Oregon Beach News, Friday 8/23 – Free Parking and Participation at South Beach State Park Sandcastle Competition Saturday August 24 & 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, August 23, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Marine Weather Statement Issued: 10:20 AM Aug. 23, 2024 – National Weather Service

Showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue across the coastal waters through late this evening. Winds associated with any thunderstorms may bring gale force wind gusts of greater than 40 KT. Occasional to frequent lightning and are expected. Hail and even waterspouts possible in stronger storms. Mariners should seek safe harbor until storms pass or stay in port.

Small Craft Advisory Issued: 8:02 AM Aug. 23, 2024 – National Weather Service

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and wind-driven seas 6 to 8 ft at 6 to 8 seconds.

* WHERE...All areas.

* WHEN...From 11 AM Friday to 5 AM PDT Saturday.

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

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

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

We’re not out of the woods yet – Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

Fire Weather Tools from the National Weather Service

As we prepare for the peak of wildfire season in the U.S., the National Weather Service (NWS) reminds wildland fire managers that we have tools to help you monitor and fight wildfires. Whether it is a prescribed burn, ground fire or crown fire, fire managers can use this information to make decisions on how best to combat fires and keep the public safe. 

Fire weather forecasters – The NWS issues Fire Weather Outlooks for the next eight days. These outlooks show areas where pre-existing fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions, may result in a significant threat of wildfires.

Our Fire Weather Program supports land managers and firefighters who mitigate and respond to fires. Our weather forecasts are designed to highlight times and locations where a fire may be exceptionally hard to control. For example, we offer Red Flag Warnings, which mean warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are ongoing or expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger in 12 to 24 hours for specific locations. 

Need a fire weather Spot Forecast? Land managers can request a site-specific, localized forecast for prescribed burns and wildfires to assess a potential threat. NWS recently updated this tool and will deliver additional enhancements to the application later this year. Learn more about the new Spot Forecast tool.  

For federal and select state large wildfires, onsite weather forecasting support to firefighters is critical. An NWS Incident- Meteorologist (IMET) can be deployed to your incident command post. IMETs arrive on scene within 12 to 24 hours after activation and can serve up to 14 consecutive days before being relieved by another IMET. https://www.weather.gov/news/241507-fire-weather-tools

South Beach State Park Sandcastle Competition Saturday August 24

NEWPORT, Oregon— The annual Sandcastle Competition returns to South Beach State Park 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 24. 

This free family-friendly event is an opportunity to indulge your creative side. It has been a favorite at South Beach State Park since 2001. Teams will have two hours to build their sandcastles. Participants, spectators and park staff will vote for their favorite creations. 

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in the general vote as well as a judges’ choice award for the staff favorite. 

Some sandcastle building tools will be available to borrow, but it is recommended to bring your own if possible. Teams may begin registering at 9:45 a.m., and the sandcastle building time is from 10 a.m. to noon. Prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to arrive anytime and vote for their favorites beginning at noon.

The event will be held in the day-use area at South Beach State Park in Newport. Free parking and participation. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=things-to-do.event&eventId=48983

Coast Radio Auction Today!

Friday August 23 there will be $26,000 worth of items to be auctioned off at the Coast Radio Summer Auction.  General Manager Jon Thompson says the list of items will be upwards of 100 and vary from a Powered recliner, hot water heater, computer, and attraction tickets and dining packages.  There will also be staycation type items from the Carriage House inn, River House Inn, Old Town Inn and Best Western Pier point inn and 7 feathers casino. 

The Auction will begin at 9:15 that morning and go until the last item is auctioned off.  Thompson is quick to point out that this is not a charity auction, but a chance to support your local radio station while getting discounts of 50% or more on most items.  The process is smoothest when bidders call beforehand to receive a no obligation bid number at 541-997-9136.  Items for auction are listed on the Coast Radio Website at https://kcfmradio.com/2024/08/09/hot-100-radio-auction-items/

The Waldport community and educators at its two schools are reeling from the death of a beloved second-grade teacher in a head-on crash Tuesday on U.S. Highway 20 east of Blodgett.

Anna Kelley, 31, of Waldport, was killed when her vehicle was struck by a car driven by Shylene Olsen, 26, of Corvallis, who also was killed. Investigators said Olsen’s car crossed the center line and collided with Kelley’s Toyota Highlander about 3:35 p.m. Tuesday two miles east of Blodgett.

Two of Kelley’s children, a 1-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, were removed from her vehicle by a passerby and taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis with minor injuries, according to the Philomath News.

Philomath Fire & Rescue deputy chief Rich Saalsaa told Philomath News that the children were saved by their car seats.

“In all my years of responding to accidents, this was the most difficult extrication that I encountered,” he told Philomath News.

The sheriff’s office said the cause of the crash is still under investigation and asked that anyone with information or who may have witnessed the crash to contact deputies at BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov or call 541-753-8477 and refer to case 2024-2228.

Friends of Kelley’s family set up a GoFundMe account to support her husband, Travis, and children and it had reached $55,000 Thursday from nearly 550 donors during an outpouring of support from the community.

Kelley taught at Crestview Heights School for eight years and coached volleyball at Waldport High School from 2018-2021. Her sister, Becky Moser, is a sixth-grade teacher at Crestview and her brother-in-law Mike Moser is a PE teacher and coach at Waldport High School.

Crestview Heights principal Sandi Battles issued a statement Wednesday evening that said Kelley “made a lasting impression on so many young lives and colleagues, and her loss is truly heartbreaking.”

During back-to-school night next week, Battles said there will be a dedicated space in the courtyard where students and families can write notes, sign cards or draw pictures for the Kelley family, share memories, and support each other. The school will also have counselors and other support available for students once classes start after Labor Day, she said.

Kelley had “such a positive and joyful spirit,” Battle said. “She was a strong advocate for her students in every way possible.  Mrs. Kelley’s passion for teaching and unwavering commitment to our students will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Waldport city councilor Jayme Morris, a longtime secretary and now kindergarten teacher at Crestview, said in a statement to YachatsNews that she had witnessed Kelley’s “journey from an enthusiastic young educator to a respected leader within our school.”

“Alongside her professional growth, she has also been a devoted mother and a cherished member of our community,” Morris said. “Anna was someone you could always rely on and no matter the situation, she had a unique way of making things better. She has profoundly impacted the lives of countless adults and an immeasurable number of children.” (SOURCE)

The Siletz Bay Music Festival started last week. It ends August 25

There’s still time to catch some amazing acts at the Siletz Bay Music Festival – https://siletzbaymusic.org/

Warrant Arrest in Coos County

Just before 8 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 22), the U.S. Marshal Service (USMS) Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force provided valuable assistance to authorities in an attempt to locate a fugitive.

While conducting follow-up at a residence off Beaver Loop Road in North Bend, Benjamin K. Remy, 30, was contacted by authorities.

Remy was soon after found to have two warrants for his arrest unrelated to the ongoing federal fugitive investigation. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Coos County Jail where he was booked.

Man Rescued from Surf Near Driftwood Shores Resort in Florence

Two visitors to the Oregon Coast are lucky to be alive today after being caught in a riptide Tuesday afternoon and a new resident to the Florence area is being heralded this morning after a daring rescue.

