Oregon Beach News, Monday 8/28 – Oregon’s First Evacuation Assembly Point Equipment Successfully Tested In Tillamook, Hood To Coast Relay Wraps at Finish Line In Seaside

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

Monday, August 28, 2023

Oregon Beach Weather

Oregon’s First Evacuation Assembly Point Equipment Successfully Tested In Tillamook

(Tillamook) – Earlier this week leaders from the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) and Tillamook County, along with volunteers, set up and tested Oregon’s first set of evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment.

Oregon’s first evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment set up in Tillamook

OREM designed this emergency preparedness exercise to train Tillamook leaders to set up the equipment without assistance. “Coastal communities like Tillamook are prioritized to house these supplies because data shows they are likely to be cut off from the rest of the state during the Cascadia earthquake,” said Ed Flick (he/him), director of the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management. “ODHS has primary responsibility for mass care and shelter following disasters, so helping local communities access critical supplies that can quickly be used to serve their local community is important to us.”

OREM budgeted eight total hours for equipment set up. The team had 15 tents set up in just four hours. 38 OREM staff, Tillamook County staff and volunteers spent Tuesday night in the tents to test the equipment. The team also ate meals ready to eat (MREs) for lunch because that’s what people who use the EAP will eat. 

“The exercise proved that Tillamook is definitely getting prepared for Cascadia and other types of emergencies. It was a great exercise. It showed how the different community partners come together, work together and can accomplish tasks as a team,” said Randy Thorpe, Tillamook County Emergency Manager. 

Evacuation assembly points are short-term locations for people to gather while emergency responders work to access the impacted area. They are not intended to be long-term shelters but are places people can register, receive nourishment and short-term shelter, get essential medical care and be scheduled for transport out of the area when needed. The ability to provide immediate support and transportation to people is especially needed in areas with large tourist populations, like Oregon’s coast. 

“As the most disaster rich county in the state, Tillamook County was thrilled to partner with Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management in the Able Readiness 4 exercise at the Port of Tillamook Bay on August 22 and 23. We are grateful to the State of Oregon for the investment in resiliency of Oregon communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters. We are very much heartened by our partnership with OREM and our enhanced ability to provide for the needs of our citizens in future disasters,” said Mary Faith Bell, Tillamook County Commissioner

OREM plans on deploying more of these supplies to other coastal cities, but the locations have not yet been determined.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management — ODHS holds three distinct roles through its Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, all of which reduce the impact of disasters on people. In its most foundational role, OREM staff work every day with ODHS programs, offices and affiliated agencies, to ensure the safety of the people served by our programs, and our staff. The second role is as the lead agency for cooling, warming and cleaner air centers to protect the public from life-threatening weather and related events. The third role is as the primary agency for mass care and social services recovery, as outlined in Oregon’s comprehensive emergency operations and recovery plans. In this role, ODHS supports the evacuation, sheltering, feeding, emergency assistance, family reunification, distribution of emergency supplies and human services needs of people impacted by disasters. 

Across all these roles, ODHS develops and relies on partnerships and coordination with public and private organizations at the local and regional levels and with our state and Tribal Nation partners. 

Hwy 30 Closed Near Clatskanie Due To Fatal Crash

At about 4:44 a.m., emergency crews responded to a crash on Highway 30 at Lindberg Road, just east of Clatskanie. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office confirms that one person died at the scene and another was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries.

No other details about the crash have been released at this time.

All lanes of Highway 30 will be closed all morning, possibly to midday, according to ODOT. Drivers are being asked to use an alternate route or delay their trip. You can check TripCheck here: https://www.tripcheck.com

Hood To Coast Relay Wraps Up As Runners Cross Finish Line In Seaside

The 41st Hood To Coast relay wrapped up Saturday in Seaside, bringing runners from all 50 states and 43 countries to experience the sights and sounds of Oregon.

Thousands of runners started their journey more than 24 hours ago, high up on Mt. Hood. In the last two-mile stretch, runners’ spirits were high with help from volunteers cheering them on from the sidelines.

