The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Friday, September 29, 2023
Oregon Beach Weather
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:14 AM SEP. 29, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 AM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...North winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and steep wind-driven seas 7 to 10 ft. * WHERE...All areas. * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM 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
Local Scholars Reveal the History of Sea Otters, a Now-Absent Cultural Keystone Species in Oregon
A special section of the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon Historical Quarterly highlights sea otter history in the Pacific Northwest
Oregon’s nearshore waters were once the homeland to thousands of sea otters, an iconic species in the history of what is now known as Oregon. Sea otters have held a special role in the cultural, spiritual, and economic life of coastal Native American communities, with oral traditions documenting the species’ significance. Their lustrous pelts brought great wealth in late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century China, motivating Euro-Americans to broker some of the earliest contact and trade between themselves and Native American people along the Oregon coast. Over a century of zealous hunting and trading of sea otters, by Native people and Euro-Americans, eliminated the species from Oregon’s coastal waters over 100 years ago.
In a special section of the Fall 2023 issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly (OHQ), “Sea Otters in Oregon,”local scholars explore the existence and significance of the species in the region, drawing on academic work, archival records, archaeological findings, and Native oral tradition to trace the history of this now-absent ecological and cultural keystone species. Although most accounts of the extirpation of sea otters from the Oregon coast focus on the well-documented international maritime fur trade of the late eighteenth and early twentieth centuries, the authors reveal historical records that demonstrate sea otters persisted much later.
In “Glimpses of Oregon’s Sea Otters,” Cameron La Follette and Douglas Deur introduce the history of Oregon’s now-extinct sea otter population, describing the emergence of the Chinese market that created and sustained the hunt, the British discovery of potential profits of trading sea otter pelts, and the rise of American traders.
Douglas Deur, Peter Hatch (Hanis Coos, Siuslaw), and Hannah Wellman explore the complimentary lines of evidence of sea otters’ significance among Native oral tradition and archaeological findings in “The House Full of Otters: Recalling Human-Sea Otter Relationships on an Indigenous Oregon Coast.” Native oral traditions recall a rich history of human encounters with sea otters and speak of the species’ ubiquity, significance, and sentience. Archaeological evidence of sea otter use, found on sites along the Oregon coast, further attest to this longstanding relationship.
In “The Invisible Slaughter: Local Sea Otter Hunters on the Oregon Coast,” Cameron La Follette, Richard Ravalli, Peter Hatch, Douglas Deur, and Ryan Tucker Jones uncover a long-ignored history of sea otters continuing to inhabit the Oregon coast, although in diminishing numbers, much later than the early nineteenth century, when well-documented accounts associated with international maritime history place their drastic decline and regional extirpation. Their research suggests that sea otter extinction on the Oregon coast (and Washington and California as well) resulted from household-scale hunting by Native Americans and Euro-American settlers from the mid-nineteenth century until around 1910.
Many of the authors of the special section are board members or advisors of the Elakha Alliance, a nonprofit organization with a mission to “restore a healthy population of sea otters to the Oregon coast and to thereby make Oregon’s marine and coastal ecosystem more robust and resilient.” Elakha (ee-LAK-uh), a Chinook word for sea otter, was resurrected in 2018 after some inactive years by tribal, nonprofit, and conservation leaders who are aware that the sea otter is considered a keystone species, and that Oregon’s nearshore marine ecosystem has suffered as a result of their absence.
As the journal of record for Oregon history, the Oregon Historical Quarterly publishes well-researched, well-written history about Oregon and the Pacific Northwest for both scholars and general readers. Nearing its 125th volume year, OHQ amplifies knowledge and perspectives that traditional scholarship has often silenced and sparks relevant conversations about history.
The Fall 2023 issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly is now available for purchase in the Oregon Historical Society’s Museum Store for $10, and a subscription to OHQ is a benefit of Oregon Historical Society membership. Abstracts for the articles featured in this special issue are available online.
About the Oregon Historical Society – For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all.We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.
Illegal Substance Sent via Mail to Adult in Custody at the Coos County Jail
On September 29th, 2023, at approximately 1:15 a.m. Deputy Tindall was screening incoming mail at the Coos County Jail. Deputy Tindall observed a drawing that was very light in color on the inside of the envelope. Due to previous experiences, Deputy Tindall suspected the drawing was an attempt to smuggle contraband into the facility.