Florence Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Bettina Hannigan heard two men yelling for help in the water while she and her husband Jack were visiting Driftwood Shores Resort.  Hannigan immediately called 911 to report it.  While on the phone her husband noticed a man coming from the resort dressed in a wet suit with flippers and a boogie board. He then rushed through the brush and ran the 2  hundred yards to the water.  One of the men had made it safely to shore, but the other was disappearing in the water.

The rescuer located the second victim and was able to bring him to shore safely.  The Rescuer was newly appointed Executive chef at the Driftwood shores resort.  Ryan McCarty had been at his new position for just two weeks.  He spotted the men in trouble from a 4^th floor unit and was fortunate enough to have the proper gear to enter the water. 

After getting the man to shore members of Western Lane Fire and EMS showed up to give aid to the man.  They were assisted shortly after by Lane County Search and rescue and the Oregon State Police. The man was transported to Peace Harbor hospital where he was treated for hypothermia.

New State Report Shows Good Year for Commercial Fishing in Oregon

Oregon’s commercial fishing industry had a solid, if not record-breaking, year in 2023, according to a new report from the state Employment Department.

Statistics covering everything from pounds of seafood landed, revenues from individual fisheries and total employment showed strong signs of at least keeping up with historical averages, said the report’s author, Shaun Barrick, a workforce economist for Lincoln, Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties.

“Typically, commercial fishing in Oregon is really a mixed bag because of how many species we target,” Barrick said. “But, as always, it’s hard to overstate how important it is for employment. And the cultural impact of fishing is huge.”

Here are some numbers highlighting Barrick’s report.

Commercial landings and revenue

• The 301 million pounds of seafood landed were worth $178 million. That was an increase from 2022, where 286 million pounds of seafood worth, when adjusted for inflation, $136 million.
• Still, the 2023 numbers were below the average landings and revenue of the prior five years (2018-2022) of 319 million pounds and $189 million.
• Crab harvests in 2023 were twice as large as the previous five-year average of 18.3 million pounds, and far larger than the 4.9 million pounds landed in the late-opening 2022 season.
• The average landed price per pound for Dungeness crab was $2.80 in 2023, the lowest seen since 2013’s $2.74.

“Generally, I think the price gets dropped that low due to large amounts of imported crab,” Barrick said. “Last year’s dollar value was definitely low.”

• Salmon landings dropped nearly 20 percent last year to 1.7 million pounds. That was more than the previous five-year average of 1.4 million pounds, but below the average of the 2000s and 2010s.
• A pink shrimp harvest of 44 million pounds – an increase of 7 percent from 2022 – was above the average of the previous five years. Even so, shrimp prices fell to 42 cents per pound in 2023, their lowest level since 2010.
• The albacore tuna harvest dropped last year to its lowest level since the early 2000s. Just 2.45 million pounds of albacore were landed in Oregon in 2023, the lowest volume since 1991.

Employment

• Excluding tribal fishing, an estimated 1,212 people worked in Oregon’s commercial fishery on an annual average basis in 2023. That represented a slight decrease of 15 jobs from 2022 numbers, but was very similar to the annual average of fishers in Oregon since 2020.
• The estimated 310 fishery workers last year in Lincoln County topped all other counties, with Clatsop, Curry, Coos and Tillamook counties taking spots two through five. Those five counties, combined, had 95 percent of the total employment.
• Surprisingly, non-coastal Jefferson County had a handful of people employed in commercial fishing. “These jobs are sometimes based on crayfish harvests,” according to the report.

Revenue

• Some 796 vessels had at least one landing in 2023, down from 861 the year before.
• Those vessels averaged about $224,000 each in landed value in Oregon in 2023, up by 42 percent from the previous year.
• Each vessel supported about 1.5 workers on an annual average basis.
• The 39 seafood processors in Oregon in 2023 surpassed the previous high point of 36 in 2019. The processing industry paid more than $49 million in wages in 2023, “which clearly shows the benefit of adding value to raw natural products,” according to the report.

Eight health systems want to operate Oregon’s largest coastal hospital in Coos Bay

Bay Area hospital leaders say they have at least eight outside hospital operators, including some high-profile in-state ones, that want to enter into an agreement to operate the 172-bed facility. But staff, providers and community members have mixed feelings, a new survey shows.Image

At least eight health systems, including some in Oregon, are interested in operating Bay Area Hospital as leaders of the Coos Bay faciilty look for a partner to help with its longstanding financial woes.

Starting on Sept. 3, executives of the hospital and its board will start evaluating the proposals, though they won’t be made public. Though it is operated by one of several health districts in Oregon, its leaders say they won’t disclose the names of potential partners to honor their desire for confidentiality. The onlyhint was

“We were very pleased that of the eight, most of the highly regarded, high quality brand names in State of Oregon are participating, and most all are household names,” a consultant told the hospital board Tuesday.

The largest hospital on Oregon’s coast, Bay Area Hospital employs more than 1,000 people, making it the largest employer on Oregon’s south coast. Despite being a government entity. But its leaders say they are confident that their community understands the need for secrecy to ensure prospective partners feel comfortable applying.

“We’ll be waiting until that that that final firm is selected, Brian Moore, the hospital’s president and CEO, told The Lund Report in an interview. “The reason being is we’ve got non-disclosure agreements in place. And while Bay Area Hospital is a public district, we’ve got private entities participating that may not have the same … desires and openness.”

The board will be asked to decide among the competing proposals the “two or three” most appealing alternatives in mid-September, less than two weeks after the final proposals are due. Moore said the board should make a decision by November, calling the timeline “ambitious.” Some time after a notice of intent is signed by the board, the partner entity will be made public.

Losses driving change — Financial losses, particularly in fiscal year 2022, are driving the change. During the pandemic years when many hospitals struggled financially, the 172-bed coastal hospital was among the worst. 

In December 2022 outside auditors reported that the hospital was in such poor financial shape that there was “substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.”

According to Moore, hospital leaders first asked about the alternatives, “How much can we do our own pull ourselves up by our bootstraps? And you know, we’ve had a $53 million turnaround in the last two years. So that’s fantastic.” 

But he added, “we continue to face pressures where our costs are going up faster than our revenue.

The hospital announced the process earlier this summer while opening up a process to gauge public opinion. A consultant with experience in similar such deal was hired to advicse the hospital  and reached out to 22 prospective partners. So far, eight have expressed interest, the board was told in a meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 20.

The board also heard the results of public opinion surveys about the possible move.  “The top concern, as you can probably imagine, for the staff, were jobs being lost or reduced,” said Kimberly Winker, the hospital’s director of marketing and communications. “Among the physicians, the top concern was that they would lose local control, or local decision making, or have an effect on some of the local clinics in the area. And the public indicated that they were concerned about bringing in someone that was so focused on profits that they might shut down services that weren’t necessarily profitable but were still really necessary for our area.”

She added that the next question was whether “staying independent meant reducing health care services. Would you still be in favor being independent? And 64% responded, No. Some people skip this question altogether. But overall, this kind of shows that respondents, you know, value keeping the services local, and they do understand that that might mean not remaining independent.”

