The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, November 11, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
Active Weather Alerts – National Weather Service
...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST TUESDAY... ...STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, very steep and hazardous seas 16 to 22 ft at 16 seconds. For the Storm Watch, south winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 60 kt and seas 18 to 23 ft at 15 seconds possible. * WHERE...All the waters north of Pt. St. George * WHEN...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, until 4 PM PST Tuesday. For the Storm Watch, from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Very strong winds and very steep seas could capsize or damage vessels. Visibilities may be significantly reduced. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Another storm system will move in from the Pacific Ocean Tuesday night and bring a 50 to 70 percent chance for storm force winds. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
During World War I, the fighting ended on Nov. 11, 1918 when an armistice went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Nearly twenty years later, legislation passed on May 13, 1938, officially making Nov. 11 of each year a federal holiday, originally known as “Armistice Day,” the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs explains on its website.
The holiday was first created to honor veterans of World War I, but then in 1954, the original legislation was amended to change the holiday’s name to Veterans Day, to honor American veterans of all wars.
Nov. 11, 2024, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. PT: Veterans Day Parade – Florence
The Florence Veterans Parade is an annual event that celebrates and recognizes the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. Come together to honor their sacrifice and dedication. The 2024 Grand Marshals are Wendy Farley-Campbell, USN and Wayne Sharpe, USMC. The parade route is down Bay Street, starting at the Florence Christian Church and concluding at First St and Nopal St. Parade music will be broadcast on the radio KCST 106.9 or KXCR 90.7. — The Oregon Coast Military Museum will be open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceVeteransDayParade
On November 11, veterans can enjoy free admission to the #OregonCoastAquarium!
Please bring proof of service (such as a military ID, VA card, or state ID with veteran designation) to our Admissions to qualify. Plan your visit at http://aquarium.org
Officer Involved Shooting in Waldport
On Sunday, November 10, 2024, at approximately 7:40pm, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance involving a subject firing a rifle from 1015 SE Rolph Court in Waldport, Oregon. A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on scene and took up an observation position south of the residence. The subject walked out of the residence with a firearm and was ultimately shot by the deputy. The suspect’s firearm was recovered from the scene.
Responding deputies rendered medical aid and the subject was transported by ambulance. The subject was pronounced deceased while enroute to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital.
The Lincoln County Major Crimes Team was activated in accordance with the Lincoln County Deadly Force Plan. The Lincoln City Police Department is leading the investigation. Detectives from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police Department, and Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division are assisting. Additionally, officers from the Corvallis Police Department assisted with crime scene processing.
Any further media inquiries should be referred to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.
Sandbagging Stations in Lincoln County
Lincoln County residents have access to three self-serve, public sandbagging stations located in Yachats, Newport, and Lincoln City.
If you plan on using the self-serve sandbagging station, remember to bring a shovel. Hours: Mid-October through mid-April. You can access sand any time of day or night. Community members may gather up to 10 sandbags per household, per season. Full news releases, flyers, and social posts in English and Spanish are attached.
Arrest Made In Sexual Abuse Of A Minor Case
Lincoln City Police
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Detectives from Lincoln City Police Department arrested 53-year-old Angela Rose Schafer, of Lincoln City on charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor.
Detectives began the investigation after the victim came forward and reported the activity to law enforcement. Detectives learned that the suspect, Angela Schafer, was a Lincoln County School District employee who worked at Taft High and Taft Elementary schools. Upon receiving the report, Detectives moved quickly but thoroughly, and as part of their investigation, obtained a search warrant for Schafer’s residence. It is believed that the crimes occurred in January of 2024 and the victim was a student of Taft High School.
On November 5, 2024, LCPD Detectives served the search warrant on Schafer’s residence and she was arrested from the school. Schafer was subsequently lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following criminal charges: Rape in the third degree, Sexual Abuse in the third degree, Contributing to the Sexual Delinquency of a Minor, and Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor.
LCPD would like to thank the Lincoln County School District for their full cooperation and assistance with our investigation.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Bud Lane at 541-994-3636.
US Coast Guard Delivers Revamped Jayhawk Helicopter to Air Station Astoria
The US Coast Guard has shipped a modified MH-60T Jayhawk medium-range recovery helicopter to Air Station Astoria in Oregon as part of its service life extension program.