Bat Found In Clatsop County Tested Positive For Rabies

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. Rabies virus is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal and while post exposure vaccination is effective, the best plan is prevention. In Oregon, the main reservoir of rabies is bats.

Clatsop County Public Health Department reminds you to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your pets from rabies:

Avoid physical contact with bats – healthy, sick, alive, or dead. Be sure to keep children and pets away from bats.Do not hand feed or otherwise handle stray animals and wildlife.Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. This protects them and provides an immune barrier between humans and wild animals.

While bats play a valuable role in nature, contact with humans should be avoided. Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual.

If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 541-388-6363 or contact Clatsop County Animal Control for a list of local resources at 503-861-7387.

If a pet comes in physical contact with a bat report it to Clatsop County Animal Control at 503-861-7387.

To protect your pet, make sure their rabies vaccinations are up to date. Dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies at three to six months of age. After initial vaccination, a booster is required in one year and then every three years after that.

Under Oregon law, dogs and cats that do not have current vaccinations and are suspected of exposure to rabies must be euthanized or placed under strict quarantine for four months.

If a person does come in physical contact with a bat or is bitten by an animal, promptly report it to Clatsop County Department of Public Health at 503-325-8500. (SOURCE)

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to Host Hiring Event in September

We are looking for individuals with strong character, motivation, and integrity to join our Sheriff’s Office team. With multiple positions open, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a hiring event on Saturday, September 30, 2023. This event is a great opportunity for interested applicants to meet our team, ask questions, and get a better idea of the rewarding careers with our team. 

Deputy applicants ages 21 years and older are invited to complete the written and physical testing requirements for free. Participants in this event experience a significantly expedited application process. In addition to completing required tests for free, participants will also have the opportunity to meet our team, ask questions, receive more information on perks and benefits, and enjoy free lunch and snacks. All participants need to bring ID and deputy applicants need to bring athletic clothes and shoes. 

We also encourage anyone interested in our medical positions to attend this event. While there are no testing requirements for qualified nursing candidates, applicants will have the chance to meet our team and complete an application. 

Those interested in participating can complete an application before or after the event. For those that would like to submit an application before, visit www.co.lincoln.or.us/748/Join-the-Team. Join us at this hiring event to jumpstart your successful career in Law Enforcement.  


Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm 
              10:30am – 11:00am Check in and Meet and Greet
              11:00am – 1:00pm Written Exam (tests for applicants interested in deputy positions)
              1:00pm – 1:30pm Lunch and Networking
              1:30pm – 4:00pm Physical Test (physical testing for applicants interested in deputy positions. Testing takes less than 30 minutes per participant).
Location: Search and Rescue Building, 830 NE 7th St., Newport

What to Bring:

  • Government Issued Identification
  • Athletic clothes and shoes if applying for a deputy position
  • Interest in joining our team as a Corrections or Patrol Deputy, Corrections Nurse, or Cook.

Registration for this event is encouraged but not required. For questions or to register, contact Jess Palma at 541-265-0652 or jpalma@co.lincoln.or.us

Fleet Advisory For Fixed-Gear Commercial And Recreational Fisheries Thru 9/1

During recent surveys researchers observed aggregations of both blue and humpback, in addition to other large whales in waters as shallow as 20 fathoms (36 m). These sightings were primarily in waters off the southern Oregon coast from Charleston to Gold Beach. However, because these observations only provide information within a small survey area and time span be aware that whale aggregations may exist in un-surveyed areas and may shift over short periods of time.

ODFW is issuing this fleet advisory for both recreational and commercial fixed-gear fisheries from Charleston south to Gold Beach. Fishing vessels should remain vigilant and move or avoid setting gear in areas where whales are transiting or foraging to minimize risk of entanglement as much as possible. This advisory is effective immediately and will remain in effect through September 1, 2023. We want to remind fishery participants about best fixed-gear fishing practices to help reduce risk of entanglements at all times, but especially when higher numbers of ESA-listed humpback whales and blue whales are present off Oregon.

Please remember to:

• Remove any fishing gear that you are not actively tending and promptly remove all gear from the ocean when finished fishing.

• Use the minimum amount of scope required to compensate for tides, currents, and weather.