With the assistance of Sgt. Clayburn, Deputy Tindall was able to use the TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzer. The substance tested positive to be a synthetic cannabinoid. This illegal substance is re-activated by the user by applying moisture.
Thanks to Deputy Tindall’s due diligence, he kept this illegal substance from entering the housing facility at the Coos County Jail. We are incredibly thankful for our Corrections Deputy and their unwavering attention to detail.
Florence Silent March in Support of Victims of Domestic Abuse on Sunday
As it has for several years in Florence, October will begin with a “silent march” in support of victims of domestic abuse. Bob Teter, the Executive Director of Siuslaw Outreach Services, says the march is this Sunday 10/1 at one PM. Marchers are asked to begin assembling at 12:45 a block west of the Siuslaw River Bridge.
“At Veteran’s Park. We will proceed from there, led by Florence PD, the high school football team and cheerleaders, and we will walk down Bay Street.”
After marching four blocks, a brief ceremony will be held at the Boardwalk.
“I will be saying a few words about what’s going on locally and we may have a survivor or two that will tell their story. Um, we’ll have a moment of silence for those who have passed.”
Teter says in the past dozen years there have been at least 5 homicides in the Florence area related to domestic violence. https://florencesos.org/
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 Team Participates in Successful Mutual Aid K9 Deployment
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 team Deputy Z. Akin and K9 Ghost were participating in regional K9 training in the Albany, OR area when the Albany Police Department (Reference Albany PD Case #23-06037) were investigating an active commercial burglary of a gated storage unit complex located at 2887 Ferry St SW in Albany, OR.
In the course of that investigation, 3 subjects fled the location on foot. Albany PD captured 1 subject quickly but requested assistance from the K9 teams in training to help locate the outstanding subjects. Deputy Akin / K9 Ghost deployed. Akin / Ghost picked up a scent north of the location where they had been searching and tracked the 2 subjects to another commercial building nearby and ultimately locate the subjects hiding under a loading dock. The subjects were challenged by Deputy Akin and K9 Ghost quickly surrendered to Albany PD officers on scene without resistance. For additional information, reference our case #23S-09389 and our Facebook.
Free Disaster Readiness Fair in Astoria on September 30th
Senior Communications Specialist Jennifer Benoit of Astoria, Oregon, has cordially invited the community to attend a free readiness fair. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, at Warrior Hall at Camp Rilea in Warrenton.
The fair aims to educate the community about preparing for natural disasters. Free lunch and survival tools will be provided to attendees, however, these are subject to availability. The event invites not only adults but also children, with planned activities specifically targeted for their entertainment and knowledge growth.
Opportunities to interact with local experts, view outdoor displays, and win prizes are some additional highlights of the event.
This initiative by the local authority intends to increase disaster preparedness among the community while promoting engagement and learning in a relaxed setting. https://www.facebook.com/events/2150610985143287/?ref=newsfeed
Updates for the Smith River Complex North, Anvil and Flat Fires
Area and Road Closure Orders Still in Effect for Anvil, Flat and Smith River Complex Fire Areas
Sept. 28, 2023 — Closure Orders remain in place for areas of the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest for the Anvil, Flat and Smith River Complex Fires. Recent precipitation across the forest allowed for the lifting of Public Use Restrictions, which allows campfires on areas of the forest that are not currently under a closure order. Lifting Public Use Restrictions for campfires does not rescind closure orders. Forest staff are working closely with fire managers daily to re-evaluate closures and look for opportunities to reopen them as soon as safely possible for both firefighters and the public. The following acts are prohibited upon closed areas within the forest. These orders will be effective through October 31, 2023, unless rescinded sooner.
PROHIBITIONS:
1. Being upon a closed road. 2. Going into or being upon land within the Closure Area. 3. Being on a trail within the Closure Area. 
Closure Order for Anvil Fire: https://bit.ly/AnvilClosure Closure Order for Flat Fire: https://bit.ly/FlatClosure Closure Order for Smith River Complex North: https://bit.ly/SRCNorthClosure For the safety of firefighters and the public, please respect closure orders. 
