The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Friday, May 2, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Killer Whale Swims Two Miles Up Siuslaw River

Siuslaw River, Florence Oregon The California Current Killer Whale Study research team received multiple reports that at about 6:15pm, a lone bull killer whale was seen about two miles up the Siuslaw River. At 7:41pm he was spotted from the jetty, and then shortly after he was seen nearby the coast guard station. He ended up switching directions, and he headed back up the river. He was last spotted at 8:34pm, near the low point on Rhododendron, at which point it became too dark to see.

We’re able to confirm, it was T051! He’s back! T051 (born 1981) has been seen on several occasions in Oregon. Last spring he was seen traveling with T049A2 in Oregon for quite a while. In the fall of last year, T051 and T049A2 gained a lot of popularity after they spent 44 days in a lake in Alaska. It’s great to see him back in Oregon! A big thank you to everyone who helped track T051! On April 24, a pod of killer whales was spotted next to Sea Lion Caves, possibly heading south. On Sunday, April 27, a pod swam up the Siuslaw River a short distance and returned to sea. 

A Rally In Support Of Working Families Is Scheduled For Saturday, May 3, In Florence

The event, organized by Florence ORganizes, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at City Hall on Highway 101. Organizers say the “Mayday Strong: Stand Up for Working Families” gathering will include music performances, community speakers, and a march to express solidarity with workers, veterans, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the local food bank. — https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceORganizes

The Newport Loyalty Days & Sea Fair Festival parade is this Saturday, May 3rd.

Hwy 101 will be closed between NW Oceanview Drive and Hwy 20 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please give yourself extra time to travel during this time and use extra precaution when transiting around parade traffic.

Traffic entering Hwy 101 from NW 31st Street and NW 36th Street must turn north.The Walmart parking lot will serve as the staging for the floats. Once all floats are cleared from that area, crews will open an alternate route to go north on Hwy 101 via NW 25th Street.

On Saturday, May 3, the Clatskanie Farmer Collective, in collaboration with the Clatskanie Garden Club, will be holding its Spring Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will be taking place just outside Clatskanie Food Hub on 80 Art Steele St. Attendees will be able to shop local plants and starts, as well as early-season produce, baked goods, artisan food, apothecary items, arts, crafts, and more. In addition to the live music, local beer sales, and farm-to-table brunch, the event will include a special kids booth where youngsters can learn to make butter. Come out to this symbol of winter’s end by supporting your local and small businesses.

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Please come and join us this Saturday, May 3 from 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM at the North County Recreation District NCRD in Nehalem.Don’t miss your chance to see our volunteers in action during this drill simulating a real disaster.

Vehicle Vandalism At Fred Meyer

Florence police responded Thursday morning to multiple reports of vandalism at the Fred Meyer parking lot. According to initial information, a male suspect armed with one or two knives was slashing vehicle tires. Officers arrived on scene, detained the suspect at gunpoint, and safely took him into custody. At least 10 vehicles were reportedly damaged. Authorities are working to identify both the suspect and the victims. A formal press release is expected once the investigation is further along.

Many people in the Florence area received an email from Florence Habitat for Humanity this week telling them they’ve “been selected to submit a proposal” for an upcoming project opportunity.

Included in the email is a link purportedly to a document that outlines the “scope of work” and other items.  The email also notes that the package contains “confidential information and must not be shared without written authorization.  

The main points of the email are like many online scams.  It has a semi-formal but urgent tone and contains many references or personal touches that lend credibility.  Things like an actual email address for the administrative assistant for Florence Habitat for Humanity and a QR code to sign up for the annual Rhody Run, organized by Habitat.  

Misty Berg, that administrative assistant, says it did not come from her, nor from anyone else inside that organization.  Fraud prevention experts say it is important that you not open any links in an email such as this one, and you should never respond or reply.  The best thing to do, they say, is to simply delete it.

Several Coastal Fire Agencies To Receive Wildfire Defense Grants

Several Central Oregon Coast fire agencies will receive state grant funding to hire additional staff during the upcoming wildfire season, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal 2025 Wildfire Season Staffing Grants help local fire agencies, many relying on volunteer crews, bring on extra firefighters during wildfire season.

Central Oregon Coast fire agencies awarded the grant funding include:

Rockaway FD – $35,000 (includes carryover funds)

Siletz RFPD – $35,000

Depoe Bay RFPD – $26,905 (from carryover funds)

Toledo FD – $35,000 (includes carryover funds)

Seal Rock RFPD – $35,000

Yachats RFPD – $35,000

“The Wildfire Season Staffing Grant is one of our most impactful tools to help local fire agencies respond to emergencies faster, protect communities, and support each other through mutual aid,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We’re thankful to our legislators for continuing to invest in the safety and resilience of our communities.”

Since 2022, the grant has proven to be a vital resource in increasing preparedness, response capabilities, and overall community safety during Oregon’s increasingly challenging wildfire seasons, according to Ruiz-Temple.

These seasonal staff boost emergency response in 200 agencies across the state from wildfire calls to everyday emergencies, according to local fire chiefs.

In Lane County, Coburg Fire District Chief Chad Minter said the OSFM wildfire season staffing grants have greatly improved his agency’s response capabilities and those in neighboring districts.

“With this funding, we can staff a wildland engine daily during fire season with two additional firefighters who respond to all fires and support five nearby districts,” Minter said. “When not on calls, the crew assists with recruitment, training, outreach, and prevention. This staffing makes up 50% of our rapid response and is essential to keeping fires small. These grants are a smart investment.”

Local fire agencies were eligible to apply for up to $35,000 to increase staffing levels during the fire season. Each summer, the funding adds more than 1,500 firefighters across Oregon. The Oregon legislature allocated $6 million to the program this year. (SOURCE)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has reinstated the commercial rock crab fishery along the northern coastline, extending from the California/Oregon border to the entrance of Humboldt Bay.