• Adjust the length of buoy lines when moving gear to shallower water to maintain taut vertical lines.

• Minimize surface gear and ensure no excess line is floating at the surface.

• Avoid setting gear in the vicinity of large feeding aggregations of whales.

• Maintain gear to ensure lines and buoys are in good working condition and clearly marked.

• Report any derelict gear to ODFW by emailing Joel.A.Prickett@odfw.oregon.gov.

• If commercially licensed: o Bring in derelict gear to shore; o Participate in derelict gear recovery by getting a permit to recover gear or reporting locations of derelict gear for permitted vessels to target for removal.

Please share this advisory and reminders about fixed-gear fishing best practices to reduce risk of marine life entanglements with your networks. Also, consider reporting whale sightings using the WhaleAlert app and sharing the locations of unusually high whale or sea turtle activity with ODFW and with other fishermen. All entangled marine mammals or sea turtles should be promptly reported by calling 1-877-SOS-WHALe (1-877-767-9425). Thank you for taking these important, proactive steps to avoid entanglements with fishing gear.

Yachats Lions Labor Day Breakfast on September 3rd


Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – 08/18/23 9:39 AM
Yachats Lions Club – Pancake Breakfast on September 3rd
Yachats Lions Club – Pancake Breakfast on September 3rd
YACHATS, OR, September 3rd – The Yachats Lions Club will host their Labor Day Pancake Breakfast on September 3rd from 7:30am – 11:00am at Yachats Lions Hall at 344 4th Street, Yachats OR 97498. There’s a $10 suggested donation to welcome folks for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast!

All proceeds from Yachats Lions Club’s annual fundraisers and their Yachats Lions Thrift Store makes giving back to their local community possible. We support Lions community service projects, which include scholarships to graduating seniors, food pantries, school programs, Yachats Youth & Family Services, South Lincoln Resources, Yachats Fire Department, and eyeglasses & exams for children & adults. With the motto “WE SERVE,” Yachats Lions Club is celebrating 73 years of service to Yachats and South Lincoln County.

Together, the Lions Clubs of Oregon, the statewide nonprofit OLSHF, and partners offer access to people for critical sight-saving surgeries and treatments, secure new eyeglasses, help people who can’t afford eyeglasses and hearing aids, and manage the largest vision screening program in the US.

To learn more about the Yachats Lions Club and their work in the local community, you can visit yachatslionsclub.org.

Rod’s N Rhodies Car Show

The annual Rod’s N Rhodies car show event is coming September 8th and 9th to the Old Town Area.  The 15th annual event will feature hot rods and classic custom vehicles from all over the west. 

The annual event goes towards supporting Transportation Solutions which provides car repairs for families in need.  Transportation Solutions works with local families on a referral basis to fix most maintenance problems so that individuals can get to work, transport kids to school, and other activities.  Information on the mission of Transportation Solutions can be found at rodsnrhodies.org/transportation-solutions.

Florence Annual Yard Sale

If you want to participate in the annual City Wide Garage Sale September 8-10, then you have to act quickly.  In order to be included in the map that is distributed in the Siuslaw News the deadline for registration is this coming Monday, August 21st.  due to print deadlines information has to be in to make the September 1st and September 8th publications.  This is the 10th year the community garage sale has gone on and participants will receive recognition on the map and two signs for their $15 fee.

An overdose awareness event to shed the spotlight on lives lost to overdoses is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 31, at the Barbey Maritime Center in Astoria.

“We invite the community to come together to remember and celebrate loved ones we lost to an overdose. Together we can prevent future losses of life,” said Jenna King, Clatsop County Public Health Department harm reduction coordinator.

“Clatsop County Public Health and our community partners are committed to showing people how they can help save the lives of loved ones and to provide those resources. Help us end the stigma of addiction,” she said.

Clatsop County Senior Sheriff Deputy Chance Moore and Sergeant Nate Baldwin will share their experiences saving lives by reversing an overdose with naloxone.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of someone they loved who died by overdose. Photos will be displayed on a memorial wall so their story can be shared at the Overdose Awareness Day event.