She continued: “And the last question was an open ended question. This received the widest variety of comments … But again, the themes are they wanted the board to prioritize quality and service of care, and secondly, to prioritize staff retention and keeping benefits also very high from the medical providers. I thought was interesting is that they really felt strongly about reevaluating some of the options, she said, adding that for priorities, “all respondents showed that they wanted to provide the quality and safe care. They wanted to expand clinical services and reduce the need to travel out and recruiting and retaining our staff and providers. The benefits they saw were the financial sustainability, service, line growth and access and third, interestingly enough, they really saw no benefit, or they felt they needed more information to make a decision or see the benefit.”

Board members also heard testimony from members of the public, including concerns about who might be selected to operate the hospital. One expressed concern that a controversial for profit like United Health Care might be the choice. 

“What will a company like that want as the return on its investment? Right? Because they don’t do these things out of the goodness of their they’re going to want payment, and who is going to pay? It’s going to be members of this community. So I know that the board does not have a lot of control over day to day operations at the hospital, which it shouldn’t, but I do think that there are actions that the board can take other than simply approving an affiliation or not approving an affiliation. So as a member of the community, I really would love to know that the Board is considering all of its options, and not just the one that’s on the table.”

Moore, for his part, told The Lund Report the hospital district will be researching applicants, meeting with them, even touring their facilities to make sure it’s the right fit. “It’s definitely a balanced approach and not just a financial decision from the board’s perspective,” he said. (SOURCE)

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received information from the public regarding multiple scam calls.

Residents in on the Central Oregon Coast are receiving calls from subjects identifying themselves as active members of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers are requesting money for a COVID small business loan. If you receive any calls from anyone identifying themselves as a police officer or Sheriff’s Deputy requesting money or anything of value please do not provide any financial information or resources.

Scammers have targeted other counties, including Lane County with similar techniques. Note the number, the name of the caller, and report the call to your local police agency. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office does not solicit donations or money over the phone or through the mail.

Rhododendron Theme Sought

The Florence Area Chamber of commerce has announced that they will be looking for the theme of the 2025 Rhododendron Festival.  Each year ideas are collected from the public with one person chosen for their creativity. 

The theme’s winner will receive a $100 prize for their submission.  Deadline for submissions is September 23^rd.

After the theme is chosen the chamber will then look to the public for a design of the 119^th annual rhododendron Festival Logo.  A form is available on the Florence Chamber website http://florencechamber.com

Gardiner Man Arrested on Multiple Sex Crime Charges

GARDINER, Ore. – A Gardiner man has been arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on sex crime charges.

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at approximately 10:00 am, deputies were dispatched to a reported disturbance in the 70000-block of Highway 101 in Gardiner. After arriving, deputies determined there were no crimes committed during the disturbance.

As deputies were preparing to leave, they learned information that a juvenile had previously reported to an adult that they had been the victim of sexual assault by 36-year-old Eric Thomas Cumming of Gardiner. Cumming is known to the victim.

Deputies began investigating and developed probable cause for the arrest of Cumming. He was taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Jail where he was lodged on the following charges:

• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree x10
• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree x10

Cumming remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail.

Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024

Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.

We will have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:

1. MorningGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
2. AfternoonGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
3. EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm

All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class will also be live and in person on the Curry Campus.

For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Fall term starts September 16th and ends November 27th.

To register for orientation and classes, go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.

Missing Oregon Man’s Vehicle Found Abandoned On California Logging Road

The vehicle of a man reported missing out of Tillamook County, Oregon was found abandoned on a logging road in northern California earlier this week.

According to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, 69-year-old Gregory Alan Russell was reported missing from the Tillamook County area on August 5. However police say the initial report indicates Russell drove away from his home on August 1, but wasn’t reported as missing until four days later.

Police later learned that Russell was seen at a casino in the North Bend area prior to traveling to California. He reportedly had contact with people he knew in Trinity County, however the sheriff’s office believes none of those individuals knew Russell had been reported missing.

On Tuesday, Russell’s vehicle was found parked on a logging road in the Deerlick Springs area, however Russell was not in the area. According to the sheriff’s office, “Russell has in the past had some peculiar behaviors in regards to his actions and it is believed that he wandered from the vehicle into the woods.” The following morning, search and rescue efforts began and are currently ongoing.

Russell is described as 5 foot 10 inches and 190 pounds. He has green eyes and brown hair. Anyone who has seen Russell or knows his whereabouts are asked to contact the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office at 530-623-2611.

The Coos Bay Police Department is asking for the public’s help after a man was found dead near Eastside Park.

HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION — The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred in the Eastside area of Coos Bay. On August 13, 2024, at 7:22 a.m., the North Coos 9-1-1 Center received a report of a man down near Eastside Park, which is located at 5th Avenue and E St in Coos Bay.

CBPD officers arrived and discovered 36-year-old Braxton Busch of Coos Bay deceased from homicidal violence. The Coos County Major Crime Team, which includes members from multiple local law enforcement agencies, was activated to aid with the investigation.

This is still an active investigation. The CBPD is seeking information from the public, such as video surveillance footage from the area around Eastside Park. If you have not yet been contacted by police and have any information or video footage from the early morning hours of August 13th, please contact the CBPD at 541-269-8911 Ext 1.

Temporary Sheltering Program In Florence Charges Registration Fee for Private Property Owners Helping Homeless

The City of Florence wishes to offer additional opportunities to support those experiencing homelessness by creating a temporary sheltering program for private property owners to allow limited sheltering via tent or vehicle under certain conditions and within certain standards. FCC 1-9-2-2.

The overview of Florence’s TS program eligibility is as follows:

• The property must be registered with the city through a process that is renewable and revocable.
• An application fee of $75
• A registration form is submitted by the property owner, tenant, or shelter occupant.
• To obtain a registration form email the Planning Department HERE or by phone 541-997-8237 option #4.

General areas for the temporary sheltering and proposed Code and Program Registration: 

1. There can be no acceptance of any payment of monetary charge nor performance of services in exchange.
2. Handwashing, garbage, and toilet facilities must be provided or available.
3. No visible storage is permitted.
4. Shelters must be at least five feet from property lines and sanitation 10 feet from property lines, unless located within the dwelling or the RV/Trailer.
5. Private Property Sheltering – Non-residential: a property owner can register with the city to locate three vehicles or tents in any combination on their property. They must be separated 10 feet from one another.
6. Private Property Sheltering-Residential: A property owner or its tenant (with owner approval) can register with the city to locate either a vehicle or tent on their property.  The property owner and tenant(s) must both sign registration form. 
7. The code includes provisions for buffering or excluding temporary sheltering in or on city-owned public property and private rights-of way.
8. Buffers: are to be measured 300 feet from the property lines of licensed daycares, churches, and religious institutions, elementary and secondary schools, and facilities serving those experiencing homelessness.  Area within the buffers establish where temporary sheltering is not permitted within the rights-of-way.
9. Exclusion: Areas where temporary sheltering is not permitted are proposed to be established in certain park lands, city-owned facilities open to the public, protected wetland and riparian resources, and certain rights of way.

