunch bunch, speaker series, peace poster and flag day events in our schools, and community use of our clubhouse. Through community donations to the Yachats Lions Thrift Store our sales allow us to donate to local needs such as student scholarships, food pantries, school programs, and conservation projects.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it. For more information, contact Lion Jim Welch at 970-217-4424 or jameswelch1009@gmail.com

Important Siletz Community Survey

The city of Siletz is racing against time to correct what local leaders say is a deeply flawed income survey, one that could cost the community millions of dollars in affordable funding for a new wastewater treatment plant. City of Siletz officials say they first learned of the problem after years of planning with multiple government agencies to finance a long-needed replacement for the town’s aging wastewater treatment facility. During what is known as a “one-stop” meeting, Siletz leaders sat down with agencies such as the Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other state entities to map out grants, low-interest loans, and loan-forgiveness programs that could make the project financially feasible.

As part of that process, the city renegotiated and modernized its water and sewer agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The tribe agreed to pay its proportional share of the new plant, roughly 45 percent to the city’s 55 percent. With a new agreement in place and a $3 million federal grant secured with the help of Representative David Gomberg, it appeared the project was finally on solid footing. That changed abruptly when the city was told its median household income had spiked so dramatically that Siletz no longer qualified for many of the favorable funding options it had been promised. According to the data, the city’s median household income had jumped from somewhere in the $30,000–$40,000 range to about $83,000.

Local officials immediately questioned the accuracy of that figure, saying it does not match what anyone sees on the ground in Siletz. They describe the town as a working-class community with older homes, modest vehicles, and many residents employed in service jobs, mill work, or commercial fishing—not the sort of place where an $83,000 median household income is realistic. Siletz Mayor Willie Woreman pressed state and federal officials on how the number had been calculated, he were told it was based on Census Bureau and HUD housing data. The timing raised additional questions locally, because the income jump appeared shortly after the city had completed its one-stop planning process, and it did not fall in a normal census year.

Despite repeated inquiries, city staff say they never received a clear explanation of why or how the number changed so dramatically. Officials gathered their documentation and tried to make the case that the new figure was wrong, but were told the data would not be revised and that they would have to wait five years for a new cycle. That answer did not sit well with Woreman, who feared that moving ahead under the higher income classification would mean relying on higher-interest loans with no forgiveness, forcing steep increases in water and sewer rates and leaving today’s children and grandchildren paying off debt long after the plant’s useful life.

Unwilling to accept that outcome, the city pushed back. With support from Representative Gomberg and others, Siletz officials lobbied for a path to challenge the number. Eventually they were told that if they wanted to contest the data, they would have to pay for their own survey, partnering with another qualified agency and proving, through statistically valid sampling, that the official income estimate is inaccurate. As a result the city secured grant funding and entered into a partnership with Portland State University to conduct what is essentially a localized, smaller-scale version of the census focused on household income. However, the burden of proof falls heavily on Siletz.

While the original federal process may have relied on a relatively small number of households to generate the $83,000 estimate, the city has been told it must obtain income information from at least 217 households to demonstrate that the median is lower. To reach the required sample size, the city and Portland State University have designed a multi-stage outreach campaign. In the first phase, Siletz mailed out approximately 276 postcards to randomly selected households. Each postcard includes a QR code that residents can scan with their phones, allowing them to complete the income survey online from home. The goal is to receive at least 217 valid responses, with a built-in allowance for a 20 percent non-response or failure rate.

If the initial mail-in and online response falls short, Portland State University staff will travel to Siletz to conduct door-to-door surveying. City leaders are working to get the word out now so that residents understand these visitors are legitimate and that the effort is not a scam. The survey itself is described as short and straightforward, asking primarily about household income, and officials emphasize that all responses are confidential. Should those steps still fail to generate enough responses, the city plans additional follow-up rounds, including phone outreach to households using city records and, if needed, another computer-generated random selection of residents to contact.

To encourage participation, the city is offering a modest incentive: a $10 credit on residents’ water and sewer bills for completing the survey. Officials acknowledge that $10 is not a large amount, but say it is both a gesture of appreciation for people’s time and a sign of how important the survey is to the community’s financial future. Mayor Woreman stressed that the push for accurate income data is not about government intruding into residents’ lives, but about protecting them. He added that the new wastewater treatment plant must be built regardless—the current infrastructure is outdated and the project cannot be deferred indefinitely.

