Oregon Beach News, Monday 9/23 — Bottom Creek Fire Update, Another Sunfish Has Washed Ashore Along the Clatsop County Coast At Hug Point & 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, September 23, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Having an Indian Summer? Heatwaves like this are common even into October. Heatwave will peak on Tuesday. Possible high temperatures…Portland: 86°Salem: 87°Eugene: 86°Roseburg: 92°Medford: 93°

Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

We’re not out of the woods just yet… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Fire  Season still in progress. Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

Bottom Creek Fire Update – 24 miles East of Coos Bay

Bottom Creek Fire Firefighting efforts continue on the Bottom Creek Fire, which remains approximately 300 acres in size. Fire crews, along with industry partners, have been working to establish containment lines and slow the fire’s progress.

Multiple air and ground resources were deployed throughout the day to slow the head of the fire. These coordinated efforts have resulted in good progress in key areas. Wind and terrain remain a challenge. Crews will remain on scene overnight, continuing their work to place and reinforce containment lines. Additional updates will be provided as the situation evolves__

Update 9/22/24 9am Bottom Creek Fire: The Bottom Creek Fire escaped established control lines, leading to a significant growth. The fire is now estimated to be 200 to 300 acres. Factors contributing to this rapid growth included unexpected weather conditions, including strong winds and steep terrain, which intensified the fire’s behavior and spread. Fire crews are actively reassessing strategies to safely and effectively place control lines. The situation continues to evolve, additional resources have been ordered.__

UPDATE 11am 9/21/24 Bottom Creek Fire: The fire remains around 8 acres at this time, The fire is 60% lined with hose lays in place. Firefighters and Industry workers are still working to place containment lines. The topography continues to be a challenge, however resources are still making good progress. Resources will remain on the fire for the next few days.__

UPDATE 5pm 9/20/24 Bottom Creek Fire: The fire is approximately 8 acres at this time and is 60% lined. Firefighters and Industry workers are still working on finishing containment lines. The topography and fuels remain a challenge, however resources are still making good progress. Resources will remain on the fire for the next few days. Night shift is set to start at 8pm. Resources assigned to night shift 3-Type 6 Engines1-CFPA Tender1-Type 2 Hand Crew No homes are currently threatened, but the situation is being constantly monitored. At this time the fire is still under investigation.

North Bay Fire District —   · 9/22/24 • 6:06 PM Fire @ Highway 101 at MP 232

—Units are currently working an approximate 1 acre wildland Fire on the east side of Highway 101. Please use caution if traveling through that area & expect possible delays. Forward progression has been stopped. A day shift has been ordered.

Another Sunfish Has Washed Ashore Along the Clatsop County Coast At Hug Point

The aquarium said it is common for ocean sunfish, called Mola mola, to be found along the Oregon coast. This one was nearly 7 feet long, which is an average size for the area. But the aquarium said ocean sunfish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. They feed on jellyfish which gather in the area this time of year. The latest sunfish was found on Hug Point.

Another Mola mola has washed ashore at Hug Point State Park and it is creating quite a stir. While it has been dead for quite some time, it is still an interesting site. If you want to go see it, we recommend heading to Huge Point at low tide and head north towards the waterfall.

Three sunfish have washed ashore since June in Clatsop County. Two were ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and the other one was a hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta). It is not unusual for these guys to wash ashore as they do reside off the Oregon Coast. We are getting more reports because of the stir that the Mola tecta caused when it washed in (it was the first Mola tecta documented in Oregon but that is likely because it has just recently been described and designated as a new species).

People are aware that we are interested in documenting these strandings and collecting information from them. The most recent sunfish at Hug Point was 6.9 feet long, which is average size for our area, however they can get up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. They feed heavily on jellyfish which are in huge abundance this time of year.

Yachats Goes Ahead With Installing Delineators On South Edge of City Despite Increase In Cost

Installation of the long-awaited pedestrian-safety delineators along the west side of U.S. Highway 101 on the south edge of Yachats did not happen this summer as anticipated – but it should be soon.

Expectations about when the delineators would be installed and how much it would cost have been as flexible as the delineators over the past couple of years.

But on Wednesday the Yachats city council approved a $74,000 contract with Newport-based Road & Driveway Company to purchase 47 delineators and install them as soon as the company can schedule the work. City staff expect to hear back this week when that might be.

The only other bid the city received came from Knife River at $131,000. Both bids came in August.

The waist-high and highly-durable reflective delineators will separate pedestrians from highway traffic and run across from Yachats River Road to just shy of Lori Lane. They will be spaced 25 feet apart. The project has been a priority for the city’s Public Works & Streets Commission and the many residents or visitors who walk the highway into downtown.

Two years ago, it was estimated the project would cost $40,000. The city applied for a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation for that amount and received it. The subsequent increase in cost is attributed to the excavation work required to widen some areas and level others to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

“It’s wide enough to walk down if you just look at it, but once you put delineators one-foot inside the fog line it leaves three feet at the max in some areas,” said Rick McClung, who oversees street and water projects for Yachats. “And you’ve got to have five feet to be ADA compliant.”

