The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, February 5, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:07 AM FEB. 5, 2024 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST TUESDAY... * WHAT...North winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and steep seas 7 to 12 ft, peaking this afternoon. Winds ease this evening to 10 to 15 kt, but seas remain steep 9 to 11 ft into Tuesday. * WHERE...All areas. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is about a 15 to 25% chance of a brief period of south gales early this morning between 4 AM and 8 AM PST south of Gold Beach. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Roadside Cleanup Work Continues On Hwy 126 From the Coast to Eugene
Travelers on Highway 126 between Eugene and the coast will see delays for the next few weeks as crews continue clearing debris created by January’s ice storm.
Over the last two weeks, crews of Oregon Department of Transportation staff and contractors have been working to remove downed trees and other storm debris from the roadway and surrounding area. While a lot has been done to clean up the highway and make it safer, ODOT spokesperson Mindy McCartt said there is still more to be done.
“The trees in that area, they’re guesstimating the diameter is about 36 inches, and that’s a lot of hard wood,” she said. “It takes a long time to clear that kind of debris up.”
The highway itself is clear of limbs, McCartt said, but their focus is on cleaning up tree stumps and logs on the edge of the highway to the tree line.
According to McCartt, the department saw the most damage at Knowles Creek Tunnel, which is the starting point for two teams performing the clearing work. One smaller crew is performing work from the tunnel west toward the coast. The other, larger crew is working in increments eastbound on the highway, clearing sections of the road toward Veneta.
“They’re also having to assess and evaluate all of the trees along that highway for any potential damage or danger,” she said. “So cracked trunks, dangling limbs, trees leaning over toward the direction of the highway that could potentially fall if we got more wind.”
Once the crews are finished, they will do the same work on Highway 36. McCartt said the road is already clear, but trees off to the side also need to be assessed.
However, it may take a while before that work gets started.
“We are estimating that on 126 alone, we have another five weeks to get this tree debris cleaned up from the edge of the highway to that tree line,” McCartt said.
Coos County Sheriff’s Office
· •••Hillsboro Woman and Children Found up Burnt Mountain•••
On February 4th, 2024, around 2:26 pm, Alice Schwarz of Hillsboro called 911 to report that her vehicle had become stuck and disabled somewhere off Burnt Mountain Road outside Coquille. Alice had (3) minor children with her and had to walk about a mile in the cold and rain to get cell phone service before calling for help. Sergeant J. Boswell and Deputies A. Churchill and J. Lee responded to try to locate them.
Sergeant Boswell and Deputy Churchill located Alice and the children. They were cold and wet, but otherwise in good spirits. Alice had them all well prepared with appropriate supplies. Deputy Lee stood by with Alice and the children while Sergeant Boswell and Deputy Churchill located her vehicle.
Sergeant Boswell and Deputy Churchill located the vehicle and found that a log was stuck under it, which caused it to be high-centered. Once the log was removed, Alice was able to load the children up and drive out on her own.
Alice stated that they were visiting the area to go “Geocaching” and had turned down an unpaved road in poor condition due to the recent weather.
This is an excellent ending to a story where Alice was well-prepared and had a plan for if/when things went wrong while exploring the beautiful Coos County wilderness. Good Job to all involved!
The City of Newport is soliciting feedback from community members. The Discover Newport Committee is leading a campaign to gather resident feedback on beautification ideas and goals for the City of Newport. The Discover Newport Committee is a City Council appointed advisory body who advises the City regarding the preparation of the advertising budget funded by the city’s room tax, and makes recommendations regarding the placement of advertising, the hiring of advertising consultants, and all other matters relating to advertising the city as a tourist destination. To access the survey, please visit this link: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSc2K8BDYG6eYG…/viewform
Lincoln County Sheriff announces he will not seek re-election for 2025
It is with very mixed emotions that I share my decision not to seek re-election for the position of Sheriff in the upcoming term, which will begin on January 6, 2025. Serving in the Sheriff’s Office for 36 years, and as Sheriff for the past 7 years has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the support and trust you’ve placed in me. After much consideration, it is the right time for our agency and for me personally.
I believe it is time for a new leader to guide our Sheriff’s Office forward and build upon the foundation we’ve laid. I am pleased to announce my full support for Lieutenant Adam Shanks as the ideal candidate to succeed me as Sheriff.