MORE INFO: https://www.ci.florence.or.us/planning/temporary-sheltering-program

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Receives State of the Art Drug Testing Device

On 08/02/2024, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office acquired and is now utilizing a new state of the art tool giving law enforcement a safer and smarter edge to combat drug problems in our communities. This device also aids in detecting explosives and chemical agents.

The device is the TacticID Mobile handheld Raman analyzer produced by Metrohm. The Raman analyzer has already proven to be effective by confirming the identity of suspected illegal drugs, and in identifying suspected drugs as other substances in actual Sheriff’s Office cases. Your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was able to obtain the Raman analyzer through Lincoln County Health and Human Services with funding from Lincoln County Opioid Settlement Funds. The Raman analyzer will also be available to other law enforcement agencies in Lincoln County.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives are currently completing training conducted by Metrohm to ensure proper use of the device. Detective Chris Marks said, “The Raman analyzer is simple to use and much safer than previous methods of drug testing. Previous methods had a higher level of potential exposure to chemicals and accidental contact with the samples being tested due to unpackaging or repackaging samples for testing.” Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Evidence Control Specialist Sara Tabb, who plays a critical role in packaging, preparing, and assisting in substance testing commented, “The Raman scanner is definitely a step forward in safe and reliable substance analysis. The device is safer and more efficient. While the Raman analyzer does not replace the requirement for crime lab testing and confirmation for prosecution, it does give us effective presumptive testing for the identification of the substances.” 

The Raman analyzer utilizes a laser to penetrate most forms of packaging including tough street samples, colored samples, and impure samples. It can rapidly scan directly through transparent containers. It then identifies substances by the returned spectrum and compares the data to the over 24,000 known substances in its database. The device requires calibration verification before each analysis so the operator can confirm its working correctly.

Sheriff Curtis Landers stated, “We are always looking for better technology to empower our mission of enhancing public safety. One of the benefits of this device is that is also improves deputy safety and provides a tool for law enforcement agencies across Lincoln County.”  

Beverly Beach State Park has reopened after workers removed about 200 dying and hazardous trees

For years, the towering spruce trees at Beverly Beach State Park have been getting sick and dying, threatening to drop limbs on any of the 278 campsites below.

“Best case scenario, it would damage a vehicle or somebody’s camper tent,” said Oregon state forester Nick Morris. “And worst case scenario, somebody could get injured.”

The trend at first confounded Morris, since the trees didn’t show signs of disease or pest infestations, and drought is unusual among Oregon’s wet coastal forests. He roped in additional specialists from the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State University.

The trees usually started browning at their tops and branch ends — a sign that they weren’t getting enough water. It appeared trees were mostly dying in the park’s low-lying areas, not in the wetter, higher elevations. Looking at those signs, and comparing historic weather patterns, the team concluded that this park was victim to a trend happening across much of the state: a shrinking water table.

When it rains, water soaks into the soil and enters an area’s aquifer — basically a big underground collection of water. The top of the aquifer is called the water table.

While Oregon’s summers are getting drier, its winter and spring months are also changing, Morris said. Those months are seeing more intense bursts of rain that don’t allow enough time for water to soak into the soil and enter the aquifer.

“A lot of it is going directly into the streams and straight out to the ocean,” Morris said. That means there’s less underground water for trees to tap into.

Beverly Beach State Park was already in store for some construction work, as managers planned to do some electrical and plumbing improvements, so Morris’s team set out to cut the dead and dying trees that could threaten visitors. They also removed many of the park’s shore pines — tall, skinny trees that have a tendency to fall during windstorms.

All in all, workers removed about 200 trees, costing the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department about $50,000. Morris said most weren’t valuable enough to sell as timber. The state gained about $10,000 from trees that could be milled.

Morris’s team left some snags, which are tall, dead tree trunks that birds and other wildlife can nest in. They also left logs on the forest floor to decompose and donated logs to a nonprofit group that placed them in streams to provide habitats for fish.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department plans to plant more drought-tolerant native trees and shrubs at the park, including western hemlock and Douglas fir. That work should begin in 2026.

Beverly Beach State Park reopened on Aug. 1, after being closed for 11 months. Although some areas of the park look a bit different, with less tree canopy and more sky exposure, parks manager Burke Martin said so far, visitors seem happy to be back there. He has spotted more birds, like woodpeckers, making use of the snags and logs that were left behind.

“It’s been incredible to see the diversity of nature,” Martin said.

In addition to the tree work, the Beverly Beach State Park staff repaved some roads, installed new plumbing for water spigots, improved accessibility in some campsites and buried electrical wires.

Florence Police Enforcement Campaigns

The city of Florence Police Department will be conducting a DUII Enforcement campaign.  Beginning this Friday and lasting through the 4^th of September local law enforcement along with partnering agencies will be on the lookout for impaired drivers.  Additionally they will also be conducting another campaign on Monday August 19^th through September 1^st on the use of child restraints and safety belts in motor vehicles. 

The Oregon Department of Transportation has released data that show 37% of traffic fatalities were from the lack of seatbelt use or child restraint use. In 2021 data shows that the leading cause of death in children ages one through 12 were motor vehicle accidents.  1475 children in 2021 were injured in Oregon traffic crashes according to the data. These two campaigns are part of a national push that is funded federally.

Florence Pedestrian Enforcement

Another campaign from the Florence Police will be taking place on August 28^th.  this is to remind people of the pedestrian laws regarding crossing in cross walks.  Under Oregon law a crosswalk exists at any public street intersection, whether marked with paint or unmarked. Crosswalks also exist between intersections (mid-block) where indicated with white paint.  Failure to stop for a pedestrian is a violation of law.

On Wednesday, august 28^th the Florence police will be conducting a pedestrian enforcement operation at the intersection of 9^th street and Kingwood from noon until 3pm.  according to Oregon law a vehicle must stop for a pedestrian until they have cleared the lane a driver is in and the adjacent lane.  On a two lane street this means the pedestrian must complete the entire intersection before a driver can pull forward. A vehicle turning must give a pedestrian an additional 6 feet into another lane before advancing.  The law is similar for marked and unmarked intersections.  Vehicles are also prohibited from passing a stopped vehicle as it may be a clue that a pedestrian is crossing.

Enhanced DUII Enforcement Planned For Labor Day Weekend – Lincoln City Police 

The Lincoln City Police Department will again be utilizing grant funds to step up their enforcement efforts against drunk driving over the Labor Day weekend. This additional enforcement effort is being conducted in conjunction with national crackdown efforts that are designed to curb drunken driving, decrease crashes, reduce injuries, and save lives. During the upcoming Labor Day weekend, law enforcement agencies nationwide will be out in force looking to remove drunk and impaired drivers from the roadways.  Lincoln City Police officers will be putting extra focus on seeking out drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) continues to be a leading cause of motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths throughout the nation.

The Lincoln City Police Department last used these grant funds over the Christmas / New Year’s Holiday time period. During those enforcement operations, multiple traffic stops were conducted resulting in several citations and warnings for various traffic violations, and two drivers were arrested for DUII.  

The members of the Lincoln City Police Department are committed to the safety of our citizens and visitors. The DUII Enforcement grant funds are a valuable resource that assist us in improving the traffic safety in our community. Our goal is simple: to save lives and prevent injuries caused by DUII crashes. These grant funds were made possible through the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact.

