The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, September 25, 2023
Oregon Beach Weather
HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING ISSUED: 2:01 AM SEP. 25, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
GALE WARNING ISSUED: 2:01 AM SEP. 25, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON... ...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 PM PDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...South winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and very steep wind driven seas of 16 to 21 ft. This afternoon, winds become south 20 to 25 kt with very steep and hazardous west seas of 15 to 22 ft at 15 seconds. * WHERE...All southern Oregon coastal waters. * WHEN...The Gale warning is in effect until 2 PM PDT Monday, followed by a Hazardous Seas Warning from 2 PM Monday to 5 PM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds and very steep seas could capsize or damage vessels. Low visibility conditions are expected. Bar crossing will become treacherous. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Be Alert for Landslides Across Southwest Oregon Coast
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of southwest Oregon, including central Douglas County, the Curry County coast, eastern Curry County and Josephine County, and the south-central Oregon coast. The watches are in effect from Sunday evening (9/24/23) through Monday evening (9/25/23).
Moderate to heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burn scars from recent wildfires including the Smith River Complex, the Flat Fire, the Anvil Fire, and the Tyee Complex.
Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.
If your home, work, or travel route is in a watch area:
- Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio, or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
- Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
- Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.
For more landslide and debris flow information: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/landslide/Pages/debrisflow.aspx
Anvil Fire and Flat Fire Updates
Please visit Inciweb bit.ly/AnvilFireOR and bit.ly/FlatFireOR for the latest closure information. Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.
A list of fire restrictions and closure orders for BLM Oregon-Washington public lands are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BLMOregon.
Lane County Auctioning 10 Properties Tomorrow
Lane County is conducting a sealed-bid auction of real property now through 4:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Bids will be opened at 2:00 p.m. on September 28, and winners will be notified by telephone and email.
Included in the auction are lots located in Eugene, Florence, Oakridge, Blachly and Creswell. The properties up for auction range from a $2,200 minimum bid to a $180,000 minimum bid.
The properties have minimum bid amounts and will not be sold for less than the minimum bid. The properties will be sold on an as-is basis using a quitclaim deed, which passes any title, claim or interest in the property to the buyer without making any representations regarding other claims or liens.
Payment must be made with cash, cashier’s checks or certified back checks payable to Lane County. No personal or business checks, debit and credit cards or financing will be accepted. A 20 percent deposit of the minimum bid amount is due within 24 hours of the bid opening. The remaining balance, plus a $100 recording fee, is due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023.
For more information including a complete list of auction terms, property descriptions and registration information, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/PropertyManagement under the “Auction” section: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3585881&pageId=4185255
Free Disaster Readiness Fair in Astoria on September 30th
Senior Communications Specialist Jennifer Benoit of Astoria, Oregon, has cordially invited the community to attend a free readiness fair. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, at Warrior Hall at Camp Rilea in Warrenton.
The fair aims to educate the community about preparing for natural disasters. Free lunch and survival tools will be provided to attendees, however, these are subject to availability. The event invites not only adults but also children, with planned activities specifically targeted for their entertainment and knowledge growth.
Opportunities to interact with local experts, view outdoor displays, and win prizes are some additional highlights of the event.
This initiative by the local authority intends to increase disaster preparedness among the community while promoting engagement and learning in a relaxed setting. https://www.facebook.com/events/2150610985143287/?ref=newsfeed
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office Introducing Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is excited to introduce quarterly “Coffee with a Deputy” events. Every three months our office will partner with a local coffee shop in Lincoln County to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to meet our team and share what’s on their minds. Coffee with a cop events are a friendly and relaxed way for communities to connect with the deputies that serve them.
To kick off our first Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event, Pirate Coffee Company in Depoe Bay will be hosting our team. Join us on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 9am – 11am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Pirate Coffee Company (located at 10 Vista St., Depoe Bay, Or 97341).