There are a couple of areas where the earthen-bank parallels the highway will need to be “shaved” back and the walkway leveled from east to west, McClung said.

The city council instructed city manager Bobbi Price to find funds to cover the project while McClung goes back to ODOT to see about increasing the grant allotment to cover the additional $34,000.

“Their engineers will check to be sure the cost is warranted, but they will say ‘Yes,’” McClung said. “But who knows how long that will take.” ODOT approved permits for the work Aug. 13. (SOURCE)

A Newport woman died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 138W on Saturday.

An Oregon State Police report said at 12:15 p.m. troopers responded to the wreck approximately seven miles west of Scottsburg. The preliminary investigation indicated that a pickup operated by 23-year-old Chandler Sulffridge of Roseburg, was passing multiple westbound vehicles in the eastbound lane. An eastbound SUV, driven by 78-year-old Shelley Sue McLaughlin, attempted to avoid the pickup by traveling on the eastbound shoulder. However, the pickup also entered the eastbound shoulder in an effort to avoid a collision, and the vehicle’s collided head-on.

McLaughlin was declared deceased at the scene. Sulffridge suffered reported serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sutherlin Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Arrest Made in Coos Bay for Failure to Register and Drug Possession

On September 20th, 2024, at approximately 8:20 PM, Deputies H. Francis and Converse responded to LTM Truck Repair on Shinglehouse Road in Coos Bay to locate Robert V. Mayea (56), who had failed to register as a sex offender since 2022.

Deputies successfully found Mr. Mayea in the business’s parking lot and took him into custody. During a search before securing him in the patrol vehicle, Deputy Converse discovered a small rock of methamphetamine weighing less than a gram in his pocket. This substance was seized as evidence and will be tested at the state crime lab.

Mr. Mayea was transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked and processed on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

The Coos County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring community safety and encourages residents to report any suspicious activity. “Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Coos County Sheriff’s Office — Arrest Made Following Disturbing Incident at Local Bus Stop

On September 20th, 2024, around 1:49 PM, North Coos Dispatch received a 911 call from a concerned mother reporting that she had been slapped on the buttocks by a transient while picking up her child from the bus stop. The individual allegedly told her there was nothing she could do and made a disturbing remark about knowing where she lived.

Law enforcement swiftly responded, gathering a description of the suspect and his direction of travel. Officers located the individual in the area and identified him as Jacob R. Rodriguez (32), a transient from Salem.

Rodriguez was arrested for harassment and transported to the Coos County Jail. He received a citation for the harassment incident as well as a citation for failure to appear on a prior trespass charge from the city of Salem.

We encourage our community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or concerning behavior. Your safety is our priority. “Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Mill Beach Health Advisory Issued Sept. 19

High bacteria levels prompt OHA recommendation to avoid water contact

—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Mill Beach in Curry County. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria 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.

Visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria tend to be higher in these types of water sources.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:

• Stormwater runoff.
• Sewer overflows.
• Failing septic systems.
• Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

Even if there is no advisory in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Ocean waters will be re-tested after an advisory is issued. Once bacteria levels are at a safe level, OHA will notify the public that the advisory is lifted.

While this advisory is in effect at Mill Beach, state officials continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/recreation/beachwaterquality/pages/index.aspx or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).

Florence Forward Event

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing an event for Florence entrepreneurs and business owner from the ages of 20-45.  The newly formed entity Florence Forward is working to build a vision and plan for the future of the Florence community through a young professionals organization. 

The event will be at Three Rivers Casino Resort on October 1^st.  the event costs $10 per person and information and  tickets. MORE INFO: https://florencechamber.com/event/florence-forward-developing-the-future!/327/

ODOT Has No Plans To Replace Florence Drawbridge Grate

Oregon Department of Transportation officials have responded to a Florence resident by saying the department will not be replacing the synthetic material that was once used to quiet the Siuslaw River Bridge. Locals know the grated center drawbridge section of the bridge emits a loud whir noise when vehicle tires pass over it. In an effort to quiet the noise, ODOT installed a synthetic material over the grate from 2008 to 2021. ODOT said it removed the material, due to failure.

At an ODOT Board of Directors meeting Aug. 1, Sarah Rodgers said she lives on Glenada Lane near the bridge and the noise has ruined her quiet life and her property value. 

In a letter to Rodgers after the meeting, ODOT Bridge Supervisor Rick Johnson said he understands her frustration but there are no plans to make changes to the bridge. 

“We looked at many options as the surface of the bridge deteriorated, and sound was something we considered,” Johnson replied. “Unfortunately, we could not find a surface cover that would last. The previous surface, which was a protective coating that resembled asphalt, required frequent maintenance and only lasted about 15 years before needing complete replacement. We’ve gone back to a grid surface because of the cost of replacement and maintenance. The grid surface placed in 1950 lasted until the early 2000s, over 50 years.” Johnson said ODOT will continue to monitor the sound coming from the bridge, along with other concerns. 