The Lincoln City Police Department plans to conduct a Pedestrian Safety Operation on Monday, August 26th, 2024, on Hwy 101 in the area between south 48^th Street and south 51^st Street.

The primary focus of this operation is to raise awareness of pedestrian safety in drivers. The use of a decoy pedestrian will allow the Lincoln City Police Department to educate and enforce pedestrian right-of-way laws. The operation will be conducted between the hours of 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Warning signs will be posted prior to entering the pedestrian safety operation zone. 

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association 3,373 pedestrians were struck and killed in the first half of 2023 along US roadways. The Lincoln City Police Department wants to keep doing its parts to reduce those tragedies.

LCPD last conducted a Pedestrian Safety Operation on July 9th, 2024. During that operation, ten citations were issued for violations of crosswalk laws (Failing to stop for pedestrian in crosswalk or Passing vehicle stopped at a crosswalk). 

Drivers need to be aware of pedestrians when approaching crosswalks while traveling through Lincoln City and ODOT has installed several safe pedestrian crossings, with lights and pedestrian refuges in the center of the roadway.  The members of the Lincoln City Police Department are dedicated to enhancing the safety of our roadways for all users.

Funding for the pedestrian safety operations are made possible through traffic safety grants provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact.

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

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

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

Oregon State Fair Kicks Off Today!

185 Acres of Amazing Things to Explore!!! https://oregonstatefair.org/

If you missed out on pre-fair deals , there are still ways to save on specific days.

Admission on opening day is $5 courtesy of sponsor Mattress Firm. The $5 tickets can only be purchased that day at the gates and is a half-price or better deal on regular admission for children 6-12 ($10) and adults 13-64 ($12). Fair admission is $3 for seniors (65 or better) and free for children 5 and under.

“Share at the Fair Day” is Wednesday, Aug. 28, with $2 off admission when you donate two cans of food. The deal cannont be combined with any other offer. The National Association of Women in Construction will build the state of Oregon and an Oregon Trail wagon out of nearly 10,000 cans of beans. After the fair, they’ll dismantle the sculpture and donate the cans to Marion Polk Food Share.

Free admission for children ages 6-12 is Thursday, Aug. 29, saving families $10 a kid. Ages 5 and younger are free every day during the fair.

“Heroes Day” is Monday, Sept. 2, with free admission for military, first responders, teachers, health care workers and their families.

Free parking passes are available with purchase at Oregon Wilco stores through Sept. 2, or while supplies last. The limit is one per purchase, with no minimum dollar amount required. Wilco locations include Salem, Silverton and Stayton. MORE INFO: https://oregonstatefair.org and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oregonstatefair

Milder Weather Gives Oregon Firefighters Brief Respite Amid Wildfire Season

In what’s been one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in Oregon’s history, this last week has been a much-needed reprieve for firefighters across the state. An extended period of milder weather coupled with scattered showers has kept fire activity minimal.

And in some cases, like the Dixon Fire southeast of Oakridge, it’s allowed crews to more or less deal with the fire entirely. However, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) isn’t treating this as a break, instead they are treating it like ‘half time.’

“So right now we’re saying we’re in a bit of a half time. We’ve done the first half; we’ve seen how it works. We have this reprieve now, we don’t know [how] the second half is going to go, but we’re preparing for all those different potential threats that we might have as we go into September,” said Jessica Neujahr, ODF’s Public Information Officer.

With September right around the corner, the biggest concern for ODF as it stands is eastern winds; which have caused fires to explode in size in the past.

“The general fear is always just when those fuels are still dry and we have a strong wind, those fuels are primed and ready to burn. And so, we want to make sure as we’re moving forward, we can preposition our engines to be in the best spot necessary.”

While Neujahr and ODF crews are thankful for the milder conditions, she emphasized that crews are ready to ramp up firefighting efforts when needed.

Oregon’s Wildfire Season Breaks Historical Records For Acres Burned

Wildfires across Oregon have burned more acres this year than ever before in recent history, according to data from state and federal fire officials — and the season is still far from over.

Why it matters: The record-breaking 1.5 million acres — or 2,400 square miles — burned so far in 2024 shows how climate plays a significant role in efforts to control blazes.

State of play: Oregon saw below-average precipitation and above-normal high temperatures earlier this spring, leading to dry conditions and reduced moisture levels in vegetation — factors that “complicate efforts to control wildfires,” Erica Fleishman, director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, told Axios.

• Even though humans cause the majority of wildfires, weather events such as recent summer heat waves and high winds exacerbated conditions quickly and made on-the-ground firefighting difficult.

The latest: Firefighters have been able to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and rain this week to increase containment, Jessica Neujahr, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Forestry, told Axios.

• Yes, but: Temperatures are expected to rise again soon and September “is known for east winds,” she said. “We are prepared to scale operations back up as needed.”

By the numbers: As of Tuesday, there were 71 large fires in Oregon responsible for burning the majority of the state’s 1.5 million acres.

• That’s the most acres affected by fire since 1992, when the most reliable records are available, according to Carol Connolly, a spokesperson for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
• 295,000 scorched acres came solely from the Durkee Fire — the sixth largest wildfire in the state’s history — near the eastern border with Idaho, which is 95% contained.

• Half of the firefighters available in the U.S. — over 11,000 — are currently fighting fires in Oregon and Washington.
• The Falls Fire has so far been the most destructive, destroying nearly 30 residences, buildings and other commercial properties, Connolly told Axios.

The intrigue: This time last month, the state’s wildfires had already burned 694,000 acres (more than in all of 2023) as the season got off to an aggressive start.

Flashback: The last record-breaking wildfire season was in 2020, when the Labor Day wildfires burned 1.2 million acres, destroyed more than 4,000 homes and killed 11 people.

The bottom line: While this year has not been as destructive as far as lives lost or structures destroyed, dozens of communities in eastern and central Oregon remain under air quality advisories and evacuation orders. (SOURCE)

As we move through 2024, wildfires continue to shape the landscape of the PNW—the impacts have been widespread.

A combination of dry conditions, high temperatures, and strong winds have fueled these wildfires. The ongoing drought has left many forests and grasslands extremely dry, creating ideal conditions for fire spread.

Although rain, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity are expected in some parts of the region, conditions are still dry enough for active fire behavior. Significant lightning with little precipitation is forecast for eastern Oregon today with Red Flag Warnings in effect. PLEASE: Do your part to prevent human-caused starts and follow all fire restrictions.