Event activities include:

  • Music
  • Narcan supplies and training 
  • Art projects and activities
  • Keynote address by Alison Noise, CODA inc. executive director
  • Free food and beverages provided
  • Community resources available
  • Giveaways 
  • Candlelight Vigil

For more information, contact Jill Quackenbush at 503-325-8500. (SOURCE)

Lincoln City Police Department Will Conduct Enhanced DUII Enforcement Over Labor Day Weekend

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The Lincoln City Police Department will be utilizing grant funds to step up their enforcement efforts against drunk driving over the Labor Day weekend. This additional enforcement effort is being conducted in conjunction with national crackdown efforts that are designed to curb drunken driving, decrease crashes, reduce injuries, and save lives.

During the upcoming Labor Day weekend, law enforcement agencies nationwide will be out in force looking to get drunk and impaired drivers off the roadways.  Lincoln City Police officers will be putting extra focus on seeking out drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) continues to be a leading cause of motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths throughout the nation.

The Lincoln City Police Department last used these grant funds during the weekend of the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival. During that operation, the officer conducted multiple traffic stops, but no DUII arrests were made. 

The members of the Lincoln City Police Department are committed to the safety of our citizens and visitors. The DUII Enforcement grant funds are a valuable resource that assists us in improving the traffic safety in our community. Our goal is simple: to save lives and prevent injuries caused by DUII crashes. These grant funds were made possible through the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact.

In a Strange IncidentTwo Trucks Fall Into The Columbia River Near Biggs Junction in Same Spot at Separate Times Prompting Monday Closure Of I-84

Interstate-84 westbound is set to close from early this morning, Monday morning, at Biggs Junction.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced this closure. It follows two semi-trucks, at separate times, falling into the Columbia River. Drivers are advised to consider other routes during this scheduled closure, starting from 7 A.M and stretching from Biggs Junction to Celilo.

The first semi-truck, carrying two trailers, hit a deserted vehicle parked on the freeway before plunging into the river late Friday. Miraculously, the driver swam to safety without injuries. Another semi-truck, carrying empty fuel tankers, slipped off the freeway into the river as emergency responders attended the previous incident. Authorities believe driver fatigue possibly contributed to this second accident, with the driver also escaping injury.

Efforts are underway to extract the trucks from the river. Still, it is unclear how long this process will take considering the demanding nature of the operation. ODOT calls on drivers to stay alert and consider alternative routes, such as Old Highway 30/OR 206, during the recovery period.

Lightning storms swept through the state from northern California all the way to southern Washington since Thursday. These storms have started over 50 fires in the region, but thankfully Oregon’s Department of Forestry, the U.S Forest Service and local agencies have extinguished most of the fires before they can spread.

“We’ve got lots of partners in the community,” said ODF public information officer, Bryan Longoria, “we’ve got a lot of folks out here and we’re out working hard trying to keep these fires as small as we can.”

The fires are more difficult to fight due to the nature of lightning fires. Many lightning fires occur in remote areas that would otherwise be left out of the way. This makes it harder for firefighters to try to extinguish fires. Engines don’t typically reach them and it can be a hike for them with all of their gear to even reach the edge of the fire. With the smoke from surrounding pre-existing fires there has been a struggle with aviation helping to fight the blazes due to low visibility.

Just south of the Oregon border along Hwy 199, the Diamond, Holiday, Kelly, and Prescott fires along with multiple other fires in the area have been grouped together in the “Smith River Complex.” The fires have now spread into Southern Oregon. This is along the route from Grants Pass to the coast.

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May be an image of map and text

Smith River Complex North Weather Update 8/28 https://www.facebook.com/smithrivercomplexnorth/videos/193695153721482

Red Cross Opens Shelter For Smith River Complex Fire

May be an image of text that says 'American Red Cross Wildfire EVACUATION CENTER OPEN'

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Rogue Community College, Redwood Campus in Grants Pass for people evacuated by the Smith River Complex Fire southwest of Obrien in Josephine County.

Anyone who needs shelter from this wildfire should go to the college at 3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 or call 1-800-Red Cross.