History — ODOT officials said the 88-year-old bridge’s deteriorating system was replaced by the steel grid in 1976. 

“In 2008, the steel grid system was failing and was replaced with a then-new system using fiberglass reinforced plastic. This system was quiet, tough, and light, making it seem like a logical replacement at the time. However, by 2021, the surface was failing and needed to be replaced earlier than we had planned,” an official ODOT response stated. “In 2021, a $500,000 project replaced the fiberglass reinforced plastic deck with a steel grid system. The engineered deck system made for a smoother ride over the lift span.  Other drawbridges along the coast also removed their fiberglass reinforced plastic decks around the same time, with all similar drawbridges receiving a steel grid system.”

Rodgers said she feels the decision disregards impacts on citizens and has repeated assertions that the removal of the quieter material was for cost saving, not failing surface replacement. 

Unofficial sound readings taken from the two points near the bridge which are most accessed by the public showed readings between 55 and 62 db. A semi truck pulling a flatbed trailer registered 72 db with his engine brake engaged.  More information about db levels and effects on hearing can be found at https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/ — (SOURCE)

Florence Festival of Books

The Florence Festival of Books will be at the Florence Events Center on September 28^th. it will feature Keynote speaker Dr. Scott Donaldson who has penned the book, Urological Surgery and Lite Haulin.  Stories of everyday people.  Donaldson has been compiling stories told by his patients for over 25 years and has been retelling them in book and audio form for more that a decade.  There is a basic $2 admission and a $5 cost for admission to speakers and exhibits.  A $10 all access pass includes speakers, exhibits, workshops and the keynote address. The event begins at 9:30 with Dr. Donaldson.

Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024

Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.

We will have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:

1. MorningGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
2. AfternoonGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
3. EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm

All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class will also be live and in person on the Curry Campus.

For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Fall term starts September 16th and ends November 27th.

To register for orientation and classes, go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.

New Exhibits at Columbia River Maritime Museum

ntsayka ili/i ukuk – This is our Place

Scheduled to open September 2024

A collaboration with the Chinook Indian Nation to share Chinook maritime traditions and culture as lived today ​through the photography of Amiran White.

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Cedar and Sea Exhibit: The Maritime Culture of the Indigenous People of the Pacific Northwest Coast

Scheduled to open October 2024

Pacific Northwest Coastal Indigenous People used their deep knowledge of their environment to harvest its natural wealth, developing sophisticated technologies that enabled them to create and maintain some of North America’s most complex and rich cultures.

Cedar and Sea features voices of contemporary Indigenous artisans presenting their work as part of their living traditions, demonstrating resilience as they blend old and new tools, technologies and knowledge to prosper in the face of continuing threats to traditional lifeways.

The exhibit will showcase tools and implements fashioned from stone, bone, shell, wood, and other natural materials, representing thousands of years of innovation by coast Indigenous People from Yakutat, Alaska to southern Oregon, as well as present-day materials and practices used by the living descendants today.

Columbia River Maritime Museum
1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon 97103
503.325.2323

Press Release: Make Waves — Registration for the 2024 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is Now Open

Portland, Ore., August 29, 2024 – SOLVE invites volunteers to make a global impact this September by joining the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. From September 20 through September 28, families, community members, student groups, and nature enthusiasts from all stages of life will gather across Oregon and Southwest Washington for a 10-day event series with a variety of projects to choose from. Registration is now open for this vital community effort to protect and restore our coastlines, rivers, and public lands.

Connecting Local Actions to Global Movements – September 21 is International Coastal Cleanup Day, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect our coasts and waterways from harmful trash and debris. This global movement amplifies the impact of local efforts, uniting communities for cleaner environments. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup wraps up on September 28 with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, focusing on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

Join the Effort – “After a season of heavy use, our rivers and beaches need care,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “This event is a cherished tradition and a powerful force for change. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a lasting impact on our environment.”

SOLVE will host over 50 project sites across Oregon and SW Washington, from the Oregon Coast to the Willamette Valley and beyond. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers removed 20,000 pounds of trash. Since 1986, the event has cleared over 2.5 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s natural areas. Volunteer registration is open for posted events and SOLVE is still seeking additional projects. Interested event leaders should register their events as soon as possible to fully maximize SOLVE’s support, resources, and everything needed to host a successful event. 

New Supply Hubs for Event Leaders – This year, SOLVE is making it easier for event leaders by launching five supply hubs at South Beach, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Cape Blanco, and Sunset Bay. These hubs are equipped with reusable supplies like litter grabbers, vests, and buckets sponsored by Knife River. This partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation strengthens SOLVE’s mission to provide even more volunteers with reusable supplies and host cleanup events with sustainability in mind.