How You Can Help:• Be Firewise: Take steps to protect your home and property from wildfires.• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest fire information and follow local authorities’ instructions.• Support Relief Efforts: Consider donating time to organizations assisting those affected by these fires. https://www.facebook.com/NWCCInfo

Most fires are human-caused and accidental. The most common fire causes we respond to are everyday activities that ODF regulates in the summer in an effort to cut down on these types of fire starts. Help prevent wildfires and Keep Oregon Green by following the current regulations: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/

Large wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres across the PNW, with human activity and lightning being a significant contributing factor. The uptick in human-caused fires, which include those started by campfires and debris burns strains firefighting resources significantly​. Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon 8/23/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	4452 Acres	17 seconds ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	13082 Acres	8 minutes 44 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11106 Acres	22 minutes 15 seconds ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	5244 Acres	22 minutes 15 seconds ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	25 minutes 5 seconds ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	2058 Acres	25 minutes 55 seconds ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	86963 Acres	28 minutes 55 seconds ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	5898 Acres	37 minutes 32 seconds ago
Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25265 Acres	2 hours 1 minute ago
Falls Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	151689 Acres	12 hours 40 minutes ago
Telephone Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	54005 Acres	12 hours 45 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	738 Acres	16 hours 44 minutes ago
Dixon Fire – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	1970 Acres	2 days ago
Battle Mountain Complex – OR97S	Wildfire	Oregon	183026 Acres	3 days 1 hour ago
Warner Peak Fire – ORSHR	Wildfire	Oregon	65866 Acres	4 days ago
Courtrock Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	20019 Acres	5 days 18 hours ago
Town Gulch – ORWWF	Wildfire	Oregon	18220 Acres	6 days 16 hours ago
Cliff Mountain – ORWWF	Wildfire	Oregon	1108 Acres	1 week ago
Porcupine Fire – ORBUD	Wildfire	Oregon	6491 Acres	1 week 3 days ago
Lone Rock Fire – ORPRD	Wildfire	Oregon	137222 Acres	1 week 3 days ago
Badland Complex 2024 – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	54563 Acres	1 week 5 days ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1313 Acres	1 week 6 days ago
Durkee Fire – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	294265 Acres	2 weeks 1 day ago

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page. 

Thousands of Birds Die of Bird Flu and Botulism At Wildlife Refuges In Southern Oregon

At least 5,000 birds have died so far this summer at a network of wildlife refuges on the Oregon-California border, sparking fears of another large outbreak of disease and calls for more water releases in a region roiled by drought and water uncertainty made worse by climate change.

The deaths are likely caused by a rare combination of avian flu and botulism, said John Vradenburg, supervisory biologist at the refuge complex. Virus-caused avian was confirmed at one of the refuges in July, Vradenburg said. Avian flu has been on the rise in recent years, leading to die-offs in poultry and wild birds.

Botulism, which paralyzes birds from the bottom up until they are unable to fly and then to breathe, is caused by a toxin produced by soil-dwelling bacteria. Tests are still pending for botulism at the refuge complex, but symptoms closely match past botulism outbreaks, Vradenburg said.

The six refuges, known collectively as the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, contain the largest wetland network west of the Mississippi River. They’re a stopping point for 80% of the birds that migrate on the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south flyway for a diverse number of migratory birds in the Americas that use the refuges to rest, water and feed.

In 2020, at least 60,000 waterfowl and shorebirds died of botulism at the refuges, the worst outbreak in over four decades. READ MORE: https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2024/08/thousands-of-birds-die-of-bird-flu-and-botulism-at-wildlife-refuges-in-southern-oregon.html

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation to give out up to $125,000 in sponsorship awards to boost financial empowerment

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) has announced its third annual Statewide Outreach Sponsorship Program for organizations that engage in financial empowerment work. The program will award sponsorships of $25,000 to up to five organizations for one-year contracts.

Organizations can attend a free information session through Zoom on Thursday, Sept 5. at 3 p.m. or Friday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. to learn more about the program. For those not able to attend, the session’s slide deck will be made available on DFR’s website after the session. Go to DFR’s community engagement and consumer education page for more information. The Zoom link for the information sessions will be provided on that page when it is available. 

The goal of the sponsorship program is to collaborate with trusted community partners in delivering financial education to consumers in underserved communities. The program will help empower consumers to make decisions about insurance and other financial services that are best for them and raise awareness of free services and resources offered by DFR.

The cost of insurance is often one of the biggest expenses for people, yet national studies show that they do not understand insurance and are not confident to shop around for the best coverage at the best price. People are more confident and understand insurance better when they can turn to an expert for information.

“The first two years of the program has been extremely successful,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “As we go into the third year of this program, we want to continue to expand our reach to more people so they can build their skills and confidence to manage money and choose insurance and financial products and services that meet their needs.”

Preference will be given to nonprofits, public schools, public charter schools, and tribal entities currently conducting financial empowerment work in Oregon. Solicitation materials are available on the DFR website. Proposals are due Sept. 27.

Organizations will be evaluated on their ability to help underserved communities, including African Americans; Latino, Latina, and Latinx people; Native Americans; Asians and Pacific Islanders; other people of color; women; LGBTQ+ people; survivors of domestic violence; immigrants and refugees; youth who are underserved; previously incarcerated people; people with disabilities; and seniors.

### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov

Financial help to meet domestic violence survivors’ critical safety needs increases to $3,200

(Salem) – Domestic violence survivors are now able to receive up to $3,200 for assistance with safety related needs including moving. Previously, financial help for survivors was capped at $1,200 within a 90-day period.  

This support may be used for items such as:

• Deposits for rent or utilities
• Replacing items left behind such as clothing or furniture
• New locks, security cameras or alarms, and
• A post office box.  

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is implementing the increase this month after receiving a one-time investment from the Oregon Legislature to raise the maximum grant amount for Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors (TA-DVS). 

“Ensuring that resources and information are available to survivors when they are needed is crucial for their safety. The increase is an important step forward for anyone at risk,” said Claire Seguin, Director, ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs. 

Families and pregnant individuals receiving TA-DVS on or after Aug. 11, 2024, will have access to the increased grant amount to support their safety and stability. 

Individuals may apply for this support by phone, in person, or by submitting an application. For more information on how to apply go to oregon.gov/odhs/dv. 

ODHS also provides confidential domestic violence advocates in most of its Self-Sufficiency Programs and Child Welfare offices to support with:

• Safety planning
• Resources, and
• Someone to talk to. 

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity. 

Measure 110 shows overall client gains with some exceptions   

SALEM, Ore.— Measure 110 service providers reported continued increases in client engagement in all areas since the establishment of the statewide networks, excluding slight declines in client counts during the sixth quarter of reporting, from Oct. 1 through Dec. 30, 2023.

The largest gains in client numbers between the fifth and sixth quarter were in supported employment and housing services (29 percent and 10 percent),respectively.

Over the same time, screening services dropped by 23 percent. However, screening services have registered overall gains of 346 percent since the inception of the Measure 110 networks.

The remaining service categories remained relatively stable.  

Modest fluctuations in client counts are expected as the statewide networks near full capacity. 

Overall, however, Measure 110 providers reported a pattern of strong demand over the 18 months Behavioral Health Resource Networks have been in existence. Measure 110 providers have now reported six quarters of data and expenditures since July 1, 2022, when the first network was established.  

Over those 18 months, supported employment services reported a 573 percent increase in client growth. Housing services has realized gains of 317 percent and peer supported services showed a 256 percent increase.

Black and African American client counts have steadily increased over the past four quarters. Over that time, the data show that people reporting as American Indian or Alaska Native had the highest rates of any race/ethnicity group in accessing Measure 110 substance use treatment programs.

Measure 110 network providers report the number of clients they serve and the number of encounters they have with their clients as a measure of overall engagement. Some clients may receive multiple services within a network or within multiple service networks. 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) maintains a comprehensive Measure 110 data reporting dashboard that includes quarterly data, expenditures, key demographic information, and aggregated narrative summaries for the 42 statewide service networks. 

