Oregon Beach News, Monday 5/4 – SOLVE Spotlights Microplastic Cleanup on Rockaway Beach, 2026 Primary Election Ballots in the Mail & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Monday, May 4, 2026

Oregon Beach Weather

Here’s the overview of our weather outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

SOLVE Spotlights Microplastic Cleanup on Rockaway Beach

SOLVE’s annual Earth Month initiative, in partnership with Portland General Electric, wrapped up this week with powerful results and even stronger community spirit. For the first time, the program expanded to span the full month of April, turning Earth Month into coordinated action across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

SPOTLIGHT on: Microplastic Cleanup, Rockaway Beach, April 23
On the Oregon Coast, nearly 300 volunteers, the majority of them students from Central Valley Catholic Middle School, participated in a microplastic cleanup at Rockaway Beach. Efforts included sifting sand for microplastics and removing marine debris, highlighting the connection between inland litter and ocean health while engaging the next generation of environmental stewards.

Altogether, over 5,000 volunteers of all ages participated in 200+ cleanup and restoration projects across urban communities in Portland, Vancouver, Salem and Medford, along the Oregon Coast, and in rural and natural areas of Southern and Eastern Oregon. Together, they removed over 45,000 pounds of litter and marine debris, cleared half an acre as well as 50+ trees of invasive species such as English ivy and Himalayan blackberry, and mulched over 8,000 plants, helping restore natural spaces and protect waterways throughout the region.

From downtown cleanups to coastal restoration efforts, events throughout April highlighted the diversity, creativity, and energy of community action.

“This year’s Oregon Spring Cleanup showed the incredible impact of expanding Earth Month into a full month of action,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “From Portland to Medford and communities along the coast, volunteers came together to make a difference where they live. It’s inspiring to see this level of engagement grow, and it highlights the power of local action in creating a cleaner, healthier region.”

About SOLVE  — SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn. 

2026 Primary Election Ballots in the Mail

Statewide Primary Election – May 19, 2026

The voter registration deadline for the May Primary Election was April 28, 2026. 

Ballots began mailing to active voters in Oregon on April 29, 2026. 

• View Oregon voter qualification requirements and submit your registration form online.
• Registered voters may check their status, update their voter registration details, and see when they will be mailed a ballot for the upcoming election using MyVote.
• Ballots will not be mailed to voters with inactive status. If MyVote shows you are inactive, please update your registration using MyVote or contact your County Elections Office.

Election Day is May 19, 2026. 

Election Day is the last day for a voter to return their ballot.

• ​County Elections Offices are open 7 am – 8 pm on Election Day.
• View our official Ballot Drop Box Locator​ to find drop box hours.
• Ballots that are mailed must be postmarked by Election Day.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Invites Public Comment on Future of the State’s Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting three public meetings along the coast to discuss the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. Commercial fishermen, industry representatives and anyone interested in the fishery are encouraged to attend.

ODFW staff will give updates related to marine life entanglement including the draft conservation plan. Staff will ask for input on the following planned agenda items for the August 14 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting: five-year risk reduction measures evaluation, electronic logbooks, and rulemaking for vessel monitoring and experimental fishing gear permits.

All meetings will have a virtual option using Microsoft Teams.

May 7, North Bend, (1-4 p.m.)
North Bend Public Library
1800 Sherman Ave.
Virtual option: click this link
Dial in using phone: +1 503-446-4951, Phone Conference ID: 267 664 042#

May 12, Newport, (1-4 p.m.)
Oregon Coast Community College
400 SE College Way
Virtual option: click this link
Dial in using phone: +1 503-446-4951, Phone Conference ID: 494 399 150#

May 14, Astoria, (1-4 p.m.)
Astoria Public Library,
450 10th St. 
Virtual option: click this link
Dial in using phone: +1 503-446-4951, Phone Conference ID: 587 262 054#

ODFW provides reasonable accommodation upon request, including assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters, and materials in large print or audiotape. To request accommodation, please contact the Marine Resources Program office at 541-867-4741 or fax 541-867-0311 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Oregon National Guard Soldiers prepare for deployment to Africa

WARRENTON, Ore. – A mobilization ceremony for the Oregon Army National Guard’s 442nd Engineer Utilities Detachment (EUD) was held at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center, near Warrenton, Oregon May 3, 2026, as Soldiers prepare for a year-long mobilization.

The unit, composed of U.S. Army Engineers, will be mobilized as part of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and will provide vertical and horizontal construction support to military installations throughout the Horn of Africa.

CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner capabilities, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.

“Our Soldiers have trained hard for this mission and are ready to serve. We are proud to represent Oregon and our nation and look forward to making a meaningful contribution throughout the Horn of Africa,” said Maj. Emilie Anderson, Commander of the 442nd EUD.

The 442nd EUD is part of the larger 1249th Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Salem, Oregon. Attendance for this event is reserved for service members, their families, and invited guests.

BENTON AND LINCOLN COUNTIES LAUNCH WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH CAMPAIGN (Photo)
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office –

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and Benton and Lincoln counties are partnering to launch a coordinated campaign encouraging residents to take steps now to prevent wildfires and prepare their homes and families.

With current conditions across Oregon, fire experts are predicting a potentially difficult wildfire season. Local officials say early action and community awareness are critical to reducing risk and protecting lives, property and natural resources.