The modernized aircraft is part of an ongoing effort to extend the operational lifespan of the coast guard’s existing Jayhawk fleet — in service since the 1990s — by fitting them with new hulls, electrical wire harnesses, and main rotor blades.
Through the process, the helicopters will gain about 20,000 additional flight hours.
Another approach to this initiative involves using low-flight-hour US Navy H-60 hulls, specifically from the HH-60H Pave Hawk and SH-60F Seahawk airframes, to further increase the size of the Jayhawk fleet.
Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has already delivered three of the 45 new hulls ordered for the program.
A new air station in Point Mugu, California, received another upgraded MH-60T with a converted navy hull in August 2024.
Assembly, installation, and related manufacturing tasks to complete the program are being performed at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
“The sustainment effort has expanded to include increments for fleet growth as the service transitions to an all MH-60T fleet,” the coast guard said.
“Consolidation of the Coast Guard’s rotary wing fleet to a single MH-60T airframe is necessary to mitigate sustainability challenges with the MH-65 short range recovery helicopter and maintain the service’s rotary wing capability until recapitalization in line with the Department Defense’s Future Vertical Lift program.”
The Jayhawk measures 64 feet (20 meters) long and has a wingspan of 53 feet (16 meters).
In addition to its search and rescue equipment, the platform can be mounted with weapons for enhanced protection during deployments, including semi-automatic rifles or medium machine guns.
It flies with two gas turbine engines with 1,890 horsepower each for an altitude of up to 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), a top speed of 207 miles (333 kilometers) per hour, and a range of 806 miles (1,296 kilometers). (SOURCE)
Coos County Sheriff is expressing disappointment in voters’ apparent lack of support for a proposed tax levy
Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio spoke while votes were still being tabulated, but the first release showed voters rejecting Measure 6-217 with 63% of the counted votes.
“It was a county levy. It’s not just the sheriff’s office. Obviously it’s going to affect my office, and when I took this job I knew that I was going to be charged with protecting peoples’ rights with the safety and security of 65,000 people, and unfortunately the commissioners now are going to have to make a decision with what my budget going forward looks like,” he said.
The measure would have created a five-year tax levy of 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. That money would have gone toward maintaining jail staff and capacity.
Psilocybin Business Bans Wins in Brookings
Three cities in Curry, Douglas and Jackson Counties decisively said “No” to psilocybin businesses
All three cities previously approved two-year moratoriums on psilocybin businesses, but those temporary bans expire at the end of this year. So, residents voted again on the future of psilocybin businesses in their cities.
As of Wednesday morning, voters in Brookings were passing the ban 60 percent to 40 percent.
The ban in Sutherlin was passing 65 percent to 35 percent.
In Rogue River, the ban was passing 63.5 percent to 36.5 percent.
Psilocybin is found in psychedelic mushrooms and used to treat mental health issues, like PTSD and severe depression. It was approved for therapeutic use in Oregon in 2020, but municipalities are allowed to govern its use within their borders.
Razor Clam Harvest Closure Cascade Head to California Border
– Razor clam harvesting is now closed from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. Recent razor clam samples indicate levels of domoic acid (a marine biotoxin) are above the safety threshold.
People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest any shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.
Current harvest closures and openings:
Razor clams:
OPEN from the WA border to Cascade Head.
CLOSED from Cascade Head to the CA border.
Mussels:
OPEN coastwide.
Bay clams:
OPEN coastwide.
Crabs:
OPEN coastwide.
NOTE: sport crabbing in the ocean off the Oregon coast is closed through Nov. 30.
ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.
For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503- 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.
Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2024/10_Oct/102524.asp
Yachats City Council OKs $370,000 Bid to Renovate City’s Little Log Church Museum
The Yachats city council has approved a bid to begin renovations on the city’s historic Little Log Church Museum despite the higher-than-expected cost.
During a public hearing at its Wednesday meeting, the council approved a $370,000 bid from Top to Bottom Contractors of Newport to begin renovations — weather willing — sometime this winter.
The city received two bids for the project, which Civil West Engineering Services estimated would cost about $263,000. The other bid from Lippincott Construction & North Pacific Woodworks was $460,000. But its bid was for a new log-cabin-style structure, which is not what the city requested.
Prior to its unanimous decision to accept the bid, the council heard from Civil West’s senior project manager Tim Gross and Top to Bottom’s Jose Gonzales. Gross stood by the company’s cost estimate and submitted documents advising council to reject both bids and instead seek new ones in the spring.