However, if Siletz is forced to rely on high-interest loans with no forgiveness because of inflated income figures, the result will likely be significantly higher water and sewer rates, and long-term debt that could last far beyond the new plant’s 30-year design life. If the community can prove that its true median income is lower, Siletz may once again qualify for more favorable financing options, including loans with partial forgiveness. One scenario described involves a 50 percent loan forgiveness structure: if the city borrowed $4 million, repaid on time over a set period, the government could forgive half, leaving only $2 million to be fully repaid. Local officials say that kind of assistance could make the difference between manageable rates and unsustainable bills.

Throughout the process, Siletz leaders have emphasized that this is fundamentally about fairness and about making sure outside agencies see the community as it really is—a small, low-income coastal town where people work hard, support one another, and are “all doing fine together,” but are far from wealthy. The current outreach effort aims not only to gather data but also to build understanding. By talking publicly about the survey, explaining the stakes, and clarifying that Portland State University staff may go door to door, city officials hope residents will recognize the legitimacy of the project and the importance of their participation. Survey information can be found on the city of Siletz’ website. (SOURCE)

Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast 

10% off Packages and Retail Items!If you have a birthday or anniversary in March, celebrate along with the Heceta Head Lightstation, whose birthday is March 30th. You will recieve 10% off any Picnic, Package, or retail item when reserving a stay in March 2026. Use Promo code: BIRTHDAY Valid along with any stay March 1-31, 2026.www.hecetalighthouse.com

Wildlife Center of the North Coast

·Join us for a Wild Coast community gathering!As part of the Wild Coast Film Festival, we’ve curated a series of special community events around town throughout the weekend.

Pop-Up Event: Bringing Sea Otters Back to OregonSunday, March 15th, 2026 2:00 p.m. Obelisk Beer Co., Astoria

Hear from the Elakha Alliance, conservation photographer Gretchen-Kay Stuart, and Oregon Coast Aquarium biologist Brittany Blades as they explore the movement to restore sea otters to the Oregon Coast. Learn about the science, storytelling, and conservation efforts behind this important initiative.

This event is free, open to all, and does not require a ticket or reservation. Come be part of the conversation!

Wildlife Center of the North Coast

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Wild Coast Film Festival! Join us for four days of powerful storytelling celebrating conservation, wild spaces, and our connection to the natural world. While the final film lineup is still on the way, we can promise an unforgettable weekend. What to expect:• Inspiring films in curated film blocks• Guided nature and photo walks • Pop-up discussion panels• A festival party at the Columbia River Maritime Museum

Purchase single-block tickets or day/weekend passes at wildcoastfilm.org.

Together, we’re making a real difference for wildlife and our community. Thank you for being a part of this journey!

NW Natural has released a multi language notice that will also go to every customer regarding how to best identify a NW Natural Utility Worker when they come to your home or are nearby.

There has been reports of ICE agents disguising as utility workers to lure people out of their homes. Please stay aware.

“We are aware of reports of individuals impersonating utility workers in order to gain access to residents. Please note:

Our workers who show up at your home should either be wearing a uniform and a utility badge or wearing a badge that says “CONTRACTOR.” Their vehicles should be similarly marked with a NW Natural company logo and/or “CONTRACTOR.”

If someone comes to your house and asks for access to your home or for you to come outside:

• Our employees will never ask for immediate access to customers’ homes. They often will go to a back or side yard to access a meter.
• In most situations, if there is a reason a NW Natural employee would need to go inside a customer’s home (such as a safety check or inspection), they would have set this up with the customer in advance.

NW Natural is a company based in Coos Bay, OR that specializes in providing natural gas services to residential and commercial customers.

If you want to verify if someone at your home is a NW Natural employee or contractor, you can call our customer service line at 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012. If you suspect an imposter, call 9-1-1 immediately.” https://www.nwnatural.com/…/2025-utility-and-contactor…

Anticipating Early 2026 Opening, Oregon Seeks to Block Potential Newport ICE Facility

Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction.

Lawyers for the state sought an injunction from U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in an amended complaint filed last week as part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the U.S. Coast Guard’s removal of a rescue helicopter from its Newport Municipal Airport facility in late October. They argued that the federal government is skirting federal environmental and coastal land use regulations which would require more notice for Oregon leaders should an ICE facility be constructed in the area.

Donor Offers $50K Reward in 40-Year-Old Case of Missing Oregon Coast Teen

Lincoln County authorities hope the recent offer from an anonymous donor of a $50,000 reward will lead to the remains of a 17-year-old Siletz girl who was last seen walking on U.S. 20 more than four decades ago.

An anonymous donor put up money hoping it will spur information that leads not only to Kelly Disney’s remains but also to the conviction of her killer, according to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s Office has confirmed that an anonymous donor offered the reward for any information leading to Disney’s remains and/or the conviction of her killer.