The current fire danger rating is “moderate” for all five Ranger Districts. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently at Level 1. For up-to-date information regarding fire season, ongoing fires, and fire restrictions, follow the RRSNF on Twitter/X and Facebook or visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou
Please visit Inciweb bit.ly/AnvilFireOR and bit.ly/FlatFireOR for the latest closure information. Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.
A list of fire restrictions and closure orders for BLM Oregon-Washington public lands are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BLMOregon.
Please visit Inciweb bit.ly/AnvilFireOR and bit.ly/FlatFireOR for the latest closure information. Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.
A list of fire restrictions and closure orders for BLM Oregon-Washington public lands are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BLMOregon.
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office Introducing Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is excited to introduce quarterly “Coffee with a Deputy” events. Every three months our office will partner with a local coffee shop in Lincoln County to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to meet our team and share what’s on their minds. Coffee with a cop events are a friendly and relaxed way for communities to connect with the deputies that serve them.
To kick off our first Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event, Pirate Coffee Company in Depoe Bay will be hosting our team. Join us on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 9am – 11am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Pirate Coffee Company (located at 10 Vista St., Depoe Bay, Or 97341).
These events offer a unique opportunity for community members to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you’re a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with deputies on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback. Join us on October 4, 2023, at Pirate Coffee Company to connect with your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Latest monthly data continues to show more than 7 out of 10 Oregonians keeping medical benefits as state reviews eligibility
SALEM, Ore. – The latest renewal data continues to show that more than 7 out of 10 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits. So far, around 1 in 8 people’s benefits are ending.
Compared with other states, Oregon has the third lowest benefit closure rate in the nation among completed renewals. Learn more about the steps Oregon is taking to expand access to health coverage.
OHP renewals after the pandemic – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government allowed states to keep people on Medicaid and did not require annual eligibility renewals. This ended when the public health emergency ended, and Oregon is currently making sure everyone on OHP is still eligible.
Everyone who has OHP or other Medicaid-funded services and supports will receive a renewal notice by mid-2024. The notice will explain whether the member needs to provide additional information or take action to keep their coverage.
Oregon can process many renewals automatically. Some members need to provide additional information so that we can determine if they are still eligible. Additional information requested from members may include documents such as paystubs or a renewal packet they are asked to review, sign and return.
OHP renewals so far – Between April and September 21, 2023, 807,765 people have come up for renewal. This represents 55.3% of all the OHP and Medicaid members whose eligibility will be reviewed.
- 522,613 people (70.1%) were renewed. Some of these members will also need to provide information to keep their benefits; these members will be recategorized in an upcoming update to our Medical Redeterminations Dashboard .
- 96,530 people (12.0%) were found ineligible and received 60-day notices of termination. Losses of coverage began at the end of June.
- 23,770 people (2.9%) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue our Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs.
- We are currently awaiting responses from 12,262 people (1.5%).
- Renewals for 109,218 people (13.5%) are awaiting state action. For instance a member has responded to their renewals and the information needs to be reviewed.
September OHP renewal requests – In September, renewal letters were sent to an additional 142,934 people.
- 102,700 of those people (71.9%) were renewed without any action needed.
- 30,922 people (21.6%) were asked to provide some information to renew. The most common requests are for income-related proof, like paystubs, or forms of identification, like a government identification or birth certificate.
- 11,231 people (7.9%) were asked to fill out a renewal form.
- 8,123 people (5.7%) had previously reported that they no longer met income limits or other requirements, so received a notice that their benefits will be ending in 60 days.
What to do if OHP is ending:
- First, review the case summary in your letter to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct. If that information has changed, notify the state. You can call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted) or find other options to connect at benefits.oregon.gov. If the information on file for you is correct and you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing. Learn more about hearings here
- Explore options through an employer. If you, your spouse, or a parent are working, you may be eligible for health coverage through that employer. Talk to your manager or Human Resources department to see if you qualify. You will have a special enrollment period to enroll mid-year due to loss of OHP benefits.
- If you have or are eligible for Medicare: For help understanding Medicare options, go to OregonHealthcare.gov/GetHelp to find an insurance agent or a counselor at the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA), or call SHIBA at 800-722-4134. SHIBA counselors and insurance can help you choose the right Medicare options if you’re losing OHP coverage.