This decision follows a closure that lasted nearly ten years due to a domoic acid outbreak. The fishery was initially shut down in 2015 as a precaution during the most significant domoic acid outbreak recorded on the west coast.

Recent testing has verified that the levels of domoic acid in rock crabs are now below federal action thresholds, permitting the fishery’s reopening. Over the years, commercial fishermen have submitted rock crab samples, which contributed to this decision. The last reopening in this region took place in May 2019.

The CDFW advises fishery participants to refrain from setting gear in the presence of whales to reduce the risk of entanglement and encourages best fishing practices, such as minimizing slack surface line.

Coos Bay Woman Arrested After Firing Handgun in Domestic Dispute

CLARIFICATION: To clear up confusion that has happened on shared posts, please read that this was a domestic issue. Both the suspect, and the victim lived on the property. Hopefully this helps clarify the situation.

On April 29, 2025, at approximately 5:11 AM, North Coos Dispatch received a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Isthmus Heights Road in Coos Bay. Deputy Z. Smith responded promptly to investigate the incident.

Upon investigation, Deputy Smith determined that the suspect, Brandy Piepkorn, 29, had discharged a handgun in the direction of the victim in an attempt to force him to leave the property. Deputy Smith seized the firearm and arrested Ms. Piepkorn at the scene.

Ms. Piepkorn was transported to the Coos County Jail, where she was booked and charged with Domestic Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

“Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay Food Can Tsunami 4 “The Fourth Wave” Results

Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities and Their Projects Including Oregon Coast

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Says Federal Cancellation of Grant Program Impedes Oregon’s Ability to Prepare for Disasters

 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program has on Oregon.

The cancellation, detailed in a memo from Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton, outlines a review of BRIC programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 for programs communities depend on across the state.  

In addition, FEMA issued an updated advisory on April 16 further clarifying that: “as the program is concluding, the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled, no applications submitted will be reviewed and no funds will be awarded. In addition, for all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023, if grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.” 

The BRIC grant program gives money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. For example, BRIC funds can be used to build better levees to help prevent the kind of flooding we’ve seen recently in Harney County. BRIC helps build safer roads, buildings, and other important things to keep people and property safe during a disaster. Currently, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is unaffected in Oregon. 

What this means:  

• Projects that were selected but not yet awarded won’t receive funding. 
• Ongoing projects may be delayed or stopped short of construction. 
• Money set aside for managing these efforts could be pulled back.  
• Without extensions or continued support, communities across Oregon will face delays or cancellations in vital infrastructure improvements designed to reduce risk and protect lives. 

FEMA is conducting a full review of active and obligated BRIC projects before further work to help Oregonians prepare for disasters in the future can continue.   

“These decisions will significantly impact communities across Oregon working to reduce disaster risk and invest in safer, more resilient infrastructure,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We are actively working with federal and state legislators to communicate these financial impacts and with FEMA partners to gain clarity on next steps and timelines. I have directed my team to conduct our own review to see what projects may fit within other Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants through federal partners that are currently funded like the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant or other state grant programs.” 

The Impact on Oregon: 

• Federal share of BRIC projects: $140 million  
• Local matching share of BRIC projects: $90 million  
• Total local sunk costs: 8 of the 26 projects have a combined total of $8 million in sunk costs (details below). 
• Impact on submitted budgets: Due to funding delays and their effect on project timelines, even if the grants were reinstated, some projects will be priced out as they locked cost estimates years ago when inflation and tariffs were lower, but those locked in prices are set to expire and the new cost could be significantly higher.   

During remarks yesterday to the media, Governor Kotek referenced cuts to the BRIC grants: “These are bipartisan or nonpartisan community projects that everybody supports. I have not heard one rationale from the Trump Administration as to why they cancelled the BRIC grants.” She was speaking specifically about a project in Mapleton that received grant funding to assist with necessary upgrades to the town’s water infrastructure. You can view the full remarks at around the 25-minute mark here. 

To stay informed, OEM encourages interested parties to sign up for alerts when updates are posted on the federal action webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/Federal-Changes.aspx 

Details about the 8 projects with sunk costs: 

City of Port Orford  –

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project aims to address vulnerabilities in the City of Port Orford’s drinking water supply infrastructure caused by earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. It includes the installation of water meters, as well as the design, replacement, and retrofit of strategic sections of the water distribution system. The grant would ensure that the city has sufficient water to meet average daily demand while maintaining adequate emergency storage to withstand and respond to natural hazards. The project would impact a population of 1,146 residents. 

• Federal Share: $6,566,537  
• Local Share: $691,214 
• Sunk cost: $273,350 

Medford Water Commission     

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project will conduct critical infrastructure improvements at four system locations as part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program (RVWSRP). The goal is to enhance the resilience of the water system against seismic events, wildfires, and droughts caused by extreme weather conditions. 

• Federal Share: $34,806,505               
• Local Share: $14,516,834 
• Sunk cost $1,875,370  

City of Grants Pass           

Water Treatment Plant Relocation Project. This project aims to relocate the Water Treatment Plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to prevent system failure during a flooding event. The City of Grants Pass has made substantial investments in the comprehensive design of the project, contributing over 50% of the required cost match. The loss of federal grant funds jeopardizes the broader system project scope, which exceeds twice the federal contribution. To date, the city has invested over $5 million in pre-award technical engineering and design, in addition to sunk costs incurred during the subapplication process.  

• Federal Share: $50,000,000               
• Local Share: $60,800,302 
• Sunk cost: $5,000,000 

Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital        

Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) Project. This project integrates a Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) into the Columbia Memorial Hospital expansion, creating a multi-purpose facility designed to shelter the impacted population at an elevated level above tsunami inundation zones. 

• Federal Share: $13,897,122               
• Local Share: $5,955,909 
• Sunk cost $817,846 

Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development     

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updates to the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans (NHMP) for the Burns Paiute Tribe, as well as Columbia and Umatilla Counties, aim to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts while mitigating the future impacts of natural disasters. 