The campaign brings together the counties’ leadership, emergency management and public health to share information and resources throughout May.

“Wildfire doesn’t recognize county lines,” said Lincoln County Emergency Manager Samantha Buckley. “Working together allows us to better serve and protect our communities across the region.”

“Preparedness starts before fire season begins,” said Benton County Emergency Manager Bryan Lee. “The steps we take today can help protect lives, homes and our communities.”

Benton and Lincoln County commissioners support the campaign and emphasize the importance of regional coordination in addressing wildfire risk.

“Wildfire preparedness is a priority for our counties,” said Benton County Public Information Officer Anne Thwaits. “We are proud to partner with Lincoln County to provide clear, coordinated information that helps keep our communities safe.”

Throughout May, the campaign will highlight key topics including wildfire prevention, home preparedness, smoke and air quality, and evacuation planning, especially for vulnerable populations.

Residents are encouraged to take action now by learning more and preparing ahead of wildfire season. Staying informed during wildfire season is also critical. Residents in both counties are encouraged to sign up for local emergency alerts and follow official county channels for real-time updates, evacuation notices and safety information.

• Benton County residents can sign up for emergency alerts at: https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/linn-benton-alert/

• Lincoln County residents can sign up for alerts at: https://oralert.gov/

Residents are encouraged to take action now by learning more and preparing ahead of wildfire season. Resources are available from Oregon partners. These resources include guidance on creating defensible space, preventing human-caused fires, preparing a go-kit, understanding smoke impacts and planning for evacuations.

PREVENTION & PREPAREDNESS

Keep Oregon Green

• Wildfire prevention tips: Prevent Wildfires – Keep Oregon Green

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM)

• Defensible space & home hardening: Oregon State Fire Marshal: Wildfire in Oregon
• Wildfire risk reduction: Oregon State Fire Marshal: Prevent Wildfires

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)

• Fire season restrictions & prevention: Oregon Department of Forestry: Fire

Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

• Wildfire smoke & health: Oregon Health Authority: Wildfires and Smoke: Get Prepared

Oregon Emergency Management (OEM)

• Emergency preparedness (go kits, evacuation): Oregon Department of Emergency Management: Wildfires   
• Oregon Department of Emergency Management: Be 2 Weeks Ready

Newport’s gray trash cans are getting a colorful makeover, thanks to a partnership between the city, Thompson’s Sanitary Services, the Newport Public Arts Committee, and students at Newport Middle School.

According to John Fuller Newport Public Information Officer, who helped lead the effort, the project began with middle school art teacher Miss Harden encouraging her students to submit designs for new trash cans around town. The response was strong, with many student submissions coming in. A judging panel then reviewed the entries and selected 15 final designs that are now featured on the cans.

These are not just decorative covers slapped onto existing containers. The city worked closely with Thompson’s to bring in completely new, more heavy-duty cans that their trucks can still service efficiently.

The cans are larger, heavier, and built with a different internal bin system. Instead of opening from the top, one of the side panels swings open, allowing crews to slide the bin out without scraping or damaging the artwork.

You may have already spotted some of the new cans around town. A few have been placed along Highway 101, and more are planned for areas like near the Performing Arts Center and some of Newport’s popular beach spots around Nye Beach and the Bayfront. For now, there are only 15 of these art cans, but the hope is to expand the program over time and eventually replace all standard trash cans with artistic versions.

Early feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Fuller says people are “pretty happy” with the new look, and that the project highlights how important youth arts are to Newport. The city hopes this will be just one of many opportunities to involve young people in public projects and community beautification.

Ziggurat House South of Yachats Fails to Get Any Bids in Foreclosure Auction

No people showed up to bid in the sheriff’s meeting room in Eugene on Tuesday for the foreclosure auction. So the property is still in limbo though a bank will likely soon take formal ownership.

The property at 93550 U.S. Highway 101 in the Tenmile community has a lot of problems. It is still just a shell of a huge house that was ravaged by fire in 2023. The property is covered in brush. It has been sitting there almost 3 years now with parts of it still falling down. It’s apparently coated in mold, and chemicals were possibly leached into the ground water.

There’s also the 20-year battle between the owners and the mortgage lender that ended up finally bringing the property to a foreclosure sale Tuesday at the Lane County Sheriff’s Office .

The fire-ravaged 6,400-square-foot Ziggurat House on Highway 101 south of Yachats received no bids in a foreclosure auction, leaving the future of the once-$2.7 million coastal property uncertain. The four-story, 1985-built structure, severely damaged by a 2023 fire, is considered a total loss, and sits on one acre. 

Key Details on the Foreclosure and Property:

• Property Status: The property, located at 93550 Highway 101, is often described as a, now-gutted, “Ziggurat” pyramid-style home.
• Auction Failure: No bids were made for the property at the recent foreclosure auction,.
• Involved Entities: The loan is held by an investment trust (previously by Countrywide), with the Bank of New York representing the trust and NewRez administering the loan.
• Hazard and Cleanup: The remaining, fire-damaged structure is reportedly dangerous,.
• Complications: The site requires significant, complex demolition due to the large, fire-ravaged structure. 

The property sits on a prime bluff overlooking the Pacific near Stonefield Beach.