These events offer a unique opportunity for community members to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you’re a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with deputies on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback. Join us on October 4, 2023, at Pirate Coffee Company to connect with your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
California Cold Case Murder Suspect Arrested in Gold Hill
JCSO Case 23-3999
GOLD HILL, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives assisted California investigators in arresting a man Monday for a cold case homicide that occurred in Vallejo, California in 1987. The suspect, Fred Cain III, 69, was arrested at 4:45 p.m. Monday at his residence in the 9500 block of Old Stage Road in Gold Hill. Cain was arrested in connection to a 1987 cold case involving the murder of a 6-year-old child who had been abducted near his home in the city of Vallejo. Cain waived extradition in Oregon and will be transferred to Solano County to face charges of murder, kidnap, and sodomy.
Recently, Solano County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case investigators were reviewing a 1987 case involving a 6-year-old child who had been abducted near his home in the city of Vallejo. Four days after the child went missing, his body was discovered on Sherman Island in Sacramento County. An autopsy revealed that the child victim had been sexually assaulted.
That year, Shawn Melton was named as a suspect in the case, as he appeared to have knowledge only the person responsible for the child’s death would know. He was subsequently charged with murder and kidnapping. The case was later dismissed after a jury could not reach a verdict. The advances in DNA technology have since exonerated Mr. Melton and has implicated another person responsible for the young child’s death.
Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams reinstated the Cold Case Unit in the office after being first elected in 2014. One of the many priorities was to solve homicide cases that had gone cold over the years to hold offenders accountable, seek long awaited justice, and bring closure for all the victims’ families that had been greatly impacted.
“I am so thankful to have such dedicated cold case investigators that no matter how much time goes by they remain steadfast in their commitment to solving these horrific cases,” said District Attorney Krishna Abrams.
No other details will be revealed at this time to preserve the integrity of the pending case.
Fire information for the Smith River Complex North in Southern Oregon
The Smith River Complex North is now in the fire suppression damage repair phase. A series of immediate post-fire actions are occuring to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities.
This usually begins before the fire is fully contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. Excavators are often used on fires during the rehabilitation phase of the fire.
This excavator is gathering brush, trees, rocks and dirt from the edge of constructed dozer line. The materials are placed into the dozer line to help prevent soil erosion, and a possible increase in water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, and debris flows.
Morgan Fire near Bly UPDATE
The Morgan Fire in Lake County has nearly doubled in size from earlier in the week to 2,036 acres as of Friday. Containment was listed at 20%.
Marsh Fire in Klamath Marsh National Forest Spreads Quickly
Serial arsonist gets 34 years in prison after family dog dies in an intentionally set house fire
On September 20, 2023, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Gardiner sentenced Carl Wesley Sandberg (Sandberg) to a total of 412 months (34 years) in the Oregon Department of Corrections.
In early 2019, Carl Wesley Sandberg went on crime spree in Marion County. His criminal activity included not only burning a church and stealing a firearm, but numerous homes and businesses throughout Marion County were burglarized, as well. In some instances, the victim’s identification, along with their credit cards, were used by Sandberg, causing multiple victims to suffer severe financial losses. In two instances, the homes Sandberg set fire to, in an attempt to cover up his crimes, had pets within the homes who ultimately perished in the fires. Several law enforcement agencies in Marion County worked together closely to identify Sandberg as the perpetrator, ultimately leading to his arrest.
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office brought charges against Sandberg in in September of 2019 in a 22-count indictment; however, Sandberg went through 6 lawyers, for various reasons, delaying his case each time a new attorney was appointed. Finally, in May and August of 2023, Sandberg was brought to justice.
Sandberg’s case was handled in two separate trials by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys David Wilson and Michael Thornicroft. For Deputy District Attorney David Wilson, “The effect these crimes had on the victims was significant. Families lost their mementos, their companion animals, and the sense of security that they once had in their homes. Also, an entire church congregation was displaced from their place of worship because of this one man’s selfish decisions.” Deputy District Attorney Michael Thornicroft, the last one to prosecute Sandberg said, “This is something the victims have not gotten over. It still haunts them. Property can be replaced, but a pet cannot. The jurors got to see pictures of the family pets in happier times. It was very emotional for the jury, as well as the victims.”