Preparedness info can be found here:  https://redcrossblog.org/disaster/

Josephine County Emergency Management

  · Notice from Josephine County Sheriff:

Level 1 – BE READY Smith River North Complex FireNotice from Josephine County Sheriff. Level 1 – BE READY notice for: Forested area from Lone Mountain Road to Buckskin Peak.Monitor conditions. Find preparedness resources at RVEM.org. Act early if there is any reason you might need extra time. Leave right away if you feel you are in immediate danger.If conditions change quickly, this may be the only alert you receive.For more information, visit: www.rvem.org

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) resources continue to be proactive by reopening old fire containment features and identifying areas of opportunity in protection of life and property.

Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes resources to the Tyee Ridge Complex after conflagration is declared

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Tyee Ridge Complex on Friday evening to allow the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize resources to protect life and property. The OSFM firefighters and equipment will provide structure protection for homes on two of the 19 fires that comprise the Tyee Ridge Complex. The two fires are estimated at 1,000 acres. Level 3 evacuation orders are in place through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for homes near the Cougar Creek and Rattlesnake Ridge fires. With the declared conflagration, OSFM will mobilize five structural firefighting task forces and the Red Incident Management Team. 

“Oregon received a significant amount of lightning over the past 36 hours, starting many fires,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “With Oregon in the heart of fire season, this conflagration declaration allows the OSFM to mobilize structural firefighting resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) to help protect the communities impacted by the Tyee Ridge Complex.” 
 
In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that the fire poses a threat to life, safety, and property, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize structural firefighters and equipment to assist local resources in battling the fire and further support a coordinated response. 
 
The OSFM’s Red Incident Management Team will be briefed and assume unified command of the two fires on the Tyee Ridge Complex at 10 a.m. on August 26th. The structural task forces come from Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Washington counties, and Central Oregon through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.

Wildfire Prevention | National Interagency Fire Center

As Oregon fires rage, US Rep Chavez-DeRemer joins push for higher firefighter pay

Federal wildland firefighters received temporary raises last year that are set to expire at the end of September

As fires rage in Oregon, U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer joined a bipartisan group of senators and representatives pushing to permanently boost pay for wildland firefighters. 

Field observers monitor the Bedrock Fire’s progress in early August. (Inciweb)

Federal wildland firefighters received temporary pay boosts through the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, which ensured they make at least $15 per hour – wildland firefighters work a base 40 hours. They also received temporary raises of $20,000 or 50% of their base pay a year, whichever was less, in 2022. 

But those raises are set to expire on Sept. 30. Legislation proposed in the U.S. House and Senate aim to permanently increase pay for wildland firefighters and provide supplemental pay boosts for each day a firefighter is deployed to a fire. 

“I’m honored to join this bipartisan effort in support of our wildland firefighters, who run towards danger to keep our communities safe,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “Unfortunately, time is running out to ensure they continue receiving the pay they deserve.”

The Senate version of the bill, spearheaded by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona, received a favorable vote out of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in July and is expected to be considered by the full Senate after it returns from its August recess. The House version, led by Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado, was introduced last week and hasn’t yet been considered by any committees. 

So far, Chavez-DeRemer is the only member of Oregon’s congressional delegation signed on to either bill. 

State Offers Help To The 552,000 Oregonians With Student DebtThe Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has released the state’s first analysis of residents’ student loan debt, and recommendations for how the governor and Legislature could help lighten the burden for current and former college students.

The report was conducted following the passage of Senate Bill 485 in 2021. The law called for changes to loan service renewal, declared an emergency and required an annual report.

The first of those annual reports states that the U.S. Department of Education owns $1.48 trillion in debt, which is 84% of the total student loan market, and guarantees an additional $143 billion of Federal Family Education Loan Program and Perkins loans. Since 2007, the federal student loan portfolio has grown more than 300%.

About 44 million Americans currently have student loan balances, compared to 28 million in 2007.

In Oregon, the report found, about 552,000 residents are student loan borrowers, with an average debt of $37,900.

Ombuds offers help, answers – SB 485 required the Department of Consumer and Business Services to appoint a student loan ombuds who could help members of the public with complaints or inquiries about student loans. The department’s first ombuds began working in June 2022.

