The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, February 26, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:29 AM FEB. 26, 2024 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST TUESDAY... * WHAT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 10 to 15 ft at 13 seconds. * WHERE...All areas. * WHEN... Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Next Steps For Recovery Of Endangered Orcas In Oregon
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to list Southern Resident orcas as an endangered species.
With it comes guidelines for how the decision will protect the remaining population of about 74 West Coast whales.
Ben Enticknap, Pacific Project manager and senior scientist for Oceana, said ensuring the orcas have enough salmon to eat is the main barrier, and the federal government, Washington state, tribes and the public sector were working on this prior to Oregon’s listing decision.
“What this does is really prioritize Oregon’s work on this issue of recovering salmon and added another layer of understanding and reason for why we need to be doing this now and doing it more urgently than is already being done,” Enticknap explained.
Enticknap pointed out listing by Oregon could help the state get more resources from the federal government for salmon recovery. Southern Resident orcas already are listed as endangered federally and by Washington state.
The endangered listing in Oregon comes with guidelines for how to recover the species, including addressing pollutants, increasing boaters’ knowledge about federal vessel buffers to decrease noise disturbance, and enhancing hatchery Chinook salmon production if possible.
Enticknap noted the orcas feed on Chinook at the mouth of the Columbia River in the winter and spring.
“To really have a long-term sustainable fix, we need to be investing in wild salmon recovery,” Enticknap contended. “That means doing things like river restoration, dam removal, sustainable harvest limits and things like that can help these chinook salmon populations recover.”
Enticknap added dam removal on Columbia River tributaries could help the fish. He also noted warmer waters and lower snowpack from climate change are increasingly impacting salmon populations, which is also hurting Southern Resident orcas. (SOURCE)
Oregon Officials Add Southern Resident Orcas To State’s Endangered Species List
The whales were first listed by the federal government in 2005 but their numbers have fallen since then
Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to add a group of whales that forage along the Oregon Coast to the state’s endangered species list.
The commissioners voted unanimously to list southern resident orcas as endangered during its Friday meeting in Hillsboro. The vote followed a presentation by a fish and wildlife official calling for the animals to be listed and testimony from dozens of conservationists, biologists, teachers, anglers and residents, some of whom had traveled hundreds of miles.
Much of the testimony was fact-based and articulate, and one woman burst out in tears over the orcas’ plight. There was also insightful and moving testimony from seven students from Sunnyside Environmental School, a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school in southeast Portland.
“These orcas are at their lowest numbers in 30 years and because of the conditions they are in, 75% of orca pregnancies fail, on top of the 42% of calves that don’t survive. This further proves their need for protection” a 7th grader said. “When I grow up to be an adult, I want to be able to visit the San Juan Islands as I do now and see a pod of healthy and thriving orcas.”
“The southern resident whales are very intelligent creatures, and there’s so much we have to learn from them,” a 6th grader added. “For example, each pod of whales has its own unique dialect.”
The designation means Fish and Wildlife Department officials will have to try to help the orcas, such as by boosting declining salmon populations, but that could require more funding, said John North, a department Marine expert.
At least half of the Chinook salmon consumed by the orcas in the ocean originate in the Columbia Basin, according to Brady Bradshaw, an oceans campaign manager for the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity.
The department also will coordinate with state agencies to address other threats to orcas along the coast in a forthcoming management plan. They are harmed by chemical and oil spills and sounds and other disturbances from boats. The Center for Biological Diversity is advocating that the state establish mandatory and voluntary distances boats must keep from whales. (READ MORE)
City of Florence 2024 State of the City & City Services Expo – February 26th
The City of Florence invites members of the community to attend the 2024 State of the City and City Services Expo on February 26 at the Florence Events Center.
Guests are encouraged to visit the various City departments and staff during the City Services Expo from 5 to 7 p.m. and learn what they do to keep Florence a “City in Motion.”
Mayor Rob Ward will deliver the 2024 State of the City Address at 6 p.m.
Information on the event can also be found at https://www.ci.florence.or.us/council/2024-statecity-city-services-expo.
Two Men Rescued from Neah-Kah-Nie Mtn. after Fall Friday Night
On February 23, 2024 at approximately 6:39 PM, Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue District personnel responded to reports of a possible high angle rescue on Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain after a fall by a pair of hikers.