Information can be submitted anonymously at 541-265-0669 or online at FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us

READ MORE on CASE: https://lincolnchronicle.org/15597-2/

Wildlife Center of the North Coast · We need your help! 

Make a difference in wildlife rescue! Join our Wild at Heart Membership Program starting at just $5/month. Help us save lives! https://coastwildlife.org/wild-at-heart/

It’s been a busy summer here at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, and our rehab clinic has gone through lots of supplies caring for patients!!

->> To help us restock and stay prepared for the next wave of wildlife in need, we’ve updated our Amazon Wishlist with the items we need most. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA

Every donation—big or small—goes directly to helping orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife get a second chance at life. Check out our wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA Thank you for being part of our wildlife rescue family! 

Friends of Haystack Rock  · We have puffins!

Check out our website, Friendsofhaystackrock.org to see them live! We have our webcam zoomed in on a couple active burrows. Your best chance to see them is in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Volunteers are being sought to help prepare and serve lunch three times a week at the Florence Senior and Activity Center.  

They serve lunch Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Both programs, the in-house dining known as Cafe 60, and Meals on Wheels, are very important in helping promote socialization and nutrition for older adults in Lane County.  Volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels use their own vehicles, but they can be reimbursed for their mileage.  The Lane Council of Governments operates the Senior and Disabled Services in Lane County.  Alisa Andrion encourages potential volunteers to give her a call at L-COG, 541-682-1366.

Coos Bay Police Department –  WE’RE HIRING 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS

$4684 – $5972/Month DOQ — We offer:•A dynamic team environment •Alternative schedule benefiting work/life balance •Up to 5 weeks paid time off per year after the first year •The opportunity to serve your community

Our team members have come from a variety of work fields- no experience necessary! For additional information from the North Coos 9-1-1 Recruitment Team or to schedule a ride-along please email: join911@coosbayor.govhttps://www.coosbayor.gov/…/Compon…/JobPosts/Job/126/107

Gleneden Beach Community Club Events

Look what’s coming up soon at the Club… (sign up at glenedenbeach.org)

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.

If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.

Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?

Here are resources that can help:

211Info:  Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank:  Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Mapto find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you. 

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area. 

’50 States in 50 Weeks’ visits Oregon

“GMA” spotlights the great state of Oregon and all it has to offer, whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, movie buff or sports fan. https://abcnews.com/video/130562892/

“GMA” visits Mount Hood to explore the state’s natural beauty, rich history and vibrant communities, speaking with tribes and women preserving traditions through dance. https://abcnews.com/video/130563347/

Live Updates as 2026 Legislative Session Draws to a Close

After just more than a month of long meetings, sharp disagreements and hard-fought compromises, the Oregon Legislature must adjourn by 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Capital Chronicle reporters have been at the Capitol tracking the action since it started Feb. 2, and they’ll be here until the end. As things move more quickly in the last few days, we’ll use this live blog to keep Oregonians updated. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/05/live-updates-2026-legislative-session-draws-to-a-close/

High School Students Compete for State Title at the 2026 Poetry Out Loud Oregon Finals Saturday 3/7

Recent Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani to give special performance at Historic Grand Theatre in Salem

SALEM, Oregon — The Oregon Arts Commission is proud to present the 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Championships. High school students from across Oregon will gather at the Historic Grand Theatre on March 7 to compete in a dynamic display of memorization, performance and literary interpretation.

WHAT: 2026 Poetry Out Loud Oregon State Championships

WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Historic Grand Theatre, 187 High St. NE, Salem, OR 97301

The students advancing to Oregon’s 2026 State Contest are:

Alida Shi Lyons, Cleveland High School (Portland);
Ariana Morris, Redmond High School (Redmond);
Bena Rodecap, Grant High School (Portland);
Drishti Singh, Lakeridge High School (Lake Oswego);
Emma Keen, Oregon School for the Deaf (Salem);
Gabriel Hall, St. Stephen’s Academy (Beaverton);
Josiah Gaither, St. Stephen’s Academy (Beaverton);
Kaydence Pope, South Medford High School (Medford);
Molly Wheeler, South Medford High School (Medford);
Rain Obiesie, Lakeridge High School (Lake Oswego);
Samantha Faulkner, Trinity Academy (Portland).

VISUALS & MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

At the conclusion of the event (approx. 4 p.m.), media representatives are invited to:

• Conduct interviews with the newly crowned state champion.
• Take photos of the state champion with Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson and Oregon Arts Commission Chair Jason Holland.
• A media release, images and video announcing the winner will also be made available before 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 7.