• Federal Share: $488,653       
• Local Share: $152,704 
• Sunk cost $8,347 

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY2021 Grant Management Costs 

• Federal Share: $488,257       
• Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $39,500  

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY 2022 Grant Management Costs   

• Federal Share: $19,695,731               
• Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $73,141 

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY 2023 Grant Partnership Costs 

• Federal Share: $1,261,848  
  Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $79,029 

# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

Call for Local Authors at the Cannon Beach Library

By The Cannon Beach Library

The Cannon Beach Library’s NW Authors Series invites local published authors to apply to our first Local Authors Festival on Saturday September 27th, from 3-5 p.m. at the library.

Connect with visitors and members of the community, meet with other local authors, and promote and sell your published books. The deadline for applying is June 15th and all authors that apply will be notified of their status via email by July 14th.

To apply for table space, submit the online application form or download and print an application on our website, https://cannonbeachlibrary.org/events-and-programs/local-author-festival/ . Applications can also be picked up at the library, 131 N Hemlock Street in Cannon Beach.

Local published authors of any age with books published in any genre are invited to apply, including self-published authors. We’re primarily looking for authors from the Washington peninsula through the southern Oregon coast. Ideally, we will be looking for 3 fiction authors, 3 nonfiction authors, 3 mystery authors, and 3 children’s/YA authors.

The Local Authors Festival is designed to create a space to connect local published authors with readers, and to highlight the accomplishments of local published authors. Please make sure to read the application guidelines and event information before applying!

ODFW Investigating Reports of Sick and Dead Brown Pelicans Along the Oregon Coast

If you see a sick, resting, or dead pelican, please leave it alone. Keep dogs leashed. No need to report — ODFW is monitoring.Two pelicans tested negative for avian flu, but more tests are pending to check for domoic acid toxicity or other causes.

Brown pelicans breed in southern California and migrate north along the Oregon coast in the spring. It is not uncommon for juvenile birds to become fatigued—especially during strong north winds—and stop to rest. Some of the pelicans reported to ODFW have appeared to be tired but otherwise uninjured juveniles.

In southern California, domoic acid toxicity caused by harmful algal blooms has recently sickened or killed dozens of brown pelicans and other wildlife. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring neurotoxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning. It is produced by algae and can be concentrated in shellfish and some fish species. Wildlife that consumes contaminated prey can suffer poisoning from the domoic acid.

Please note that a razor clam harvest advisory is in effect from Cascade Head to the California border due to domoic acid levels from last fall. Razor clams clear toxins slowly, but current monitoring shows no harmful algal species off the Oregon coast. Photo: Brown pelicans are easily recognized by their large size, massive bill, and brownish plumage.

It’s a sign of the times, Early Rhody Carnival Day Passes are on sale now—get yours at a discount at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.

 If you’re looking to save a few bucks, you can encourage your kids to sign up to be a banner carrier in the 118th Festival Grand Floral Parade.  Ages 9 through 17 are eligible to earn their carnival credentials.  More information, including a link to download the 2025 Rhododendron Festival Event Program can be found at RhodyDays.net 

Astoria DMV to extend service hours

The Oregon DMV Astoria office at 705 W. Marine Dr. is expanding our hours to better serve the community. Starting April 30, we will no longer be closed daily from 12:30 to 2 p.m. We are excited to open up during this prime time, which is a popular option for people needing to visit the DMV during the work week.

Effective April 30, Astoria DMV’s new operational hours will be:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

You can also access more than 20 services online at DMV2U and renew vehicle registrations at Oregon DMV Express Kiosks . We recommend always checking the status of your DMV office before visiting.

The City of Reedsport is accepting applications to fill council position #5. Councilor Rich Patten recently resigned.

The person selected will begin at the time of appointment and serve until the end of 2026. At the general election in November 2026, the position will be open for election for a new four-year term.

Applicants have to have lived in the city of Reedsport for the previous 12 months. City employees are not eligible to serve.

Those interested in applying for the position may pick up an application at Reedsport City Hall on Winchester Avenue or online at www.cityofreedsport.org. Anyone with questions about the position or the application process can contact City Recorder Rhonda Bryan at 541-271-3603 extension 1005.

Brooking’s Capella by the Sea Seeks Volunteers

The City of Brookings is calling for volunteers to help keep the Capella by the Sea open to the public beginning May 1st. The chapel was built in 2008 and donated in 2009 by Oscar-winning film producer Elmo Williams as a memorial to his late wife, Lorraine.

Michelle Robidoux is the Public Works and Development Services Administrative Assistant for the City of Brookings. “We like to keep the Capella open to the public May through October, and again during Nature’s Coastal Holiday,” Robidoux said. “But to do that, we rely on volunteers.”

Due to previous volunteers aging out, the city is now facing a shortage and hopes to recruit new faces. Volunteers work two-hour shifts, simply welcoming visitors and enjoying the calm space. “It’s a great way to meet people, build your resume, and give back to the community,” Robidoux said.

The Capella is typically open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, though hours may vary based on volunteer availability. To get involved, contact Michelle Robidoux at 541-469-1103. — https://www.brookings.or.us/facilities/facility/details/capellabythesea-2

Beachgoers Urged To Keep Distance From Molting Elephant Seals

— It’s molting season for elephant seals, and Oregon beachgoers are being urged to “share the shore.” Signs have recently gone up in Seaside advising residents to remain at least 100 yards away from the seals after a young elephant seal was found sunbathing there yesterday.

If you spot a sickly looking elephant seal on land, it is probably moulting. All elephant seals spend one month a year on land to moult; they undergo what is called a “catastrophic moult” in which they shed all of their fur along with the underlying layer of skin.

The molting process requires elephant seals to rest on land for multiple weeks while they shed their old coats and grow new ones. Elephant seals can be extra irritable during the molting process.

Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission New License Plate To Help Support Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Industry

Oregon’s Dungeness crab fuels families, $68M a year industry — According to the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Dungeness crab fishing typically brings in more money than every other type of fishing in the state.

