Oregon Beach News, Friday 7/12 – Construction is Underway at Oregon State University Wave Energy Test Site, Lincoln County Task Force Helps Fight Larch Creek Fire & 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, July 12, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 15 to 25 kt this morning increasing to 20 to 30 kt with gusts to 35 kt this afternoon. Steep, short period seas 5 to 7 feet this morning increasing to 7 to 9 feet
this afternoon.

* WHERE...Areas north of Cape Blanco.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM PDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels.

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

Construction is Underway at Oregon State University Wave Energy Test Site

Oregon State University PacWave South testing site being built off the coast of Newport is the first pre-permitted, utility-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site in the United States.

Workers will install power and data cables for Oregon State University’s new testing facility in the coming week. This will allow researchers to develop new ways to harness the power of ocean waves and transfer that energy into the local electrical grid.

OSU Professor Burke Hales called the site one more asset in the country’s portfolio of green energy. “We have a carbon problem,” Burke said. “We’re changing the climate, we’re changing the chemistry of the oceans and the only effective way to resolve that problem is to stop producing so much carbon.”

The test facility is located north of Waldport and it will connect to four power and data cables stretching 10 to 13 miles out into the ocean. Once installed, the cables can test up to 20 different wave energy devices at the same time. The test site was placed on a sandy-bottomed stretch of the Pacific Ocean, away from popular commercial and recreational fishing reefs, the university said. All boaters are advised to avoid the area while the construction is in progress.

The Louisiana-based subsea cable services contractor R.T. Casey will start the installation later this month. PacWave Deputy Director Dan Hellin said that the public will likely see three different vessels working about 7 miles off the coast south of Newport as crews spend the next six to seven weeks installing the cables. “We are asking all mariners in the area to maintain a minimum distance of 500 yards from any vessel involved in the cable installation process,” Hellin said. “While these vessels will be moving very slowly, they will be laying cables and have equipment operating on the seafloor, so they will be unable to stop operations or deviate from their planned route.”

Wave energy tests are expected to begin at the facility in 2026. The PacWave South site was funded by more than $100 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Oregon and other public and private entities.

“Wave energy has the potential to provide clean, reliable electricity to help meet the world’s rising energy demands,” OSU stated in a press release. “Oregon State has pursued development of a wave energy test facility for more than a decade to accelerate the development of this industry. There currently is no U.S. facility for developers to measure the electrical and environmental performance of their devices at this scale.” FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/cable-installation-set-begin-osu-led-wave-energy-testing-facility-oregon-coast

Lincoln County Task Force Helps Fight Larch Creek Fire Near Dufur Oregon

In a collaborative effort to combat the rapidly spreading Larch Creek Fire near Dufur in Wasco, Oregon, Lincoln County Fire Agencies, including Central Coast Fire Rescue, Depoe Bay Fire District, City of Newport Fire Department, North Lincoln Fire Rescue, and Siletz Valley Fire District have mobilized a task force led by Polk County Fire District #1’s Task Force Leader Austin Champ.

Designated Task Force #14, our team deployed to the fire at approximately noon today and is now on scene, actively engaging in the firefight on the night rotation. Task Force #14 is comprised of two brush engines, two brush patrols, a water tender, and a task force leader.

Central Coast Fire Rescue:              B72                 (Type VI Engine)

Depoe Bay Fire District:                  BE21               (Type III Engine)

Newport Fire Department:              B31                 (Type VI Engine)

North Lincoln Fire Rescue:             BE12               (Type III Engine)

Siletz Valley Fire District:               WT52             (Type I Water Tender)

Siletz Valley Fire District:               Trailer 51       (Conflagration Support Trailer)

Polk Co. Fire District #1:                 S464                (Task Force Leader)

The Larch Creek Fire has consumed an estimated 9,100 acres of wheat and grass fields in Wasco County. With 0% containment, the fire poses a significant challenge to the region, and our firefighters, along with our firefighting partners across Oregon, are committed to providing apparatus, personnel, and equipment to support the firefighting efforts in order to bring the fire under control.

•••Lifetime Coos County Sheriff’s Office Posse Member Richard (Dick) Swartling passes away•••

Richard Swartling, or “Dick,” if you have ever met him, was an amazing Man, Father, Husband, Marine, Lifetime Sheriff’s Office Posse Member, and so much more. I have only had the privilege to have known Dick for the past twenty years. At that time, I met a man who would give every penny he owned and every piece of clothes in his closet to anyone in need, not to mention lend his tractor to a neighbor (me).