Lieutenant Shanks has been an invaluable member of our Sheriff’s Office team, demonstrating unwavering dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to the well-being of our community. His experience, integrity, and passion for public service make him well-suited to take on the responsibilities of Sheriff.
As we navigate this transition, I have full confidence in the capable hands of the dedicated individuals who make up your Sheriff’s Office. I would like to express my true appreciation to the outstanding work they do to keep you safe. I am committed to working closely with the team to ensure a smooth transition and to provide any support needed over the next 11 months.
I want to express my deep thanks for the trust and support our citizens have shown me throughout my time as Sheriff. I am humbled and honored to serve you, and I look forward to seeing our community continue to flourish under new leadership.
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
North Bend Murder Suspect Found Fit To Stand Trial
A man accused of murdering four people in North Bend and kidnapping a woman in Springfield has been found mentally fit to stand trial, but his attorneys don’t agree and they’re calling the state hospital’s evaluation into question.
Oen Evans Nicholson, 33, is accused of murdering his father, Charles Nicholson, in June 2021 at the RV campground near the Mill Casino in North Bend. Court documents said Oen then stole his father’s truck, hit and killed Anthony and Linda Oyster, then shot and killed Jennifer Davidson at the Herbal Choices marijuana dispensary. Court documents said Oen then kidnapped Laura Johnson from the Gateway Mall parking lot in Springfield, and forced her to drive him to Wisconsin, where she was able to convince him to turn himself in to authorities.
In 2022, Oen Nicholson requested permission to fire his public defenders and represent himself. The Coos County District Attorney ordered hearings to determine his competency to do so, which led to evaluations of his mental status, which led to Nicholson being committed to the Oregon State Hospital in October 2022. Later, in 2023, the D.A. filed motions to contest the evaluations’ findings that the defendant is not able to assist on his own defense and authorize involuntary medication for Nicholson to restore his competency to stand trial.
In November 2023, Nicholson was found mentally fit to stand trial so long as he continues to take his medication. The defense’s filing in response to the hospital’s ruling is sealed, but the D.A. filed papers disputing the reasons the defense believes Nicholson can’t stand trial. In the D.A.’s filing, one example he gave is that Nicholson is now eating food in the hospital, which he previously believed was poisoned. The D.A. has previously said he believes Nicholson is competent based on three letters Nicholson wrote to the court asking to represent himself, demonstrating he understands the court process and is therefore mentally competent.
Nicholson is facing 12 counts of first-degree murder, two counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver, and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. (SOURCE)
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
Oregon Department Of Forestry Recreation Team Seeking Camp Hosts
The Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Team is looking for camp hosts to support operations at 8 campgrounds in the Tillamook, Clatsop, and Santiam State Forests for the 2024 season.
Campgrounds operates from May through October with flexible scheduling opportunities to include both full-season and short-season commitments.
Camp hosts are provided with:
*electricity
*water
*firewood
*septic
*ODF uniforms and supplies
Hosts help with light facility maintenance, visitor information services, and provide a point of contact for visitors in case of an emergency. Camp hosts enjoy direct access to trails and other recreation areas, get to meet people from all over the world, and can spend time exploring the vast experiences and views state forests have to offer.
To learn more, visit the ODF volunteer page: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/pages/volunteer.aspx
Florence Café 60 Senior Meals Program Reopens for Dine-In Meals
Lane Council of Government’s Senior Meals Program is reopening its Café 60 location in Florence after being closed for the past three years.
LCOG officials said that during the closure, LCOG’s Senior and Disability Services division offered grab-and-go meals but the reopening of Café 60 will provide a dine-in location for seniors who might otherwise go hungry. The Florence location will reopen on December 4 and operate three days a week at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Florence Senior Center located at 1570 Kingwood Street, LCOG officials said.
Organizers said that interested seniors should make reservations at least a week in advance by calling ahead at 541-997-5673 or filling out a reservation menu at the Café 60 location. The program is open at no cost to seniors 60 years of age or over and those not 60 years or older are welcome to join by paying the meal cost of $8, program organizers said. Donations are welcomed to support the program’s continued operation in the community, LCOG officials said.