The deadline for the next round of reporting for expenditure and program data is in October and will cover the time from April 1 through June 30. OHA expects to publish that data in December.  

To learn more, visit OHA’s Measure 110 webpage. 

Umatilla Man Faces Federal Charges for Making Threats of Sexual Violence Against Children and Possessing Dozens of Photos and Videos Depicting Child Sexual Abuse

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Umatilla, Oregon man who is alleged to have made several hoax phone calls threatening sexual violence against children and possessed dozens of photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse has been indicted in federal court.

Thomas Loren Goatley, 20, has been charged with receiving and possessing child pornography and making interstate threats.

According to court documents, between approximately January 5 and April 30, 2024, Goatley is alleged to have made more than 60 phone calls to various schools, police departments, emergency lines, and animal shelters in at least 12 states.  During many of these calls, Goatley claimed that he was sexually assaulting a child, or that he was about to do so. While investigating these threats, special agents from the FBI discovered Goatley was also the subject of numerous CyberTipline Reports submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating that he was active in receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material.

On July 22, 2024, investigators executed a federal search warrant on Goatley’s person and residence in Umatilla, and he was placed under arrest. A later search of Goatley’s cell phone revealed dozens of illicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

On July 23, 2024, Goatley made his initial appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was detained pending further court proceedings. He was arraigned Thursday and pleaded not guilty. A four-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on October 22, 2024.

Receiving and possessing child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison with a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. Transmitting interstate threats is punishable by up to five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Umatilla Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

ACLU sues Medford police for allegedly ‘spying’ on liberal groups they dislike

The ACLU of Oregon filed suit Tuesday against the Medford Police Department, claiming it has illegally been compiling secret files on individuals and groups who protested against the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd, pushed for LGBTQ+ rights, criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and advocated for homeless people and drug users.

The suit alleges that the southern Oregon police department monitored social media accounts and combed news stories to build files against individuals and groups when they weren’t suspected of any criminal activity.

“Simply put, MPD is abusing its power to spy on activists whose views it dislikes — and, not only that, building and maintaining files about such people and organizations without any justifiable law enforcement purpose, a blatant violation of Oregon law,” states the lawsuit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court.

The suit doesn’t seek a dollar amount. Rather, it asks a judge to order police to stop the practice.

The suit alleges police kept files on the following plaintiffs: the Rogue Valley Pepper Shakers, which advocates for queer and unhoused people; Stabbin Wagon, which seeks to prevent drug overdoses; and Melissa Jones, a former executive of Stabbin Wagon.

“The Medford Police are monitoring people like me because of what we care about, not for anything related to crime,” said Toren McKnight, co-founder of the Rogue Valley Pepper Shakers, in a news release issued by the ACLU.

But City Attorney Eric Mitton refuted the lawsuit’s claims, saying in a written statement Tuesday that the police aren’t judging “individuals’ political, religious, or social views” as the department keeps tabs on various groups.

“The Medford Police Department reviews publicly available social media to address legitimate public safety concerns related to public rallies and protests,” Mitton said. Those concerns include “potential traffic disruptions,” “possible breaches of peace” and “potential conflicts between protesters and counter-protesters,” he said.

Police Chief Justin Ivens added: “This ensures our ability to address potential safety concerns while safeguarding those exercising their constitutional right to free speech.” (SOURCE)

COVID Cases Surge in Oregon As Wastewater Readings Show Outpacing Virus Levels Elsewhere In Nation

The level of COVID-19 detected in Oregon wastewater has surged this summer, outpacing virus levels detected in other western states and across the nation in recent weeks, federal data shows.

COVID-19 has been on the rise in Oregon since late April, driven by omicron variants, said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunization at the Oregon Health Authority.

The rate of people testing positive for COVID climbed from 3.1% in April to over 18% during the last week of July, according to data reported to the health authority.

The number of COVID patients hospitalized in Oregon increased to 223 at the beginning of August, compared to 79 at the end of April.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System shows that virus levels detected in Oregon sewage began a rapid climb at the end of June, fell slightly at the end of July and ticked up again in August. As of the week ending on Aug. 10, Oregon’s wastewater viral activity level measured at 22.78 compared to a national average of 8.8 and a reading of 14 in other Western states. Anything over 8 is considered “very high,” the CDC website says.

Cieslak said Oregonians should make sure they’re up to date on the currently available COVID-19 vaccine and make a plan to get an updated dose when the vaccine for the 2024-25 COVID season becomes available. Oregonians should avoid large indoor gatherings and consider masking, especially in enclosed areas, Cieslak said. Those at higher risk should make a plan for getting tested and treated quickly if they develop COVID-19 symptoms.

Researchers at Oregon State University are celebrating the completion of an epic mapping project. For the first time, there is a 3D map of the Earth’s crust and mantle beneath the entire United States. The map could help the utility industry protect the power grid and prevent wide-scale blackouts.

OSU professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Adam Schultz, is the principal investigator on the mapping project.

It’s a big deal to scientists and electric companies to see how naturally occurring geomagnetic currents and solar storms interface with the electrical substations that keep our lights on and our cell phones buzzing.

In May, residents of planet Earth experienced the strongest solar storm in more than 30 years, and many witnessed of the rate site of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, across large swaths of the United States and elsewhere.

Schultz said the storm also affected radio and some cellular phone service, and caused power grid irregularities and problems with GPS systems. “We didn’t see any wide-scale power issues during that storm and the power industry had access to the data we have provided through this effort, so that’s an indication of the project’s success,” said Schultz.

“This is vital information that helps tell them how geomagnetic currents will interface with electrical substations,” Schultz said.

Oregon State’s National Geoelectromagnetic Facility is the largest facility for this type of measurement in the world, making the university a natural fit for the project, Schultz said. In all, he and his team received nearly $15 million in federal grants to support the work.

The information Schultz and dedicated researchers have been gathering has been shared freely during the project on the EarthScope Consortium | Powering Geophysics website. Now the first 300km of the entire U.S., from surface through the Earth’s mantle and crust, are visible in 3D, Schultz said. (READ MORE)

Mt. Bachelor Ski Area Up For Sale

Bachelor ski area has decided to put it and two other properties up for sale, the company confirmed Thursday. Officials at Powdr Corp., the Utah-based corporation that has owned Mt. Bachelor since 2001, said it could take six months or longer for a sale to go through.

“The upcoming ski season and Bachelor’s employees will not be impacted,” said Stacey Hutchinson, Powdr Corp. vice president of communications and government affairs.

In the next few weeks Mt. Bachelor, Eldora ski resort in Colorado and SilverStar in British Columbia will be listed with JP Morgan Chase. The company has already sold Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Vermont. It is retaining its ownership in Copper Mountain in Colorado and Snowbird resort in Utah, as well as the Woodward brand, which includes camps and ski mountain centers and two national park concession contracts.

When Powdr Corp. merged with Mount Bachelor ski area in 2001 it outbid the Pape Co. of Eugene, according to The Bulletin’s reporting in 2001. It wasn’t until years later, in 2016, that Powdr purchased Sun Country Tours, also based in Bend and for sale. With that acquisition, the ski area was able to expand summer activities that were approved by the U.S. Forest Service.

