The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, November 14, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
Oregon Coast Aquarium Receives Sustainable Oregon Award
The Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) has received an annual Sustainable Oregon Award from the Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR) in recognition of its continued sustainability efforts.
The Sustainable Oregon Awards, formerly known as the Recycler of the Year Awards, recognize individuals and organizations who demonstrate significant accomplishments in sustainable materials initiatives, recycling and waste prevention, and other elements of materials management in Oregon.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, OCAq puts ocean advocacy and sustainability at the forefront of its mission, modeling conservation efforts and green practices both internally and externally.
The Aquarium has an established committee to help pave the way for green progress: OCAq’s Green Team empowers staff and volunteers in environmentally-centered planning, and consults with facilities, such as Thompson’s Sanitary Service, to guide sustainable choices Aquarium-wide.
Alongside dedicated recycling efforts, OCAq utilizes high efficiency pumps, electric tools and LED lights throughout its premises, and composted food waste from the Aquarium café supplements its soil, sustaining Oregon-native flora.
OCAq collaborates with local organizations to bolster collective sustainability efforts. In partnership with the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force, OCAq tests the water quality of local beaches every week, and thanks to the City of Newport and the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, the Aquarium will soon host electric vehicle charging stations.
“Our vision is to lead by example through continuously growing our green efforts,” said OCAq President and CEO Carrie Lewis. “It’s up to all of us to help conserve marine life and ecosystems, and each day, we take another step forward in doing our part. We are honored to accept this award, and we wholeheartedly thank the Association of Oregon Recyclers.” — https://www.givetoaquarium.org/oregon-coast-aquarium-receives-sustainable-oregon-award/
Fatal Crash HWY 26- Clatsop County
On November 10, 2022, at approximately 7:30PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on HWY 26, near MP 1.5.
The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Toyota Camry, operated by Robert Greenawald (72) of Seaside, struck a pedestrian, Timothy L. Painter (65) of Seaside, who was walking within the westbound lane of HWY-26, near MP 1.5. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Cannon Beach Police Department, the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Department, Seaside Fire, Medix, and ODOT.
Bandon Man Sentenced To 75 Years In Prison For Sodomy, Sexually Abusing Child
After a two-day trial, 70-year-old former Bandon-area resident Anthony Damien Cordeiro was found guilty of one count of Attempted Rape in the First Degree, three counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, and three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Coos County authorities reported.
The guilty ruling came down on Wednesday.
“The charges alleged that the defendant sexually abused a young girl multiple times over a period of approximately one year,” Coos County District Attorney R. Paul Frasier said, adding that the victim was between the ages of eight and nine when the abuse occurred.
As the victim was under the age of 12 when the abuse occurred, Frasier said, the sodomy charges were subject to the provisions of Jessica’s Law, which requires a minimum 25-year prison sentence.
“Jessica’s Law is treated the same as a Measure 11 offense, meaning that every day of the 25-year sentence must be served,” the DA explained, “and a defendant is not entitled to any form of early release or parole.”
On Friday, Corderio was sentenced on the attempted first-degree rape charge to 18 months in prison. On each of the sodomy charges, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. On each of the first-degree sexual abuse charges, he was sentenced to 75 months in prison.
The judge ordered that all three of the sodomy sentences be served consecutive to each other. The remaining charges were ordered to be concurrent with the sodomy charges.
“In sum, the defendant was ordered to serve 75 years in prison,” Frasier said.
Fatal Crash US-101- Tillamook County
On November 9, 2022, at approximately 12:01PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle collision on US-101, near MP 50.
The preliminary investigation indicated a fully loaded Peterbilt tanker truck, operated by Kenneth Walter Zwald (69) of Tillamook, was northbound on US 101, when for an unknown reason, it crossed into the opposing lane and struck a Mazda CX-5, operated by Gordon Stewart Beadle (81) of Campbell River (BC), head-on in the southbound lane. Both vehicle operators were transported for injuries. A passenger in the Mazda, Judy Gwyneth Beadle (79) of Campbell River (BC), was killed during the collision.
OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Department and ODOT.
Federal Award Of $46.4M To Help Oregon’s Low-Income Pay Heating Costs
Oregon will receive $48.4 million in funding to help low-income families and individuals pay for home heating costs this winter and cover unpaid utility bills.