A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Oregon Arts Commission and jurisdictional arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud is a national program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and dynamic recitation competitions. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary history and contemporary life. The Oregon state champion will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Finals for a chance to win the $20,000 grand prize. The winner’s school will also receive $500 for poetry materials. The runner-up will receive $100 and their school will receive $200 for materials.

RSVP — Media members planning to attend or requesting post-event interviews are asked to confirm their attendance by contacting Heidi Hagemeier, Arts & Culture Communications Coordinator, 971-518-0966, Heidi.Hagemeier@biz.oregon.gov by March 6.

### The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, arts programs and funding for nonprofits and artists through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, establish policies and provide advisory support for public investment in the arts. The Arts Commission is part of Business Oregon in recognition of the vital role the arts play in supporting the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state.

The Arts Commission is supported with funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Learn more at oregonartscommission.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

ER Docs Being Ousted After 35 Years Are Not Going Quietly

For more than three decades, local physicians staffed emergency departments for an Oregon hospital system. In a few months, they will be replaced by an out-of-state corporate staffing firm.

Leadership at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield decided last month to put Atlanta-based ApolloMD in charge of the emergency department at the area’s only Level II trauma center, replacing Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP) starting July 1.

Amid an outpouring of support for EEP from a leading medical society and the Congresswoman who represents the area, the move has also ignited a fierce debate about physician independence and patient safety and prompted an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the officials responsible for the decision.

“It’s sort of become what everyone wishes the small, independent groups could have done when corporate medicine groups come in to take over: fight back,” Sarah Coleman, MD, a partner at EEP for 24 years, told MedPage Today.

In a late February vote of 367 medical staff members, 98% said they would prefer to retain EEP and 93% voted no confidence in PeaceHealth leaders James McGovern, MD, the chief hospital executive, and Kim Ruscher, MD, chief medical officer. In a separate vote conducted by the nurses association, 98% of those who voted expressed no confidence in the leadership team.

Those votes came after all 41 EEP members — 32 physicians and nine physician assistants — pledged to not work for ApolloMD.

“We’re very vocal in the fact that we do not want to work for a corporate medicine group,” Coleman said.

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) voiced its support for EEP, stressing in a letter to PeaceHealth that it believes local physician practice ownership is best for all stakeholders — most importantly, patients — and raised concerns about ApolloMD’s reported prior ties to the private equity firm ValorBridge.

AAEM President Robert Frolichstein, MD, called the dispute “a national trend, not an isolated situation” and a reflection of a broader shift toward corporatization.

“Unfortunately, this is no longer rare,” he told MedPage Today. “Across the country, independent physician groups are increasingly being replaced by large national staffing companies. These conflicts are becoming a defining issue in emergency medicine.”

In a Feb. 25 letter to PeaceHealth President and CEO Sarah Ness, Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) urged reconsideration, saying the clinicians’ institutional knowledge “cannot be replaced overnight by a corporate contract with an out-of-state leadership team.”

The local EEP clinicians “are directly invested in the community because they live here. They care about the people here because they are the people here,” said Rory Smith, RN, an Oregon Nurses Association member who works in the RiverBend emergency department alongside the affected physicians. “If we struggle with an ER [emergency room] that’s overburdened and, God forbid something happens to one of their family members, they have to come to our ER. So it matters to them.”

Nevertheless, ApolloMD is moving forward with backing a new local physician group, Lane Emergency Physicians, to provide care at RiverBend, company spokesperson Kimberly Johnson told MedPage Today. The Oregon Secretary of State’s records show Lane Emergency Physicians LLC was registered Feb. 9 and shares ApolloMD’s Atlanta mailing address.

“Our priority is to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality emergency care for the community,” Johnson said, adding that the company hopes to retain current EEP physicians. “Our door remains open to the current physicians and advanced practice clinicians who would like to join.”

Coleman said PeaceHealth’s reasons for bringing in ApolloMD in the first place are unclear.

PeaceHealth has already previously faced scrutiny over how it handles physician dissent. It was sued by Ming Lin, MD, an emergency physician who was fired early in the COVID-19 pandemic for speaking out about safety concerns at a PeaceHealth facility in Washington. That lawsuit was settled in September 2024 under confidential terms, Lin’s San Francisco-based attorney Jason Fellner told MedPage Today.

“I think they don’t want doctors who are independent and are willing to speak out about concerns about patient care,” Coleman said. “They keep saying there’s nothing about our care that has been the problem. They keep saying it’s not a financial decision. But nobody can get a really straight answer about why [ApolloMD is coming in].”

She also expressed skepticism toward ApolloMD’s qualifications. The firm “had never set foot in our departments and did not actually present a specific plan,” she said. Rather, it “just told [PeaceHealth] that they would assess the situation and make suggestions about improving the processes.”

