The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, January 15, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
Sneaker Waves Along The Coast – Anyone planning to spend time along the Oregon coast should be mindful of possible sneaker waves.
King tides refer to the highest tides of the year and along the Oregon Coast these tides are typically 9 to 10 feet. There are four series of king tides, so mark your calendars. To learn more about these tides and/or to participate in some cool citizen science visit: https://www.oregonkingtides.net
Sneaker waves are waves that suddenly surge further up the beach than expected, according to the NWS. They are powerful enough to sweep people into the ocean, and can roll logs and other debris along the beach.
ROAD CONDITIONS: TripCheck
The National Weather Service (NWS) has updated the Winter Storm Watch now in effect
ICE remains through Monday, another round Tuesday evening — Oregon Coast could experience gusts to as high as 50mph Wednesday.
With winter storm warnings and advisories in effect across much of the state, county officials on Oregon’s North Coast are urging people to stay home.
Clatsop County officials say the hazardous and icy conditions that arrived Saturday morning have made it difficult to apply treatments to roads and sidewalks. Local roads and portions of highways closed because of the ice Saturday morning.
“Do not drive,” an alert from the county said. “If you do so, you are putting law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and public works employees at risk.”
In Tillamook County, officials also warned residents to prepare for possible power outages due to the ice. A winter weather advisory for the area is in place through 10 p.m. Saturday.
In Clatsop County, near Cannon Beach, Pacific Power reports outages affecting 2,876 customers. Power is expected to be restored by 8:30 p.m.
Outages are also affecting 8,844 customers in Seaside. The cause is under investigation and the situation is expected to be resolved before 8:30 p.m.
Downed trees have impacted power for over 200 customers in the Svensen area. Power is expected to be restored before 7 p.m.
The Sunset Empire Transportation District has cancelled all route service for the weekend because of weather and road conditions.
U.S. 101 reopened Saturday afternoon after being closed in both directions at the junction with U.S. 26 between Seaside and Cannon Beach in Clatsop County because of hazardous road conditions. The Oregon Department of Transportation said trucks without tire chains were losing traction or jack-knifing.
Crews were worked through Saturday morning to spread sand on the road. In the meantime, the Astoria Bridge and the Youngs Bay Bridge in Astoria closed for a time because of freezing rain. Both have reopened as of 1 p.m.
Transportation officials warned, however, that severe weather could force highway closures throughout northwest Oregon this weekend.
Warming centers in Clatsop County opened Friday night, and LiFEBoat Services, a nonprofit that serves the homeless from its location at 1040 Commercial Street in Astoria, offered expanded hours during the daytime so people had a warm place to stay.
A warming center in Seaside operated by Helping Hands plans to be open through Tuesday. The shelter is located at 1530 S. Roosevelt.
The National Weather Service says people should expect cold and freezing conditions through the weekend.
On the coast, people should expect to see mainly freezing rain with the possibility of some snow. The rain is predicted to ease Sunday morning though it will remain very cold through the early part of next week.
For current information about road conditions and closures in Oregon, visit ODOT’s Trip Check page
Winter Weather Community Resources – Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
Partners throughout Lincoln County have been working tirelessly this week and weekend to meet community needs. Please see the information below for updates on sheltering, weather, and road conditions.
Continue to use caution and stay safe:
- Be aware of conditions and avoid traveling unless necessary. Many roads are impacted by weather and debris. Do not try to access roads that are closed or blocked. This puts additional strain on first responders and crews working to clear the roads.
- Check on neighbors and offer assistance as you are able.
- Sidewalks and side streets may still be slippery or inaccessible.
- Continue to monitor conditions, additional information resources are below.
Power outages are affecting many in the County:
- If you are impacted by a power outage, seek help and shelter from neighbors or friends, or stay at a hotel with power if possible.
- Some sheltering options are available, see the information below.
Shelters:
- City of Newport
- What: Temporary Winter Shelter with meals provided
- When: Open from 4pm on 1/14/24 until power is restored.
- Where: Newport Recreation Center, 225 SE Avery St, Newport.
- Who: Community members in general, older adults, limited space available for cats and dogs accompanied by community members.
- More information: Please call 541-270-1005. Some transportation is available if you are not able to get to the shelter.
- Lincoln County Winter Shelters – LINCOLN CITY site
- What: Overnight shelter for houseless community members, meal provided.