Dick has been a Coos County Sheriff’s Posse Member for several decades. During that time, he served in several board positions and served as Posse Capt. Dick has been awarded numerous awards most recently a few years ago as the prestigious “Posse Person of the Year.” (I know I am missing several accolades)

Dick began the Horse Rescue Fund at the Sheriff’s Office Posse, which has been instrumental in the care of seized horses pending criminal prosecution. Any time work needed to be done on Posse grounds or if anyone needed a helping hand, Dick arrived on his tractor with shovels, a weed eater, and rakes in tow. Dick would regularly donate major prizes like buckles and saddles for the local youth to win at horse shows around the county.

Dick supported more young kids who had a love for horses than I can count. No money for a horse, no problem, no place to ride the horse, no problem. Dick was always ready to help the next generation onto a horse.

Sadly Dick passed away this last week, but we are so blessed as a community that we got to have him for so long. If you knew Dick or were touched by him during his time on earth, make him proud and give that gift of love, joy, and happiness to others, as that would be a great way to remember his legacy. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=792038499753272&set=a.169225488701246

Fatal Crash – HWY 101- Coos County

Coos County, Ore. 9 July 24– On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 12:27 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-101, near milepost 243, in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated southbound Honda HRV, operated by Richard Swartling (85) of Coos Bay, attempted to turn left onto Coos-Sumner Lane when it was struck by a northbound Range Rover Evoque, operated by Icel Marie Bair (45) of Nampa (ID), in a side impact collision.

The operator of the Honda (Swartling) was transported to an area hospital where they were later declared deceased. The operator of the Range Rover (Bair) was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. The suspected cause of the crash is speed and impairment. OSP was assisted by ODOT.

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

USA Today Ranks Seaside and Cannon Beach in the 10 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches Across the United States

The list features beach fronts for pups to frolic in the sand or surf, with some beaches offering amenities such as cleaning stations and water fountains.

Scoring the top spot on the list: Jupiter, Florida. Near Palm Beach, Jupiter earned the number one spot for its “ample outdoor recreation opportunities for both tourists and their pets.”

Earning the second spot on the list, and the highest rank for the west coast: Seaside, Oregon.

“On a rare sunny day on the Oregon coast, Seaside Beach provides ample opportunity for dogs to roam. Visitors can take to the water with their off-leash pups, while the area offers many dog-friendly restaurants for a post-beach meal,” USA Today said.

According to Travel Seaside, all breeds are welcome on the beach leash-free. The city also offers free pet supplies on the Promenade along the beach, with several pet shops nearby.

Travel Seaside also recommends several dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor patio space, including Ruby’s Roadside Grill – which has its own canine menu—Bell Buoy of Seaside, Big Kahuna Pub and Grill, and Seaside Brewery.

Seaside is also home to the Corgi Beach Takeover every June followed by the DachSand meetup in September.

Earning the fifth spot on the list: Cannon Beach.

“While Oregon’s Cannon Beach is best known for its towering rock formations, the area also doubles as a top spot for dog lovers, with canines getting the chance to explore along the shore as long as they’re on-leash or can follow voice control,” USA Today said.

Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce has several recommendations for pet-friendly outdoor dining, including Mo’s Seafood & Chowder, The Bistro, Mi Corazon, and Bill’s Tavern.

In October, Cannon Beach is home to the Dog Show on the Beach, with categories ranging from Most Beautiful, Best Bark, and Longest Tail to Best Trick.

Other top dog-friendly beaches making the list include Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Md., Freeman Park at Carolina Beach, N.C., and Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach, Calif. READ MORE: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-dog-friendly-beach-2024/

CAST for Kids Foundation needs five additional boat captains to take a disabled child and their parents crabbing for a few hours on Sunday, July 28th.

If you and your family would like to volunteer, please register online at castforkids.org/event/yaquinabay

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation (C.A.S.T. = Catch A Special Thrill) is a public charity that was formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish with children who have special needs and disadvantages for a day of fishing in the outdoors. Children with special needs (ages 6-18) and their caretakers come together with community volunteers for a fun day of fishing they may not otherwise experience. These events provide a refreshing break from their daily challenges. Spreading a positive message that kids with disabilities can accomplish anything, we include all children, despite their limitations. This is all made possible through national and local sponsors-people who want to make a big difference in the lives of kids with special needs thus strengthening their community. https://www.facebook.com/castforkidsfoundation

Siuslaw Library Summer Reading Program

City of Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) members, Vicki Philben, Ivy Medow and City Councilor Sally Wantz, as well as Master Recycler, Britte Kirsch, are partnering with Miss Gayle at the Siuslaw Public Library in this year’s Summer Reading Program. 