MedPage Today reached out to PeaceHealth multiple times but did not immediately receive a response.

In a Feb. 26 interview with local radio station KLCC-FM, however, McGovern said the change was prompted by a dramatic increase in patient volume — jumping from 210 per day to roughly 240 in about 18 months — due to fewer primary care options, an aging population, and the late 2023 closure of the emergency department at another PeaceHealth facility, its Sacred Heart Medical Center University District hospital in Eugene, Oregon.

He said ApolloMD manages emergency departments that see more than 150,000 patients a year — nearly double RiverBend’s current volume of about 80,000 — and will reduce wait times.

“What we felt we needed in a partner going forward was a strong ability to do process improvement,” McGovern told the radio station. “ApolloMD has that.”

PeaceHealth is a Vancouver, Washington-based not-for-profit health care system that owns and operates hospitals in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. The relationship between EEP and PeaceHealth’s emergency departments in metropolitan Eugene spans 35 years. It started at University District and grew to include RiverBend when it opened in 2007. A smaller facility in Cottage Grove, roughly 20 miles south of Springfield, was added a decade later. That contract ends in May, Coleman said, while the one at RiverBend runs through June.

“We have never had an issue with a contract until this most recent time,” Coleman said.

Coleman said her group had already warned system leaders that closing Eugene’s University District emergency department would cause a volume increase at RiverBend that would be difficult to manage. “And true to that case,” she said, “the volume has been difficult to manage.”

It remains to be seen how many new clinicians will be arriving for the challenge at the RiverBend ED. McGovern had noted that ApolloMD has “59 physicians and physician assistants in the pipeline” and stated that recruiting will not be a problem.

Coleman said ApolloMD is already looking for physicians with Oregon licenses, offering locums up to $385 per hour — “much higher than the contract terms that they offered us,” she said — with sign-on bonuses of up to $20,000 for those who commit to a full year. “They are, basically, casting a wide net across the country to see if they can convince people to sign on.”

Cost, McGovern emphasized in the radio interview, was not a factor. “There is no expectation that we’re going to do this for less money going forward,” he said.

Coleman agreed with that assessment — but for a different reason. “It seems insane to me that Apollo could do it for just as cheap, given that they have to pay executives, and they have a large management company they have to pay for,” she said.

She disputed Johnson’s claim that clinicians recruited nationally to RiverBend “will live and work in the communities they serve,” noting that the offers she has seen are for locum work, not permanent positions. https://www.newsbreak.com/medpage-today-359398486/4523559664750-these-er-docs-are-being-ousted-after-35-years-they-re-not-going-quietly

Employment Department Shares Plan to Improve Customer Service and Strengthen Oregon’s Workforce System

The agency outlines 101 prioritized actions and long-term initiatives, many already underway

The Oregon Employment Department (OED) has released a comprehensive report on its ongoing effort to improve customer service and strengthen Oregon’s public workforce system. The action plan meets expectations outlined by Governor Tina Kotek and demonstrates progress already underway under Director Andrew R. Stolfi.

“Oregonians deserve the best customer service we can provide to make sure they have what they need, especially in times of employment transition,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “The department is taking these issues head on, and the action areas identified in the director’s report will help get us there.”

At the Governor’s direction, OED conducted a review of the customer experience across Unemployment Insurance (UI), Paid Leave Oregon (Paid Leave), Contributions & Recovery (C&R), WorkSource Oregon (WSO), and the Frances Online system. The resulting Customer Service and Workforce Strategies Action Plan includes a prioritized list of 101 customer-focused action steps that fall into four main categories:

• Customer service improvements
• Organizational improvements
• Improvements to Frances Online
• Improvements to the public workforce system

The actions range from high-impact, short-term initiatives to long-term system changes, with the following projects as the highest, most immediate priorities:

• Use AI-assisted tools to improve customer service and employee workflows for faster resolution of common and complex issues.
• Review and simplify all customer-facing communications so customers better understand OED’s processes and can more easily receive benefits.
• Equip WorkSource Oregon centers with additional tools to help customers navigate UI claims.
• Improve how the agency collects and analyzes data to support well-informed goal setting, process improvement, and accountability.
• Create an online live claim status tracker so customers know where they are and what to expect at each step of the process for Paid Leave Oregon and UI.
• Consolidate Title I and Title III Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) administration and funding within OED to improve efficiency and accountability within Oregon’s public workforce system.

“This action plan reflects OED’s deep commitment to improving the services we provide,” OED Director Andrew R. Stolfi said. “It draws from our strengths and is centered on the customer experience, which is where our focus will remain.