Many of Sandberg’s victims were able to share with Judge Gardiner just how devastating Sandberg’s actions were. For one family in particular, they lost their family pet in the house fire Sandberg started. In their words, “Joe was our beloved dog and had been with my husband since Joe was a puppy. When I met my husband, Joe became my best friend too. He slept in our room every night, cuddled as close as we would let him. He came on all our hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting adventures. He was our first ‘kid.’ The agony I still feel about how afraid he was; how he suffered. I feel so much guilt and regret that he was alone. I never got to say goodbye.” The loss for this particular family did not end there. Their credit was destroyed because of Sandberg’s use of their identity. They lived in hotels and rental homes while their home was rebuilt and their insurance premiums have increased dramatically because of all their losses. While years have passed since Sandberg’s actions, they are still feeling the effects of his crimes.
Sandberg, who had been arrested 29 times in Oregon prior to this case, had criminal convictions dating back to 2004. His criminal history includes multiple convictions for forgery, burglary, theft, resisting arrest, assault, DUII, tampering with a witness, attempting to elude a police officer, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, along with many others.
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Salem Police Department, as well as the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for their dedication and professionalism. This investigation required a lot of resources and time.
Governor Kotek Has Nominated A New Chair Of The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board
Governor Tina Kotek has nominated a new chair of the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board, two months after putting the former chair on administrative leave after it came to light that the state had paid for an investigation into her conduct.
Constance Wold was placed on administrative leave in July, a day after The Oregonian/Oregon Live revealed that the state paid a lawyer more than $42,000 to conduct a mysterious investigation into workplace complaints against Wold.
Former Gov. Kate Brown had appointed Wold as board chair of the 79-employee agency in 2017. State officials have been tight-lipped about what the investigation by Stoel Rives attorney Brenda Baumgart found. They did not ask Baumgart to produce any written report on her findings from the investigation.
Even though the investigation wrapped up last September, Wold remained in her position until Kotek, working through her Department of Administrative Services, placed her on leave in July. Wold’s term as board chair was set to end this month.
Oregon Health Authority Issued Recreational Use Health Advisory Today For Lake Ewauna In Klamath County
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today issued a recreational use health advisory today for Lake Ewauna due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom and cyanotoxins above recreational use values for human exposure. The lake is in Klamath County.
People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the lake where blooms are, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may develop a puffy, red rash.
OHA encourages people to visit Lake Ewauna and enjoy activities such as catch-and-release fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.
Drinking water – Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact local health department with questions about water available at nearby day use areas.
Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. OHA advises people to use an alternative water source if they do not use a well or public water system, and draw in-home water directly from an affected area.
Children and pets – Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.
Be aware that dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.
Symptoms – Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention. Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. Pet owners should seek veterinary treatment as quickly as possible if their dog exhibits any of those symptoms.
Fishing – Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those sites. Anyone who decides to eat the fish should remove its fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.
For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482.
Can Oregon Businesses Ditch Cash And Go Card-Only?
Recent trends show that businesses and individuals are moving towards cashless payments in the wake of the pandemic. However, Oregon businesses intending to discard cash could be infringing on state law.
There are some exceptions, but most businesses will be in violation of Oregon law if they refuse to accept cash as payment for goods or services.
The newly passed Oregon Senate bill SB 1565, from June, mandates most businesses to accept cash payments. The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) is actively against this law. They argue that the government should not interfere with how businesses choose to accept payment. Faster transactions and decreased labor expenses are among their reasons.
Yet, businesses must tread carefully. A switch to cashless could negatively impact low-income customers with limited access to bank cards, posing potential privacy and security risks as well.
More details: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/verify/oregon-businesses-required-accept-cash/283-d74df4b0-40a1-473f-9c03-cdd3c591c328
https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
Missing Yachats Man’s Vehicle Found in North Lane County
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.
83-year-old Clarence Edward Pitts walked away from his home in Bandon on Tuesday, January 31 at around 1:00 p.m. Pitts is described as:
- 6′ 00″
- 150 lbs
- Gray hair
- Brown eyes
- Last seen wearing an orange beanie, plaid jacket, tan pants and white shoes
- May have a walking cane
- Has dementia and PTSD
Pitts may be in a vehicle that was also found to be missing from the home:
- 1999 Toyota Van
- White
- Oregon license plate: WYN 788
If you see Clarence or have any information pertaining to where he may be, please call the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 541-396-2106 or the Bandon Police Department at 541-347-3189.
Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com