- When: Check-in from 4pm – 6:30pm.
- Where: Call 541-270-1005 to for location information.
- Who: Houseless community members.
- More information: www.co.lincoln.or.us/1109/Community-Shelter-and-Resource-Center or call 541-270-1005
- Lincoln County Winter Shelters – NEWPORT site
- What: Overnight shelter for houseless community members, meal provided.
- When: Check-in from 4pm – 7pm.
- Where: 351 SW 7th Street, Newport OR
- Who: Houseless community members.
- More information: www.co.lincoln.or.us/1109/Community-Shelter-and-Resource-Center or call 541-270-1005
Community Resources in General:
- Questions about Lincoln County Houseless Shelters or the City of Newport’s Winter Weather Temporary Shelter, call Chantelle: 541-270-2396
- Call 211 or visit 211.info.org for community resources including shelters and more.
Additional Information:
- Road closures, Trip Check: tripcheck.com or call 511
- Weather updates/alerts, National Weather Service: www.weather.gov
- Power Outages, Service Status, and Provide Updates:
- Central Lincoln Power: clpud.org
- Pacific Power: www.pacificpower.net
- Consumers Power: www.cpi.coop
- View messages sent via Lincoln Alerts: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif
- Lincoln County Emergency Management Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lcemergencymanagement
- Continue to monitor City/Tribal information sources for resources and updates.
HWY 101 reopened at the Meglar and Youngs Bay bridges — Ice creating dangerous conditions.
Clatsop County urges people to stay home. Hazardous and icy conditions are making it difficult to apply treatments to roads and sidewalks. Do not drive. If you do so, you are putting law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and public works employees at risk.
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: Crews have reopened U.S. 101 on the Astoria-Megler Bridge and Youngs Bay Bridge in Astoria after closures midday Saturday due to freezing rain. Severe weather may force highway closures throughout northwest Oregon this weekend, including the Coast, Portland and the Willamette Valley, as well as higher elevations. Reschedule your travel if possible. More Info Here UPDATE
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: U.S. 101 has reopened at the junction with U.S. 26 between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Snow and ice are affecting roads in lower elevations across northwest Oregon, including the coast, Portland and the Willamette Valley. Reschedule your travel if possible. More Info Here UPDATE
The City of Newport declared an emergency Saturday due to the impactful winter storm causing a series of issues.
Injuries have been reported, including one person taken to the hospital when a tree fell on a homeless camp. Additionally, multiple injuries have been reported due to downed trees across the city.
Oregon Power Outage MAP: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/oregon
Seaside Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire at 7:24 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 involving an automobile, garage and home at 126 11th Ave. in Seaside.
Responders, including Seaside Police, evacuated nearby structures and firefighters quickly set to work knocking down the blaze, which was contained by 8:02 a.m. There were no injuries reported.
Despite icy conditions throughout the region, Seaside Fire received crucial mutual aid from Gearhart, Cannon Beach, Knappa Svensen Burnside, Astoria, Lewis & Clark, Warrenton, Hamlet, Elsie-Vine Maple and Olney Walluski. Responders also wish to thank Seaside Public Works for de-icing the scene and Pig ‘N Pancake for providing meals and coffee.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined while an investigation continues. (SOURCE)
Collision Involving South Lincoln Ambulance Kills One Person And Severely Injures Another In Yachats
One person was killed and another severely injured in a collision between a South Lincoln Ambulance and a Kia Soul about 5:16 p.m. Thursday as the ambulance was pulling out of the Yachats fire station just north of the city on U.S. Highway 101.
The highway was closed for five hours as staff and volunteers from Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, the Seal Rock fire department, Pacific West Ambulance crews, Oregon State Police and Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies responded. The highway reopened about 10:25 p.m.
The two Yachats firefighter/paramedics were not injured, but one was taken to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital for evaluation. Yachats firefighter/paramedics are responsible for staffing South Lincoln Ambulance and were responding to a call nearby.
One of the two occupants of the Kia was initially treated at the scene by PacWest paramedics and then taken by Lifeflight air ambulance to a hospital in the Willamette Valley
Because it is a fatality, state police sent their accident reconstruction team to investigate, which led to the long highway closure. (SOURCE)
Be alert for landslides across southern and western Oregon
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of south-central Oregon, including the south-central Oregon coast. The watch is in effect from Saturday evening to late Monday evening.