For many people, when Dungeness crab is on the menu, it’s a go-to in Oregon. It’s a savory treat that fuels a multi-million dollar a year industry in the state.  It’s a tradition that not only supports the state economy, but also families up and down the Oregon coast.

According to numbers from the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, commercial crabbing has over the last decade pulled in an average of more than $68 million a year. Typically, Dungeness crab fishing brings in more money than every other type of fishing in Oregon, said Crystal Adams, the executive director of the commission, which supports and promotes the state’s crabbing industry. 

“It’s our livelihoods,” Adams said. “A labor of love. People do it because it’s in their blood and, you should support that. Support your industry, support your state, support local fishermen.”

Oregon is the dominate producer of Dungeness crab, where on average 16 millions pounds of crab are harvested per season, according the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. It’s considered the most valuable single species commercial fishery in the state.

A portion of the harvest stays in state and is sold at local grocery stores and restaurants — but most of Oregon’s Dungeness crab is processed and shipped all over the world. 

“It’s a difficult thing to go do, but it’s a very positive thing and we just want everybody to try it and buy it and yeah, support us,” Reeves said.

Right now, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission is working on a license plate that would help support Oregon’s Dungeness crab industry.

Celebrate Oregon’s coastal heritage and show your support for one of the state’s most iconic industries with the new Oregon Dungeness Crab license plate! This eye-catching design features a bold, bright orange Oregon Dungeness crab against a light blue sea background, inspired by the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission logo.

By purchasing this specialty plate, you’re not only adding a unique touch to your vehicle but also supporting vital programs that sustain and promote Oregon’s Dungeness crab fishery.”Get your License Plate Here – https://oregondungeness.org/new-licence-plate/ —- Learn More with Our FAQs

Cannon Beach Gallery · Calling All Art Instructors & Volunteers!

We’re hiring paid art instructors for our Summer Art Camp (July 14-18, 2025)! Earn $28 per hour for in-person teaching and prep time. Instructors can design their own curriculum and teach any medium in 2-hour sessions (10 AM – 12 PM or 1 – 3 PM)—or both—over the 5-day camp! Select your preferred age group and inspire young artists this summer.

We’re also looking for volunteers to assist instructors, help during lunch sessions, and supervise outdoor playtime .Inquire today and be part of an unforgettable creative experience! info@cannonbeacharts.org

Elks to Feed You Well at Rhody Festival  

The 118th Rhododendron Festival is less than three weeks away, and preparations are well under way.  The Florence Elks Lodge announced over the weekend that they are preparing their traditional events to add to the weekend festivities.  This year, they’ll be serving their barbecue chicken dinners to go on Saturday, May 17, only.  Follow the smoke to the parking lot for a half-chicken dinner, potato salad, and beans for just $15.  That starts at 11:00 and lasts until it is sold out.  At the same time, the Ladies of the Elks have their homemade pie and bake sale.  Sunday, May 18th the Past Exalted Rulers of the Lodge will be serving their traditional pre-parade breakfast from seven AM to eleven for just ten bucks.  All proceeds from the festival community events are used by lodge members to support local causes.  

Wildlife Center of the North Coast ->>> ALL ARE INVITED TO THIS FUN, FREE EVENT! Spring Festival May 10th & 11th, 2025 – 11am to 3pm

This fun, two-day festival is our Annual Spring Open House & Native Plant Sale, with free tours of our facility, fun activities for the kids, awesome raffle prizes, and visits with our Education Ambassadors. We will be announcing the winners of our 2025 Birds of a Feather Youth Art Contest & displaying all of the artwork that was entered.

Bring the whole family. Everyone is invited to this free-community event! All money raised from the Birds of a Feather Spring Festival will support our 2025 Birds of a Feather Annual Campaign. Donations to our Annual Campaign support our mission of promoting compassion, empathy, and respect for all life through wildlife rehabilitation, ecological teachings, and wildlife conservation.

Oregon’s Shore Acres State Park Volunteer Days – Chance to Give Back

Shore Acres State Park will host Garden Volunteer Days once a month April through September to give visitors a chance to volunteer in the garden.

Volunteers can learn how to prune a rose or maintain a 100-year-old-lily pond as they work alongside rangers in caring for the beautiful gardens at 89526 Cape Arago Highway, Coos Bay.

Garden Volunteer Days run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• April 18: Pond Cleanup including pulling out debris, fertilizing pond lilies and trimming shrubs along the pond. Rubber boots are highly recommended, and plan on getting wet. For ages 18 and older.
• May 16, June 20 and July 18: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.
• Aug. 15: English Ivy pull to help remove this invasive species from the garden. For ages 14 and older.
• Sept. 19: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.

Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground at the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools. Gloves, hand tools and morning snacks are provided. Bring a lunch.

Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Please contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward with any questions at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov or 541-888-3732.

Shore Acres features a formal garden with plants and flowers from all over the world. It includes a Japanese-style garden with lily pond and two curated rose gardens that include All-American Rose Selections. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year: the first spring bulbs pop up in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas soon follow; roses bloom through the summer; and dahlias appear August through mid-October.

Respect Nesting Areas to Protect Threatened Snowy Plover on the Oregon Coast Through Sept. 15

 – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors to the Oregon coast that it is plover nesting season ­— beachgoers can help recovery efforts for the threatened western snowy plover March 15 to Sept. 15.

Sensitive plover nesting areas are identified on maps for the northern Oregon Coast and southern Oregon Coast. Signs may be present at trailheads with additional rules and limits, such as staying on the wet sand and no dogs even on a leash, to help protect the small shorebirds and their exposed nests during this crucial period. Visitors may also see rope fencing in dry sand areas; this fencing delineates some, but not all, of the critical plover habitat that should be avoided.

Recreation restrictions occur in designated plover management areas: stretches of beach along the coastline where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.

Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect these small birds that nest on open sand along Oregon’s beaches. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-camouflaged. During the nesting season, human disturbances can flush adult plovers away from their nests as they attempt to defend their young. Left alone too long, or too often, eggs or chicks can die from exposure, predators or people.

Reminders for recreation on designated plover beaches March 15-Sept. 15:

• The following are not permitted: dogs (even on a leash), driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle, operating electric-assisted bicycles, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
• Foot and equestrian traffic are permitted below the high-tide line on hard packed sand.
• Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.

“With the support of the public and improvements to plover habitat, we’re making great strides in reversing the decline of this species,” said Cindy Burns, Siuslaw National Forest wildlife biologist. “Keep doing your part to understand nesting season rules and to share the beach this spring and summer.”

More information on the snowy plover, including detailed maps of nesting sites, can be found on the Oregon State Parks website (oregon.gov/plovers) and on the Siuslaw National Forest website (https://t.ly/AKPAN). Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand.

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.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is looking for its newest crew member!

MUSEUM EDUCATOR — Full Time, Salary Position reporting to Director of Education

Full job description and employment application are available on our website – https://www.crmm.org/join-our-crew.html

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to Honor Fallen Officers

The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The names of three fallen officers were added to the memorial last month as an honor guard stood watch: Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson of the Portland Police Bureau, end of watch May 12, 1917; Policeman George M. Lowe of the Ashland Police Department, end of watch March 3, 1919; and Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider of the Silverton Police Department, end of watch May 29, 1965.

Patrolman Laugeson, Policeman Lowe, Asssistant Chief Bethscheider, and 196 previously fallen officers will be honored during the ceremony at the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Highway SE in Salem.

The ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is proud to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon’s various statewide law enforcement associations.

### About DPSST – The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals.

DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.  DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the 237-acre Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx.

The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now 5 days away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.

Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.

If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.

In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.

The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.

New report: High costs, low pay from insurers, and onerous regulation push Oregon hospitals to the brink

A new Hospital Association of Oregon report shows that hospitals are financially unstable, threatening the future of patient care in Oregon communities. Almost half of the state’s hospitals operated at a loss in 2024, and others barely broke even.

“Oregon’s hospitals are on the brink,” said Becky Hultberg, Hospital Association of Oregon president and CEO. “They face a perfect storm of soaring expenses, complex and costly regulations, and payments that don’t cover the cost of care. And federal Medicaid changes contemplated by Congress could tip some hospitals over the edge.”

The report highlights that while hospitals across the country were challenged during the pandemic and are now stabilizing, Oregon hospitals remain on unstable footing.

“It’s becoming clear that Oregon hospitals operate in one of the most challenging environments in the country, shaped by a tough regulatory landscape and payments that don’t come close to covering the double-digit increases we’ve seen in expenses from salaries and benefits,” she said. “Patients are struggling to find doctors, wait times to see a doctor are long, and emergency departments are overcrowded. This is a result of the policy choices the state has made and insufficient payment from insurers.”

In this challenging environment, Oregon hospitals have been pushed to make difficult decisions including cutting more than 800 jobs, seeking partnerships to shore up operations, reducing or divesting from services, and fundraising to replace broken or outdated equipment. This is a trend that is likely to continue without shifts in health policy and increasing payments to hospitals to cover the cost of providing care.

Medicaid—the state’s largest insurer—is contributing to hospitals’ financial distress. The state only pays hospitals 56 cents on the dollar for caring for Medicaid patients. Additionally, hospitals are subject to onerous state rules and regulations that demand resources for compliance, reduce revenue, and increase operating expenses for hospitals.

Hospitals’ financial instability not only jeopardizes access to care but also threatens the economic stability of communities statewide. Oregon’s 61 hospitals serve as a crucial economic engine, generating $32.4 billion in economic impact and supporting 160,000 jobs—including 70,000 direct hospital employees.

“In this pivotal moment for hospitals, policymakers and community leaders cannot afford to ignore what’s happening in Oregon,” Hultberg said. “The choices the state makes are forcing the trade-off of services that our families, friends, and neighbors depend on.”

Read more about the state of Oregon’s hospitals in the Hospital Association of Oregon’s new report: Oregon Hospitals on the Brink.

Media availability:

• Hospital Association of Oregon President and CEO Becky Hultberg will be available to speak to the media between 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1
• PNGs of graphics from the report are also available upon request

About the Hospital Association of Oregon

Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon Association (HAO) is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 hospitals. Together, hospitals are the sixth largest private employer statewide, employing 70,000 employees. Committed to fostering a stronger, safer, more equitable Oregon where all people have access to the high-quality care they need, the hospital association supports Oregon’s hospitals so they can support their communities; educates government officials and the public on the state’s health landscape and works collaboratively with policymakers, community based organizations and the health care community to build consensus on and advance health care policy benefiting the state’s four million residents.

Oregon Declares May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week in Recognition of the 45th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helens Eruption

SALEM, Ore. – On May 18, 1980, the ground shook, the sky turned black, and Mount St. Helens exploded in what remains the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Fifty-seven lives were lost, thousands of animals perished, entire forests were flattened, and over 200 homes were destroyed. The eruption caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. The eruption reshaped landscapes sparked years of scientific study and reinforced the importance of disaster readiness.  

Now, 45 years later, Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek is commemorating this significant event by proclaiming May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week — a time not only for remembrance, but for readiness.  

Led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), the proclamation seeks to educate residents and visitors about volcanic hazards and preparedness efforts across the state and serves as a crucial reminder: the Pacific Northwest is still very much an active volcanic zone. 

“Oregon is home to several active volcanoes, and awareness is key to protecting communities and ensuring public safety,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “Volcano Awareness Week serves as an opportunity to learn about preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies while recognizing the ongoing monitoring efforts that keep people informed.” 

Living in a Land of Fire: Understanding Oregon’s Volcanic Risks 

The Cascade Range — the snow-capped mountains many Oregonians and Washingtonians know and love — is part of a 1,300 km (800 mile) chain of volcanoes stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. These dramatic peaks, formed by the slow collision and subduction of tectonic plates, include some of the most well-known and still-active volcanoes in the country. 