Be Part of the Change – Join thousands of volunteers to protect our waterways, restore natural areas this September, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oregon. As the event dates approach, more details on project sites and opportunities will be released. For more information and to register, visit https://www.solveoregon.org/beach-riverside.

2024 Sponsors – SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2024 is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Daimler Truck North America, Fred Meyer, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Here is Oregon, Keen Footwear, Knife River, KOIN, Metro, NEEF, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Owens Corning.

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 group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

OHA 2024 Oregon Beach Monitoring Season

Agency shares list of monitored beaches for May-September

—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is kicking off the 2024 beach monitoring season by announcing the list of coastal recreation areas it will be keeping an eye on for bacteria during summer and early fall.

The 24 beaches on the list that the OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, is publishing includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon. It also includes beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.

The following are Oregon beaches being monitored during 2024, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:

• Seaside Beach – Seaside, Clatsop County
• Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Tolovana Beach State Park– Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park) – Arch Cape, Tillamook County
• Manzanita Beach – Manzanita, Tillamook County
• Rockaway Beach – Rockaway, Tillamook County
• Twin Rocks Beach – Twin Rocks, Tillamook County
• Oceanside Beach – Oceanside, Tillamook County
• Cape Kiwanda Beach – Pacific City, Tillamook County
• Neskowin Beach – Neskowin, Tillamook County
• D River Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Siletz Bay Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Beverly Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Agate Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Nye Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Ona Beach (Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Seal Rock Beach – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Heceta Beach – Florence, Lane County
• Bastendorff Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Sunset Bay State Park Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Hubbard Creek Beach – Port Orford, Curry County
• Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Curry County
• Mill Beach – Brookings, Curry County
• Crissey Fields State Recreation Site – Brookings, Curry County

Beach monitoring season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within this sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the next beach monitoring season.

OBMP works with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include: pollution hazards present; previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns; type and amount of beach use; and public input.

As part of an adaptive sampling plan, beaches and sampling locations are routinely re-evaluated to ensure available resources best protect public health. A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact OBMP at each.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0400.

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Officials Concerned About Federal Proposal to Move Liquid Nuclear Waste Through State

Thousands of gallons of liquid nuclear waste are slated to be removed from the Hanford Nuclear site in Washington via train through Oregon

A federal proposal to move radioactive nuclear waste from Washington through Oregon and onward to Utah and Texas via truck and rail has raised major concerns among Oregon officials and environmentalists.

The radioactive waste comes from the Hanford Site, near the Columbia River north of Richland, Washington, where 56 million gallons of radioactive sludge – a byproduct of World War II-era plutonium production – still sits 80 years later in 177 underground tanks, some of which are leaking.

To clean up the site and to remove the sludge, federal agencies and the Washington Department of Ecology could decide by the end of the year to move ahead with a proposal , negotiated mostly in private, to cart at least 2,000 gallons of sludge via rail or truck through Oregon to facilities in Utah and Texas that can process it into a grout cement and dispose of it. The proposal doesn’t yet detail a route, but critics have said it would most likely end up on major interstate highways through Oregon, or on a rail line through central Oregon along the Deschutes River, passing near areas like Bend and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation.

The possibility of thousands of gallons of the waste moving through the state as a liquid, rather than in a solid form outlined in previous plans, are among the parts of the proposal that most alarm Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Janine Benner, director of the Oregon Department of Energy.

Both, in recent months, have written to officials at the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, asking that they shelve the proposal until three critical issues are resolved. Namely, Kotek and Benner want an explanation for why the liquid won’t be solidified before transit, a federal environmental assessment that scrutinizes all the possible impacts a leak or spill could have in transit and greater involvement and outreach with potentially impacted communities.

“The ongoing process for receiving and accounting for input from the state of Oregon, tribal governments and the public on substantive issues relating to the solidification and transport of liquid tank waste is insufficient,” Kotek wrote, “and risks undercutting support for the accelerated reduction of radioactive waste at the Hanford site that is in everyone’s interest.” (READ MORE)

String of Fires Started in Southern Oregon Along I-5 This Morning and on Saturday

Oregon Department of Forestry is out of money, seeking more to pay for the costliest wildfire season in state history

The Oregon Department of Forestry needs emergency funding to pay for the most expensive wildfire season in state history, with record-high costs of $250 million and counting, KGW reports.

As of mid-September, more than 1.9 million acres of land had burned across Oregon — nearly double the acreage burned in the notorious 2020 wildfire season, and far above any other year in ODF’s recorded history.

“The scale -. people have to see it to understand just how many acres burned across the state this summer,” said Kyle Williams, ODF’s deputy director for fire operations. “Just because the smoke wasn’t present in our more populated areas doesn’t mean that (wildfires) weren’t deeply impactful.”

ODF has now exhausted its funds. In order to pay firefighters and contractors, the department is returning to its usual process of acquiring more money from the state — except this time, it may not be enough. Outside of the legislative session, agencies turn to Oregon’s Emergency Board. Staffed by the Legislative Fiscal Office, the E-Board allocates emergency funds to keep things afloat until lawmakers return. Dozens of state agencies submit requests every few months.