As of June 1, 2023, the ombuds had received 34 complaints and 104 contacts from the public.

Borrowers most commonly asked the ombuds about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance of student loans for full-time employees of governments or nonprofits who have been making qualifying payments for 10 years.

In March 2020, as part of a COVID-19 response, the U.S. Department of Education paused federal student loan repayment and collections. Interest was not accrued. These paused payments also counted toward PSLF, earning credit as though monthly payments were made. This pause will end Sept. 1.

In addition, there have recently been several announcements and changes to student loans that have caused some confusion.

  • In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced “Fresh Start,” an executive action to pull seven million student loan borrowers out of default.
  • In August 2022, the Biden administration announced a plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for eligible Pell Grant recipients. In November, the Sweet v. Cardona lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education led to a settlement, resulting in the promise that it must approve about $6 billion in debt forgiveness for 200,000 borrowers.
  • The Federal Student Loan Literacy Act, which was introduced in 2022 but did not receive a vote, would have created a federal funding source for community groups to apply toward their work with student loan borrowers.

In 2022, the Oregon ombuds started a PSLF waiver awareness campaign. As of March 31, 8,770 Oregonians had been forgiven more than $557 million in student loan debt. This is up from $216 million for 3,480 Oregonians nine months earlier.

The ombuds expects PSLF will continue to be a common topic for loan borrowers who reach out. For more information on PSLF, visit studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Other common inquiries over the past year to the ombuds were about misinformation from debt loan servicers, collection mistakes and referrals from the Oregon Department of Justice.

Plans for next year – The ombuds’ first goal for the upcoming year is to continue building out the state’s borrower education program, which is intended to offer information and resources to those with student loans.

“The lack of funding sources for coaching leaves many borrowers not knowing where to turn,” the report states. “To further borrower education, the student loan ombuds is hoping to expand the range of available presentations, record short videos, and gather more short-term and long-term policy recommendations.”

The ombuds will also be recommending policy changes to the Legislature. Short-term policy change goals include:

  • More specific regulations for loan servicing.
  • More protections for borrowers.
  • Requiring people to be notified when they are eligible for loan forgiveness.

Long-term policy change goals include:

  • Increasing supports to reduce the cost of college.
  • Holding student loan servicers accountable for misinformation.
  • Push for more student loan advocates at the university level.

For more information about the Student Loan Servicing Program, visit: dfr.oregon.gov/help/student-loan-help. For more information on federal student aid, visit studentaid.gov/. — (SOURCE)

Man Accused Of Kidnapping Seattle Woman Caught Trying To Break Out Of Jail

Adult-In-Custody Caught Attempting to Break Through Jail Window
Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office – 08/24/23 4:50 PM JCSO Case 23-4860

MEDFORD, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Corrections deputies caught an Adult-In-Custody (AIC) attempting to break through the glass in his cell window at the Jackson County Jail Tuesday afternoon. Negasi Zuberi, 29, an AIC in Jail on a federal hold, is charged with second-degree attempted escape and first-degree disorderly conduct. The Jail’s exterior windows are made of reinforced glass so Zuberi was only able to damage the interior layer of the window.

Around 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, a Jackson County Maintenance worker outside the building notified deputies that a suspicious noise was coming from inside one of the cells. Deputies responded to investigate and discovered Zuberi standing on his bunk bed near a chipped window in his cell. Deputies detained Zuberi, sent him through the full-body scanner, and moved him to a hard cell with no exterior windows. While searching the cell further, deputies found an improvised tool that was suspected to have been used to damage the window. 

This case is under further investigation and there is no additional information available for release.

Oregon State Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting- Josephine County

Grants Pass, Ore. – On August 24, 2023, at 8:52 AM, Grants Pass Police Officers responded to the scene of a shooting near the M Street Market in the 1000 block of SE M Street. Officers located a victim, Robert Mills (63) of Grants Pass, who had sustained gunshot wounds. Officers quickly located the suspect, Dennis McGuire (69) of Grants Pass, who was armed with a firearm. The incident quickly escalated and culminated in an officer-involved shooting. 