The funding will be delivered through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP), and includes support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and extra funding passed by Congress to address rising energy costs in 2023.
In addition to covering home heating costs and unpaid utility bills, the funds awarded to Oregon will help families make cost-effective home energy repairs to lower their heating and cooling bills.
“Keeping homes warm in the winter is essential to the well-being of Oregonians,” Oregon U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said. “Many prices have increased and so has financial pressure for many families and individuals. I am grateful that Oregon will receive extra funding to help low-income households cover energy costs. No one should have to choose between paying their utility bill and other necessities like food or rent.”
“It is unconscionable that families should be forced to ration their essential utilities, especially during seasons of extreme heat or cold,” Oregon U. S. Congressman Peter DeFazio said. “This funding, made possible in part by my bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will help Oregon families mitigate rising costs and ensure their homes and families are protected this winter.”
“Low-income energy and heating assistance funding is vital for thousands of Oregonians,” Oregon U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer said. “The Biden Administration understands this. For people who are struggling with higher prices for gas and groceries, having extra help with winter heating bills this year is crucial. I appreciate the timely delivery of these funds so that families can keep their lights on and homes warm this winter.”
“With snow already having fallen here in parts of Oregon and a cold snap in the forecast, this extra help for vulnerable Oregonians to cover home heating costs is timely and important,” Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said. “I’m gratified our state has secured this assistance for Oregonians walking an economic tightrope. And I’ll keep battling to provide all the assistance that low-income Oregon households need to stay safe this winter throughout our state.”
“As so many Oregonians face rising costs for basic goods and tighter household budgets, it’s critical that we ensure everyone is able to keep their heating on this winter,” Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley saiod. “This crucial federal funding for energy and heating assistance will help give households across Oregon the financial support they need to stay warm and safe in the cold months ahead.”
Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at: 1-866-674-6327.
A fact sheet about 2023 LIHEAP funds for Oregon from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can be found at https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool/
Throughout the pandemic, Bonamici said she led her colleagues in efforts to strengthen LIHEAP to prevent debts from piling up during the public health crisis. Bonamici also serves as Chair of the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over LIHEAP.
Oregon Prepares For A Potential Surge Of COVID-19 And Other Viral Infections
Oregon public health officials are keeping an eye on a trifecta of illnesses as winter approaches and Oregonians spend more time indoors: COVID-19, a respiratory virus that’s affecting children and influenza.
This will not be a respiratory illness season like the last two, when the focus was on COVID-19, a virus that primarily affects adults. This year, Oregon health officials are also concerned that a rise in a respiratory virus known as RSV that affects children and infants could squeeze the state’s pediatric bed capacity. And with the pandemic-era lockdowns and mask mandates no longer in force, the state could see more influenza cases.
The Oregon Health Authority is recommending Oregonians to take the precautionary measures to preserve hospital capacity. Those steps include staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, getting a flu shot and taking hygiene-related precautions like hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, Dr. Tom Jeanne, the authority’s deputy health officer and deputy state epidemiologist, said in a Thursday press briefing.
“We don’t expect this winter’s COVID wave will be as extreme as last year’s Omicron wave,” Jeanne said, stressing that other illnesses like influenza and a respiratory virus also factor into the picture.
In a forecast, Oregon Health & Science University predicted that COVID-19 hospitalizations in Oregon could peak at about 280 by early December, Jeanne said. There are currently 229 people with COVID in Oregon hospitals.
Oregon also is seeing more respiratory syncytial virus cases, also called RSV. The virus causes lower respiratory infections primarily among infants and children, Jeanne said. Symptoms can include a fever, runny nose, coughs and sneezing. Others at risk include adults 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems. The virus is especially deadly for seniors and children younger than 6 months.
There were 227 positive RSV tests in Oregon and southwest Washington the week of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, health authority data show. That’s up from 29 in the first week of October.
As a result, health officials are carefully monitoring infections — and pediatric bed capacity.
“Pediatric capacity is currently limited in Oregon and is expected to be heavily strained based on forecasted levels of RSV activity,” Jeanne said.
Statewide, Oregon has about 534 pediatric hospital beds for children, state data shows. As of Thursday, the state had 36 available beds in neonatal intensive care units, 34 for pediatric non-intensive care and four available pediatric intensive care beds.