ODF is asking for $47.5 million from the E-Board this September, including a request for $40 million from the board’s general fund.

The E-Board currently has just $43 million in its general fund. If wildfire costs get priority, as they have historically, that strains the budget for any other emergency needs.

“In those E-Board requests there are a lot of really important priorities for other agencies, for other Oregonians, right, not impacted by fire,” Williams said, recognizing ODF’s outsized impact on the board.

The E-Board will decide its allocations on Thursday, September 26, and the LFO recommends that the board pay the $47.5 million to ODF, albeit with a slight workaround: using $20 million from the board’s general fund and $20 million from a separate special allocation reserved for natural disaster emergencies. (SOURCE)

Feds grant more than $9 million to Oregon for wildfire prevention

As wildfires continue to threaten homes, rangeland and communities in Oregon, the federal government has announced millions in new funding to prevent the blazes that have blackened a record amount of acreage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it has approved $100 million to reduce the threat of wildfires in 14 states, including Oregon. The money will be used for restoring forest health, prescribed burns and other wildfire prevention strategies in 18 national forests that border homes and communities. The USDA, which oversees the Forest Service, allocated $9.4 million to forests in eastern and southern Oregon and $345,000 for a project in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, which is also expected to benefit Oregonians.

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/23/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Fossil Complex – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	24446 Acres	15 minutes 9 seconds ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	21 minutes 48 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11141 Acres	42 minutes 4 seconds ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	6688 Acres	1 hour 3 minutes ago
Buck Creek Fire – ORFWF	Wildfire	Oregon	5703 Acres	1 hour 57 minutes ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	9784 Acres	2 hours 59 minutes ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	23410 Acres	12 hours 4 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	1822 Acres	12 hours 35 minutes ago
Wiley Flat – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	30186 Acres	12 hours 55 minutes ago
Rail Ridge – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	162630 Acres	13 hours 23 minutes ago
Devils Knob Fire – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	4149 Acres	14 hours 28 minutes ago
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	11741 Acres	14 hours 56 minutes ago
Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	Acres	16 hours 42 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	3169 Acres	22 hours 55 minutes ago
Lane 1 Fire – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25952 Acres	23 hours 8 minutes ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	5286 Acres	4 days ago
Milepost 98 – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	250 Acres	6 days 22 hours ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Burned Area Emergency Response	Oregon	86968 Acres	1 week ago
Shoe Fly Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	26817 Acres	1 week ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1313 Acres	1 week 4 days ago
Copperfield Fire – OR98S	Wildfire	Oregon	3822 Acres	1 week 4 days ago
Two Cabin – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	251 Acres	2 weeks 2 days ago

https://app.watchduty.org/

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page. 

U.S. Forest Service Hiring in Oregon – Tuesday 9/24 Last Day to Apply

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to shore up its wildland firefighting force in the Pacific Northwest.  Recruitment events will take place across Oregon next month, with stops in Bend, Sandy and La Grande on September 12th, in an effort to hire a couple hundred permanent seasonal positions.

“That’s our goal, is to hire up to 200, maybe even a little more if we can, into these what we call entry level, perm-fire-hire positions, which are typically your six to nine-month timeframe employment within the agency,” said Jason Heinz who works in regional workforce development for the Forest Service.  He added those jobs are spread around Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and in most cases fill a currently vacant position.  Heinz says several factors make it more difficult to recruit wildland crews.

“We are increasing the number of individuals that work for the agency, our fire seasons are getting longer, burnout is a real thing. And so, we’re trying to work on adding more capacity to our crews so that we can have a better work-life balance.”  — Applications can be submitted now through September 24th. Visit USAJobs.gov to apply.

Oregon Names Potato as Official State Vegetable

Oregon has officially designated the potato as its state vegetable, with a dedication ceremony scheduled for Sept. 23 at the State Capitol.

Potatoes are the top vegetable produced in Oregon, with more than 43,000 acres dedicated to the crop. They play a vital role in the state’s agriculture, particularly in rural communities.

Leif Benson, chef and Oregon potato commissioner, discovered six years ago that Oregon lacked an official state vegetable. He collaborated with state senator Bill Hansell, who introduced a bill to give the potato this honor.

Benson credited the Oregon Potato Commission for advancing the initiative. “With their support, it happened,” Hansell said.

Hansell and senator Elizabeth Steiner, a candidate for treasurer, will attend the plaque dedication. The event will also feature a French fry cart from Lamb Weston for attendees to enjoy.

Gary Roth, executive director of the Oregon Potato Commission, said the designation celebrates the hard work of Oregon’s farmers.

“It’s a designation our farmers are very proud of, and the event is going to be a heck of a lot of fun,” Roth said.