Using the “Read, Renew, Repeat” curriculum, these volunteers will be hosting 5 interactive events on such topics as bugs & bees, dirt, recycling, worms, and native plants.  Children of all ages are encouraged to attend these and all the other events from June through July.  All programs are free and held at the Florence location’s Bromley Room unless otherwise specified.  For more information, call the Siuslaw Library at 541-999-3132. 

Florence Food Share Empty Bowls 2024 Call for Artists for Poster Art

We are currently making plans for Florence Food Share’s annual Empty Bowls event, which has been a successful fundraiser for 29 years. Local artists contribute handmade ceramic, wood, and fused glass bowls along with other art for sale during the first weekend of December.

For over a decade, we have featured the work of a local artist on the poster advertising the event. The art created for the event serves as the focal point for the poster and is later raffled off at the event to generate extra revenue for the Florence Food Share. In return, the artist receives recognition in local and regional publications and a tax deduction, of course.

We are searching for artwork that conveys the message of the event and the mission of Florence Food Share, which is to provide nutritious food to those in need because “no one should go hungry.” We welcome any medium, as long as it can be photographed, and the original artwork can be donated to the event. We will handle the framing, with input from the artist.

To be considered for creating the poster art for 2024, please send us your concept, including the medium and a description of the proposed image. Additionally, attach a photo of one of your previous works to give us an idea of your style. Please email your submissions to Desiree Clifton at dclifton@windemere.com by August 25, 2024. The
completed, unframed artwork should be submitted no later than September 30, 2024.

We are grateful to all the artists who have participated in Empty Bowls over the years and eagerly anticipate the participation of new artists in this year’s event. For any questions regarding submitting artwork, please reach out via email to dclifton@windemere.com. Florence Food Share Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/florencefood.share/?locale=ro_RO

Beverly Beach State Park Remains Closed Until End of July

Due to delays in construction, Beverly Beach State Park will now be closed through the end of July, according to Oregon Parks & Recreation.

Located just seven miles north of Newport, the popular campground and day-use area has been closed since September 2023. The construction work included moving power lines underground and replacing water lines. The park is now slated to reopen on August 1.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to Host Hiring Event in July

We are looking for individuals with strong character, motivation, and integrity to join our Sheriff’s Office team. With multiple positions open, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a hiring event on Saturday, July 20, 2024. This event is a great opportunity to learn about the rewarding careers our team has to offer. 

Those interested in participating are encouraged to complete an application before the event. To submit an application, visit www.co.lincoln.or.us/748/Join-the-Team. Join us at this hiring event to jumpstart your successful career in Law Enforcement.  

All applicants are invited to meet our team, have lunch, and learn more about our career opportunities. Deputy applicants ages 21 years and older are invited to complete the physical testing requirements during this event. Participants in this event experience a significantly expedited application process. In addition to completing the required physical test for free, participants have the opportunity to meet our team, ask questions, receive more information on perks and benefits, and enjoy free lunch and snacks. All participants need to bring ID and deputy applicants need to bring athletic clothes and shoes.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm 

• Check in anytime between 11:00am and 1:30pm.
• Deputy applicants will complete the physical testing for free (testing takes less than 15 minutes per participant).
• Enjoy lunch and network with our team.
• Ask questions and get a feel of what your future career looks like.

Location: Search and Rescue Building, 830 NE 7th St., Newport

What to Bring:

• Government Issued Identification
• Athletic clothes and shoes if applying for a deputy position
• Interest in joining our team

Registration for this event is encouraged but not required. For questions or to register, contact Jess Palma at 541-265-0652 or jpalma@co.lincoln.or.us

Lincoln County Accepting Grant Funding Applications for Share Of $398,000 in ARPA Funds for Local Water and Sewer Projects

$398,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Ac (ARPA) are set to be distributed to eligible districts in Lincoln County to invest in local water, sewer and drainage projects.

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law in March of 2021 and provided states, cities, and counties with federal money to support pandemic recovery efforts and economic stimulus. One allowed use for ARPA dollars is to support public water, sewer and drainage projects.

Lincoln County is accepting grant funding applications from local water, sewer and drainage districts in unincorporated Lincoln County for water and sewer projects. Eligible projects must meet the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) eligible funding requirements.

Districts must be in good standing with State of Oregon financial reporting requirements and show proof of complying with public meeting law requirements. The county has a total of $398,000 to provide for eligible projects from districts. Applications will be reviewed by a committee selected by Lincoln County to look at the financial stability of the organization, the engineering feasibility of the project, and if the project meets ARPA requirements.