The Bank of New York, which represents the owner of the loan, set Tuesday’s the starting bid at $479,200 – a large drop from the $1.02 million minimum when the first sheriff’s auction was scheduled in early April. That auction was postponed but attorneys for the bank, ZBS Law of Lake Oswego, declined to say why.

At least three entities are involved in the foreclosure: An investment trust, set up by the now-defunct lender Countrywide, which owns the loan; the Bank of New York, which represents the trust; and, Pennsylvania-based NewRez, which administers the loan. A Bank of New York spokesperson said the foreclosure process is now up to NewRez. NewRez did not reply to an inquiry from the Lincoln Chronicle.

A dense thicket hides the gutted remains of the house from the view of traffic on Highway 101. It would need to be removed before anything could be done with the property.

It was known as a Ziggurat House as it was named after a pyramid style used in ancient Mesopotamia. Before the fire, the property had a real market value of $2.7 million, county records show.

Records show that Pamela Staton and Russell Baldwin bought it in 2004 for $950,000, taking out a $730,000 mortgage. They stopped making mortgage payments in 2009 and have been fighting their lender ever since.

The couple lived in the house using it for offices and a bed and breakfast operation until the 2023 fire ravaged the top two floors. This opened the rest of the structure to weather damage. Investigators failed to figure out how the fire started in their investigations.

The Bank of New York had begun its foreclosure lawsuit in 2018. Baldwin, an attorney with a Lincoln City office, represented the couple. The court file runs to several thousand pages as Baldwin continued to appeal the case. The bank won its case in 2024, securing a foreclosure judgement that allowed the sheriff’s sale.

Under state law, the couple may still have time after the sheriff’s event to pay off their debt and keep the property. There’s the original principal of $730,000, plus $655,000 in interest, and $151,000 in legal and other fees, says the decision the judge signed in 2024. That’s $1.54 million.

The Bank of New York had fire insurance on the property, which paid out $675,000 to the bank. Subtract that from the $1.54 million, and the couples’ debt comes to $866,000, says the decision. That was back on April 18, 2024. The court filing says the debt accrues interest at 9 percent a year.

Oregon Whale Sightings is a fun place to hear about and report cetaceans along our beautiful coastline.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176168644064352/

Welcome Center and Upgrades Coming to Popular D River State Recreation Site Under City-State Partnership

No-cost lease agreement is the final step before major site improvements begin.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (ORPD), the City of Lincoln City, and Explore Lincoln City today announced the transition of oversight of the D River State Recreation Site from OPRD to the City of Lincoln City.

The lease from OPRD takes effect on April 27 and is provided at no cost to the city to support the common goal of vastly improving facilities and access by early 2027.

“We’re grateful to Oregon State Parks for their longstanding stewardship of the D River State Recreation Site over the past 60-plus years, and we look forward to ushering in a new era of facilities and experiences for visitors old and new,” said Lincoln City City Manager Daniel Hunter. “Through inclusivity, stewardship, education, and public access, we intend to uphold the legacy that has been established for one of the most visible and highly used recreation sites along the Oregon Coast.” 

Improvements, including the new, $6.7 million Lincoln City Welcome Center, upgraded parking and beach access, and increased accessibility amenities, are scheduled to be completed by the City of Lincoln City in early 2027. The recreation site draws1.5 million visitors each year. 

“D River State Recreation Site is one of the coast’s most loved parks,” said Preson Phillips, Central Coast District Manager. “This is a unique opportunity for local-state collaboration, and we are excited to see this vision come to life.”

Planning and design are underway and construction is scheduled to start later this month. During construction, the restrooms and much of the site will be closed, though Lincoln City plans to make beach access, parking and temporary restrooms available as much as possible. 

This project will be funded through a State of Oregon Lottery Revenue Bond Grant as a result of advocacy from local legislators, as well as the reinvestment of Lincoln City transient lodging tax revenue earmarked for tourism promotion and facilities.

“Not only is D River State Recreation Site one of the most beloved and visited attractions in Oregon, but it’s also a community gathering place that has hosted marquis Explore Lincoln City events, including the Kite Festival, for many years,” said Kim Cooper Findling, Executive Director of Explore Lincoln City. “Our partners at OPRD have generously given Lincoln City the opportunity to tell our story in our own words, and to do so in a way that educates, informs, and reinforces the importance of responsible, stewardship-based visitation.”

See the City’s web page on the Lincoln City Welcome Center for additional information and updates about the renovation status.

About D River State Recreation Site — Originally purchased in 1969 with Land and Water Conservation funds, D River State Recreation Site is among Oregon’s top five most visited recreation sites, welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors annually. Once home to an aquarium and later to a go-kart track, today it serves as a rest stop, interpretive center, and primary access point along Lincoln City’s seven miles of beachfront. In addition to serving as a scenic wayside, the site offers beach and river access, restrooms, paved parking, and easy access to Highway 101 in the heart of Lincoln City.

About Lincoln City — Home to countless treasured experiences, including the world-famous Finders Keepers glass float program, two internationally recognized kite festivals, and Oregon’s only UNESCO Biosphere Region, Lincoln City boasts seven miles of public beaches, a prolific arts scene, and a laid-back beach town vibe. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and lush forests to the east, Lincoln City is the Oregon Coast’s destination of choice for sustainability-minded travelers. From ocean-to-table cuisine and ideal stargazing conditions, to postcard-worthy summer beach getaways and moody winter storm watching, every season brings something different. And it’s all barely an hour from the Willamette Valley. Follow along @lincolncityor for inspiration, or begin planning a visit at explorelincolncity.com.