Both the Mills and McGuire were transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds and were last reported in serious but stable condition. 

None of the responding officers were injured, and there is no further danger to the community from this incident. Names of involved officers are not being released at this time.

The Josephine County Major Crime Team was activated and the Oregon State Police are leading the investigation into the initial shooting as well as the officer-involved shooting. The completed investigation will be referred to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office. 

Three Illegal Grow Busts in Klamath County

A 57-year-old Bonanza man was arrested Thursday after police discovered an illegal marijuana grow site on Golden Eagle Drive. 

According to a news release from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, police destroyed 32 marijuana plants and 42.5 pounds of processed marijuana.

“Evidence indicated that two greenhouses which had been used to grow marijuana were empty and recently harvested. The estimated value of the plants and dry marijuana combined was $308,000,” the release said. “(Perez) was charged with Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.”

On Aug. 23 and 24, police also discovered two more illegal grow sites in Klamath County — neither of these additional two had suspects on the property when police raided them. 

One of the sites, according to the release, was near Highway 140 and 38 Mile Road and discovered on Aug. 23. About $5.4 million worth of marijuana — 1,888 plants — were destroyed. 

On Aug. 24, police discovered a site on Gaur Lane near Bonanza, with 528 marijuana plants estimated at $3.05 million destroyed. 

“(For the sites on Golden Eagle Drive and Gaur Lane), it appeared water had been trucked into the locations due to no water source being located on either property,” the release said. “Anyone with information concerning illegal water deliveries is encouraged to report this to mjtipline@klamathcounty.org.”

Portland Man Wins $3.3 Million Oregon Megabucks Jackpot

Salem, Ore. – Carl Meinig, 80, of Portland, is the latest winner of Oregon’s Game Megabucks, claiming a ticket for the $3.3 million jackpot. The winning ticket was sold on August 1, 2023 for the drawing the following day.

Oregon Lottery staff were on hand to present Plaid Pantry with a commission bonus for selling a $3.3 million Megabucks ticket. Photo credit: Sproutbox
Oregon Lottery staff were on hand to present Plaid Pantry
with a commission bonus for selling a $3.3 million Megabucks ticket. Photo credit: Sproutbox

Meinig purchased the ticket at Plaid Pantry on 11010 SE Foster Road in Portland. The store earned a $33,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Plaid Pantry employees were presented with a check from Oregon Lottery to celebrate the win on Friday. 

“Plaid Pantry is thrilled to learn one of our most popular stores in SE Portland sold the recent $3.3 million Megabucks ticket,” said Plaid Pantry CEO Jonathan Polonsky. “Profits from the sale of lottery tickets are reinvested back into our locally owned business for growth and to better support our associates. It’s one of the ways we stay true to our vision of being ‘Employee Built, Customer Inspired.’ Congratulations to the winner from our team of more than 700 Plaid associates!”

Oregon’s Game Megabucks has some of the most favorable big prize jackpot game odds in the world. The jackpot resets to $1 million after someone wins. 

The Oregon Lottery recommends that you sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim any prize. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Players have a year to claim their prize. 

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $15.5 billion for economic development, public schools, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

The Oregon Employment Department provided updates on the new Paid Leave Oregon program.

Paid Leave Oregon aims to give workers and employers opportunities to take time for their families and personal needs. Applications opened earlier this month and the meeting, today gave more insight into how it works.

The program recognizes three types of leave: Family, Medical and Safe leave. If you’re eligible, you can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave, over a 52-week period.

It works through paying into the program, that’s called your ‘contribution rate’ which is one percent of your gross wages. If you work for a large employer, they are required to help you pay 40 percent of this amount.

At the meeting, staff behind the program say they are making sure each application is thoroughly reviewed.

Paid Leave Oregon director, Karen Humelbaugh said, “We received 4,631 applications and we have approved two thus far, which might seem small but it’s due to ramping up of processing, ID verification behind the scenes and thoroughly making sure we’ve trained our staff with real and complex claims.

Those who are eligible, can take paid leave as soon as September 3rd. You can see specific qualifications and the step-by-step process on their website: https://paidleave.oregon.gov

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.

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Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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