The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, February 13, 2023
Oregon Beach Weather
ISSUED: 2:01 AM FEB. 13, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
…SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON… …HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM PST TUESDAY…
* WHAT…For the Small Craft Advisory, northwest winds of 20 to 25 kt with gusts to 35 kt and seas 11 to 16 feet at 15 seconds. For the Hazardous Seas Warning, very steep seas of 16 to 21 feet at 13 seconds. Northwest winds of 20 to 30 kt with gusts of 35 kt.
* WHERE…All areas, but the strongest winds and highest seas will be over the outer waters beyond 10 NM from shore.
* WHEN…For the Small Craft Advisory, until 4 PM PST this afternoon. For the Hazardous Seas Warning, from 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM PST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS…Steep to very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…An unstable air mass will move in overnight Monday into Tuesday morning. Some stronger showers could produce lightning and brief, but strong wind gusts in excess of 35 kt. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Lincoln City Reviews Plans To Close Two Spots With Beach Access To Vehicles
Under a proposal under review by the Lincoln City Council and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, vehicle access to two locations along the beach at Lincoln City could be discontinued.
During a work session Feb. 8th, the council reviewed the process that had been initiated in December in which the council passed Resolution 2022-45.
The resolution is a formal request to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to begin a public process to permanently close the NW 34th Court access to the public and permit only emergency vehicle access to that location.
The city council also requested that the ORPD review the NW 15th Street beach access regarding its suitability for continued use, including whether beach access is appropriate.
The council Resolution 2022-45 extended the closure of NW 34th Court to December 2023. The vehicle beach access at NW 15th Street remains open.
Discussion by city officials about the need for the vehicle access closures at the beach has been underway for several years. The concerns center around the vehicle congestion and public safety on the beach, especially in the summer. Access by emergency vehicles is slowed. High waves and sneaker waves along the beach have also raised concerns.
Over the years, vehicles have gotten stuck in the sand, and on several occasions, been swamped by the incoming tide. Pulling the vehicles from the rising tide can be dangerous and expensive, according to officials.
Missing Teen Found Deceased in Florence
According to a press release from Chief John Pitcher of the Florence Police Department, this past Monday at 9:28 a.m., the department received a report of a possible deceased subject in the brush near the corner of 35th and Oak streets.
Upon arrival, police discovered a male juvenile who was determined to be deceased. The youth had been reported missing earlier that morning. The investigation conducted at the scene determined the probable cause of death and that no foul play is suspected.
As of press time, Florence Police were working with the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office and the incident remained under investigation.
Later that same day, Siuslaw High School Principal Mike Harklerode, along with School District Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak, co-signed an email that was sent to all parents in the district informing them of the incident.
“I am writing this letter with great sadness to inform you of the passing of one of our high school students. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to their family and friends. In keeping with the wishes of the family, the school will not be making a public release of the name of the student until authorized to do so,” the email stated.
All of the high school students were given the news of the death by a teacher in class that afternoon. Members of the trauma response team met with students individually and in groups and will be available to the students over the next days and weeks to help them cope with the death of their peer.
The two administrators included a message asking teachers to read the following to students to inform them of what happened:
“This morning we heard the extremely sad news that [student’s name] has passed away. We are all saddened by his death and send our condolences to his family. A care room is be located in the library for students who wish to talk to a counselor,” the message read. “Please be talking to parents or other adults as you process this news. If you are particularly concerned for yourself or somebody else, please let a staff member so we can support everyone.”
Though the student’s name was included in the initial announcement made to students, it was redacted in the email sent out to the general public out of respect to the family.
If you are concerned that you or someone else is at risk for suicide please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1800-273-8255, or 911 if harm is imminent.
Portions of Hwy 101 Closed in Coos Bay
A sewer collapse in Coos Bay will have portions of Highway 101 closed until the 17th of February according to the Oregon Department of transportation.
City officials say they discovered that the sewer line between Alder and Birch Avenue had collapsed.
According to the city the overflow from the sewer line has been contained, but approximately 383 gallons have discharged into the bay via an outfall at Birch Avenue and N. Front Street.
City officials have contracted with Knife River Materials to repair the line. The city says Knife River Materials began repairs on Saturday. There are detours in place. This will cause some delays in the area.
Another ODOT Project Will Cause Traffic Delays on Hwy 20
ODOT crews will be removing hazardous trees and debris from a recent slide. Crews with the Oregon Department of Transportation are removing unstable hazard trees from the slide area.
“We will remove about 20 trees at the top of the slide to prevent them from falling on the road and power transmission lines,” ODOT states in a release.
Flaggers will stop traffic when trees are being taken down. Delays are expected to be minimal. http://tripcheck.com
Seaside Annual Tourism Grant Program Open for Proposals
Applications for the 2023-24 Tourism Grant Program, for up to $25,000 in grant funding, are being accepted by the Seaside Visitors Bureau and Tourism Advisory Committee. The deadline to apply is May 5th.
The funds will be granted for events or projects that take place from July 1 through Dec. 31 that further develop Seaside’s tourism economy and encourage year-round visitation. Information and Grant Guidelines: https://www.seasideor.com/Tourism-Grant-Program/
Get Prepared For A Round Of Snow And Winter Weather
Parts of the Pacific Northwest should brace for a winter storm Monday as the National Weather Service says in the forecast of heavy snowfall and strong winds in some areas.
A cold front is sweeping through western Oregon, bringing the potential for snow from the coast to the Cascades.
Winter storm and winter weather advisories were issued for western Oregon and parts of southeastern Washington. Officials said the snow is expected to blanket the region beginning this evening through mid-day Tuesday.