The county is planning to use an open grant process to award the funds. Starting June 10 applications will open, they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to qualifying districts and projects; applications will close once all funds have been allocated.

The county says each eligible district can ask up to $50-thousand total. Projects can be stand-alone projects or a discrete portion of a larger project. Applications will be reviewed by county administrative, legal, and engineering staff to ensure projects meet American Rescue Plan Act, legal and technical requirements. All projects must adhere to federal procurement rules and Davis-Bacon Act requirements.

County officials say they will execute contracts with awarded districts before December 31, 2024. All work on the awarded projects must be completed by subrecipients before December 2026. To apply for the Local Water, Sewer and Drainage Districts’ Grant click here.

OHA 2024 Oregon Beach Monitoring Season

Agency shares list of monitored beaches for May-September

—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is kicking off the 2024 beach monitoring season by announcing the list of coastal recreation areas it will be keeping an eye on for bacteria during summer and early fall.

The 24 beaches on the list that the OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, is publishing includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon. It also includes beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.

The following are Oregon beaches being monitored during 2024, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:

• Seaside Beach – Seaside, Clatsop County
• Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Tolovana Beach State Park– Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park) – Arch Cape, Tillamook County
• Manzanita Beach – Manzanita, Tillamook County
• Rockaway Beach – Rockaway, Tillamook County
• Twin Rocks Beach – Twin Rocks, Tillamook County
• Oceanside Beach – Oceanside, Tillamook County
• Cape Kiwanda Beach – Pacific City, Tillamook County
• Neskowin Beach – Neskowin, Tillamook County
• D River Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Siletz Bay Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Beverly Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Agate Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Nye Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Ona Beach (Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Seal Rock Beach – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Heceta Beach – Florence, Lane County
• Bastendorff Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Sunset Bay State Park Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Hubbard Creek Beach – Port Orford, Curry County
• Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Curry County
• Mill Beach – Brookings, Curry County
• Crissey Fields State Recreation Site – Brookings, Curry County

Beach monitoring season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within this sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the next beach monitoring season.

OBMP works with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include: pollution hazards present; previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns; type and amount of beach use; and public input.

As part of an adaptive sampling plan, beaches and sampling locations are routinely re-evaluated to ensure available resources best protect public health. A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact OBMP at each.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0400.

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

The Forest Service says since June, 100 wildfires in Oregon and Washington were caused by people, Though most of the time crews were “largely successful” in putting them out, officials are urging the public to help reduce the amount of preventable fires firefighters have to deal with.

The U.S. Forest Service says a surge of human-caused wildfires is stretching resources thin as extreme heat, dry conditions and lightning in the forecast increases the chances of wildfires.

Oregon State Fire Marshal sends two task forces to Cow Valley Fire

A fast-moving wildfire Thursday evening in Malheur County prompted the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize two structural task forces to the Cow Valley Fire burning near the town of Brogan. The task forces from Umatilla and Multnomah counties are being sent through Immediate Response, a tool the state fire marshal uses to mobilize task forces outside of a conflagration.

“The east side of the state has faced challenging fire conditions over the last week. The Cow Valley Fire is being pushed by gusty winds and low humidity,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We are using an essential tool and the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to provide added resources to the Cow Valley Fire. Firefighters funded through the 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant allowed a quicker response for the local agencies.”

The fire is rapidly changing and estimated to be about 16,000 acres according to the Vale Bureau of Land Management District and threatening 30 to 50 homes.

According to the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, the Cow Valley Fire changed direction early Thursday evening and headed east toward the town quickly. The sheriff’s office is advising those in Brogan and the surrounding areas to be prepared to leave their home if an evacuation order is made. Follow the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office for information about evacuations.

The Oregon Department of Transportation closed a stretch of Highway 26 in the area of the fire. The agency says the highway is expected to remain closed through the night.

The Umatilla County task force is made up of local fire agencies from Umatilla, Baker, Gilliam, Morrow, and Union counties.

The task force from Multnomah County was previously assigned to the Larch Creek Fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshal will continue to monitor the fire and is ready to provide more support if needed.

About Immediate Response
Immediate Response is made possible through the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon program created through Oregon’s wildfire omnibus bill, Senate Bill 762, signed into law in 2021.

FEMA approves federal funding for Larch Creek Fire as wildfire continues to grow

“We’re entering a very dangerous time period in the Pacific Northwest wildfire season,” said Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations Ed Hiatt in a statement. “Mother Nature turned on the oven for a week in local forests and now we’re preparing for the potential of dry lightning and gusty winds across much of eastern Oregon.”