Volunteers are also sought to help with the program and those who would like to participate may call 541-682-1366. More program information is also available here: https://www.lcog.org/sdslane/page/florence-caf%C3%A9-60-reopens-dine-meals
Oregon Receives $60 Million For Rental Support And Social Services
The Biden administration announced this week it’s awarding more than $3 billion to thousands of programs nationwide to fight homelessness.
That amount, for 2003 Continuum of Care grants, marks a new high, the administration said.
“We are doing all we can to get people off the street and into permanent homes with access to services,” said Marcia Fudge, the Housing and Urban Development secretary in a release. “That is why we are making sure the service providers on the frontlines of this crisis have the resources they need.”
The grants include more than $60 million for Oregon nonprofits and other entities to support programs that house young people and others from Portland, Medford and Ashland to Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. A total of 140 applicants won grants ranging from more than $8 million to $10,000. More than $50 million is allocated to current programs to keep them going, while more than $4 million is aimed at keeping young people housed. More than $2 million is for new initiatives in Clackamas, Lane, Marion, and Multnomah counties, along with about the same amount for planning initiatives.
Oregon’s six Democratic lawmakers in Congress – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas – welcomed the money in a joint statement.
“These new and continuing awards are vital for communities and individuals in need of critical housing resources and support. I won’t stop working to ensure Oregonians in every corner of the state have access to safe, dependable, and affordable housing,” Merkley said.
A large share of the money is going to nonprofit and government programs in the Portland area.
Home Forward, the public housing authority for Multnomah County, won the biggest grant of nearly $8.4 million. The money will be used to fund several ongoing programs that currently serve nearly 500 households by helping them with rent and social services.
“We are very grateful to HUD for this vital funding support that allows us to keep up with rent increases while maintaining our current service levels for the nearly 500 households in our community who rely on this assistance,” Martha Calhoon, a spokesperson for Home Forward, said in a statement.
The programs help a range of low-income people, including those with chronic addictions or who’ve been chronically homeless, people with HIV who have a mental disability, veterans who’ve been homeless, households with at least one person with a disability and heads of households suffering from severe and persistent mental illness.
Most are on Medicaid, and they pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent. If they have no income, they pay nothing.
A total of 12 agencies involved with the grant provide housing, addiction treatment, mental health and other social services. Those agencies include Central City Concern, a large provider based in Portland; Multnomah County; Cascadia Health, one of the largest behavioral health care agencies in the state; and the Veterans Affairs.
Central City Concern won its own grant of $3.4 million, the second biggest. Spokesperson Juliana Lukasik said the money is dedicated to a program that provides long-term housing stability for people with high needs, including those with addictions, severe and persistent mental illness and the chronically homeless.
Those in the program pay 30% of their rent. Last year, the program served about 185 people, including nearly 160 who’ve been chronically homeless. Lukasik said about 60% had retained housing for more than five years while about 95% had stayed housed for more more than one year.186 client served
Like Home Forward, Central City Concern works with other agencies, including the Native American Rehabilitation Association, to provide health care and other services, and it uses people who’ve experienced homelessness themselves as peers to help those in the program.
The third biggest grant, nearly $3 million, went to the Washington County Department of Housing Services. A spokeswoman, Emily Roots, said in a statement that the money will be used to help house about 200 households. To qualify, participants must have a disability and be chronically homeless at the time of acceptance into the program.
They are required to pay 30% of the rent, and they’re housed in apartments, Roots said. A variety of services are offered such as behavioral health treatment, aging and disability services, HIV/AIDS services and general case management. (SOURCE)
Treasury Proactively Returning $10 Million in Unclaimed Funds to Oregonians
Individuals will receive funds through the ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative in February
Salem, OR—Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read announced today Treasury will be proactively returning approximately $10 million in unclaimed property this month to individuals as part of the agency’s 2024 ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative.
“We’re excited to reconnect thousands of individuals with their unclaimed funds without requiring any action on their part,” Treasurer Read said. “In addition to collecting and safeguarding Oregonians’ unclaimed property, Treasury is committed to returning these assets and helping to bolster our citizen’s financial well-being.”
Through ‘Checks Without Claims’, Treasury will proactively disburse payments to verified owners of unclaimed property reported to the state’s Unclaimed Property Program in 2021 and 2022. Payments, via check, will be mailed to individuals this month and accompanied by an additional confirmation letter from the Treasurer.