When Stolfi joined OED as director, the Governor asked him to lead a thorough review of the agency and develop a comprehensive plan to improve customer service and advance OED’s workforce development mission. In pursuing this directive, OED gathered extensive feedback from across the state through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with more than 5,000 customers, 850 employees, and 240 frontline staff. That feedback revealed clear, consistent themes across programs and communities, including the need for clearer, faster, and more predictable service for Paid Leave and UI customers, and simpler processes and clearer guidance for employers that engage with OED’s business services.

“Our goal was to identify what is working, where barriers exist, and what improvements will make the greatest difference for the people and businesses we serve,” said Director Stolfi. “You can draw a direct line between the feedback we received and the actions outlined in this plan.”

A plan summary, a categorized list of prioritized actions, and the full action plan are available on the OED website. OED will continue to share progress updates and engage with customers, partners, and the public as we move forward.

“We’ve already started working on many of these projects, and Oregonians should expect to see many changes and improvements in the coming months,” Stolfi said. “Customer service is our top priority, and we will not rest until every Oregonian gets the services they expect in a timely manner.”

The agency has already improved in some key customer service metrics. For example, from July 2025 through January 2026 in Unemployment Insurance, the average time to answer a call was 22 minutes faster than the same seven-month period the prior year, despite a 13.6 percent increase in initial claims filed. The Paid Leave program has also reduced the average time it takes for staff to decide on a claim by 5.8 days, despite a 17.6 percent increase in application volume. This indicates improvements in operational efficiency, even while more Oregonians are using these programs.

“We are encouraged by the progress we’ve already made but recognize that we must continue improving in order to provide the level of customer service Oregonians deserve,” Stolfi said. “This plan lays out exactly how we’ll do that.”

About the Oregon Employment Department – The Oregon Employment Department (OED) provides economic stability to Oregon communities by providing vital services to both businesses and workers.  OED supports businesses with finding qualified job candidates, labor market information, tax incentives and support, and retaining talent through economic downturns. OED promotes employment through wage replacement benefits during unemployment and significant life events, job placement, training, and useful career information. Learn more at employment.oregon.gov.

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The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.

El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.

To square Oregon’s budget, lawmakers say many state agency jobs must go unfilled

Oregon’s budget writers warned that the state’s current $128 million deficit will worsen in the years ahead due to federal changes

Legislative budget writers propose leaving more than 130 state jobs vacant, spending less on services and supplies and moving around not-yet-promised money within public agencies to rebalance Oregon’s budget and close a large funding gap at the transportation department.

The moves should cover the state general fund’s remaining $128 million deficit during the next 18 months, and the nearly $289 million deficit at the Oregon Department of Transportation, sparing the agency from hundreds of layoffs. Federal tax changes passed by congressional Republicans during the summer that stymie some state revenues and add costs, and a lack of action on sustainable transportation funding during the 2025 long session, contributed to the dual deficits.

“We can do this budget for a little while,” Sen. Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton and co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee, said about the transportation budget at a Friday media briefing.

But both the transportation department and the general fund will need long-term fixes to sustainable revenue streams in the years ahead, she said.

“This is not a good budget,” Lieber continued about the transportation budget. “This is a very, very, very difficult budget, because it’s taking services away from Oregonians in a very real way.”

The changes are detailed in amendments to Senate bills 1601, 5701, 5702, 5703 and House bills 5203 and 5204 — released Sunday. Public hearings on the omnibus spending proposal will be scheduled early in the next week, according to Lieber and Ways and Means co-chair Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland.

Although lawmakers just eight months ago passed a $39 billion two-year budget for the state during the long legislative session, they need to rebalance spending in the current short session. That’s due in largest part to revenue losses and added costs anticipated from the federal tax and spending cut megalaw passed by congressional Republicans during the summer.

Oregon is one of a few states that automatically replicates changes in federal tax law at the state level, rather than selectively choosing provisions to mirror. That will, however, change slightly under a bill passed last week that allowed some disconnections to federal code, clawing back a net $291 million in tax revenue for the state in the next 18 months. READ MORE: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/01/to-square-oregons-budget-lawmakers-say-many-state-agency-jobs-must-go-unfilled/

Oregon Lottery Supports Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Oregon Lottery is focusing on collaboration and enhanced community outreach to increase awareness of problem gambling in March – also known as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). By participating in this annual grassroots campaign, Oregon Lottery works with local and national partners to promote available prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

This year’s theme, “Caring Communities, Stronger Futures,” emphasizes a collective responsibility for preventing gambling-related harm and a community-driven approach to awareness and support.