In the Coast Range and Cascade foothills, a Winter Storm Warning is posted. In the Coast Range, total snow accumulations of 6 to 11 inches are possible. Below 2000 feet, 2 to 7 inches are expected. The Cascade foothills, 3 to 9 inches are forecast below 1,500 feet. Above that, 8 to 18 inches are possible.
For the Cascade passes, 12 to 17 inches are expected. Below 4000 feet, forecasts are calling for 6 to 12 inches.
On top of an expected six to 11 inches of snow in areas above 2,000 feet (two to seven inches below 2,000 feet), the NWS warned of wind gusts as high as 40 mph in some parts. Officials strongly cautioned against travel in some areas, such as Medford, Oregon.
Portland, under a winter weather advisory, expects to receive around half an inch of snowfall late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Officials urged residents to drive with caution as they expected slippery road conditions.
IRS, state clarify no taxes owed on One Time Assistance Payments
Salem, OR — Oregonians who received One-Time Assistance Payments (OTAP) of $600 last June do not owe taxes on those payments, the Oregon Department of Revenue announced Friday.
“Based on the language in the legislation creating the payments, we have always believed that they were not taxable to Oregon. The IRS clarified today that Oregonians who received the payments will not owe federal taxes on them, as well,” said Department of Revenue Director Betsy Imholt.
In its statement issued today, the IRS noted taxpayers in many states would not need to report this type of assistance payment on their 2022 tax returns. Oregon was among 17 states where the IRS said it would not challenge such payments as excludable for federal income tax purposes in 2022.
The IRS statement clarified that Oregonians who received OTAP payments last year can go ahead and file their 2022 federal and state income tax returns as soon as they are ready. This year’s filing deadline is April 18.
E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund 34 days sooner than taxpayers who mail their paper returns and request paper refund checks. Taxpayers should file just once. Sending a paper return through the mail after e-filing will delay your refund.
Oregon Lawmakers Consider Suicide Prevention Bills
Oregon lawmakers are considering several bills designed to improve how people in crisis get help. Specifically, if they’re struggling with thoughts of suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon ranks 13th in the nation for deaths by suicide. The legislation includes a tax to supplement the long-term operation of 988, an emergency number that routes callers to mental health crisis lines.
On Monday, lawmakers will hear testimony on SB 818 and SB 514. The bills focus on suicide prevention by supporting access to training resources for medical professionals.
Last week, the House Committee on Behavioral and Health Care heard testimony on HB 2757. It asks lawmakers to support a 50-cent cell phone tax to fund services connected to 988. The resource works like 911, but callers are routed straight to mental health crisis lines.
Since Oregon transitioned to 988 in July, call centers including Lines for Life report they’ve received an average of 684 more calls per month, about a 50 percent bump. It shows the system is working but advocates say in order to meet that growing need, additional funding is critical.
California Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Multistate Credit Card “Bust-Out” Conspiracy Operated from Corvallis
EUGENE, Ore.—A California woman was sentenced to federal prison today for her role in a multistate credit card “bust-out” fraud scheme that cost multiple banks more than $2.5 million.
Mariam Gevorkova, 37, of Glendale, California, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Gevorkova was also ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution.
According to court documents, in December 2016, the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) initiated an investigation into a credit card “bust-out” fraud perpetrated by individuals residing in the Corvallis, Oregon area.
A credit card “bust-out” is a scheme in which perpetrators obtain credit cards for the purpose of making purchases and running up large balances with no intent to pay. After making credit card purchases, payments are made to the cards from accounts controlled by the perpetrators. After numerous purchases and payments are made, the perpetrators report to their banks that the payments made on the credit cards were not authorized. The banks, in turn, seek and obtain reimbursement from the credit card companies who, as a result, incur a loss when the funds are returned to the perpetrator’s bank.
Gevorkova and her co-conspirators opened credit card accounts using stolen and fictitious identities and used them to purchase jewelry and clothing, fund gambling and vacations, establish and begin operating at least two large marijuana grows, and cover the operating expenses of the Corvallis Cannabis Club, a state-licensed marijuana shop in Corvallis. Gevorkova recruited others into the conspiracy, including Corvallis Cannabis Club employees.
On June 11, 2018, Gevorkova and eight accomplices were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and manufacturing, distributing, and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances.
On August 31, 2020, Gevorkova was charged by criminal information with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to manufacture or possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Two weeks later, on October 13, 2020, she waived indictment and pleaded guilty to all three charges in the criminal information.
This case was investigated by the FBI, USPIS, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Oregon State Police and the Corvallis and Philomath Police Departments. It was prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Oregon Attorney General Launches Criminal Investigation Into OLCC Scandal
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced on Friday she will investigate whether there was any criminal wrongdoing by top managers at the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission who diverted specialty bourbons away from public consumption for their own personal use.
An internal OLCC investigation revealed a long-standing practice in which liquor commission staff, including director Steve Marks, sent rare bottles of bourbon to certain stores where they could purchase it, violating state ethics laws and denying the general public access to rare, highly-priced brands. One employee said the practice was widespread and included state lawmakers.
On Wednesday, Governor Tina Kotek sent a letter to members of the liquor and cannabis commission calling the conduct “wholly unacceptable” and asking commissioners to fire the five managers who admitted to the practice. Kotek had already asked Marks to step down before learning of the internal OLCC investigation.
Oregon heavily regulates when and where liquor can be sold. While beer and wine can be purchased in a supermarket or a convenience store, hard alcohol is sold in liquor stores operated by the state and managed by liquor agents who are selected by OLCC commissioners. There are 248 liquor stores in Oregon distributed throughout the state on the basis of population.
The state is in charge of determining how many stores there are, where they are located, purchasing the liquor, and distributing it as well. Kotek has asked members of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, a board she appoints, to install new leadership and remove the managers who were implicated in the scandal.
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.