If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up
- Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians qualify for financial help through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to answer a few quick questions and find out how much you can save and how much coverage may cost you. You can also call the Marketplace Transition Help Center at 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
- Need free local help figuring any of this out? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.
Act right away when it’s your turn to renew
Renewal notices are going out through mid-2024. If you have OHP or other Medicaid benefits, check your mail often for a letter from the state of Oregon. When receiving a letter, you should do what it asks right away to protect your benefits.
The large number of OHP renewals, along with renewals of long-term services and supports, may cause greater wait times, delays, and possible interruptions to people’s OHP benefits. OHP members are encouraged to respond as quickly as possible after they receive a request for information to avoid any possible delays. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and logging into their ONE online account.
Find help for renewing your benefits
- Learn more about how to renew your Oregon Health Plan medical coverage.
- Call the ONE Customer Service Center: 800-699-9075 (all relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages).
- Stop by or call a local office. People can find their local office at: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx
- Visit a community partner for free, in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp (English) or orhim.info/ayuda (Spanish).
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are committed to transparency and will continue to send monthly information about medical coverage among Oregonians as the agencies continue to track the state’s progress in renewing eligibility for medical programs.To learn more about the marketplace, visit OregonHealthCare.gov or call 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).To sign up for Medicare, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up
Measure 110 data report show gains continued in clients served substance use treatment and other service and supports
It may be hard to believe, but, three years after Oregon voters elected to decriminalize drugs, a new study has concluded that the first-in-the-nation law has not led to increased drug use or drug overdoses.
It may be hard to believe, but, Three years after Oregon voters elected to decriminalize drugs, a new study has concluded that the first-in-the-nation law has not led to increased drug use or drug overdoses. The conclusion counters an increasingly common narrative that Oregon’s drug problem is unique in the country — and that decriminalization is to blame.
Researchers at NYU, the Network for Public Health Law and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at 13 states with similar drug overdose rates to Oregon in the three years leading up to Measure 110 going into effect. They then compared overdose rates in Oregon to those same states in the first year after decriminalization.
The study used a similar methodology to look at overdose deaths in Washington where, in 2021, the state Supreme Court threw out a law making drug possession a felony. Washington lawmakers have since passed a new law making possession a gross misdemeanor.
The NYU study only looked at fatal overdoses because that is the most reliable data available. Nonfatal overdose data is difficult to collect for a number of reasons. Reporting standards vary widely across emergency services providers in the country and hospital data isn’t easily acquired. The data is typically sold to private companies, which then resell it to researchers. Buying the needed data for all 50 states could cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Despite losing handily in the state’s rural counties, ballot Measure 110 passed with 58% of the vote. Now polls suggest voters might be rethinking their decision to decriminalize drugs. An April poll by DHM Research found that 63% of voters support bringing back criminal penalties for drug possession.
Despite a reduction in arrest rates, the study released on Wednesday didn’t find a corresponding reduction in overdoses. That might be because the data was limited to the first year of implementation and the positive impacts of fewer arrests might be slower to materialize, the study’s authors wrote.
Measure 110 providers reported continued increases in the number of clients served statewide in all seven network service areas, according to new program reports filed with Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Overdose prevention and peer support services accounted for the largest client gains in the quarterly reporting and over all three quarters. Substance use treatment providers reported 41 percent more clients in quarterly gains and 104 percent over the first three quarters.
The latest reporting encompasses activity from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2023 — the third quarterly reporting period since the Measure 110 networks were established.
Among the highlights:
- Over the three quarters, providers reported the largest percentage of client gains in supported employment and housing services at 365 percent and 190 percent respectively.
- Providers reported more than 7,000 people received substance use disorder treatment — a 104% increase over the three quarters.
- Providers reported more than 47,000 service encounters for people seeking substance use treatment — a 134% increase over all three quarters.
“It’s encouraging to see the reported client gains by Measure 110 service providers. It’s another sign that the statewide networks are taking hold and more people are getting treatment along with critically needed services and supports,” said OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke.
Behavioral Health Resource Network (BHRN) 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.
OHA has developed 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.
Also starting this reporting period, the dashboard will contain stories of how Measure 110 is working to save lives, support people in recovery, stabilize youth and families and help people find housing and employment.