Crews arrived on scene under night conditions, and were able to locate two adult males approximately 300 feet over a near vertical slope. They were unable to move and were clinging to the shale rock face. Members of the Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue and Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection district rope rescue teams were able to safely extricate both males to the viewpoint above, aided by spotlight provided by the US Coast Guard Air Station Astoria helicopter 6026. One patient was transported to an awaiting ambulance and transferred to a Life Flight helicopter that brought the patient to OHSU Trauma Center for injuries sustained in the fall.
Special thanks to Tillamook 911 dispatchers, Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District, Rockaway Beach Fire Department, USCG Helo 6026, Life Flight 40, Tillamook County Sheriffs, Manzanita Police Department, Tillamook Ambulance and medical staff at OHSU that all participated in the completion of a safe operation.
We would like to remind citizens and visitors to please be prepared and trained when planning outdoor recreation in the area and stay safe. (SOURCE)
Learn important communication skills necessary during an emergency. You’ll be able to use your Yellow Radio to keep in touch with neighbors and support services.
Register now! https://evcnb.org/events-and-training/yellow-radio-03162024 —- https://evcnb.org/yellow-radio
North Bend High School Closed 2/23 Due To Student’s Fatal Traffic Accident Next to the School
North Bend School District is reporting that due to an accident next to the school on Thursday, the high school will be closed for Friday, to keep the scene clear for investigation.
It is with heavy hearts that the North Bend School District’s reporting that there was an accident last night in North Bend, right next to the high school; there was a fatality. Due to the investigation at the crash scene, the North Bend Police Department is asking that the district close down the high school for the day to keep people away from the scene.
The closure is only affecting the high school, all other buildings will be operational.
A post on the North Bend Police Department (NBPD) Facebook page said that a North Bend High student, identified as 18-year-old Shaun Hensey, was involved in a fatal single-car accident at the intersection of Crowell Lane and Pony Creek Road. Police say that Hensey was the only person in the vehicle; he was found dead at the scene.
The High School says counselors will also be on site Monday when school reopens.
Though they’ve already sent off their wrestling team to the state tournament Wednesday, Pendleton tells us opening night for their theatre production has been rescheduled for Saturday night.
NBPD is asking that the District close down the high school for the day to keep people away from the scene.
The closure is only affecting the high school, all other buildings will be operational. This investigation is ongoing.
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians Sign Co-Stewardship Agreement
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) and the Siuslaw National Forest are pleased to announce the signing of a Programmatic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Tribal co-stewardship on Siuslaw National Forest lands.
This agreement emphasizes the shared goals of the Tribe and the Forest Service regarding the use and management of natural and cultural resources on the forest, while acknowledging the unique management expertise of the Tribe gained though millennia of stewarding these lands. It addresses the need for proactive stewardship to promote the ecological health, diversity, and resiliency of the forest.
Headquartered in Coos Bay, Oregon with a five-county service area including Coos, Curry, Lincoln, Douglas and Lane Counties, The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are one of the 9 Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon. CTCLUSI is comprised of 3 Tribes (4 Bands): 2 bands of Coos Tribes: Hanis Coos, Miluk Coos; Lower Umpqua Tribe (Quuiich); and Siuslaw Tribe. (READ MORE)
Coos Bay Police Department Asks Community to Help Tackle Abandoned Shopping Cart Issue
The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) is asking for community help to deal with abandoned shopping carts in the city. In 2023, the Coos Bay City Council passed a law to address this problem. Since then, local businesses have started marking their shopping carts with contact details for their collection services. This allows the public to report any abandoned carts.
The CBPD has started the Shopping Cart Watch Program to support this law. This program, like the Property Watch Program, aims to hold people accountable for using shopping carts for personal use. It also allows the CBPD to take legal action against shopping cart theft.
Currently, four local businesses are part of the Shopping Cart Watch Program. The CBPD believes that with community involvement, abandoned carts can be reported and collected. The department also hopes to prevent thefts through police enforcement.
The CBPD is urging community members to report any abandoned shopping carts to the relevant businesses. This joint effort between the police, businesses, and the community aims to decrease the number of abandoned carts in the city.
The CBPD’s work to tackle the problem of abandoned shopping carts shows its dedication to keeping the city clean and orderly. The department is optimistic that with community help, this issue can be effectively handled. https://www.coosbayor.gov/Home/Components/News/News/983/222
Forest Service Seeks Concessionaire For Devils Churn Day Use Site
The Siuslaw National Forest is soliciting proposals for a business opportunity at the Devils Churn Day Use Site within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. A 100-square-foot concession space is available within a Forest Service building, and the agency is seeking a food and beverage service provider to operate this facility. Devils Churn is a popular year-round day use area and trailhead along U.S. Highway 101 just south of Yachats, Oregon.