In 2023, Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program conducted ‘Checks Without Claims’ and reconnected more than 18,000 individuals – from Oregon and 47 other states – with their unclaimed funds.
With over $1 billion in unclaimed funds currently held by the state, ‘Checks Without Claims’ is one of many efforts to reconnect more Oregonians with their unclaimed money and property. Payments distributed through ‘Checks Without Claims’ represent unclaimed property reported to the state in 2021 and 2022 by various businesses and organizations that were unable to return funds to the rightful owner. Common examples of unclaimed property include uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, tax refunds, credit balances, investment accounts, payroll checks, refunds, and more.
Nearly one in seven people in the United States has unclaimed property. To help raise awareness around unclaimed funds, Treasury joined programs across the country this week to celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day, held annually on February 1. In fiscal year 2023, more than $5.4 billion dollars in unclaimed property was returned to its rightful owners according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
Typically, individuals need to file a claim with Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program and complete the verification process to receive the funds they are owed. Treasury conducts ‘Checks Without Claims’ to proactively verify some owners of unclaimed assets and facilitate payments directly to them. Checks distributed will vary in amount between $50 and $10,000.
Searching for unclaimed funds is free and easy. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit Treasury’s unclaimed property website at unclaimed.oregon.gov.
More information about ‘Checks Without Claims’ is available online at https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/app/checks-without-cl… Questions about unclaimed funds or “Checks without Claims” can be directed to Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program via email claims@ost.state.or.us or phone at 503-378-4000.
About Oregon State Treasury
Oregon State Treasury improves the financial well-being of all Oregonians. We provide low-cost banking, debt management, and investment programs for governments and empower Oregonians to invest in themselves and their loved ones through the Oregon College Savings Plan, Oregon ABLE Savings Plan, and OregonSaves.
Drug Addiction, Housing and Homelessness Dominate Legislative Session
When Oregon lawmakers return to Salem for their 35-day session starting Feb. 5, they will face the same issues that topped their agenda last year — housing and homelessness, and mental health and addiction treatment.
Unlike legislatures in other states, according to a recent survey by The New York Times, Oregon will not have pitched political battles over abortion and gun rights this year. They went through those last year. Although the Democratic majorities prevailed, a walkout by Senate Republicans that thwarted business for six weeks forced Democrats to scale back the scope of abortion rights and gun regulations.
But lawmakers will have plenty to deal with.
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has proposed $500 million to jump-start housing production — something she didn’t do in the 2023 session — and $100 million more for efforts to help unhoused people, avert evictions and move people into housing.
Attached to the money are proposals to fund water and sewer lines and other infrastructure needed for housing construction, simplify the local permit process, and give cities a one-time option to expand beyond their urban growth boundaries to allow development. Her proposal for the latter failed at the close of the 2023 session, and it remains to be seen whether the issue can be resolved.
Meanwhile, lawmakers will deal with a proposal from a joint committee to ease barriers to addiction treatment. But most of the attention — and criticism — has focused on a provision to reinstate criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of specified drugs in a reversal of what voters approved in Measure 110 in 2020. The penalties were converted into violations punishable by a maximum fine of $100 or a referral for drug evaluation.
Treatment advocates say the proposal is a step backward. But law enforcement advocates say the proposal does not go far enough and that penalties should be stricter. Their argument may not end with the session’s close by a deadline of March 10, but with another ballot measure for the Nov. 5 general election.
The Legislature’s only duty in its even-numbered-year session is to ensure a balanced budget, although the state’s two-year budget is adopted in the odd-numbered year, when the session runs for 160 days.
Dan Rayfield, a Democrat from Corvallis who is serving his final session as speaker of the Oregon House, says lawmakers are being asked to do a lot of other things, but the 2024 session will go by fast and lawmakers will be unable to deal with every issue brought before them.
“You have to do your work ahead of time if you are going to be successful,” he said.
Read more about Kotek’s housing and homelessness bill here. Learn more about Measure 110 reforms here . (SOURCE)
OHCS awards $20 million to boost affordable modular housing production in Oregon
SALEM, ORE. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) awards $20 million to modular housing developers to boost production of these homes throughout Oregon. The developers will prioritize supplying modular housing that is affordable to state and local governments following a wildfire or other disaster, low-income housing construction and middle-income housing construction.