The Oregon Potato Commission, founded in 1949, represents five growing regions and supports research, trade, and market development to boost Oregon’s potato industry. (SOURCE)

$9.3 Million Raised to Fight New Corporate Tax that Could Boost the Income of Every Oregonian by $1,600 a Year – Voters Will Decide on Measure 118

If voters decide to approve Measure 118, they will pave the way for the largest universal basic income program in the country, funded by corporations with total sales in Oregon exceeding $25 million. The money derived from this taxation will be distributed equally among residents of all incomes and ages and will become effective by 2025.

Oregon residents will vote this fall on the new corporate tax that proponents say will alleviate poverty and stimulate the local economy. The Legislative Revenue Office estimates that $1.3 billion will be generated by the end of the biennium next June, with significantly higher amounts in future years.

The windfall will be distributed among Oregonians in the form of direct cash payments or refundable tax credits.

If the new corporate tax is approved, Oregon will become the second state to offer residents a basic income. Alaska has been distributing a part of the income from all mining revenues to its residents annually. Each resident received $1,312 last year.

Opposition to Measure 118 is Vociferous

However, opposition to the new corporate tax proposal is vociferous.

Among those adding their voices to the opposition are Governor Tina Kotek, Democrat and Republican lawmakers, dozens of businesses, and many nonpartisan research groups. They argue that the tax could stop businesses from operating in Oregon, siphon funds away from needed state services, and ultimately lead to higher prices.

Dozens of business groups say the tax will harm consumers because it will force price increases. They are also opposed to the proposal that businesses will be taxed on gross sales and not on net profit, unfairly targeting companies with small profit margins such as construction companies and grocery stores.

Oregon building trade union leader Willy Myers says the tax could incentivize larger corporations to leave Oregon, taking jobs with them and creating an affordability downward spiral.

Although the tax measure only applies to gross sales exceeding $25 million, smaller businesses are concerned that they too could be impacted… ‘we cannot afford to lose high income earners that spend their money in small businesses,’ says Sarah Shaoul, the founder of a Portland advocacy group for independent retailers, Bricks Need Mortar.

The CEO of Oregon Business and Industry, the state business lobby spearheading the anti-tax measure campaign, Angela Wilhelms says the tax will stagnate wage increases and available jobs, both are unlikely components ‘of a recipe to lift people into prosperity.’

Families Could Become Ineligible for Federal Benefits

According to a state report, Measure 118 could make families receiving the tax windfall ineligible for federal benefits such as food stamps.

However, while Measure 118 antagonists refer to the state report saying the tax will hamper economic growth in Oregon over the next decade, proponents point to the fact that the state report says its estimates have been made with ‘considerable uncertainty.’

Proponents Say Tax Could Alleviate Poverty

Supporters of the next tax point out that the extra income to Oregonians will help alleviate poverty and stimulate the local economy. The tax measure will also ensure that larger corporations pay their fair share of the tax burden.

The measure will help families ‘to thrive and not just survive’ says Stacey Rutland, a resident of Portland who works as an adviser to the pro-Measure 118 campaign.

Funding the promotion of the next tax measure is Oregon Rebate PAC, which has only managed to obtain eight endorsements on its website, none of which are elected officials. Proponents have managed to raise $171,000 since the corporate tax measure qualified for the ballot. (SOURCE)

OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man —  Oregon State Police 

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

– Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims. 

On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody. 

Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. 

Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone. 

Oregon election officials say data entry error added 306 noncitizens to voter rolls, two voted

State election officials and Gov. Tina Kotek stressed that the error was caught and won’t affect the 2024 election

The Oregon agency that issues driver’s licenses erroneously registered more than 300 non-citizens to vote, though state officials say only two people actually cast ballots. 

State Elections Director Molly Woon told the Capital Chronicle that she received a call late Thursday afternoon from the administrator of the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division of the Oregon Department of Transportation, telling her that DMV staff caught a data entry error that led to the division wrongly classifying some noncitizens as citizens. State election officials spent Friday reviewing that information and working with county clerks to ensure those people won’t receive ballots unless and until they prove they’re eligible to vote. 

The error is not large enough to impact the outcome of the state’s elections – more than 3 million people are registered to vote in Oregon, and the 306 cases identified by state officials are 0.01% of the state’s voters. 

Ben Morris, chief of staff to Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, said the DMV is continuing to investigate whether there are any more issues, and there is time to rectify any additional mistakes. Ballots won’t be mailed to voters for another month. 

“We can say that this error will not impact the 2024 election, and I want to emphasize that point as much as possible. This error will not impact the 2024 election,” he said. 

The error, first reported by Willamette Week, resulted from DMV staff erroneously marking noncitizens who obtained driver’s licenses as citizens, such as by miscategorizing foreign birth certificates as U.S. birth certificates and foreign passports as U.S. passports.

Since January 2016, Oregon has automatically registered citizens to vote when they obtain or renew driver’s licenses, permits or nonoperating IDs. A 2019 state law, meanwhile, eliminated a requirement that applicants prove they’re citizens or legal residents when obtaining a driver’s license. 