Deteriorating conditions, the possibility of lighting sparks igniting flames, and fires spreading more rapidly and intensely all mean firefighters don’t want to stretch thin their supply of needed engines, dozers, helicopters and other resources to respond to wildfires that are entirely preventable, officials said.

“It’s as dry as I’ve ever seen it,” Hiatt said. “From the Canadian border to southeast Oregon, multiple areas have broken daily records for forecasted fire intensity. Bottom line? If it starts, it’s going to burn hot and it’s going to burn fast.”

This weekend, the Forest Service said they will be sending fire managers to the area of Oregon whose boundaries include Klamath Falls, Bend and La Grande in anticipation of “dangerous dry lightning storms” arriving Saturday and lasting until Monday, officials said.

Amid these conditions, 13 regional national forests have implemented campfire restrictions to slow or stop the proliferation of preventable, human-caused fires.

Better weather helps progress on Larch Creek Fire, ODF Incident Management Team 2 will transition into unified command with OSFM Green Team

Dufur, Ore. – Throughout the evening winds subsided and the Larch Creek Fire growth slowed. Dozers working through the night made good progress putting in control line and engines patrolled near homes in the fire area.

Today structure task forces will continue to mop up and secure around homes in the fire area. Firefighters will be putting in hose lays and working with engines and water tenders to strengthen control lines. Dozers and crews will work on establishing line around the fire footprint on the east side of Highway 197. Air resources continue to be available and will engage as needed throughout the day.

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 2 will shadow the Central Oregon IMT today. This evening at 6 p.m. ODF Team 2 and OSFM Green Team will officially transition into unified command. A huge Thank You to the Central Oregon Type 3 Interagency IMT for their coordination and efforts on this quickly emerging incident.

The weather will moderate today with temperatures in the low 90’s with afternoon winds that should moderate into the evening. The next few days should see temperatures continuing to decrease and less substantial winds in the fire area, a very welcome forecast for firefighters. Yesterday there was one firefighter with heat related injuries who was transported to a local hospital.

Stay informed on updated evacuation alerts here:

https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff?ref=embed_page

A Red Cross shelter is open at Maupin High School for all community members effected by the current evacuations.

Sherman County Fairgrounds is open for evacuation of livestock and pets. Hood River Fairgrounds is also open to displaced animals. Hwy 197 is being closely monitored and may be closed or have traffic control, check Trip Check for updates. Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck – Oregon Traveler Information

Be aware of the extreme fire danger we are currently experiencing! Know Before You Go and check for Fire Restrictions in your area.

14 Deaths in Oregon Linked to Heat Wave

Since a wave of excessive heat began late last week, 14 people in Oregon have died from suspected heat-related causes.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office announced Thursday morning that four more deaths were reported on Wednesday.

Suspected heat-related deaths have now been reported in Coos, Jackson, Klamath, Linn, Multnomah, and Washington counties since last Friday.

One person, a 33-year-old man from Clackamas County, died after being taken to a Portland hospital.

The names of the 14 people have not been released. The medical examiner said the designation of these deaths is preliminary.

The actual cause of death in each case may take months to determine, the examiner’s office said, and may be unrelated to hyperthermia. Here is a table of the reported deaths:

Copyright 2024 Oregon Public Broadcasting

Hundreds of Crisis Calls in Oregon Go Unanswered

Almost a quarter of Oregon calls to the mental health crisis hotline have gone unanswered so far this year.

Why it matters: The revamped national suicide hotline, which launched in 2022 as 988, promised a quicker, more seamless crisis response in Oregon and across the country but remains a work in progress two years later.

By the numbers: Roughly 79% of the 5,500 Oregonians who called the 988 hotline in May were connected with an in-state counselor, according to data from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

• Oregon’s year-to-date answer rate for 2024 is 76%. It’s a lower rate than most of the country, and even lower than the state’s previous records.
• In 2023 it was 85%.

The intrigue: While Oregon’s answer rate has fallen, the number of 988 calls increased nearly 21% locally between May 2023 and May 2024.

What they’re saying: Call volumes have “been rising more quickly than new staff can be hired and trained,” Dean Carson, a spokesperson for Oregon Health Authority, which oversees the state’s 988 system, told Axios.

• Oregon has two 988 call centers, Lines for Life and Northwest Human Services, with the latter only handling calls for Marion and Polk counties in the Salem area.

Zoom in: Lines for Life has answered “1,000 more contacts than this time last year,” Carson said, while Northwest Human Services has received 250 more calls per month — a sign more Oregonians may be becoming aware of the new hotline.