In Oregon alone, we have five potentially active volcanoes: 

• Mount Hood
• Mount Jefferson
• Newberry Volcano
• Three Sisters
• Crater Lake (Mount Mazama)

They are among the ten active Cascade volcanoes monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcano Early Warning System — a program designed to detect and alert officials to signs of volcanic unrest before an eruption occurs.   

DOGAMI, in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, plays a critical role in providing scientific data to support disaster preparedness. “Oregon’s rocks record a long-lived legacy of volcanism. Volcanoes offer stunning beauty, but also present potential risks to nearby communities”, said DOGAMI Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason McClaughry. “Creating detailed geologic and hazard maps combined with data from modern monitoring tools allows both DOGAMI and CVO to understand the volcanic history of Oregon and to help communities prepare for future volcanic hazards.” 

Why Volcano Awareness Week Matters 

This week is a joint effort between the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and partners like the USGS and the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Together, they’re working to raise public awareness about volcanic hazards — and more importantly, how Oregonians can prepare for them. 

OEM and DOGAMI, in collaboration with local governments and scientific organizations, will conduct public outreach efforts, social media campaigns, and educational initiatives throughout the week, including: 

• Understanding volcanic hazards such as ashfall, landslides, lahars, and pyroclastic flows.
• Reviewing evacuation routes and emergency response plans (visit TripCheck.com)
• Monitoring volcanic activity through USGS alerts and OR-Alerts.
• Preparing emergency kits with food, water, respiratory protection, and communication devices. 

Upcoming Anniversary Related events: 

• Wednesday, May 7 | 6:30 p.m.
  45th Eruptiversary Views & Brews: Voices of the Volcano (In-Person AND Virtual)
• Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Cascades Volcano Observatory Open House 
• Thursday May 15 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session with experts from USGS and the states of Oregon and Washington
• Sunday, May 18 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
  45th Anniversary Event with USFS at the Coldwater Science and Learning Center 
• Saturday, May 24 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  OPB Event at OMSI – Sharing of OPB Field Guide episode and panel discussion 
• The official web cam for Mount. St. Helens is also back online, with its power restored for the first time in a nearly two years. 
• See more historic photos of the eruption on the US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s Flcker page.

Even though volcanic eruptions are rare, their impacts can be swift and widespread. Awareness and preparedness can mean the difference between chaos and calm in the face of an eruption.

“Preparedness saves lives,” McMahon added. “By learning about volcanic hazards and response measures, Oregonians can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities.” 

Be 2 Weeks Ready 

Emergency preparedness starts at home. OEM encourages all residents to Be2WeeksReady — a campaign that promotes having enough supplies, water, food, and critical items to survive on your own for two weeks after a disaster. This is especially important during volcanic events, when roads may be impassable and air quality may be hazardous. 

Here are some key preparedness tips for volcanic hazards: 

• Know your local hazards. If you live near any of Oregon’s volcanoes, understand what type of hazards might affect your area. DOGAMI and OEM offer resources and maps to help you assess risk.
• Stay informed. Sign up for USGS volcano notifications sign-up for OR-Alerts, and make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone.
• Follow evacuation levels. Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system:
  • Level 1: Be Ready – Stay aware and prepare to leave.
  • Level 2: Be Set – Be packed and ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
  • Level 3: Go Now! – Leave immediately for your safety.
• Make a plan. Know your evacuation routes and how you’ll communicate with loved ones if you become separated. Learn more with OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit.
• Help others. Check on neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance. 

​For more details on how to prepare for volcanic hazards, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards page. Residents are encouraged to follow OEM and DOGAMIonline for up-to-date information, safety resources, and emergency alerts. 

Explore More: 

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program
• National Volcano Early Warning System
• DOGAMI – Oregon Geologic Hazard Resources
• OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit
• Make Preparedness Fun: Engaging Kids in Emergency Readiness
• Making Preparedness Fun: Explaining Volcano Evacuations to Kids
• Kids Volcano Activity Guide
• Social Media Toolkit 
• US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s historic photos 

# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licInfo@oem.oregon.gov” target=”_blank” title=”Email OEM Public Affairs”>OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711. 

Drought, beetles, and tree diseases continue to threaten Oregon’s forests according to latest aerial survey

– A new report on the state of health of Oregon’s forests is now available. Based on an extensive aerial survey of Oregon’s forests completed last year by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service, the report shows that drought, insect pests, and tree diseases continue to be the biggest threats to the state’s trees. 

The full report is available at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits/documents/forest-health-highlights.pdf

“A large part of this report is devoted to looking at the impact from climate change, specifically drought. Drought is often paired with rising temperatures, and together these are often the underlying causes for tree mortality across our landscape. Drought reduces tree growth and increases susceptibility to insect pests and some diseases, which healthy trees may otherwise resist or tolerate,” said ODF Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl, who helped produce the report.

Buhl said the report also measures other causes of trees being injured or killed, such as insect pests, diseases, storms, and wildfires.

Last year a record 1.9 million acres were affected by wildfire. However, some of those acres contained sections that were not damaged, not all of the burned areas were forested, and not all forests burned with the same intensity.  Some areas that experienced low-intensity wildfires, in many places because of fuel-reduction work, may see a majority of their larger-diameter trees survive.

Areas hardest hit by drought, such as the eastern foothills of the Cascades and some parts of northeastern Oregon, saw the largest amount of non-wildfire tree damage—some 2.26 million acres. Within those 2.26 million acres is a mosaic of unaffected and current-year affected acres of forest. In 2024, 580,000 affected acres of damage from these agents were recorded. Damage consisted of 496,000 affected acres of tree injury, most of which (463,000 acres) was caused by Swiss needle cast, a foliar disease from which trees may recover. But 84,000 acres showed tree deaths. 