About OPRD — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations. The department houses the State Historic Preservation Office and manages Heritage Programs, the state’s ATV Program, Recreation Grants and Community Programs, and Oregon State Parks.

Florence’s Rhody Cruisers Car Club is bringing back the annual Rhody Days Car Show and Shine on Saturday, May 16th to the Grocery Outlet parking lot on Highway 101 and 21st Street.

Pre-registration runs through April 30th for $25, which includes a goody bag, while day-of-show registration is $30. Organizers say the event will feature classic cars, raffles, food trucks, music, and a Habitat for Humanity Poker Walk. Activities run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with $5 tickets available for participants to join Coast Radio’s Car Cruise later that evening at 5:30.

Rhodendron Festival

The month of May brings one of Florence’s biggest traditions, as the 119th annual Rhododendron Festival returns May 14th through the 17th. Events will take place throughout the Florence area, featuring a carnival, vendor fair, arts festival, live music, classic cars, and family activities.

The festival theme this year, “A Gathering with a Good Heart,” was provided by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, who will also be represented in the Grand Floral Parade. Organizers say free shuttle service will be available during peak times. The festival wraps up Sunday, May 17th with the Grand Floral Parade through Historic Old Town Florence.

Port of Coos Bay Awarded $11M to Advance PCIP Project

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay on April 27 announced that the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project has been awarded an $11.25 million grant through the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), “another significant milestone for a major Oregon freight initiative with national impact.”

The funding, the Port says, supports significant rail infrastructure improvements on the North Spit of Coos Bay “that prepare the future terminal area for cargo movement, strengthen connections to the Coos Bay Rail Line, and advance long-term readiness for one of Oregon’s most significant trade and economic development opportunities.”

The award follows previous federal investments through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant programs, as well as the State of Oregon’s recent $100 million commitment to the project, “reflecting continued bipartisan support and sustained partnership across federal and state levels,” the Port noted.

“This award sends a clear message that serious infrastructure in rural Oregon matters and that the South Coast has a real role to play in the state’s economic future,” said Kyle Stevens, President of the Port Commission. “It reflects ongoing public support for practical investments that create jobs, expand opportunities for producers, and strengthen infrastructure with growing national significance.”

The PCIP is a proposed ship-to-rail container terminal “designed to create a new freight gateway on the U.S. West Coast, add capacity to an increasingly constrained port system, and provide shippers with an additional reliable trade option connected directly to inland markets by rail.”

By creating a new flow of imported containers through Coos Bay, the project is also expected to increase access to empty containers that can be used by agriculture producers, manufacturers, and small businesses seeking efficient pathways to global markets, according to the Port.

“Large infrastructure projects move forward one step at a time, and this funding advances an important next phase,” said Melissa Cribbins, Executive Director of the PCIP. “We remain focused on responsible planning, durable partnerships, and delivering measurable progress, and we are incredibly grateful to Oregon’s federal delegation for their steadfast support of this effort.”

“We continue to see strong long-term market potential in Coos Bay and confidence in the logistics advantages this location offers,” said Chad Meyer, President of NorthPoint Development, the project’s private-sector partner. “As global trade patterns continue to evolve, resilient transportation infrastructure becomes increasingly important. PCIP helps create the additional capacity, flexibility, and routing options needed for an ever-changing world.”

More information on the project is available here. (SOURCE)

A Portion of Clatsop Loop Trail Has Been Closed at Ecola State Park Due To Landslide

New drone footage shows the dramatic landslide that closed one of the Oregon coast’s most beloved hiking trails last week.

Video released by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department shows a birds-eye view of the slide that tore a chunk out of the side of the Clatsop Loop Trail, sending mud and rock tumbling down into the ocean.

The west section of the Clatsop Loop Trail at Ecola State Park is closed due to an active landslide that has caused significant erosion, with parts of the trail crumbling into the ocean. This hazardous, unstable area is closed for public safety, as reported by AOL.com and Yahoo. 

• Closed Area: The west section of the Clatsop Loop, including the route to the Lighthouse viewpoint.
• Cause: An active landslide and severe cliff erosion.
• Safety Notice: Visitors are urged to respect all posted closures and avoid the area, as the terrain is unstable.
• Condition: The trail has eroded to the point of disappearing into the ocean, according to reports.

Visitors should check the Oregon State Parks website for updates before visiting Ecola State Park.

The west section of the trail is “actively failing and, in some areas, has completely eroded into the ocean,” according to the Cannon Beach Police Department, which cited Oregon State Parks.

OHA and DEQ Finalize 2026-2027 Oregon Beach Monitoring List

Agency shares list of state beaches to be sampled for bacteria

The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) has released its list of coastal recreation areas it will be monitoring for the presence of bacteria during 2026 and 2027.

The OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, monitors some of the most frequently visited beaches in the state. The list of monitored beaches includes those where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution.