People applying for driver’s licenses need to bring proof of their identity – like a birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents or visa – as well as proof of an Oregon address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement. Only applicants who provide documents that prove citizenship, like a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or certificate of naturalization, are supposed to be registered to vote. 

DMV administrator Amy Joyce said in a statement that the DMV discovered the error while “proactively analyzing” its system ahead of the 2024 election. The erroneous registrations it identified were based on foreign passports being entered as U.S. passports. The department is continuing to go through registrations tied to birth certificates, and that may take another two weeks, she said.

The DMV added a new prompt on its data entry screen to ensure front desk staff accurately enter citizenship information and has begun daily auditing of all transactions to verify materials are accurate before sending them to the Elections Division, Joyce added.

Woon said the secretary of state’s office is continuing to look into the two people who were not citizens when they were automatically registered to vote and will forward the issue to the start Department of Justice if it appears they violated the law. 

“I want to emphasize that these folks were registered by no fault of their own,” she said. “I think that will certainly be taken into consideration. The first order of business, however, will be to see if the citizenship status of these people has changed. Because these records date from 2021 to today, it’s possible that their status has changed, and perhaps they are citizens, and that’s why they have a voter record. We’ll need to do a little bit more digging to sort that out first.” 

Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement that she has been fully briefed on the situation and will continue to closely monitor it. She noted that it would affect 0.01% of the state’s registered voters and will not impact the 2024 election in any way. 

“Oregon’s electoral system is one of the most secure, effective and accessible in the nation,” Kotek said. “The error in data entry which may have affected the voter eligibility of some Oregonian’s voter registration was discovered because the Oregon DMV and the secretary of state were doing their due diligence ahead of the 2024 election.”

Griffin-Valade said safeguarding the integrity of elections is her top priority, while praising automatic voter registration. 

“When my office was made aware of this error, we moved quickly to update the voter rolls,” she said. “I am also personally calling on the DMV to take immediate action to improve its processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Automatic voter registration has been hugely beneficial for thousands of eligible Oregon voters to ensure access to our democracy. I’m confident the DMV is rectifying this error and improving their process, so it doesn’t happen again.”  (READ MORE)

To register to vote, visit here:

135 arts organizations receive FY2025 Small Operating Grants from the Oregon Arts Commission

Salem, Oregon – Small grants that make a big difference for ensuring access to arts programming, especially in rural areas, have been awarded to 135 arts organizations by the Oregon Arts Commission. Each organization will receive $2,355. 

Small Operating Grants support arts organizations throughout the state with annual budgets of less than $150,000. Eligibility is limited to organizations that provide ongoing, sustained artistic and outreach programming and have current IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status. 

“Although the Drexel H. Foundation and our community is rural and small compared to other parts of Oregon, our impact is huge,” said Sandijean Fuson, president of the Drexel H. Foundation in Vale. “This grant helps us keep an unbroken existence of programs that we’ve had for over 25 years, reminding our community they are important.” 

“The Small Operating Grant has always been instrumental to the Astoria Arts and Movement Center’s ability to provide programming and serve our community,” said Jessamyn Grace West, executive director of the Astoria Arts and Movement Center. “Oregon Arts Commission consistently manages to reach the far corners of the state and support organizations that have limited operating budgets, volunteer staff and minimal access to funding. I feel the work that small organizations do in their communities is just as vital, especially in rural areas, which is why we are so grateful for this ongoing support.” 

“This grant program was developed to increase the Arts Commission’s support of Oregon’s small but mighty arts providers,” said Arts Commission Chair Subashini Ganesan-Forbes. “These organizations frequently represent the only arts presenter for remote and under-resourced regions of the state.”

For more information about the Small Operating Grant Program, contact Tiffany Harker at 971-719-6169 or tiffany.harker@biz.oregon.gov. —- FY2025 Small Operating Grants by region: https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/artscommission/news/Pages/135_arts_organizations_receive_FY2025_Small_Operating_Grants.aspx

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. 

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at artscommission.oregon.gov.

Two deputy directors at Oregon police certification agency are fired; third employee resigns 

Officials decline to discuss the firings at the agency which recently largely cleared a training backlog that was hurting police offices statewide

Two deputy directors at the Oregon agency that trains and certifies police officers were fired last month and a third employee quit, public records obtained by the Capital Chronicle show. 

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training fired Brian Henson and Staci Yutzie, both deputy directors, on Aug. 30, agency records show. A defensive tactics coordinator, Richard Daniel, resigned on Aug. 15. Henson worked at the agency more than 20 years as did Daniel, Sam Tenney, the agency’s spokesperson said. Yutzie spent more than 11 years there. 

“Due to the sensitivity of personnel matters, we are unable to comment or provide additional information,” Sam Tenney, a spokesperson for the agency, said in an email to the Capital Chronicle.