“Oregon needs affordable and middle-income housing in all shapes and sizes,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Investing in the production capacity of modular homes is vital to increasing housing options particularly in rural communities.”
Housing is considered modular when building sections are built in a factory and then put together at the intended site. The modular method of housing development can help accelerate affordable housing production as it can lower construction costs and reduce construction schedules compared to traditional building methods.
OHCS created the Modular Housing Development Fund to distribute the $20 million allocated through House Bill 2001 in the 2023 legislative session. The agency worked quickly to get funds out the door, opening applications for funding in November 2023. There were 17 eligible applicants, and the agency intends to award funding to the following four:
| Organization | Amount | City |
| Blazer Industries, Inc. | $5 million | Aumsville |
| Intelifab, LLC | $5 million | Klamath Falls |
| Pacific Wall Systems, Inc. | $5 million | Phoenix |
| Zaugg Timber Solutions, Inc. | $5 million | Portland |
“Thank you to the Oregon legislature and applicants. OHCS remains committed in being a partner in the collective journey to increase housing production across Oregon so everyone can have a safe, stable, and healthy place to call home,” said Bell.
Oregon Senate Republicans Cannot Run For Office Again After Walkout Per Ruling Mandates
Oregon Senate Republicans who participated in a historic 2023 walkout will not be allowed to run for office again, the Oregon Supreme Court announced Thursday morning.
In 2023, nine Oregon Senate Republicans walked off the job for 42 days in protest of a bill that protected abortion rights and gender-affirming health care.
Following this walkout, the Oregon Secretary of State ruled participating senators would be unable to run for office immediately after the current term due to Measure 113.
Voted-approved Measure 113 mandates that “any state legislator who accrues 10 or more unexcused absences during a legislative session shall be disqualified from holding legislative office” immediately following the current term.
The nine senators petitioned against the Secretary of State’s upholding of the measure following the walkout.
The Republicans argued that Measure 113’s wording was ambiguous when voted upon by voters, and did not support the secretary’s interpretation and enforcement of the rule after the walkout.
The Supreme Court states that it is upholding the secretary’s interpretation and that the Republicans who participated in the walkout will be unable to run for office again.
The court says that “the ballot measure history uniformly supported the Secretary’s interpretation,” and that “the ballot title and the voters’ pamphlet expressly and repeatedly informed voters that the disqualification would occur immediately following the legislator’s current term.”
The court concluded that voters would have understood the disqualification to apply to the term of office immediately following the term in which a legislator accrued 10 or more unexcused absences.
This means nine Republicans and one Independent senator who staged the record-long six-week legislative walkout in 2023 cannot file for re-election in 2024 or 2026.
Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Measure 113
Salem, OR—The Oregon Supreme Court ruled today in favor of Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade’s interpretation of Measure 113, which disqualifies legislators with unexcused absences in 2023 from running for reelection in 2024.
“I’ve said from the beginning my intention was to support the will of the voters,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “It was clear to me that voters intended for legislators with a certain number of absences in a legislative session to be immediately disqualified from seeking reelection. I’m thankful to the Oregon Supreme Court for providing clarity on how to implement Measure 113.”
The Secretary announced in August she would direct the Elections Division to implement an administrative rule providing guidance to candidates on Measure 113, which was passed by voters in November 2022. Measure 113 states that 10 or more unexcused absences “shall disqualify the member from holding office as a Senator or Representative for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.”
Oregon Employment Department Prepares Customers for New Unemployment Insurance System Launch
Oregon Employment Department Prepares Customers for New Unemployment Insurance System Launch
Frances Online will replace existing systems for benefit claims, with five-day migration at the end of February; Other OED customers to be impacted by the migration
JAN. 31, 2024 (SALEM, ORE.) – The Oregon Employment Department (OED) will migrate to a new online claim system for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits on Monday, March 4. The new system, Frances Online, will provide better service for claimants and employers. It is also the final rollout for the UI modernization project that has been years in the making.
“This is a great leap forward for anyone who needs access to unemployment insurance,” said David Gerstenfeld, director of the Oregon Employment Department. “As we’ve learned in the earlier phases of this modernization effort, Frances Online offers an easier customer service experience and will streamline the process of filing a claim.”