Abundant moisture will arrive with the next storm system coming in Friday night through Saturday night. Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires.
Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.
If your home, work, or route is in a watch area:
- Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
- Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
- Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.
For more landslide and debris flow information:
https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/landslide/Pages/debrisflow.aspx
OSP Fish and Wildlife asking for public assistance – Lincoln County
OSP Fish and Wildlife Seeking Public Assistance in Waste of Bull Elk
Bull elk left to waste in Lincoln County
LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. 10 Jan. 2024 – Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the take and waste of a bull elk in Lincoln County.
On Jan. 8, 2024, Fish and Wildlife troopers from the Newport office responded to a report of a bull elk shot and killed in a clearing near milepost 4 on Harlan Road. The carcass was located approximately 100 yards from a Weyerhauser gate above Harlan Road. The bull elk is believed to have been shot the night before. The bull elk had two hindquarters removed from the carcass and the majority of the meat was left to waste.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP008527.
Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.
The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.
Preference Point Rewards
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar
The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.
Cash Rewards
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat destruction
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.
How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx
# # #About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
Areas Out Of Water Due To Water Break In City Of Reedsport
The City of Reedsport Water Department is responding to a water break in the 664 Elm area, according to city officials. The city says residents from S. 6th Street to the Railroad Track east of Winchester Ave will be out of water for the time being.
Officials are asking residents to be cautious of workers in the area and to use alternative routes if possible. Residents with questions or concerns are asked to call 541-271-3603 and ask for Kim Clardy.
Yaquina Bay Communication’s Five Radio Stations Along The Oregon Coast No Longer Operating
Yaquina Bay Communications’ five stations along the Oregon Coast ceased operations 1/1/2024 following a foreclosure sale of their studio building and two tower properties.
Yacquina Bay Communications owns News/Talk 1310 KNPT Newport/98.3 K252EQ Depoe Bay and Standards 820 KWDP Waldport OR. The related Pacific West Broadcasting owns Country “U92” 92.7 KNCU Newport, Talk/Standards 1400 KBCH Lincoln City and Classic Rock 96.7 KCRF-FM Lincoln City.
All of the stations operate from the studio and office facility in Newport OR. A sixth station owned by the company, 102.7 KYTE Independence OR, lost its license in January after not operating from its licensed facilities for over three years.
YachatsNews.com reports that eight employees were let go as part of the shutdown that follows Oregon Coast Bank bidding $570,005 for the company’s real estate assets of a studio building and two tower sites in a foreclosure auction earlier this month.
The bank had gone to court to request a foreclosure after the Millers defaulted on $532,000 in loan payments. The Oregon Department of Revenue and Oregon Employment Department also held liens on the properties as they owe $43,000 in back taxes. (SOURCE)
Sneak Preview Screening for Movie Filmed Locally on Coast in Brookings January 16
Shot on location on the Oregon and Northern California Coast, starring Jonny Lee, Abby Wathen, and Mark Schneider.
Watch Bad Fish in Brookings, OR on Tuesday, January 16th. This is a Cast & Crew preview screening, with a limited guest list for local
Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy – Waldport
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is excited to start the year off by having our first quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event of 2024 in Waldport. Join us on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 8am – 10am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Café Chill (located at 540 NE Commercial St, Waldport, OR 97394).
More about these quarterly 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.
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.
Oregon Department Of Forestry Recreation Team Seeking Camp Hosts
The Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Team is looking for camp hosts to support operations at 8 campgrounds in the Tillamook, Clatsop, and Santiam State Forests for the 2024 season.
Campgrounds operates from May through October with flexible scheduling opportunities to include both full-season and short-season commitments.
Camp hosts are provided with:
*electricity
*water
*firewood
*septic
*ODF uniforms and supplies
Hosts help with light facility maintenance, visitor information services, and provide a point of contact for visitors in case of an emergency. Camp hosts enjoy direct access to trails and other recreation areas, get to meet people from all over the world, and can spend time exploring the vast experiences and views state forests have to offer.
To learn more, visit the ODF volunteer page: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/pages/volunteer.aspx
Florence Café 60 Senior Meals Program Reopens for Dine-In Meals
Lane Council of Government’s Senior Meals Program is reopening its Café 60 location in Florence after being closed for the past three years.