With a 237-acre campus in Salem, the agency plays a major role in law enforcement in Oregon. It trains new hires for about 200 agencies across the state so they can perform patrol and other work. And it has certified more than 41,000 public safety and security professionals in Oregon, including 911 dispatchers, private investigators and firefighters.

The agency has the equivalent of nearly 185 full-time budgeted staff, but its total headcount is 448 because many employees are part-time instructors. 

In July, the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com reported the three officials were placed on administrative leave in May and under a personnel investigation, though the agency did not disclose the reason for that. In a LinkedIn post two weeks ago, Yutzie confirmed she had left the agency but did not disclose the circumstances.

“After 11 years of breaking the mold at DPSST and in police training in general, I am off to new adventures,” Yutzie wrote. 

Yutzie declined to elaborate in a private message to the Capital Chronicle, but said: “I wholeheartedly stand behind the work I did for public safety and the citizens of Oregon.” She added that she was a “dedicated and decorated public servant who has successfully addressed some of Oregon’s most pressing police training challenges.”

“We built a contemporary training program that has empirically demonstrated its effectiveness and established us as national and international leaders in police training. The mission of DPSST will always hold a place in my heart, and I am confident that the training team will continue to serve Oregon well,” she said. 

A deputy director for 13 months, Yutzie also worked at the agency as a class training coordinator, program development coordinator in charge of public safety training academy programming and training division director.

Yutzie said in her message to the Capital Chronicle that under her leadership her team had eliminated a training backlog that had developed over the last five years due to high turnover at police agencies. 

New police officers are required to attend the 16-week basic police training course at the agency’s academy within 90 days of their hiring. The backlog made it difficult for police departments across Oregon to hire and train their officers in a timely manner.

In June, Castle and Kotek announced the state had eliminated the backlog. With additional legislative funding, the agency added three 60-student classes and three additional 40-student classes through a partnership with Oregon State Police.

On Wednesday, Tenney said the backlog is still eliminated, with the agency enrolling new officers within 90 days, as required by state law.  (READ MORE)

Local Mt. Bachelor, Oregon Buyer Group Launches New Website

Mount Bachelor Community Inc.—the local group seeking to purchase Mount Bachelor after the resort was put up for sale by its current owners POWDR Corporation—has launched a website.

The site is divided into three main groups, each detailing aspects of Mount Bachelor Community Inc .

The ‘Contribute’ tab provides several channels for those interested in getting involved with the project, whether that’s volunteering or donating (“We’ll soon be launching a GoFundMe campaign to support our effort to purchase Mount Bachelor as a community,” the site reads). One field allows web visitors to share their personal Mount Bachelor story.

Another tab details investment opportunities with Mount Bachelor Community Inc. and covers two investor types: accredited investors and community contributions.

The final tab provides further details about Mount Bachelor Community Inc.’s mission, which, according to the website, is “to own and manage Mt. Bachelor with a focus on environmental care, supporting mountain enthusiasts, and reinvesting profits to boost the local economy.” Mount Bachelor Community Inc. aims to achieve B Corp status, a designation offered by B Lab, a non-profit that recognizes companies for their commitment to various social and environmental criteria. Notable outdoor industry B Corps include Patagonia and Taos Ski Valley.

The push for community ownership, helmed by Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane, is holding a kickoff event on October 12th. More details about the event are forthcoming.

“It’s been an overwhelming amount of support from people who want to donate their time, donate their money, invest, just pledge their support, or be involved,” Porter told POWDER last week, describing the community response to he and Cochrane’s effort. “So many people have reached out to us.”

Further information about the status of the Mt. Bachelor sale isn’t known. POWDR Corp. noted that they’ve received interest in the resort, but hasn’t named any specific parties. The sale doesn’t have a timeline and will “take as long as it takes,” according to Stacey Hutchinson, POWDR Corp.’s vice president of communications and government affairs.

POWDR Corp.’s latest planned sale—Killington, Vermont—will result in local passholder ownership, but that exchange may not have any bearing on what the company intends to do with Mt. Bachelor. In the meantime, Porter and Cochrane are committed to returning Mt. Bachelor to local skiers and snowboarders.

“We’ve really caught lightning in a bottle here,” said Porter.

To check out the website and learn more about the project, click here. — (SOURCE)

Summer EBT application deadline extended to Sept. 30, 2024
(Salem) – The application deadline for the new Summer EBT program has been extended to midnight Sept. 30, 2024. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. Eligible families should act now.

Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days.

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:

1. Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
3. Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level

Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT.

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children enrolled in a school during the 2023-2024 school year who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “We are grateful to our federal partners for making this extension. The extra time is so important for us to reach families who may be eligible because we know access to nutritious food is critical.”

“Staying engaged in school and active in life requires proper nutrition,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “We know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit and this important extension boosts our opportunity to reach them.”

Since June 28, 2024, more than 336,198 eligible school-aged children have been issued $40.3 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.

Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before midnight Sept. 30, 2024.

To learn more:

1. Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
2. Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com