The Forest Service has released a prospectus to advertise the opportunity and explain the application process. Interested parties are encouraged to review the prospectus and accompanying appendices. The application period opens on January 30, 2024. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3. Please read the instructions carefully before submitting an application.
One successful applicant will be chosen. The successful applicant will be issued a 5-year special use permit to conduct business in the concession space. MORE INFO: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/siuslaw/home/?cid=fseprd1162886
Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy – Waldport
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
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.
The City of Reedsport is Seeking a City Attorney
A City release said they are inviting proposals for contracted attorney service. For a list of duties and services required, go to the city’s website: www.cityofreedsport.org. Proposals are due to the city recorder’s office by 4:00 p.m. this Friday. Call 541-271-3603 for more information.
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Drawing to Promote Tourism
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is consistently working on building the tourism traffic to Florence. The latest is a drawing for a two-night stay at the Driftwood Shores Conference Center and Resort.
The drawing is open to the public. Chamber President and CEO Betting Hannigan says the drawing comes with the two-night stay and a $50 certificate to the resort Market and Dine-in Deli.
You can register by using the qr code the link posted below. https://bit.ly/2NightsinFlorence
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
Nearly 300,000 Oregon Kids Await Approval Of Summer Food Benefits
A program that would provide food benefits to kids during the summer still needs funding approval from the Oregon Legislature.
The state has already approved the Summer EBT program, but needs to agree to pay for half the administrative costs in order to get access to federal funds.
It would help the families of nearly 300,000 kids receive about $40 for food each month over the summer.
Charlie Krouse, a community organizer with Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, said child hunger spikes during the summer months.
“When they’re fed throughout the school year and they have access to meals throughout the school year, it’s only fair that they have access to food throughout the summer,” said Krouse. “Their income level doesn’t drastically change in the summer – they still need access to support, and access to food.”
Krouse said there have been bipartisan calls to fund the program. The state would get access to about $35 million a year from the federal government for benefits.
The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on March 10.
Matt Newell-Ching, senior policy manager with Oregon Food Bank, said Summer EBT benefits would be especially helpful for families in rural areas.
“While we love and are big proponents of summer meal sites, we also know that a lot of them are inaccessible,” said Newell-Ching. “And so, this new program was meant specifically to address gaps like that.”
Newell-Ching said everything else is in place – they just need the final piece from lawmakers.
“Ensuring that Oregon contributes its share of the administrative funding makes this all happen and builds on that groundwork,” said Newell-Ching. “And so, basically we’re asking legislators to do the right thing for 294,000 kids, make sure that that funding is there, so we can get this across the finish line and kids can get the support during the summer.” (SOURCE)
A severe lack of affordable housing has prompted Oregon lawmakers to consider chipping away at a 1970s law that made the state a national leader in leveraging land use policy to prevent suburban sprawl and conserve nature and agriculture.
The so-called urban growth boundary, a sacred cow of Oregon’s liberal politics, helped to cement the state’s green reputation and has been “extremely influential” in its development, said Megan Horst, an urban planning professor at Portland State University.
“I can’t overstate it,” she said of the half-century-old law. “All that farmland would likely be a sea of strip malls and subdivisions, as they are pretty much anywhere else in the country.”
But interconnected homelessness and housing crises have forced exceptions to be considered by lawmakers, including Democrats who have historically defended the landmark policy.
The sole bill introduced by Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek during this year’s short legislative session is a sweeping housing package aiming to jumpstart home construction by tweaking the 1973 law, which essentially drew a circle around cities to protect farmland, forests and nature from urban encroachment.
Lawmakers have just two weeks to approve the bill before the session ends March 10.
As the longest serving speaker of the Oregon House, from 2013 to 2022, Kotek became known for her progressive agenda. But as governor, she has sought to ease restrictions for developers in a bid to advance her housing production goals.
Working to win support for the package has put her in the unusual position of having to lobby not Republicans — who largely back it — but members of her own party, many of whom voted against a similar measure last year. Kotek said she spent the seven months between legislative sessions speaking with lawmakers, housing developers and conservation groups to find a middle ground.
“We had some proposals last year that didn’t work for everyone, but we didn’t walk away. We sat down and worked on it,” she said while testifying in support of the bill, describing herself as its “chief architect” and “chief cheerleader.”
“I also know that the process means there might be amendments,” she added. “But what we can’t see happen is that this Legislature leaves at the end of their session without this bill.”
On the ground, the anti-sprawl policy can look dramatic. At times, blocks of dense apartment complexes abruptly end and give way to thick forest or rolling fields. One side of a road can be lined with homes, while the other side features open space as far as the eye can see.