The migration of UI benefits to Frances Online will begin on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. and go through 8 a.m. on March 4. A migration period like this is normal for any big technology project. OED will not be able to provide customer service for several OED programs during the migration. This is because the old UI systems and Frances Online (employer and claimant portals) will go offline.
Key Information for Current UI Claimants
Current UI claimants will not be able to file a weekly claim, check the status of a claim, make changes to claim information, make payments, respond to requests for additional information, or complete ID verification during the migration. Below are key dates that current claimants must follow to avoid potential benefit payment delays:
- Feb. 28-March 1: All UI phone lines are closed (closed regularly on weekends).
- Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.: Due date to file a weekly UI claim for the week of Feb. 18-24 to avoid payment delays. If the due date is missed, claimants can’t file their weekly claim until March 4. Their benefits will be delayed.
- Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.: Old UI systems go offline; UI Telephone Weekly Claim Line (800-982-8920) closes.
- March 4 at 8 a.m.: Frances Online goes live with UI benefits (including Contact Us form, chatbot, and live agent chat); UI phone lines open; Claimants can file prior weekly claims, but benefits will be delayed; and claimants can file a timely claim for the week of Feb. 25-March 2.
More detailed information about the migration impact for UI claimants can be found at unemployment.oregon.gov/frances. Staff at all WorkSource Oregon centers and OED Central Office in Salem won’t be able to answer claim questions during the migration. However, WorkSource Oregon offices and WorkSourceOregon.org will be open for job search, training, and career support.
Impacts to Paid Leave Oregon and Other Programs
Below are other key dates and information for OED customers.
- February 27 before 5 p.m.: Last day to file a new initial UI claim or restart a current claim until March 4.
- February 28 before 5 p.m.: Last day to file a new Paid Leave Oregon claim (including intermittent claims) until March 4.
- February 28-March 1: Paid Leave Oregon and Contributions & Recovery phone lines and online support closed (closed regularly on weekends).
- February 28 at 5 p.m.: Frances Online website, including all features and functions, will be offline, including the portals for claimants and employers. Customers will not be able to file a new or intermittent Paid Leave Oregon claim, file or amend tax reports, make payments, complete ID verification, create a Frances Online account, apply for Paid Leave Oregon assistance grants, or respond to requests for additional information during the migration.
- March 4 at 8 a.m.: Frances Online, phone lines, and online support reopen.
“We’ve been working for years to ensure that this transition works for our customers,” said Lindsi Leahy, director of the Unemployment Insurance Division at OED. “We know Oregonians depend on the benefits we provide. And we’re bringing on additional staff to ensure that, once the new system is live, we can help people get their benefits quickly.”
This is the third and final rollout for launching OED’s modernized benefits and contributions system. Last year, OED launched the new Paid Leave Oregon benefits program in Frances Online. In 2022, UI and Paid Leave Oregon tax/contribution programs were launched in the new system. UI benefits is the last major program migration for the UI Modernization Project, which the agency has been preparing for since 2018. The project baseline budget for the Paid Leave and UI system is approximately $106 million.
“We want our customers to know that we will help them navigate the migration to the new system,” said Renee Royston, director of the Modernization Division at OED. “Once we’re done, we’ll have a much easier-to-use online claims system with stronger protections against fraud and identity theft.”
OED encourages current UI claimants to check their mail daily, review all letters and messages, check unemployment.oregon.gov/frances, and follow OED on social media for important updates about the migration. Paid Leave Oregon claimants can visit paidleave.oregon.gov in the coming weeks to learn more about these impacts.
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
Mailing Error in Sending Tax Form 1099-G
On January 26, 2024, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) announced that a mailing error occurred while sending the tax form 1099-G to those who received benefits from the Unemployment Insurance program in 2023. This error impacted 32,960 out of 122,245 mailings, meaning some individuals may have not received a tax form 1099-G at all, and others may have received an additional form not belonging to them.
A machine error caused a subset of those tax forms to go into envelopes already containing a tax form 1099-G. DAS was first notified of this error during the ongoing printing and mailing process for tax form 1099-G and called for an immediate halt, which prevented the majority of these forms from being impacted. For More Information: https://unemployment.oregon.gov/1099g-mailing-error#:~:text=This%20error%20impacted%2032%2C960%20out,a%20tax%20form%201099%2DG.
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