LCOG officials said that during the closure, LCOG’s Senior and Disability Services division offered grab-and-go meals but the reopening of Café 60 will provide a dine-in location for seniors who might otherwise go hungry. The Florence location will reopen on December 4 and operate three days a week at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Florence Senior Center located at 1570 Kingwood Street, LCOG officials said.
Organizers said that interested seniors should make reservations at least a week in advance by calling ahead at 541-997-5673 or filling out a reservation menu at the Café 60 location. The program is open at no cost to seniors 60 years of age or over and those not 60 years or older are welcome to join by paying the meal cost of $8, program organizers said. Donations are welcomed to support the program’s continued operation in the community, LCOG officials said.
Volunteers are also sought to help with the program and those who would like to participate may call 541-682-1366. More program information is also available here: https://www.lcog.org/sdslane/page/florence-caf%C3%A9-60-reopens-dine-meals
Ice and Snow and Freezing Temperatures — ODOT traffic alert: Road conditions remain challenging statewide
The Pacific Northwest is expected to see freezing temperatures and maybe even lowland snow this week as part of the polar vortex blasts southward from the Arctic. ODOT is alerting travelers during the extended holiday weekend for Martin Luther King Say that road conditions remain challenging statewide as freezing temperatures span across much of the northern part of Oregon.
Here is the full announcement from ODOT:
In the Portland Metro area, ice and strong winds are toppling trees and bringing down powerlines. Widespread power outages mean that many electronic road signs and traffic lights may be out. Treat traffic signals that aren’t working like a four-way stop. Never drive over downed power lines.
The Willamette Valley and central Coast areas are experiencing icy roads and freezing temperatures. Expect long highway closures as crews work to remove hundreds of downed trees, and repair powerlines and network cables.
Temperatures across these areas are not forecast to be above freezing for the next few days. There is a strong possibility we could see more freezing rain on Tuesday.
Warming temperatures in southwest Oregon could lead to flooding. Watch for high water and debris on the roadway, especially on valley and coastal routes. Delays and closures are likely on mountain highways as crews work to remove snow and downed trees.
The safest place to be during winter road conditions is at home. Our crews want to give a heartfelt thank you to every person who decided not to travel this weekend. Staying off the roads gives our crews and emergency responders the space to get where they need to go.
Road and weather conditions can change quickly and make travel difficult or impossible. For the latest state highway information and to see current closures, visit Tripcheck.com. For the latest weather, visit the National Weather Service website.
If you must travel, be prepared – Safety is our priority – for travelers and our road crews. If you decide to travel, plan extra time for your journey and carry emergency supplies. Delays and closures are happening statewide. Expect to encounter chain restrictions.
Give snowplows and emergency crews extra space to do their work, and never pass a snowplow on the right. Our crews are working hard to clear roads, but their job becomes more difficult when disabled cars and trucks block traffic.
For more winter weather driving tips, see our winter travel news packet.
To see images from this winter event from across Oregon, see our January 2024 Flickr album.
Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Oregon https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Family of 5 hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator indoors and cooking inside the apartment with a propane camp stove in Portland apartments
Five people, including children, were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning from a southeast Portland apartment complex on Sunday, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.
At about 2:30 pm on Sunday, firefighters responded to the area of Southeast 148th Avenue and Powell for a medical call from apartment complex neighbor Isabela Royer.
Portland Fire & Rescue said the five people were all conscious and breathing by the time they were taken to the hospital.
Because the apartment building had lost power, crews determined the family had been running a generator indoors and cooking inside the apartment with a propane camp stove.
After the incident, the Oregon Poison Center posted a warning on social media about generators or gas cookers:
“If you lost power in this weekend’s #WinterStorm, it is critical that you DO NOT use outdoor cooking appliances indoors. Grills and BBQs produce carbon monoxide which can be deadly when it builds up in an enclosed space.”
And PF&R posted a warning reminding people that carbon monoxide is a “silent, colorless, odorless, tasteless killer.”
The largest dam removal in U.S. history entered a critical phase this week, with the lowering of dammed reservoirs on the Klamath River.
On Thursday, the gate on a 16-foot-wide bypass tunnel at the base of Iron Gate dam, the lowest of those slated to be removed, was opened from a crack to 36 inches.