The 42-page package would, among many other things, grant a one-time exemption to the decades-old rule by allowing cities to acquire new land for the purpose of building housing. It would require 30% of new units in expansion areas to be affordable.
Currently, cities must forecast population growth over 20 years before requesting to change an urban growth boundary for new homes, businesses or industrial or public facilities. If they show the area inside their boundary won’t accommodate projected needs, and identify outside land meeting a complex set of criteria, they can apply to expand.
Cities of more than 2,500 residents seeking to add more than 50 acres (20 hectares) must submit an application to a state agency for approval.
Ninety-five percent of such adjustments were approved between 2016 and 2023, according to the Department of Land Conservation & Development, the agency tasked with approvals. But many cities and developers say the rigorous evaluation and analysis requirements can be long and difficult to navigate.
“While land supply is not a barrier for all cities, it is critical for some, and the current … process is time-consuming, cost-prohibitive, and litigious,” Ariel Nelson, a lobbyist for the League of Oregon Cities, which has a neutral stance on the bill, said in written testimony.
To speed up the process, the bill before lawmakers would ease certain regulations and waive the 20-year population forecast if conditions are met. But the proposal still includes a number of restrictions largely stemming from Democrats’ requests.
In order to be eligible, cities must prove they lack land as well as affordable housing. They would need to outline the history of their growth boundary in the previous 20 years and assess how much land inside the current boundary has been developed. They would also have to show that a certain percentage of households are severely cost burdened, meaning they spend more than half of their income on housing.
In most cases, cities wouldn’t be able to add high-value farm or forest land.
Additionally, cities would only be able to add relatively small areas of land: cities with populations less than 25,000, for example, could only add a maximum of 50 “net residential” acres (20 hectares), which is less than one-tenth of a square mile (0.3 square kilometers). A net residential acre refers to the amount of land used to build homes, excluding streets and utilities.
The one-time exemption to urban growth boundary rules would expire in 2033.
State Sen. Deb Patterson, a member of the Environmental Caucus and the Senate’s housing committee, said these guardrails made her feel comfortable supporting the bill. She was one of the Democratic lawmakers whose “no” vote killed last year’s proposal.
“While it’s not in any way shape or form a perfect bill, so much work has been done to make this a much better bill that I do believe I will be a ‘yes’ vote,” she said.
One of her Republican colleagues on the Senate’s housing committee, Sen. Dick Anderson, also supports the bill but said the boundary expansion rules were restrictive “almost to the point of not being of use.”
“You should not be envisioning a Las Vegas or Phoenix style expansion, with houses galore and subdivision after subdivision,” he said.
Anderson thinks other parts of the bill would be more useful in his coastal district, specifically a measure allowing cities to “swap” land currently within their boundaries, which is harder to be develop because of steep terrain or other topographical issues, with an equivalent amount of land just outside that is more suitable for residential use.
Other factors also have to be addressed in order to fully tackle the crisis, such as rising construction supply costs, a labor shortage and increasing corporate ownership of housing, housing experts say.
Lawmakers have tackled the land use law in the past, including to spur industrial growth. Most recently, they approved a measure last year allowing the governor to designate up to eight sites for expansion to make room for semiconductor factories. (SOURCE)
Oregon State Parks recruiting about 250 seasonal park rangers and assistants for 2024
SALEM, Oregon— Oregon State Parks is not just a beautiful place to visit – it’s also a spectacular place to work.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting 250 seasonal park rangers and assistants for positions across the state that range anywhere from four to nine months. The peak season is from April to September, but some of the positions start as early as March and run as late as December.
Seasonal staff help visitors access world-class experiences and ensure clean and safe park areas for everyone to enjoy. Duties include janitorial work, landscape maintenance, visitor education and visitor services.
Salaries start at $17.34 per hour for seasonal assistants and $20.06 for seasonal rangers. Both positions include comprehensive medical, vision and dental plans for employees and qualified family members. The positions also include paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Student workers, ages 16 and older, start at $17.32 or more per hour depending on experience (no benefits).
OPRD promotes from within and several of our top leaders started as seasonal employees.
“We love what we do at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department,” said Director Lisa Sumption. “We get to preserve and share some of Oregon’s most treasured landscapes and resources. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you’re part of that OPRD family.”
For more information about current openings, visit stateparks.oregon.gov. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in accessibility or alternative formats, please email Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recruiting D.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.