Mt. Bachelor ski area has 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain, making it the seventh largest ski area in North America, according to the company website. It’s popular because of its light, dry snow and long season. Generally the season begins right after Thanksgiving and runs through spring. Each year it gets about 400 inches of snow.

Share your experiences and thoughts on e-bikes in Oregon State Park survey

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is inviting the community to share their experiences and opinions on electric assisted bicycle (e-bike) and other electric micromobility (e-micromobility) devices in an online survey through Aug. 31. 

OPRD is seeing an increase in the use of e-bikes and e-micromobility devices in Oregon State Parks, which can present both opportunities and challenges. 

Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature adopted a 3-class classification system for e-bikes based on the type of motor, level of electric assistance and speed capabilities. OPRD plans to update its e-bike rules later this year in line with these changes. 

Currently, electric assisted bicycles that fit the definition under Oregon law (ORS 801.258) may ride on bicycle trails 8 feet and wider unless otherwise marked at Oregon State Parks or on beaches where motor vehicles are allowed. However, e-bikes, when used by a person with a mobility-related disability, are considered other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMD) by the ADA, which means they’re allowed for accessibility. 

By participating in this survey now, the public can inform OPRD about their current e-bike and e-micromobility use, concerns and opinions. Additional opportunities for public involvement will be available through the rulemaking process. 

This online survey only takes a few minutes to complete. Respondents can also choose to enter a drawing for an annual state parks parking permit upon completing the survey. Responses will be accepted until midnight August 31, 2024.

Taking part in this survey will help the agency gain a better understanding of the role of electric devices in outdoor recreation. 

OPRD encourages everyone to follow the rules and guidelines for riding safely in Oregon State Parks. Learn more about riding safely at https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=350.

Seeking proposals to run Smith Creek Village, other concessions at Silver Falls

SILVERTON, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking proposals to operate Smith Creek Village retreat center, South Falls Café and two historic ranches at Silver Falls State Park.

Smith Creek Village is a retreat center on the south side of Silver Falls that includes lodging (13 cabins and 4 lodges) and a restaurant with a commercial kitchen, dining room and seating area with lots of natural light

“Silver Falls is one of the crown jewels of the park system, and this is an incredible opportunity to be a part of this breath-taking destination,” said Willamette Valley District Manager Sarah Steele.

The park is one of the most popular in the state with an estimated 1.5 million day-use visits per year and features the nationally recognized Trail of Ten Falls. 

In 2021, OPRD signed an agreement with Silver Falls Hospitality to run two services— Smith Creek Village and the historic ranches—and a separate agreement with Oregon Commission for the Blind to run South Falls Café. Both contracts will expire at the end of October, prompting a new request for proposals. The new 10-year contract will include all three business opportunities.

The opportunity includes:

• Smith Creek Village, a retreat at the south end of the park with a restaurant, dining area, and lodging including 13 individual cabins and four group overnight lodges as well as outdoor event space, historic buildings, meeting areas and a commercial kitchen. 
• South Falls Café, a popular café near the trailhead for the Trail of Ten Falls with a full kitchen and indoor and patio space at the South Falls Lodge. Concession services at the South Falls Café currently include casual dining, food to go, and snacks for picnicking and hiking. 
• The Davidson Ranch and the Foothills Ranch, two large overnight facilities with commercial kitchens for private retreats and group lodging for weddings and other gatherings. 

OPRD is looking for a business or individual to run all three opportunities. The deadline to apply is Aug. 30. OPRD will host an open house 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 16, and 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 17 for prospective concessionaires. Registration is required. Email utler@oprd.oregon.gov“>Winona Butler by 2 p.m. Aug. 14 to register.

Silver Falls is expected to see continued growth with work now underway to develop the North Gateway: a new campground, visitor center and park improvements slated to open in 2026. 

The park offers everything from camping, hiking and biking to picnicking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Several of the park’s structures date back to the Civilian Conservation Corps established in 1933. The architecture features the now-iconic look of stone facades and timber beams seen at Silver Falls Lodge. 

Those who are interested in learning more can contact Contract Specialist Winona Butler at utler@oprd.oregon.gov“>winona.butler@oprd.oregon.gov or go OPRD’s website and click on the Silver Falls Concession Opportunity. The deadline to apply is Aug. 30, 2024.

Photos of the properties are available for download. 

Act now to secure Summer EBT benefits – Deadline is 9/2/2024

(Salem) – As summer begins to wind down, families have a limited window to secure essential food assistance through the new Summer EBT program. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. With the application deadline quickly approaching on Sept. 2, 2024, it’s crucial for eligible families to act now.

Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) are urging families to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, you have 122 days to use them.

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:

• Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level 

Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. 

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children in Head Start programs that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328) to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “Making sure children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer is critical. This small action could provide significant support to families in Oregon.” 

Interview with ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht

Since June 28, 2024, more than 329,000 eligible school-aged children have been issued $39.5 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.

“The results of the Summer EBT launch so far have far exceeded our expectations, but we know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “We encourage our schools and Summer Meals providers to have flyers on site to raise awareness and get our families the benefits they qualify for.”

Interview with ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams

Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before Sept. 2, 2024.

To learn more:

• Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
• Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

SNAP Double Up Food Bucks Benefits for Oregon Residents

You can use  Double Up  dollars when purchasing eligible items at participating farmers markets across the state. Just bring your SNAP EBT card with you to a participating farmers market and visit the information booth before you begin to shop.

Adapted from the Fair Food Network’s national model, Oregon Double Up Food Bucks makes it easy for low-income Oregonians to eat more fruits and vegetables while supporting family farmers and local economies. Double Up is Oregon’s first statewide incentive program, designed to be convenient for shoppers.

The program doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (sometimes called “SNAP” or “food stamps”) benefits at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms so shoppers can bring home more fresh produce.

Double Up is currently offered at over 85 farmers market locations, 35 grocery stores and more than 40 CSA farms across the state — with new locations joining the program each year.

For every $1 in SNAP you spend, you will get $1 of Double Up Food Bucks to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per transaction. For example: if you spend $20 in SNAP benefits, you’ll get an extra $20 free that you can use to buy more produce. Learn more at OregonFoodBank.org/DoubleUp.

Oregon Wildlife Agencies Want Your Help Tracking Roadkill

This summer, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Zoo started asking Oregonians to do their own tracking and upload pictures of roadkill.

“The state wants to get a better idea about where different animals, different species are getting struck and killed by cars,” said Rachel Wheat, the ODFW wildlife connectivity coordinator.

If Oregon’s naturalists can identify roadkill hotspots, then maybe the state can reduce the number of animals killed in interactions with people each year by removing vegetation that attracts wildlife to a specific area or by building a wildlife crossing.

Roadways and vehicular traffic are a significant contributor to fragmentation of habitat and impacts to wildlife, including injury and mortality. The purpose of this project is to improve our understanding of the impacts of roads on Oregon’s wildlife, and to identify roadkill hot spots and vulnerabilities among a diversity of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This information can help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and make roadways safer.

To sign up and for more information visit: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/roadkills-of-oregon

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com