• The number of texts to Oregon 988 is also up — about 2,000 each month — which “means more young people are comfortable with just sending a text to get that emotional support,” he said.

The big picture: Oregon is one of few states that have made long-term funding commitments to sustain the program. The Legislature approved a 40-cent monthly tax on all phone bills to help expand 988 last year and started collecting the tax in January.

• Right now, 988 pulls from the state’s general fund for funding. The phone bill fee, however, could offset $26 million of the program’s costs by 2025, Carson said.

Between the lines: If you call from a 503 or 971 cellphone, your call will go to Oregon-based crisis counselors. If you have an out-of-state area code, your call will go to that area code — a challenge the FCC is working with telecom providers to fix via geo-routing.

• When local counselors don’t answer in Oregon, calls are routed to national crisis center experts who may not be familiar with local resources and treatment options.

What’s next: Carson said OHA will determine whether additional call centers will be added in the coming years based on need. (SOURCE)

Oregon Country Fair Kicks Off Today!

Immersive Fun for All Ages & Abilities

Oregon Country Fair is a wonderland of free expression and imagination for all to enjoy! From puppets to aerial acts to forested nooks for quiet contemplation, the Fair has a place for you.

We also want to mention: White Bird Clinic’s Cleveland Chicken at booth 916 is a fundraiser for the White Bird Clinic here in Eugene. All proceeds go to direct client services like cold weather gear and denture replacement.

Come see us for grilled chicken, corn, water melon and our lovely water melon & lime cooler or come say hello and learn about the services White Bird provides to our community

Tickets for the fair are still available https://aftontickets.com/ocf2024 The weather has cooled a bit so this will be fantastic weekend to visit this iconic Oregon event! http://www.oregoncountryfair.org —- FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064603245756

Oregon among 27 states with illnesses linked to mushroom-derived candies

Prophet Premium Blends in California recalling Diamond Shruumz products

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon is one of 27 states with cases of a severe acute illness associated with a brand of candies that contain a potentially harmful chemical found in mushrooms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified epidemiologists at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division July 5 that Oregon is now part of a nationwide FDA outbreak investigation involving products manufactured by Prophet Premium Blends of Santa Ana, Calif.

The company has issued a recall of chocolate bars, cones and gummies sold under the brand Diamond Shruumz, including “Micro- and Mega/Extreme-Dose” versions of the products. According to the FDA, the products contain muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita, and which could cause symptoms consistent with those observed in persons who became ill after eating Diamond Shruumz products. These products are not regulated for consumer safety.

Reported symptoms that may be related to the recalled products have included those linked to seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rates, and hyper/hypotension.

Oregon has one case. The individual has recovered from the illness. CDC reports there now are 58 cases across the country, with 30 hospitalizations. One death also is being investigated.

The FDA says Diamond Shruumz-brand products should no longer be available for sale. The products were previously available online and in person at a variety of retail locations nationwide, including smoke/vape shops. They also were available at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC).

OHA and FDA are making the following recommendations:

• Consumers should not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.
• Consumers should check their homes and discard these products, or return them to the company for a refund.
• These products may appeal to children and teenagers. Parents and caregivers should consider discussing the information in this advisory with their children and take extra care to prevent children from eating them.
• Retailers should not sell or distribute any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies, and should hold the product in a secure location and contact Diamond Shruumz to initiate the return and refund.
• Those who become ill after consuming these products should contact their health care provider and/or call the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Let Poison Center staff know you have recently consumed the Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, and/or gummies.
• Health care providers should report these illnesses to the Oregon Poison Center.

For more information:

• CDC investigation page, https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-studies/outbreak-investigation-diamond-shruumz-products/index.html#cdc_generic_section_1-outbreak-investigation-summary
• FDA investigation page, https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024
• FDA product recall page, https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk

Oregon’s Labor Force: What Slower Population Growth 
and Increasing Retirements Mean for the Workforce

The youngest members of the large Baby Boom Generation, born between 1946 and 1964, turn 60 years old in 2024. Workers in this age group have been, and are expected to continue, shifting into retirement and taking their skills and experience with them.

• In 1990, one out of 10 Oregon job holders was age 55 or older. By 2022, that share grew to 24%.
• In 2023, the number of Oregonians not in the labor force due to retirement reached 786,000, an all-time high. Over the past decade, the number of Oregonians not in the labor force due to retirement grew by 160,000 or 26%.

The workforce is aging nationally as well, but Oregon has been at a workforce advantage in boosting its labor force. Decades of population growth – driven primarily by net in-migration – has helped fuel labor force growth, even as the workforce has aged and overall labor force participation rates have generally declined.