The third quarter reporting shows that investments are trending away from the emphasis on capital expenditures and toward sustained treatment and recovery services.
The largest expenditures continued to be housing services at more than $8.7 million in the third quarter, representing the historic investment the Oversight and Accountability Council has made in building new recovery housing across the state.
Preliminary data also showed more client engagement among communities of color. Over the three quarters the number of people seeking substance use treatment increased by 126 percent for people identifying as Hispanic/Latino, Latina or Latinx, 49 percent for people identifying as Black/African American and 180 percent for people identifying as American Indian/Alaskan Native.
The Measure 110 program continues to refine service data collection for communities of color and other disproportionately affected communities, as the networks transition toward implementing Race Ethnicity and Language Disability (REALD) standards in their data collection.
More than one-third of the providers credited Measure 110 funding for enabling them to expand services and decrease wait times for accessing treatment, while nearly 40 percent cited staff retention and recruiting as an ongoing challenge.
One provider cited an example of decreased wait times: “Our transitional home was opened, and we had immediate placement of one family, including a mother and her infant.”
The deadline for the next round of reporting is Oct. 2 for expenditure data and Oct.16 for operational and will cover the time between April through June 30, 2023.
Background: In November 2020, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act of 2020, which became effective Dec. 4, 2020, to better serve people actively using substances or diagnosed with a substance use disorder. In July 2021, the legislature passed SB 755, which amended the act and made it more feasible to implement.
People who provide drug treatment and recovery services and advocates for criminal justice reform wrote Measure 110 in response to the high rate of drug addiction and overdoses in Oregon, and the disproportionate impact of those outcomes on Oregon’s communities of color.
Their goal was to establish a more equitable health-based and effective approach to substance use disorder.
Morgan Fire near Bly UPDATE
Marsh Fire in Klamath Marsh National Forest
The Marsh Fire is now 2,661 acres and 50% contained, according to a news release from Fremont Winema National Forest.
“With the increased containment firefighters will transition from fire suppression to suppression repair, working to restore the containment line and areas impacted by initial attack efforts,” the release said. “In addition, crews will continue patrolling and mopping up hot spots within the perimeter.”
PETA is campaigning against Oregon Health & Science University
The animal rights organization wants the university’s obstetrics and gynecology students to use surgery simulators instead of performing surgery on pigs during their training. PETA claims invasive procedures have been done on up to 48 live pigs at the school.
The organization has a billboard up to encourage the practice to stop. The university says it will adopt non-animal trainings when they become scientifically approved.
U.S. Postal Service Hiring Across Oregon
The U.S. Postal Service welcomed job-seekers to job fairs at dozens of post office locations throughout the state Thursday. The USPS is trying to fill thousands of openings for full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs. Salaries range around $19.94 to $24.05 an hour, depending on the position.
Whether you are an early-riser or night owl, the Postal Service has positions to accommodate varying schedules.Here’s information from the USPS announcement:
Our goal is to fill thousands of positions all over the state. In most areas, the need is especially urgent for mail carriers, clerks and mail handlers. However, interested applicants should always check with their local Post Office for information on available positions.
The Postal Service continues to aggressively hire in many locations across the country. With a workforce of more than 635,000, USPS is one of the nation’s largest employers with ongoing attrition needs. And combined with the ongoing nationwide challenges faced by most employers, we are hiring for the holidays — and beyond.
A postal job offers employees the ability to work where they live, good pay, stability, lifelong benefits and career advancement opportunities throughout the entire agency.
Our employees are our greatest asset, and we are investing in our new personnel by providing robust training and on-the-job support. The Postal Service offers stability, competitive wages and benefits, and career advancement opportunities.
Starting pay varies depending on the job. But starting pay for carriers ranges between $19 and $20 per hour paid bi-weekly. Applications are accepted online at www.usps.com/careers.
Applicants must be 18 years of age and be able to pass drug screening and a criminal background investigation. Although in some instances, interested candidates can also be 16 with a high school diploma.
Applicants must be available to work weekends and holidays. Refer to the job announcement for full details, duties, responsibilities, job requirements, and benefits information. Job postings are updated frequently, so check back often for additional opportunities.