“We may be under-reporting the impact of many tree-killing diseases, because the signs can often be missed from the air. For example, root diseases require ground-based assessment, such as excavating roots, to verify the presence of disease.  This is labor intensive so is not done routinely across all forestlands,” said Buhl.

Buhl emphasized the importance of on-the-ground collaborators to help round out the full picture of forest health in Oregon. “In addition to information ODF and the USDA Forest Service gather, we rely on Oregon State University Forestry Extension staff from across the state, and collaborate with other natural resource agencies, universities, public and private forest landowners, and members of the public to gather information,” she said.

In the aerial survey, trained observers fly over all forested lands in the Pacific Northwest in fixed-wing aircraft and record damage to trees from all sources. Flights are staffed with one observer on each side of the aircraft. Survey flights typically fly between 1,500 to 2,500 feet above ground level, following a systematic grid four miles apart and traveling at 90 to 140 miles an hour.

The Pacific Northwest Aerial Detection Survey is the longest continuous survey of its kind in the United States, having been established in 1947 and flown every year since, except 2020 when it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Tina Kotek has announced a $10 million investment aimed at developing the artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, in conjunction with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Oregon and chipmaker, NVIDIA.

This initiative seeks to enhance AI education and skill development. The announcement was made during her speech at the Northwest Breakfast Forum, organized by SEMI, an association representing the semiconductor, electronics design, and manufacturing supply chain sectors.

The MOU creates a partnership framework for Oregon and NVIDIA to promote entrepreneurship and expand AI-centric education and skill development, preparing Oregonians for future opportunities while assisting state agencies in identifying responsible AI applications to enhance government services. As part of this collaboration, NVIDIA will partner with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Oregon’s higher education institutions to establish an AI Ambassador Program, which will deploy trained ambassadors across campuses to offer practical training and mentorship to students. This initiative will be guided by a steering committee comprising representatives from both the state and industry.

In addition to the MOU, the Governor is allocating $10 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act funding to the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund, aimed at cultivating a strong technology workforce in Oregon. This investment will support workforce development initiatives related to the semiconductor and AI industries, with an emphasis on training Oregonians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, for lucrative career opportunities.

The 80th anniversary commemorating the tragic event in which a pregnant woman and five young children from Bly lost their lives due to a Japanese balloon bomb will be observed through a series of events.

This incident marks the only fatalities on the continental United States during World War II, occurring when the group was picnicking near Gearhart Mountain, approximately 13 miles from Bly, and accidentally triggered the bomb.

K.C. Winters, the author of “One Balloon: Silent Attack on the American Homeland,” will present about her family and her book at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at the Klamath County Museum. The next day, May 3, at 1 p.m., Winters will further discuss her book at the Oberchain Community Center in Bly, with the program being facilitated by David Prantner from the Standing Stone Church.

On Monday, May 5, the actual anniversary of the incident, a memorial program will take place at the Mitchell Monument, located 13 miles from Bly, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

This event, organized by the Fremont-Winema National Forest’s Bly Ranger District, aims to remember and pay tribute to the six individuals who perished due to the bomb, with Winters expected to be in attendance.

Oregon hits recycling milestone: 10 million gallons of paint

Oregonians have recycled more than 10 million gallons of leftover paint through the nonprofit PaintCare.

The PaintCare program allows people to recycle paint for free, by dropping off leftover cans at sites across the state, mostly in paint and hardware stores.

Lauren Scher, Oregon and Washington Program Manager for PaintCare, which was established by paint manufacturers, said the first step is to always consider if paint can be reused. If not, recycling is the next best choice.

“Taking all that paint and making it into a new product, which then could be sold at a price point that is available to everybody,” Scher explained. “What we can’t recycle, we’ll make sure that it’s properly disposed of.”

Last year alone, Oregonians recycled nearly 650,000 gallons of paint, keeping it out of the waste stream and giving it a second life through recycling and reuse.

PaintCare has recycled almost 78 million gallons of paint through 11 programs nationwide since it launched in 2012. Scher noted PaintCare’s drop off sites are placed strategically throughout the state, with almost all Oregon residents living within 15 miles of one.

“By setting up more than 200 drop-off sites throughout the state, PaintCare made it easily accessible to all Oregonians,” Scher added.

To find the drop-off site nearby, visit PaintCare.org. Each site accepts up to five gallons, and some will take more. The program also offers free pick-up for businesses with 100 gallons or more of extra paint. (SOURCE)

Another Missing Woman in Oregon Who’s Car Has Been Found But She is Still Missing

Search and rescue teams are looking for a 29-year-old Klamath Falls woman reported missing out of Harney County last week. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office says Kaylee Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

Reports indicate Kaylee was on a trip from Klamath Falls headed to Iowa, driving a golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon whale license plate #GW21073.

According to an update from the sheriff’s office, her car was found in a remote part of Harney County on Sunday, but she has not yet been located.

Search efforts are resuming Monday morning with the assistance of Lake County Search & Rescue, local ranchers on horseback, side-by-sides and four wheelers, as well as Oregon State Police and Grant County Search & Rescue with K-9s.  

Kaylee is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has green and brown glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve green shirt and white sweatpants with a Christmas tree design on them. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and another one on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 Bible verse.

Anyone who has seen Kaylee or knows where she might be is asked to call 911 or contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office at 541-573-6156.

There are a string of these cases in Oregon where the missing women’s vehicles are found, but they are still missing to this day.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Trails Coalition will host eight virtual focus groups in May to better understand the needs of different types of trail users who use land and water trails throughout Oregon and not just at Oregon State Parks.

OPRD launched an online survey this month to collect feedback through April 30. The focus groups expand that effort and take a deeper dive into the needs of different trail users including mountain bikers, paddlers, hikers and adaptive equipment users.

The information from the survey and focus groups will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance to OPRD as well as other federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners. It outlines trends and issues, creates priorities for grant funding and recommends actions to improve trails over the next 10 years.  