Gross said bids would be more competitive in the spring when companies were seeking summer work and have better weather to begin the project. It would also give Lippincott a chance to re-submit a bid for renovation only.
“I guess it depends on your position in the city,” Gross said. “If the city has the funds to do the work and you just want to get it done, I don’t think you’re going to make a bad decision to award the contract.”
And he added that by waiting, the city could be more intentional in finding local contractors to bid.
It’s a question of how quickly the city wants to get the project finished, Gross said, which he suggested would not take much longer if council decided to wait for bids in spring because of the approaching rainy season. There is only so much a contractor can accomplish in winter, he said.
Jose Gonzales with Top to Bottom told councilors he had reviewed Civil West’ estimate and believes it was low because it was completed in 2019 before the post-Covid increase in material costs.
“I pulled new numbers based on current prices for the same materials they had asked for and just for the siding alone, (it) came in at an extra $20,000,” Gonzales said. “Electrical came in at an extra $50,000 from the numbers that they had estimated. So that’s the reason why our estimate is a little bit higher than what their estimates came in at.”
He said he checked prices with the same suppliers used by Civil West in its estimate.
“And also, I think doing the project now, in the wintertime is also when we as the contractor have the most time,” Gonzales said. “Summertime is when we have the most amount of work so it might be harder to do during the summertime. We are ready to go if you guys decide to go for it.”
The company has a lot of experience with this type of renovation, he said, and is currently remodeling the homeless shelter in Newport, which will be finished in the next couple months. READ MORE: https://yachatsnews.com/yachats-council-oks-370000-bid-to-finally-renovate-citys-little-log-church-museum/
Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Looking For Suspect in Sandstone Cliff Vandalism
Officials with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge are asking for the community’s help identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing a rock face recently.
According to the refuge, the names ‘Luke’ and ‘Niko’ were carved deep into a sandstone headland, which is located on public land. The refuge says the rock that was vandalized is on a section of beach between the cities of Gold Beach and Brookings.
Vandalism on public lands is illegal, and penalties include fines and jail time. Anyone with information or
knows who is responsible, is asked to contact the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge by emailing oregoncoast@fws.gov.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale
One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.
The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.
Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut
: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke
Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.
The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium
Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at Oregon State Capitol Park
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during its Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.
This event will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”
The celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras and will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park located on Court Street Northeast in Salem — directly in front of the main entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building.
The event is open to the public and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.
For those unable to attend, the event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit www.oregon.gov/odva.
Groundbreaking Dedication Event for Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Oregon State Capitol- Friday, November 22, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.
The Oregon State Capitol will be the site of the highly anticipated dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. This momentous event will be the formal dedication of Phase 1 of the memorial, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s Vietnam veterans. The public ceremony will occur at Salem’s Willson Park memorial site on the Capitol grounds, at the corner of State and Cottage Street, with a reception to follow at the nearby Withnell Family YMCA.
The memorial pays tribute to 710 Oregonians who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, along with the more than 180,000 Oregonians who served in Vietnam and around the world from 1955-1975. The design features 46 black granite columns engraved with the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It creates a reflective space for veterans, families, and the public to honor their memory.
The event will include comments from local veterans, state officials, and Vietnam War Memorial Fund members, who have been instrumental in making this project a reality. The event is hosted by the Oregon Vietnam War Memorial Fund and is supported by a grant of Transient Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem.
The Importance of the Memorial – The Vietnam War remains one of the most challenging and divisive periods in American history. Veterans returning from the conflict were often met with indifference or hostility, making this memorial an overdue recognition of their service. The memorial offers a space for healing and remembrance, honoring both the sacrifices of the fallen and the resilience of those who served. Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF), emphasized the emotional impact of this project. “This is about giving our veterans a place of rest and, for all of us, a place to heal,” Bates said. The memorial will not only commemorate the service of Vietnam veterans but also serve as a reminder of the war’s lasting impact on the state and its people.
Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the memorial will also serve as an educational resource when Phase 2 is completed. Phase 2, the Exhibit Phase, aims to help future generations understand the human cost of war and the bravery of those who fought.
For more information, see a virtual tour or donate, visit ocvvm.com.
About the VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of applicable tax law. You can donate by sending a check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.
Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment
(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year begins Oct. 15 and remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:
- The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;”
- The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000;
- Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions;
- Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
- Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.
“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy.
Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages.
SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.
Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.
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.
About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.
https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.
Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com