In a Wednesday advisory to hospitals, the health authority urged hospitals to prepare for more demand by identifying staff with pediatric experience to work in pediatric units, turning single rooms into double rooms and potentially limiting elective procedures to maintain enough statewide pediatric bed capacity.
“We need to work together and protect hospital capacity so all of us have access to critical care when we need it,” Jeanne said.
In a statement, Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, said hospitals are getting ready for a surge of pediatric patients.
“Meeting the needs of all patients is the number one priority of Oregon’s community hospitals and clinics despite the current and anticipated spike in hospitalizations,” Hultberg said. “Our hospitals stand ready to care for everyone in need, and we plan for an increase in respiratory illness each year as we approach the fall and winter seasons. While there is no vaccine for RSV, we recommend that parents ensure that children are current on recommended vaccines.”
Young children and older adults at risk of contracting RSV should consider wearing a mask indoors, health officials said. Health officials also advised Oregonians to put together a care plan in case they become ill and said those who develop mild symptoms to contact their healthcare provider before going to a hospital emergency room.
Oregon voters approved a strict gun measure. Some sheriffs say they won’t enforce it.
Measure 114 — a ballot initiative mandating permit-to-purchase and banning the sale of high-capacity magazines, among other restrictions — narrowly passed last week, but its implementation still faces several hurdles.
Lawmakers and state police have to write regulations for issuing permits, and at least three sheriffs say they won’t enforce it. Gun rights groups are also preparing to mount legal challenges.
Salem Police and School District Response to Snapchat threats involving local schools
Salem, Ore. — At 3:32 PM on 11/13 several citizens reported they were receiving messages on Snapchat alleging threats to Parrish Middle School will take place on Monday. The Salem Police Department responded and started investigating the various calls coming in.
At approximately 7:20 PM, a new message was reported to the Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) however, the school named was changed to Houck Middle School.
The Police Department and SKPS have been working together to ensure parents are properly notified and a safety plan is put in place.
As of this time the threats do not appear to be credible, however, in an abundance of caution SKPS will have additional security on campuses and the Salem Police Department will be spending extra time around local schools throughout the day.
Anyone with information should contact the Salem Police non-emergency line at 503-588-6123.
Oregon University Working on Developing New Battery Technology
A Oregon State University research team is planning to develop a new rechargeable battery that could reduce the need for environmentally destructive mining of rare minerals like nickel and lithium and accelerate the clean energy transition.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded OSU $3 million to explore the development of a new rechargeable battery technology that would accelerate the clean energy transition without relying on rare finite minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. OSU chemistry professor Xiulei “David” Ji, who will lead a battery research team, said it could be a game-changer.
“It’s a new paradigm,” he told Oregon Public Broadcasting. “We are very excited and very grateful to have this opportunity to work on this project.”
As the world transitions from fossil fuels to clean energy to reduce contributions to climate change, there is a growing need for batteries to store renewable energy and power electric vehicles. The resulting battery boom has generated environmental concerns because of the impacts of mining battery materials such as lithium, and it has driven up prices and demand for the minerals used to make batteries.
According to the International Energy Agency, an organization that provides data analysis for global energy policies, the world could face lithium shortages by 2025. The price of lithium has soared, tripling in 2021. Nickel, a mineral used for lithium-ion batteries, has also grown in demand and seen price hikes.
Ji, who will lead a team of researchers from Howard University, the University of Maryland and Vanderbilt University, said depending on these minerals is unsustainable and expensive. He said meeting clean energy goals soon will require a move away from relatively rare, finite minerals.
His plan is to explore anion batteries that provide the necessary components without using limited minerals like the ones lithium batteries use and that could potentially increase how much energy a battery can hold.
“The new battery chemistry does not have to rely on these elements,” Ji said. “That’s the benefit of the new chemistry. It’s a game changer.”
As EV production is ramping up, Connolly said, batteries need to be sustainably sourced and recycled to reuse the raw materials.
Oregon is one of many states providing generous incentives and rebates to switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric. Recently, the state started offering qualified residents up to $7,500 for a new EV. So far, more than 50,000 EVs are registered in the state. Oregon is also investing $100 million in building out charging infrastructure on major roadways and in rural areas to meet the demand of electric vehicles on the road.