Oregon Marijuana Sales Fall Again
Oregon’s struggling cannabis industry endured another difficult year in 2023, and there’s no indication conditions will ease in the foreseeable future.
Prices remain severely depressed, under $4 a gram for 11 consecutive months. Sales fell by nearly 4% last year. And harvests remain elevated, which means supply is likely to continue outstripping demand – making life tough for those who grow and sell recreational marijuana.
“Given these market conditions of oversupply, (retail) saturation, and stable consumer demand, low prices make it difficult for businesses to be profitable,” the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis wrote in its most recent report this month.
The market bloomed in the first years after Oregon voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2014. Sales began in 2015 and climbed for four subsequent years, with a jump that brought sales above $1 billion for the first time in 2020 as people embraced new forms of entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales fell sharply in 2022 and 2023, dropping by 19% as market conditions returned to more normal patterns. But since Oregon put no limits on how many businesses may grow or sell cannabis, and since marijuana grows like a weed — so to speak — in many parts of Oregon, the state quickly had a cannabis glut.
The marijuana industry has long hoped that federal legalization, or some half-step that allowed cannabis to be sold across state lines, could create a national market for Oregon’s crop. But while individual states continue to move toward legalizing marijuana, changes on the national level appear unlikely anytime soon given the intense partisan divide in Congress. (READ MORE)
Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest Underway
The front cover of the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book showcases a hillside covered in beautiful balsam root and lupine flowers at Rowena Crest, captured by Oregon photographer Micah Lundsted of Eugene. The book’s back cover shows an image of three rockfish made at the Oregon Coast Aquarium by Dale George of Grants Pass.
Which images will cover the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book? The Oregon Blue Book cover photo contest kicks off today, giving amateur photographers the chance to submit their photos to answer that question. Photo contest winners will be selected in October 2024 by Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.
“Choosing the cover photos for the Oregon Blue Book is an honor,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “The images are a chance to see our beautiful state through the lens of the many talented amateur photographers who live in Oregon.”
The contest is open to Oregon residents of any age who earn less than half their income from photography. Images must be Oregon related and should be submitted in the portrait, rather than landscape, orientation. Two images will be selected for the cover: one for the front and one for the back. Visit the Oregon Blue Book Photo Contest guidelines for more information: https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/about-conte…
Images can be submitted through the Oregon Blue Book website portal or via U.S. mail. The deadline to submit photos for consideration is October 27, 2024. Contact the Oregon Blue Book Managing Editor at Oregon.Bluebook@sos.oregon.gov with questions or for additional information.
DETAILS
What: 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest
Who: Amateur photographers who live in Oregon
When: February 7, 2024-October 27, 2024
Where: Submit online or through U.S. Mail
Why: Photo on the cover of the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book
ODFW Announces Stamp Art Competitions
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is making a call to area artists to compete in one, or all three, of ODFW’s 2025 stamp art competitions.
The winning artist in each contest receives a $2,000 award and their winning artwork is used to produce collector’s stamps and other promotional items, sales of which benefit Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
For more information on contest rules and to order stamps and art prints, visit: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/stamp_contest/index.asp.
Entries will be accepted beginning Aug. 30 through Sept. 27 by 5 p.m., at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr., SE, Salem, OR 97302.
Entries can be mailed or hand delivered. If you hand-deliver your entry, call ahead to make arrangements at 503-947-6314.
Here’s a look at the three categories:
Habitat Conservation Stamp
Art entries must feature a “Strategy Species” identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy in its appropriate habitat. Not all species in the strategy are eligible, so use the qualifying list of species.
See contest rules and entry form for more information and a list of eligible species at
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/habitat_conservation_stamp.asp.
Waterfowl Stamp Contest
Art entries must feature one of the following species in its natural habitat setting: Ring-necked Duck, White-winged Scoter, or Barrow’s Goldeneye.
See contest rules and entry form for more information at
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/waterfowl/contest/index.asp.
Upland Game Bird Stamp Contest
Art entries must feature California Quail in its natural habitat setting.
See contest rules and entry form for more information at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/upland_bird/contest/index.asp
Artists should not the highlighted new for 2025 information in the contest rules and the final page for packaging tips.
A panel will judge artwork based on artistic composition, anatomical accuracy of the species and general appeal.
Collector’s stamps, art prints and other promotional materials are produced from first-place artwork. Proceeds from product sales are used for habitat improvement, research surveys and conservation projects.
Interested artists are encouraged to visit ODFW’s stamp art competition website for more information on the contests and to view entries from previous years. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/stamp_contest/index.asp
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.
Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com