“We really connected to this year’s theme,” said Stacy Shaw, who leads Oregon Lottery’s Safer Play Program and is on the board of the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling (OCPG). “We see our biggest impacts when we collaborate broadly to reach our players and develop resources and tools for Oregonians impacted by gambling issues.”

The Oregon Gambling Research Center, a division of the OCPG, recently completed a research study that highlighted the important role communities play in supporting Oregonians.

“Problem Gambling Awareness Month reminds us that gambling-related harm affects individuals, families, and communities, and that prevention and support are critical to recovery and healing,” said Glenn Yamagata, executive director of OCPG. “Our research shows the importance of strengthening these community pathways to reduce harm and create meaningful, lasting change.”

Oregonians can access online tools and connect with free, professional counseling year-round by going to the OPGR website. The website provides a wide variety of resources designed to help people wherever they are on their help seeking journey. This includes free access to EVIVE – a first of its kind digital health app, offering solutions for quitting, moderating, or simply playing safer. New this year to anyone affected by gambling is GamFin, a free financial counseling and online community that offers support.

Since 1992, one percent of Oregon Lottery revenue has funded problem gambling treatment and prevention efforts throughout Oregon. Since that time, over $155 million in Lottery funds has supported those services.

About the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling — The Oregon Council on Problem Gambling is the state affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling. Its purpose is to promote the health of Oregonians by supporting efforts to minimize gambling-related harm. Board members include individuals from the gaming industry, the treatment and prevention field, the recovery community, and state and county administrators.

About Oregon Lottery — Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $17.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery or to read the Responsible Gaming Impacts Report, visit www.oregonlottery.org.

BLM February 2026 timber sales bring in over $8.3 million

The Bureau of Land Management sold 27.6 million board feet of timber across 1,255 public acres in Oregon, for a total of $8,327,275, and indicates a strong demand in American lumber manufacturing by exceeding total appraised values by over $3 million. This timber will feed local mills and support jobs in local communities.

The Coos Bay District sold the Eckley Empanada timber tract (1.8 million board feet, 105 public acres) to Harveys’ Selective Logging, Inc., of Creswell, Ore., for $$142,228.

The Medford District sold the Thom Bone timber tract (6 million board feet, 585 public acres) to Estremado Logging Inc. of Gold Hill, Ore., for $458,766.

The Northwest Oregon District sold the Gopher Broke timber tract (7 million board feet, 223 public acres) to Boise Cascade Wood Products of Willamina, Ore., for $2,499,716; and the John Boy timber tract (8 million board feet, 167 public acres) to Rosboro Company, LLC, of Springfield, Ore., for $3,913,070.

The Roseburg District sold the Muley Mount timber tract (5 million board feet, 175 public acres) to Scott Timber Company of Roseburg, Ore., for $1,313,495.

The BLM plans to hold seven sales during March 2026 to offer 56.9 million board feet of timber across 1,939 public acres in Oregon.

The BLM manages 58 million acres of forests, including 2.4 million acres in western Oregon of some of the most productive forests in the world, and is committed to supplying a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply of timber. BLM forestry supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, conserves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases costs of energy production. Local communities rely on jobs that come from BLM forests, and timber from public land feeds local industry.

Each year, the BLM forestry program’s sales support approximately 2,000 jobs nationally and generate more than $1 billion for local economies.

More than 20 percent of BLM-managed lands are forest and woodland ecosystems. The BLM ensures the health and resilience of these public forest lands as well as the availability of traditional forest products, such as timber. In fiscal year 2025, the BLM offered 301 million board feet of timber under new sales, good neighbor agreements, and stewardship contracts.

Recent federal changes are expanding work requirements for some Oregonians who receive SNAP food benefits. State agencies are encouraging recipients to get free job search and training help through WorkSource Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Employment Department say more SNAP recipients must now show they are working, looking for work, or in training to keep their benefits.

The new rules apply to more people than before, including some adults up to age 64 and some households with older children. Some recipients will also need to meet these requirements for longer than three months.

SNAP Director Amya Hoffman says many people may already qualify through jobs, volunteering, or other activities. Free help is available through WorkSource Oregon, which has 37 centers across the state. For more info, go to WorkSourceOregon.org.

Residents of Keno gathered to talk about a proposed large-scale solar project planned for their area.

The project, backed by the Klamath Falls Energy Center, would cover about 8,600 acres, making it the second-largest solar farm in Oregon. It would be located roughly 1.5 miles northwest of Keno.

The meeting was organized by Klamath County commissioner candidate Elvina Contla, who pointed out that a separate solar project proposed by Diamond Solar would require only 2,000 acres—less than a quarter of the land needed for the Klamath Falls Energy Center project. Contla described the larger proposal as an unprecedented industrial expansion into timberland.