• To see a video about Oregon’s beach monitoring effort, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82GVixgeGsM

Every two years, as part of an adaptive sampling plan, OHA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) re-evaluate beaches and sampling locations to ensure available resources best protect public health. Based on OBMP’s evaluation criteria, the following list contains Oregon beaches that DEQ and OHA will monitor in the 2026 and 2027 seasons, from late May through late September of each year. A copy of the beach evaluation is available upon request by sending an e-mail to: each.Health@oha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@oha.oregon.gov.

Clatsop County

• SEASIDE BEACH – Seaside
• CANNON BEACH  – Cannon Beach
• TOLOVANA SP BEACH  – Cannon Beach

Coos County

• BASTENDORFF BEACH   –  Coos Bay
• SUNSET BAY SP BEACH   –  Coos Bay

Curry County

• HUBBARD CREEK BEACH  – Port Orford
• HARRIS BEACH SP – Brookings
• MILL BEACH – Brookings
• CRISSEY FIELD RECREATION SITE – Brookings

Lane County

• HECETA BEACH  – Florence

Lincoln County

• D RIVER SP BEACH – Lincoln City
• BEVERLY BEACH – Newport
• AGATE SP BEACH  – Newport
• NYE BEACH  – Newport
• SEAL ROCK SP BEACH – Seal Rock
• SILETZ BAY – Lincoln City
• ONA BEACH (Brian Booth – Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock
• ROADS END – Lincoln City (new for 2026/2027)

Tillamook County

• SHORT SAND SP BEACH – Arch Cape
• MANZANITA BEACH – Manzanita
• ROCKAWAY BEACH – Rockaway
• TWINS ROCKS BEACH – Twin Rocks
• OCEANSIDE – Oceanside
• CAPE KIWANDA – Pacific City
• NESKOWIN SP BEACH – Neskowin

When laboratory testing of water samples taken at monitored beaches indicates levels of bacteria above recreational guideline values, OHA issues an advisory, urging visitors to avoid contact with water at the beach. OHA advisories encourage people to avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water.

Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within the May-September sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the upcoming beach monitoring seasons.

OHA and DEQ work together to evaluate beaches for monitoring based on several criteria. These criteria are: pollution hazards present, previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns, type and amount of beach use, and public input.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in beach water can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems, and animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

Puffin Season is Back on the Oregon Coast

The beautiful, beloved tufted puffins are expected back at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, where the 2026 Welcome the Puffins Celebration will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 18.

Friends of Haystack Rock  · We have puffins!

Check out our website, Friendsofhaystackrock.org to see them live! We have our webcam zoomed in on a couple active burrows. Your best chance to see them is in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Organized by the Haystack Rock Awareness Program and Friends of Haystack Rock, the free event will not only celebrate the return of the puffins to their Oregon nesting grounds but also give the public the chance to spy on the birds as well. Interpretive rangers will be on hand with binoculars and spotting scopes to help people safely observe the tufted puffins.

Florence Youth Police Academy

 Applications for the 2026 Florence Police Department Youth Police Academy are now available! 

Meant for youth ages 14 to 18 interested in a career in law enforcement, first response, and government, the Youth Police Academy will run from June 22 to 27, 2026. Applications are due Friday, May 22. Scholarships are available.

For more information, visit https://www.ci.florence.or.us/Youth-Police-Academy.

Newport & South Beach, Oregon Community  · The City of Newport Parks and Recreation · We want YOUR input, Newport!

The Newport Recreation & Aquatic Center is getting a new look — and we’re asking the community to help design it! We’re creating new window wraps for the front of the Rec Center and want your ideas on the themes, activities, and imagery that best represent our community.

Take our short survey and make your voice heard! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GMSBDH3The more responses we get, the better our design will be — so share this with your friends, family, and neighbors!

Respect Nesting Areas to Protect Threatened Snowy Plover Mar. 15 through Sept. 15

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors to the Oregon Coast that western snowy plover nesting season begins March 15 and runs through Sept. 15.

Beachgoers can help recovery efforts for the threatened shorebird by observing recreation restrictions at designated plover beaches.

Sensitive plover nesting areas are identified on maps for the northern Oregon Coast and southern Oregon Coast. Western snowy plovers nest in dry sand above the high tide line and are often difficult to see because they camouflage well.

To help protect these tiny shorebirds, please stay on wet sand and leave your dogs at home or at your campsite, even if they are leashed. Visitors may notice signs at trailheads with additional rules and limitations. There may be rope fencing in dry sand areas; this fencing delineates some, but not all, of the critical plover habitat that should be avoided.

Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect and recover the western snowy plovers living on Oregon’s beaches. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-hidden. During the nesting season, human disturbances can flush adult plovers away from their nests as they attempt to defend their young. Left alone too long, or too often, eggs or chicks can die from exposure and predators. Habitat loss from invasive plants and human disturbances—including litter and discarded food scraps that attract predators— also contribute to the birds’ decline.

Recreation restrictions occur only in designated plover management areas where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.

Reminders for recreation on designated plover beaches March 15 – Sept. 15:

• The following are not permitted: dogs (even on a leash), driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle or e-bike, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
• Foot and equestrian traffic are permitted below the high-tide line on wet, hard packed sand.
• Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed western snowy plovers as a threatened species in 1993 when officials counted only 45 breeding adults. Populations have steadily increased since then due to ongoing efforts. Officials counted 546 during the breeding season survey in 2025.

