The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
Mussel Harvesting Has Been Opened Again For The Northern Oregon Coast
The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife have opened mussel harvesting from the Washington border to the north side of Siletz Bay, in Lincoln City.
Recent shellfish samples indicate levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid have fallen below the limit for two consecutive weeks. Mussel harvesting remains closed from the south side of Siletz Bay to the California border where levels of domoic acid toxins remain elevated.
Razor clamming remains closed for the entire Oregon coast due to elevated levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid. Recreational bay clam and crab harvesting remain open.
ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.
For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA recreational shelflish biotoxin closures webpage.
Deadly Plant Pathogen Found on Oregon Coast
An invasive pathogen that causes the plant disease known as sudden oak death was found in Lincoln City, the Oregon Department of Agriculture says.
The pathogen, called Phytophthora ramorum, was found at a botanical garden and private residence. Officials are working to find out if it spread beyond the affected properties.
The pathogen can infect over 100 different plant species. It was first found in Oregon in a forest outside of Brookings, where a quarantine was put in place to keep it from spreading. Anyone who visits the quarantined area of Curry County is asked not to remove plants or soil, and to clean and disinfect vehicles, equipment and clothing after leaving the area.
Federal officials say the public can also help stop the spread of this and other pathogens by buying healthy plants from reputable nurseries, and by not purchasing plants online. Find out more about Phytophthora ramorum, including symptoms, impacted species and quarantine maps.
Oregon Election News
The Oregonian, OPB, and other media outlets have declared Kotek the new Oregon Governor, but the Associated Press hasn’t declared that yet.
Kotek hasn’t declared victory yet, and Drazan has not conceded. The former Republican House leader’s campaign sent out a seemingly optimistic note, saying they are still monitoring returns “with the expectation that this race will tighten.”
While votes are still being counted, Tina Kotek’s campaign announced the gubernatorial candidate will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The press conference comes as the campaign projected Kotek’s win over Republican Christine Drazan on Wednesday just after 8 p.m. based on reported projections from The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting . However, at the time of the announcement, the Associated Press had not projected a winner in the contest.
In a statement, Kotek said “Oregon faces major challenges, and I look forward to getting to work to solve them. I promise to be a Governor for all of Oregon. I will start by working tirelessly to deliver results on issues of shared concern across our state: housing and homelessness, access to mental health and addiction treatment, helping our students succeed, and supporting small businesses.”
“I ask Oregonians – no matter who you voted for in this election – to believe in our state, to stay engaged, and to help figure out solutions together,” Kotek added. “I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve Oregon, and I will strive every day to be a force for positive change in our state.”
On another note: Democrat Val Hoyle declared victory Tuesday evening in the race to represent Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District. Meanwhile, Republican Alek Skarlatos still isn’t conceding defeat.
ALEK SKARLATOS -Republican 42.73% —— VAL HOYLE -Democrat 51.11%
This is the first general election in which ballots postmarked on Election Day will still be counted, meaning some of the results are coming in slower than in years past. But most of the remaining ballots left to be counted are from Multnomah and Washington counties, which tend to favor Democratic candidates. Overall, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in Oregon by more than 280,000.
Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs to Host Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at Oregon State Capitol Park Today 11/10
The event will feature remarks by federal, state and local dignitaries and ceremonial elements including color guard, national anthem, wreath presentation and the playing of “Taps.” Attendees should be advised that this year’s event will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10 — the day before Veterans Day.
The event will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol Park located on Court Street Northeast in downtown Salem — directly in front of the Oregon State Capitol Building.
While the celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras, there will be special recognition of Oregon’s Korean War generation. ODVA is honored to welcome Consul General Eunji Seo of the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, Wash., who will serve as one of the event’s keynote speakers.
The event is open to the public and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.
For those unable to attend, the event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet.
Health Officials Warn Of Rise In RSV, COVID, and Flu
Oregon is seeing an uptick in respiratory viruses as temperatures drop and more people head indoors. And, it’s not just COVID-19 and the flu.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, has joined the ranks of COVID and the flu this year by sending kids and the immunocompromised to the hospital.
RSV is most common in children under two, but it also targets the immunocompromised. Most cases of RSV can be handled at home, but Dr. Dawn Nolt, a pediatric respiratory disease specialist with Oregon Health and Science University, said there is a number of symptoms to look out for.