Amy Cordalis stood in the dawn chill to witness the first big surge as the gate was widened. She’s an attorney and Yurok Tribe member who has played a critical role in advocating for dam removal. As water poured through the tunnel, she could hear boulders rolling and tumbling. The water turned to dark chocolate milk as decades of pent-up sediment surged through.
“This is historic and life-changing,” Cordalis said. “And it means that the Yurok people have a future. It means the river has a future; the salmon have a future.”
One hundred seventy-three feet high, with a 740-foot crest, Iron Gate is an earth embankment dam with a skinny, many-fingered reservoir behind it. The lowering — or drawdown — of Iron Gate and two other reservoirs on the Klamath River will make way for the removal of three remaining hydroelectric dams that are part of the Lower Klamath Project in Northern California and southern Oregon.
For decades, these barriers have blocked salmon, steelhead and Pacific lamprey from accessing habitat above them and contributed to poor water quality below. The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon producer on the West Coast, but in the time since the dams were constructed, the Klamath’s coho and Chinook runs have dwindled to a fraction of their historic abundance.
When tribal activists first started calling for the removal of four Klamath River dams in the late 1990s, people thought they were “crazy,” said Leaf Hillman, an elder of the Karuk Tribe who helped launch the campaign. “We’ve never really considered any other alternative to removing dams. And so it was a fight that we were committed to, and that we knew that we had to win. And it’s been an intergenerational struggle.”
A massive die-off of Chinook salmon in 2002 catalyzed increased activism around getting the dams removed. An estimated 34,000 to 78,000 fish died. The loss of these fish didn’t just mean the loss of a fun summer fishing activity, said Brook Thompson, a Yurok Tribe member who was 7 years old at the time and is now in her late 20s. “Those salmon to me are the connections I have with my relatives,” she explained. “In a day, that was all gone.”
For the next week, water will flow through the bypass tunnel at an average rate of 2,200 cubic feet per second, draining down Iron Gate reservoir between two and four feet per day. Later this month, J.C. Boyle, the uppermost of the three dams, will be breached, followed by Copco 1. By June, the Klamath River should be flowing more or less within its historic channel, and the work of dismantling the structures can begin.
Advocates are quick to point out that dam removal alone will not save the Klamath River’s salmon runs. However, removing the barriers will open up 76 miles of coho habitat and over 400 miles of Chinook habitat, says Shari Witmore, a fish biologist at NOAA Fisheries.
If modeling is correct, as many as 80% more Chinook salmon could return to the basin within about 30 years after the dams are removed. Ocean harvest could increase by as much as 46%. But this will depend in part on restoring important tributaries, including the cold spring-fed rivers in the upper Klamath Basin, which have been compromised with diking and draining of wetlands.
“Once we restore that, we put this basin back together,” Witmore says. “That creates a lot of resilience over time with climate change, and it buffers against multi-year droughts.”
Cordalis, the Yurok Tribe member, agrees that more work lies ahead. But she’s also looking forward to fulfilling a simple personal goal. “Fishing,” she said. “I want to go fishing.” To see more, visit https://www.npr.org
A new COVID variant has become dominant in Oregon, according to data from the state Health Authority.
JN.1 is an Omicron subvariant which was first detected in August. The CDC projects that it may now make up as many as two-thirds of U.S. cases.
In Oregon, the variant reached a 58% share in mid-December, according to the most recently sequenced samples from the OHA. And state officials expect that those figures will continue rising.
The variant’s emergence in Oregon has coincided with rising cases and hospitalizations. Cieslak said there’s no firm evidence JN.1 has contributed, but it would make sense.
Cieslak said there’s no evidence that JN.1 leads to infections that are more severe or deadly. The World Health Organization has declared it a “variant of interest,” but said it poses a low additional threat to public health.
Red Cross: Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures — American Red Cross – Cascades Region
Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades —- Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Who donations help
Sandy Thornton, of Dallas, Oregon, knows firsthand how important a readily available blood and platelet supply is. Sandy battled a rare form of cancer called Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myleo Fibrosis. She received numerous blood and platelet transfusions until eventually needing a stem cell transplant.
“There are people who cannot get a stem cell transplant, which means they face a lifetime of platelet or blood transfusions. That’s their life. Blood is a lifesaver no matter how you look at it. It’s not just about when disasters happen, it’s when people get sick,” shares Sandy.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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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