“We appreciate visitors’ support in keeping these shorebirds safe. We invite visitors to enjoy permitted recreation in sensitive areas or to recreate without seasonal restrictions on beaches not designated as plover nesting areas,” said Laurel Hillmann, ocean shore specialist for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

More information on the snowy plover, including detailed maps of nesting sites, can be found on the Oregon State Parks website (oregon.gov/plovers) and on the Siuslaw National Forest website (fs.usda.gov/r06/siuslaw/animals-plants/western-snowy-plover).

Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand at fs.usda.gov/r06/siuslaw/recreation/rules-and-guidelines.

Plover activity near Sand Lake Recreation Area — The increase in plover numbers may result in nesting occuring at new or historical nesting sites. For example, visitors to Sand Lake Recreation Area may see small roped off areas near the lake’s inlet to protect active nests and may encounter plovers on the beach. Beachgoers are encouraged to protect these birds by restricting recreation activities to wet sand areas, avoiding roped off nesting areas, packing all trash out and keeping dogs on leash. Paragliders should steer toward the northern area of Sand Lake Recreation Area to avoid gliding or landing near plover nests on the southern edge of the Sand Lake spit.

Background on plover protections — Several land managers oversee beach activity for plover protection, primarily the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). For more information on how plovers are managed in Oregon, see the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP): https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PCB/Documents/WSP-HCP_08182010-web.pdf.

Donor Offers $50K Reward in 40-Year-Old Case of Missing Oregon Coast Teen

Lincoln County authorities hope the recent offer from an anonymous donor of a $50,000 reward will lead to the remains of a 17-year-old Siletz girl who was last seen walking on U.S. 20 more than four decades ago.

An anonymous donor put up money hoping it will spur information that leads not only to Kelly Disney’s remains but also to the conviction of her killer, according to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s Office has confirmed that an anonymous donor offered the reward for any information leading to Disney’s remains and/or the conviction of her killer.

Information can be submitted anonymously at 541-265-0669 or online at FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us

READ MORE on CASE: https://lincolnchronicle.org/15597-2/

Wildlife Center of the North Coast · We need your help! 

Make a difference in wildlife rescue! Join our Wild at Heart Membership Program starting at just $5/month. Help us save lives! https://coastwildlife.org/wild-at-heart/

It’s been a busy summer here at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, and our rehab clinic has gone through lots of supplies caring for patients!!

->> To help us restock and stay prepared for the next wave of wildlife in need, we’ve updated our Amazon Wishlist with the items we need most. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA

Every donation—big or small—goes directly to helping orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife get a second chance at life. Check out our wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA Thank you for being part of our wildlife rescue family! 

Volunteers are being sought to help prepare and serve lunch three times a week at the Florence Senior and Activity Center.  

They serve lunch Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Both programs, the in-house dining known as Cafe 60, and Meals on Wheels, are very important in helping promote socialization and nutrition for older adults in Lane County.  Volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels use their own vehicles, but they can be reimbursed for their mileage.  The Lane Council of Governments operates the Senior and Disabled Services in Lane County.  Alisa Andrion encourages potential volunteers to give her a call at L-COG, 541-682-1366.

Gleneden Beach Community Club Events

Look what’s coming up soon at the Club… (sign up at glenedenbeach.org)

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.

If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.

Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?

Here are resources that can help:

211Info:  Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank:  Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Mapto find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you. 

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area. 

5/4/2026 — Gas Prices in Oregon Today

Oregon to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers May 5, 2026

Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 5 at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations. 

Oregon’s trees face harm from another hot, dry summer

Oregon trees are in for another difficult year due to climate change. Conditions this spring are already similar to those in 2015, when we experienced peak high temperatures and drought. That’s on top of a winter that tied 1934 for the warmest since accurate records were kept beginning in 1896, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Trees in Oregon have been experiencing chronic stress from hot droughts for at least a couple of decades. Although there have been a few breaks, the compounding of frequent, or long-duration warm and dry conditions have taken their toll on many trees. These conditions include:

• higher than average temperatures
• inconsistent precipitation, or more precipitation falling as rain than snow
• earlier snow melt.

Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl said, “A warm or dry spring is particularly harmful for trees as this is their most active growing period. This stress reduces growth, weakens defenses against opportunistic insects and diseases, and can outright kill tissues or whole trees.”

Buhl said warmer conditions can also make conditions more favorable to tree pests. 

“Warm winters reduce pest deaths from cold, increasing their growth or number of pests. It also extends the range of less cold-tolerant pests, and lengthens their feeding periods,” she said.

Buhl has this guidance for landowners:

1. Plant species and seedlots (stock adapted to a specific area) only within their current and climate-projected range.
2. Avoid planting seedlings during dry seasons and keep roots moist and out of direct sun when planting for best establishment.
3. Reduce competition for moisture by controlling weeds and reducing stand density to the carrying capacity for the tree species, site quality, and climate.
4. If currently adapted species or seedlots are struggling, shift toward a nearby, more drought-tolerant seedlot, or in extreme cases a more drought-tolerant species
5. Native understory vegetation and mulch can help retain soil moisture.
6. Avoid root compaction from heavy equipment when the soil is wet.
7. Avoid fertilizing if the site is drought-stressed. Fertilizer increases biomass and therefore water requirements.