• Oregon’s population grew by 40% between 1993 and 2023, compared with 30% for the U.S.
• Oregon’s natural increase in population turned negative in 2021 and 2022, with fewer births than deaths, as the COVID-19 pandemic met the long-term trends of an aging population and lower birth rates.
• In 2021, for the first time in almost four decades, population estimates showed negative net migration, and an overall decline in Oregon’s population.

The declines in natural increase, net migration, and population have contributed to slower labor force growth. Slower gains may be somewhat offset by greater labor force participation among the existing population.

• Oregon’s labor force participation rate was 62.4% in 2023, the highest in a decade. That’s still well below the peak of 68.9% in 1998.

During periods like the past couple of years, where low unemployment and relatively large numbers of job openings are paired with slow labor force growth, that creates a tighter labor market for Oregon employers. That makes it harder for employers to find enough workers to fill all their job openings.

These dynamics may have also contributed to Oregon’s slower job growth in recent years compared to the U.S. Nationally, total nonfarm payroll employment expanded by 3.4% between 2019 and 2023, while Oregon’s expanded jobs by 1.2%. This is a change; typically Oregon’s job (and labor force) growth exceeds the nation’s over business cycles. If recent labor force and unemployment trends continue, they might further limit Oregon’s growth potential relative to historic norms and the nation. More details are available in the full report at QualityInfo.org.

Public comment sought on program serving older adults and people with disabilities

Salem, OR – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), along with the Oregon Health Authority, will hold a forum to receive feedback from the public on implementation of Oregon Project Independence – Medicaid (OPI-M).

OPI-M is being launched by the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities this year as a result of an 1115 Demonstration Waiver. This forum for public input is referred to as a Post-Award Public Forum by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is required by federal regulations. It will provide information on the implementation of OPI-M since the waiver was approved by CMS on Feb. 13, 2024, in addition to providing an opportunity for the public to provide feedback. OPI-M operates under the authority of section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act. The waiver is in effect from Feb. 13, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2029.

The forum will be held as a video conference on Zoom on Aug. 5, 2024, from 3 to 4:30 ​p.m. Pacific Time​. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Real-Time Captioning (CART) will also be provided. To request other accommodations, please contact Max Brown by email at rown@odhs.oregon.gov“>Max.Brown@odhs.oregon.gov or by phone at 971-707-1019 no later than 48 hours prior to the forum.

Meeting: OPI-M Post-Award Public Forum

When: Aug. 5, 2024, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time

Where: Video conference meeting on Zoom

• To join by video conference: Join Zoom Meeting​
• To join by phone: dial 669-254-5252; meeting ID: 161 701 1754; passcode: 664575

Additional resources and information about OPI-M:

• Draft Quarterly Monitoring Report​ (currently under CMS review)
• Read the ODHS news release: CMS approves expansion of program providing older adults and people with disabilities more options for support at home

Oregon youth suicide data shows action needed to close equity gaps

Despite culturally responsive suicide prevention efforts, racial inequities remain

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988Lifeline.org. Specialized support is also available through the Veterans Crisis Line (press 1 or text 838255), in Spanish (press 2 or text “AYUDA” to 988) and for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults (press 3 or text “PRIDE” to 988). 988 is also available for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing through American Sign Language videophone services.

Salem, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan (YSIPP) annual report, which contains new analysis of 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) death by suicide data, shows the risk of youth suicide continues to be a concern in Oregon, particularly for youth of color.

In 2022, the most recent year of finalized data from the CDC, 109 Oregon youth ages 24 and younger died by suicide, Oregon’s first year-to-year increase since 2018. Despite the 2022 increase (up from 95 deaths in 2021), there were 16% fewer youth deaths in 2022 compared with a peak of 129 deaths in 2018. Moreover, preliminary data, which will not be finalized until spring 2025, suggest that 2023 will not see a further year-to-year increase in youth suicide rates.

The 2022 data show that Oregon had the 12th highest youth suicide rate in the U.S. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death in Oregon among this age group.

The YSIPP annual report also highlights Oregon’s investments in this area, including support for statewide programming in youth suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services. The report details important advances in youth suicide prevention in Oregon, such as the addition of 343 suicide prevention trainers in the state, including 67 who speak languages other than English.

In a letter to Oregonians accompanying the report, OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke notes, “We have made some progress to create a system of suicide prevention that is better connected and better resourced. Yet, the tragedy of youth suicide remains. We need to do more, particularly for young people of color.”