For additional information regarding available positions in all areas, applicants can go to our website at www.usps.com/careers. Jobs are uploaded every other Tuesday until filled. Potential applicants can also visit any Post Office location for more information.
Stabilizing our workforce to ensure we consistently service nearly 165 million addresses across the country is one part of the Postal Service’s 10-year Delivering for America plan to achieve financial stability and service excellence.
# # # Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.
Oregon State Parks ready for Oct. 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse
Oregon State Parks offers prime viewing spots for the Oct. 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse. Visitors to parks within the path of annularity will watch the moon partially cover the sun, which creates a ‘ring of fire’ because the moon appears slightly smaller as it passes.
“Our park staff are ready to help visitors safely view this phenomenon,” said JR Collier, deputy of Statewide Operations.
He added that a limited number of free eclipse glasses will be available at Oregon State Parks on the day of the event.
He also emphasizes that safety is crucial while observing an eclipse.
Use ISO 12312-2 certified solar filters, avoid damaged filters, and consider projection methods. The eclipse glasses from the 2017 event are expired and shouldn’t be used.
Travelers coming to Oregon should prepare for potential traffic congestion, check local weather conditions, and pack essentials, including water, food, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Whether you’re an experienced eclipse enthusiast or a first-time observer, prioritize safety, and plan your trip to witness the ‘ring of fire’ against Oregon’s breathtaking landscapes and clear skies.
For more information and updates about viewing the eclipse from an Oregon state park, please visit https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=327.
Wildlife Safari Hiring
Looking to join a unique work environment where you will see exotic animals everyday?
Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon is looking to fill multiple positions. Visit our website at https://wildlifesafari.net/pages/work-at-safari to explore current job openings and learn more about the diverse opportunities available behind the scenes at Wildlife Safari.
75 Motor Vehicle Crashes on One Section of Highway 62 This Year Leads Law Enforcement to Conduct Saturation Patrol
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – Law enforcement agencies from throughout the region are participating in a joint saturation patrol on Highway 62 tomorrow (Friday, September 29) and Saturday. The coverage area will be primarily Hwy. 62 from the Big X intersection in Medford (Highways 62, 238, 99) to Shady Cove. So far this year, there have been 75 motor vehicle crashes on Hwy. 62 from the Big X to Shady Cove. These crashes led to 18 injuries and three fatalities. This joint operation is funded by a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
This joint operation will focus on the enforcement of OSP’s Fatal 5 – Speed, Occupant Safety, Lane Usage, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving. These categories of traffic violations have been proven to be the primary contributors to serious injury and fatal crashes. The law enforcement agencies participating include Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police (OSP), as well as Medford, Central Point, Phoenix, and Eagle Point police departments.
Become The Judge
Do you love weed? Are you a little bit judgy? Then this could be the job for you:
High Times is looking for 2,100 Oregonians to determine the state’s marijuana for the 2023 Cannabis Cup.
Anyone 21 and over can be a judge for the cup, which is returning for the first time since 2020. Judges will get to sample gummies, cannabis flower, pre-rolls, concentrates and more, depending on the category they select, and then report back on what they they thought of the products.
Kits will be available Friday, Sept. 30, at many dispensaries around the state and you can visit cannabiscup.com/preregister to preregister. But, bad news for anyone who was hoping to get high for free – these kits will cost money.
Kits will be sold based on category on a first-come, first-serve basis. The kits will cost between $40 and $90 before tax but will include five to 13 different products and a tie-dye or black High Times tote bag. For more information and a list of retailers selling the judging kits, visit cannabiscup.com/oregon-2023.
Missing Yachats Man’s Vehicle Found in North Lane County
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.
83-year-old Clarence Edward Pitts walked away from his home in Bandon on Tuesday, January 31 at around 1:00 p.m. Pitts is described as:
- 6′ 00″
- 150 lbs
- Gray hair
- Brown eyes
- Last seen wearing an orange beanie, plaid jacket, tan pants and white shoes
- May have a walking cane
- Has dementia and PTSD
Pitts may be in a vehicle that was also found to be missing from the home:
- 1999 Toyota Van
- White
- Oregon license plate: WYN 788
If you see Clarence or have any information pertaining to where he may be, please call the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 541-396-2106 or the Bandon Police Department at 541-347-3189.
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