Participants can join the 90-minute Zoom sessions to provide feedback. Anyone interested in joining, can register in advance using the links below:

• May 5: OHV / ATV Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 7: BIPOC Nature Network Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 8: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• May 14: Adaptive Equipment Users and Disability Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 15: Winter/Snow Trail Focus Group (Non-motorized and motorized) Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 27: Hiking, Trail Running, Backpacking, Equestrian User Focus Group 4:30- 6 p.m.
• May 29: Paddling (Flat water and Whitewater) Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• Agency Partners Trails Plan Focus Group Meeting TBD.

Check the website for more information including updates such as the time and link for the agency partners trails plan focus group: https://www.oregontrailscoalition.org/post/oregon-state-trails-plan-share-your-trail-user-experience-in-focus-groups-this-may

A state-funded matched savings program has helped low-income Oregonians for more than 25 years and backers said it needs more funding to continue.

Participants in the Oregon Individual Development Account Initiative save money toward specific goals like buying a home or vehicle, or going to college, while working with local nonprofits. Once they reach their savings goal, the state matches it at a 5-1 ratio, helping build long-term financial stability.

Abi Brambila, a first-generation college graduate and small business owner, credits the program for the financial support to make college possible, and its budgeting classes for giving her confidence.

“These skills are going to take you further than any amount of money,” Brambila pointed out. “For me, it really has been life-changing, and I do believe that other people deserve to get into a program like this.”

Despite rising costs for goals like education and homeownership, program funding has remained flat for 15 years. Advocates are asking the legislature to update the funding to reflect inflation.

Cameron Herrington, director of policy and advocacy for the nonprofit Neighborhood Partnerships, which helps distribute the funds, said lawmakers have two options to shore up the program’s funding: raise the cap on its main tax credit or dedicate some lottery revenue.

Herrington noted the program has helped more than 19,000 low-income Oregonians since it started, but cannot continue at its current pace without more support. He added both bills have bipartisan backing statewide.

“It’s a matter of the budget writers at the legislature stepping up to the plate now and fixing the funding,” Herrington emphasized. “It’s overdue but we’ve set it up for them to make an easy decision to keep this program strong for the future.”

Both bills to increase funding are in committee. Backers of the initiative said it helps bridge the growing income gap in the state, as well as the racial wealth gap. Data show the top 1% of earners in the state have more income than the bottom 50% of Oregonians combined. (SOURCE)

The Oregon House has unanimously approved legislation aimed at enhancing confidentiality protections for mental health services.

Proponents argue that the inclusion of peer support services will benefit firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and 9-1-1 dispatchers in need of trauma assistance.

This bill has garnered support from various first responder organizations, such as the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and the Association of Chiefs of Police, and is now set to be reviewed by the Senate.

Deliberately using a drone to obstruct first responders would constitute a Class C felony, according to legislation approved by the Oregon House.

Conversely, unintentional disruption of police, firefighting, or search and rescue efforts would be classified as a Class B Misdemeanor. The bill received unanimous approval from Oregon’s House and has been forwarded to the state Senate.

Next year, the average inflation-adjusted student tuition cost for Oregon residents attending the state’s seven public universities is projected to be nearly 30% higher than it was ten years ago, due to proposed or approved increases by each university board for the upcoming academic year.

The seven public universities in Oregon—Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, and Western Oregon University—are all expected to implement tuition hikes ranging from 3% to 5% for the 2025-26 academic year.

This follows a trend of annual tuition increases at each institution over the past decade. Any tuition hikes exceeding 5%, including mandatory fees such as student health fees, necessitate approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Ben Cannon, the commission’s executive director, indicated via email that the commission does not anticipate any tuition increase proposals surpassing 5%, based on the information received from the universities.

The tuition increases are attributed to rising labor costs and inflation affecting various expenses, including teaching materials, utility costs, and insurance, as stated by university representatives. Cannon further noted that inadequate levels of state funding are also contributing to the rising costs of enrollment.

OHA to issue algae warnings when dog deaths reported  

As summer approaches, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to enjoy the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the look-out for potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.  

To help, OHA is adding a tool reporting the possible presence of cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes and rivers statewide. Starting immediately, OHA will issue pre-emptive public warnings following reports of dog illnesses or deaths possibly resulting from cyanotoxin exposure.  

OHA advises recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms in the water and in mats attached to the ground or rocks. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.  

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab. 

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.

The tenth anniversary season of ‘In a Landscape, Classical Music in the Wild’ commences in May and continues until September.

This season will feature 50 concerts showcasing classical music at two locations in Lake County: Summer Lake and Fort Rock, as well as the Alvord Desert. The Summer Lake concert is titled ‘Dark Sky Concert,’ as Summer Lake is recognized as an Oregon Dark Sky Park.

The performance at Fort Rock State Park is scheduled for September 13, followed by the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert on September 14.

Additionally, a performance near Jacksonville at Applegate Lake will take place on May 30, and another at the Alvord Desert on June 21.

The Fort Rock concert will start at 4 p.m. and conclude around 5:30 p.m., while the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert will begin at 9 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours due to the Dark Sky designation.

Tickets for individual concerts are priced at $50, or $135 for both performances, which includes two nights of camping at Summer Lake Hot Springs, with the camping fee charged per person. ‘Good neighbor’ tickets are also available for residents of Lake County.

Pianist Hunter Noack is curating a new program for this tour, which will encompass 50 concerts across six Western states: Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

The performances will take place at 10 new venues, including the recently reopened Kah-Nee-Ta in central Oregon. Noack will perform on a 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to sit near the stage, and wireless headphones will allow them to explore the surroundings while enjoying the music, creating a unique experience in the wild, particularly at Fort Rock, the Alvord Desert, and Summer Lake Hot Springs.

The series will kick off on May 10 in Goldendale, Washington, at the Maryhill Museum of Art. Tickets for the public can be purchased through the In A Landscape website at https://inalandscape.org.

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