Find more information on trees and drought at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/documents/forestbenefits/drought.pdf

The Office of the Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission, is proud to relaunch Art in the Governor’s Office. This program brings the works of some of Oregon’s most distinguished artists to the state Capitol to be displayed in the Governor’s Gallery (formerly the Reception Room).

This longstanding tradition, which began in 1975 and celebrates the diverse creativity of Oregon’s professional visual artists, returns this year after a pause due to the pandemic and the restoration of the Capitol building. It will feature a series of three exhibitions of renowned practitioners of photography and painting.

The 2026 series begins with an exhibition by Harrison Branch, an accomplished photographer and Oregon State University Professor Emeritus. Branch’s “Palladotypes: Unpublished Images” will be on display April 24 through July 16.

“With construction nearly completed, it’s so meaningful to be back in the Capitol – and restart the sharing of art in the Governor’s Office,” said Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “Oregonian artist Marie Watt so perfectly described the importance of art: ‘Art is a living, breathing part of our community. Art belongs to everyone, and it has the power to transform the way we see each other and ourselves.’ I encourage everyone who visits or works in the Capitol to stop by the Governor’s Office to view these beautiful pieces of art and photography.”

Featured Artist: Harrison Branch — Born in New York City and educated at the San Francisco Art Institute and Yale University, Harrison Branch has spent more than four decades at the forefront of photographic education and artistry. Joining Oregon State University faculty in 1972, Branch was instrumental in developing the university’s photography program.

Branch, who lives in Corvallis, is celebrated for his technical expertise with bellows cameras—large, intricate instruments that allow for extreme precision. His work deeply explores the “natural environment,” specifically focusing on the tonal relationships between silver and the superior platinum-palladium printing process.

“In the age of digital photography,” Branch said, “I prefer the traditional methods, which could also be called classical. To me this hands-on method brings the most joy and excitement. Watching an image materialize in the developing tray is still magical.”

His photographs, which often feature undeveloped natural areas, have been exhibited internationally, including at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris and the George Eastman House.

Upcoming 2026 Exhibitions

Following the exhibition by Harrison Branch, the Governor’s Office will host two additional prominent Oregon artists:

Erik Sandgren (July 17 – Oct. 8): Sandgren’s work probes the figured landscape through the lenses of myth and history. He works in many media. His large-scale murals, paintings and prints are in private and public collections as diverse as the Maryhill Museum of Art and the Yale University Art Gallery.



Nancy Watterson Scharf (Oct. 9 – Dec. 31): Scharf is based in the Southern Oregon coast range, and her acrylic paintings provide a “voice for nature,” investigating the complex relationship between humans, animals and the ecosystems they share.

Public Access — The Governor’s Gallery is viewable most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitation information is available at 503-986-1388.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reminding political campaigns that placing signs within highway rights of way is prohibited.

ODOT regularly removes signs that are improperly positioned, as they can distract drivers, pose safety risks, and obstruct official road messages. Any campaign signs found in violation are taken down and stored at a nearby ODOT district maintenance office for a period of 30 days or until they are retrieved. While signs are permitted on private property visible from the highway, they must adhere to specific regulations, including a maximum size of 12 square feet.

Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board to host community forums to hear how prescription drug prices affect Oregonians

The Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is hosting a series of community forums in April and May to hear from people about the high cost of prescription drugs and the effect it has on their lives and budgets.

The in-person forums will be held May 5 at the Salem Library, May 6 at the Redmond Library, May 12 at the Asian Health & Service Center in Portland, and May 18 at the Beaverton Library. Online forums are scheduled for April 28, May 11, May 13, and the online board meeting, May 20.

“We invite all Oregonians to join us at these forums and share your stories about the cost of your medications and how those costs impact your lives,” said Sarah Young, PDAB executive director. “All forums will have similar content, so choose the best option for your schedule. We would love to have patients, caregivers, and consumers join us to share their experiences. Hearing your stories will help inform the board as it reviews drugs to identify affordability challenges and high out-of-pocket costs for patients.”

The board conducts annual drug reviews and presents a list of medications that may create affordability challenges to the Oregon Legislature each year. This year, PDAB will review the following medications to evaluate their affordability and their impact on Oregonians and the state’s health care system:

• Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Ozempic (Type 2 diabetes)
• Humulin R U-500 (improve blood sugar control for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who require more than 200 units of insulin per day)
• Keytruda and Verzenio (cancer)
• Xeljanz (autoimmune and inflammatory conditions)
• Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis)
• Skyrizi (immune-mediated inflammatory conditions)
• Tremfya (plaque psoriasis)
• Xolair (allergic and inflammatory conditions)

The feedback from the community forums will help inform PDAB’s drug review process. Each of the drugs and what they treat can be found on PDAB’s website.

The three online forums are:

• Tuesday, April 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 161 635 9753 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
• Monday, May 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 160 556 2737 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
• Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 160 948 4958 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)

The four in-person forums are:

• Tuesday, May 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Salem at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE
• Wednesday, May 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Redmond at the Redmond Public Library, 817 SW Deschutes Ave.
• Tuesday, May 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Portland at the Asian Health & Service Center, 9035 SE Foster Road
• Monday, May 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Beaverton at the Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW Fifth St.

“We also invite everyone to share online feedback about the prescription drugs the board is reviewing,” Young said. “If you have been prescribed one of the drugs on the list, please answer the questions and submit the form.”