“If there’s any signs of respiratory difficulty, coughing, breathing hard, not being able to eat or not having a good urine output, that’s when we want families to take that sick child to see a provider.”
There is a vaccine for RSV that has been studied and given to pregnant people that gives some protection to babies that are born, but that’s not readily available beyond clinical trials.
There’s also talk of a Triad vaccine, something that would protect individuals against RSV, COVID and the flu. Although there are vaccines in the works right now, Dr. Nolt said it would take years of development.
For now, Dr. Nolt said individuals can protect themselves and children in the same way as they have been from COVID over the last couple years.Psilocybin-related businesses will not be allowed in more than 100 Oregon cities
“Stay up to date on your vaccines, wash your hands, avoid people who are sick and if you are sick – stay away from others,” said Dr. Nolt. “Masking is still a tool to use to prevent the transmission.
Hard to predict what next months will bring us. Despite the viruses changing, we know how to protect ourselves.”
That being said, Dr. Nolt said COVID is still out there and we need to be vigilant against any new variants that might come.
All Forest Lands Open to Free Day Use November 11th
The USDA Forest Service will recognize the service of America’s veterans by waiving standard amenity fees for all visitors to national forest and grassland day-use areas on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
“Many veterans spend time with their families and connect with nature while hiking, hunting, boating, and exploring the range of outdoor recreation opportunities national forests and grasslands have to offer,” said Tracy Calizon, regional assistant director of recreation for the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest.
Making Veterans Day a fee-free day gives everyone an opportunity to reflect on the service of the nation’s veterans while spending time on America’s public lands, she said.
The Forest Service offers fee-free access a few times each year to encourage everyone to explore educational and recreation opportunities available on national forests and grasslands.
On fee-free days, standard amenity fees normally charged for day use sites, such as picnic areas, developed trailheads, and destination visitor centers, are waived. The waiver does not apply to special recreation permits, cabin rentals, or campground reservations, nor does it include expanded amenity fees charged for certain highly-developed sites, service charges, or fees assessed by independent concessionaires operating on National Forest land.
Approximately 98 percent of national forest land can be enjoyed fee-free, year-round. Where fees are assessed, more than 80 percent of these funds are reinvested at the site where they’re collected, where they provide for necessary maintenance and services or are saved to pay for future improvements.
Fee-free public lands access, including access to National Forests and Grasslands, is available year-round to U.S. military service members and their families, veterans, and Gold Star family members.
The Interagency Military Pass is available at no cost to all active-duty military personnel and their families. This pass is honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging standard amenity or entrance fees.
Veterans may present an approved ID at any Forest Service location selling interagency annual passes to receive an an interagency military pass. Beginning Nov. 11, 2022, Veterans will receive the new Lifetime Military pass, which will not need to be renewed annually. Forms of accepted ID include a valid Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card), Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), Veterans Affairs ID Card, or a Veteran designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card. (Veterans presenting proof of disability may also be eligible for a no-cost Interagency Access Pass, which has no expiration date.)
Veterans Day: Nov. 11 — The fee waiver applies to most Forest Service day-use recreation sites in Oregon and Washington, including many picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads, and visitor centers.
Fees for camping, cabin rentals, or other permits still apply. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r6/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5350931
Fees are waived at Forest Service-managed day use sites on the following days:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 17, 2022
- President’s Day – February 21, 2022
- National Get Outdoors Day – June 11, 2022
- National Public Lands Day – September 24, 2022
- Veterans Day – November 11, 2022
Gold Star family members who meet the criteria identified in sections 3.2 and 3.3 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36 may self-certify their eligibility by printing a voucher at this link <https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm>. The voucher is valid for waiver of entrance fees or standard amenity fees when presented it in person or displayed on their vehicle dashboard when visiting sites where entrance or day-use fees are normally charged. Beginning Nov. 11, Gold Star families may choose to exchange their signed voucher for a Lifetime Military Pass at all Forest Service Locations where interagency passes are sold; paper-based vouchers will also be honored interchangeably with the new Lifetime Military Pass.
For more information about interagency passes valid on National Forests and Grasslands, visit: Passes and Permits | US Forest Service (usda.gov) <https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits>.
For information about the Northwest Forest Pass, accepted at all Forest Service -managed locations in Oregon and Washington, and about specific local passes honored at some Forest Service locations, visit Region 6 – Recreation Passes & Permits (usda.gov) <https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/passes-permits/recreation>.