Data highlighted in the report show that stark racial disparities remain, both in Oregon and nationwide. Oregon deaths by suicide for youth identified as white have decreased overall since the overall peak in 2018, but the number of suicides for youth of other races and ethnicities either remained similar to 2018 or have increased.

OHA’s suicide prevention team, along with the hundreds of suicide prevention trainers, advocates, community members and champions around the state, including the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide, are working to implement key initiatives for youth suicide prevention discussed in the YSIPP. This includes programming that supports young people to find hope, help and strength, training programs to teach youth-serving adults how to recognize warning signs of suicide, and advanced skills training for providers to be equipped to help clients heal from thoughts of suicide.

OHA and its partners are also working hard to launch culturally specific initiatives to increase protective factors that support youth in Oregon. In 2023-24, these efforts have included:

• Tribal prevention programs amplifying “culture as prevention” and hosting train-the-trainers for OHA’s “Big River” youth suicide prevention programming, which is available across the state at low or no cost.
• Black, African and African American youth-serving adults creating and sustaining the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition, which is helping to bring healing to Black communities and creating spaces for young people to gather and feel a sense of belonging. Oregon also was one of eight states invited to participate in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative Policy Academy, which was highlighted as a key “Health Equity in Suicide Prevention” strategy in the federal government’s recently released 10-year 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
• OHA infused an additional $500,000 of funding to increase the availability of suicide prevention training and trainers who are Latino/a/x, Spanish-speaking or both.
• Oregon’s suicide prevention leaders are also working with Joyce Chu and Chris Weaver of the Culture & Suicide Prevention Institute, to infuse their cultural theory and model for suicide prevention into existing trainings, policies and programming. This work, which will increase attention to culturally specific risk and protective factors in Oregon’s suicide prevention efforts, is also an equity initiative highlighted in the 2024 National Strategy.

Alfonso Ramirez, interim director of OHA’s Equity & Inclusion Division, reflected on the power of suicide prevention that centers connections to culture and belonging. Ramirez said, “Thanks to our community partners and leaders, we’ve recognized how important it is to also focus on the cultural strengths and wisdom that have been passed on for generations across communities. As we do work in this way, we experience a bit of healing ourselves.”

The wild sagebrush deserts of southeastern Oregon are a step closer toward additional environmental protections.

The Bureau of Land Management is updating its management plan for 3.2 million acres in Lake and Harney counties, as part of a 2010 legal settlement with the nonprofit Oregon Natural Desert Association — also called ONDA. The settlement required BLM to survey its southeast Oregon land that didn’t have wilderness protections, and then map out areas that are wild and natural enough for potential protections.

Through that mapping process, the BLM’s Lakeview District office determined that an additional 1.6 million acres had wilderness characteristics — meaning they are large, mostly natural areas with few manmade objects in sight.

Now the agency is asking the public how much of that land should have limits on offroading and mining. BLM outlined several options in a draft environmental analysis last month, all with varying levels of wildland protections, and highlighted one as its preference.

The agency’s preferred option would protect the natural characteristics of about 25% of the wild lands it mapped. Some environmental groups say that’s not enough.

ONDA program director Mark Salvo called it “a great start.”

“But are there more wilderness quality lands that should be protected as part of this planning process — as part of a balanced use of this landscape? We believe so,” he said.

Salvo is particularly concerned about protecting lands around the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon, as well as an area reaching down to a wildlife refuge in Nevada.

“These are some of the most important public lands in the West remaining for wildlife that depend on sagebrush steppe,” Salvo said. Sage grouse, pronghorn and pygmy rabbits live in these areas.

Although BLM highlights a preferred option, Lakeview district manager Todd Forbes said the public should study all management options on the table.

“It’s really helpful for me to hear people look at all the alternatives and describe how those alternatives impact their use of the land,” Forbes said. “And in addition to that, is there anything that we missed that we didn’t analyze that we should have?”

BLM is hosting several public meetings about the proposed plan through July. Public comments are due Sept. 5.

Earlier this year, BLM finalized a similar addition to its management plan covering 4.6 million acres in Malheur, Grant, Harney and Baker counties, including the Owyhee Canyonlands. That update was part of another legal settlement with ONDA. During that process, BLM determined that 1.2 million acres of public land had wilderness characteristics. It ultimately added protections for about 417,000 acres.

BLM is also working on its management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon. That monument was first designated by President Bill Clinton in 2000, and then expanded in 2017 by President Barack Obama. BLM is expected to complete that plan this fall, as reported by Jefferson Public Radio. (SOURCE)

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com