The project’s parent company, Denmark-based Orsted, submitted a Notice of Intent to the Oregon Department of Energy on December 22, 2025, as part of the application process for site certification. Another public meeting is scheduled for March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Klamath Falls at The Spot, located at 1111 Main Street.

The land designated for the project is owned by Green Diamond, a forest products company operating across multiple states. To make way for the solar installation, the area would be cleared of trees and vegetation to install millions of solar panels.

Community members raised several concerns during the meeting, including wildfire risks, potential impacts on the water table, and disruption to local wildlife. The project is planned as a 400-megawatt solar power facility, with an additional 400 megawatts of battery storage capacity.

While the facility is expected to use relatively little water once operational, construction could require up to 45,000 gallons of water per day. Although no official timeline has been set, similar projects suggest construction could take between one and three years.

ATRIO Health Plans is currently facing financial challenges, with an outstanding debt of nearly $60 million owed to Asante for services that have already been provided.

Note: This situation has resulted in a notable alteration in network status for ATRIO members. As stated by Asante, starting January 1, ATRIO’s Medicare Advantage coverage will be considered out of network with Asante.

Members are required to take action before March 31 to prevent any disruption in their care, as new routine appointments will not be accessible after this date, with certain exceptions.

Heather Rowenhorst, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Asante, highlighted their dedication to the community, noting that the non-payment from ATRIO has necessitated challenging decisions.

“This decision underscores our commitment to our communities to ensure the sustainability of Asante and health care in southern Oregon,” Rowenhorst remarked.

Members affected by this change have until March 31 to switch their Medicare Advantage plans. Asante provides resources to assist members in continuing care with their existing providers.

Oregon State Parks to hire seasonal Park Rangers, Park Ranger Assistants

Oregon State Parks is hiring seasonal Park Rangers and Park Ranger Assistants for positions across the state for the 2026 season.

Hiring starts as soon as this month and runs through June with new positions listed on a rolling basis on the website. The positions last anywhere from four to nine months. Most seasonal staff work April through September, but some start as early as this month or work 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 $20.28 per hour for seasonal assistants and $23.79 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, who are enrolled in high school start at $20.27 or more per hour, depending on experience.

Several of Oregon State Parks’ top leaders started their careers as seasonal employees, including all three Region Directors.

“We are focused on developing an engaged workforce by partnering with staff on career development, investing in skill building and fostering a culture of belonging. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you make a difference in protecting and promoting Oregon’s special places,” said interim Director Stefanie Coons.

Seasonal staff gain valuable skills working with experienced Park Rangers at parks around the state. Positions are available in Oregon’s coastal areas, scenic valleys, and mountain regions, offering opportunities to work in some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about current openings, visit https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs. 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.

Beginning on March 30, 2026, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will discontinue the waiver of parking fees at an additional 22 day-use parks.

Currently, a day-use parking permit costs $10 for residents of Oregon and $12 for out-of-state visitors, and it is valid for the entire day of purchase at any state park in Oregon. Access to the parks remains complimentary for those who walk, bike, or utilize public transportation.

Visitors arriving by car can present valid parking by displaying a current hangtag from camping at an Oregon State Park or a valid 12 or 24-month parking permit. Additionally, visitors who acquire parking permits online or through parking QR codes can link their license plates to the valid payment.

At present, OPRD mandates a day-use parking permit at 46 parks and waives parking fees at over 150 parks throughout the state. The selection of the 22 additional parks was based on the amenities and features that necessitate maintenance and operation, including restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation, boat ramps, and more.

The revenue from parking fees contributes to the maintenance and operation costs, ensuring that these facilities remain available for all visitors.

UNDER PRESSURE: A VOLCANIC EXPLORATION, AN EXHIBITION FROM OREGON’S HIGH DESERT MUSEUM, SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE RUMBLING GIANTS AMONG US

(BEND, Ore.) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.

On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum. Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.

“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director. “We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum.

WHEN:            Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027

WHERE:          High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery)

                         59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE)

COST:              Free with Museum admission or membership

   Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID

Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include:

• Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research.
• Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region.
• Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them.
• Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows.
• Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits.

“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.org.

Raise Funds to Plant Trees in Oregon

Registration is open for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K

Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests.  You must register by April 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day).   Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible.  If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.

For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks.  Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration.  This year’s tree plantings will be placed in the Santiam Canyon.

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its sixth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include fifteen other states. Together, all sixteen states will help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.

“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least One Million Trees in Oregon.” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.  “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org.

For more information, contact Seth Miller at 503/966-1053 or seth@orparksforever.org

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.

The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.

In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.

If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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