The feedback forms are located on the PDAB website and include options for patients, medical experts, safety net clinics, and others.

The Oregon Legislature created the board out of Senate Bill 844 in 2021 to protect Oregonians and the Oregon health care system from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board holds monthly online meetings that are open to the public. The board has eight members with backgrounds in clinical medicine or health care economics.

For more information, email pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov, call 971-374-3724 or go to dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.

### About PDAB: The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is in the Division of Financial Regulation, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The board was established under ORS 646A.693 to protect residents of Oregon, state and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in Oregon, and others within the health care system in this state from the high costs of prescription drugs. Visit dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.

Tuition at Oregon’s seven public universities will increase again this fall, marking the twelfth consecutive year that the state’s four-year institutions have raised admission costs for new students.

This ongoing trend of relying on tuition hikes to fund university operations, coupled with insufficient state investment, has positioned Oregon’s public universities as the most expensive in the western United States, as reported by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Over the past decade, resident undergraduate tuition increases have outpaced inflation for six of those years, averaging an annual rise of 4.3%, which translates to approximately $430 more each year. Additionally, any proposed tuition increase of 5% or more requires approval from the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Medford Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Minor Victim

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Medford, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing a minor victim in his care and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

David Michael Burnett, 37, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of  supervised release.

According to court documents, starting in June 2024, Burnett sent five videos of himself sexually abusing a minor victim in his care. Investigators seized Burnett’s devices and found over 300 videos and almost 8,000 images of CSAM.

On August 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Burnett with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. On February 3, 2026, Burnett pleaded guilty to both counts.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper.

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A new proposal from the federal government could change how housing programs and shelters treat transgender people across the country.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wants to change part of a rule called the “Equal Access Rule.” Right now, that rule helps protect people from discrimination based on gender identity. The new proposal would remove “gender identity” and replace it with “sex.”

This means shelters and housing programs could place people based on their biological sex instead of how they identify. They might also ask for documents to prove it.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner said the change is meant to protect women and focus on what he called biological reality.

If the rule is approved, it would also remove some protections for transgender people in housing programs that receive federal money. It could even force local programs to follow federal rules instead of state laws, or risk losing funding.

In Oregon, state law already says it’s illegal to discriminate based on gender identity. Because of that, some housing providers say the new federal proposal could create confusion.

One worker from a local housing agency explained that organizations might have to choose between following federal rules to keep their funding, or following state laws that protect transgender people.

Right now, shelters in that area follow state law and allow equal access. But even small changes at the federal level could affect how they operate.

The proposal could also mean agencies need more staff training or face new legal risks.

The worker added that transgender people already make up a large part of the homeless population and could face even more challenges if the rule goes into effect.

The Salem Housing Authority said it’s too early to know exactly what will happen. They said any real changes depend on whether the proposal becomes an official rule.

For now, the proposal is open for public comment until late June.

Roseburg Police were called out last Tuesday morning after a woman allegedly attacked an orthodontist and exposed herself with children present.

Officers were called out to Current Orthodontics after Sarah Faith Raines, 40, of Roseburg started yelling at staff. A witness told officers that before they arrived, Raines had been yelling at staff before reportedly dropping trou in front of children.

An orthodontist at the location attempted to escort Raines from the property when he says she slapped him. Police located Raines nearby and took her into custody.

She is currently lodged at the Douglas County Jail on charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.

BLM Brings Oregon Folklife Programming to National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

BAKER CITY, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to explore Oregon’s living cultural traditions through a new interpretive folklife series at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center beginning this week.

The series aligns with America’s 250th anniversary by highlighting the people, traditions, and cultural knowledge that have shaped the nation over time. Visitors can experience firsthand how traditional arts connect past and present while supporting the BLM’s mission.

From April through October, visitors will have interactive opportunities that represent Native American, ranching, and rural lifeways. Presentations will take place daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Pacific Time, offering deeper insight into each artist’s craft and cultural background.

April 23-25, Sara Barton, traditional basket maker of Mono Lake Paiute and Yosemite Miwuk ancestry works closely with Burns Paiute weavers

May 7-9, Kathy Moss, cowboy poet, buckaroo, horse trainer, and rancher from Prairie City

June 18-20, Roberta Kirk, regalia maker, food gatherer, and bead and dentalium artist from Warm Springs, Tenino and Wasq’u

July 9-11, Cheryl Newhouse, spinner and weaver from Richland

August 13-15, Mildred Quaempts, dentalium artist from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla

September 24-26, Clair Kehrberg, saddle and gear maker and leatherworker from John Day

October 15-17, Katie Harris Murphy and Mary Harris, regalia and beadwork artists from the Wallowa Band Nimiipuu, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Karuk Tribes

“This interpretive outreach brings people face-to-face with the traditions that continue to shape communities across Oregon,” said Robert Reis, acting manager for the Interpretive Center. “These demonstrations create a meaningful connection to the past through the skills and knowledge that are still practiced today.”

This series is designed to build long-term, high-quality cultural programming at the Interpretive Center, ensuring visitors can engage with authentic traditions and perspectives for years to come.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located at 22267 Highway 86 in Baker City and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Admission fees apply. For more information, visit the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center website or call 541-523-1843.

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.

The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.

In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.

If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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