The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
State Land Board Finally Approves The Creation Of The Elliott State Research Forest
Following Tuesday’s decision by top state officials to finalize the redesignation of the Elliott State Forest in southwest Oregon into a place for scientific discovery, Oregon has what it’s calling North America’s largest research forest.
The creation of the 80,000-acre Elliott State Research Forest signals an end to a years-long debate over how to manage a state forest in southwest Oregon that was failing to generate revenue for public education.
The board approved the transition of the Elliott from a traditional state forest to a research site, decoupling the forest from the Common School Fund, which relies on revenue from the sale of timber on state forests, among other resources, to help pay for public education in Oregon.
The Elliott forest will remain in public ownership in collaboration with Oregon State University. State officials said the Elliott will continue to contribute to conservation, recreation, education, local economies and more as a publicly owned, working research forest.
The Elliott provides habitat to dwindling wildlife populations, including salmon, the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. Oregon political leaders have been struggling for decades to find a way for the forest to comply with wildlife protection requirements while continuing to meet a legal obligation that the forest generate revenue for public schools.
“The Elliott will provide a better approach for working forest management, improve conservation protections and, significantly, keep the forest in public hands,” Treasurer Tobias Read said in a statement. “We can be proud that current and future generations of Oregonians will benefit from this valuable natural resource.”
Read was joined by Gov. Kate Brown and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan in approving the final plan.
The use of natural resources to pay for education in Oregon dates back to statehood in 1859. Revenues from logging on state forests have historically gone to the Common School Fund. While state income tax and local property tax now serve as major funding sources for education, the requirement to make up for the loss in revenue from timber harvest on the Elliott is significant.
Tuesday’s vote was enabled by the Legislature’s approval of a bill that transferred $221 million into the Common School Fund to replace revenue that logging on the Elliott might otherwise have generated.
Before the plan to turn the Elliott into a research forest, the land was no longer generating enough revenue to cover the costs of managing it, and the state considered selling much of it.
Three Rivers Casino Open Call For Non-Profits Grant Applications Through December
Three Rivers Casino has made an open call for non-profits in several Oregon counties to apply for over a million dollars in grant money.
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians established the Three Rivers Foundation 11 years ago. It distributes casino profits to other groups in need.
Coordinators are encouraging non-profits in Lane, Curry, Coos, Lincoln, and Douglas Counties to apply. Some government agencies and federally recognized tribes in Oregon are also eligible.
Shelby Erickson is the foundation’s grant administrator. “We typically look at different priorities when we receive applications such as education, health, public safety, problem gambling, the arts, the environment, cultural activities, and even historic preservations.”
Erickson says that food shares and Boys & Girls Clubs have been recurring applicants. Last year’s total grant distribution was $1.4 million and she expects this year’s amount to be similar.
Grant applications are due December 31.
Oregon Winter Whale Watch Weeks
Winter Event Dates: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 – Sunday, January 1, 2023
Spring Event Dates: Will be announced soon.
For the first time since the Winter of 2019 the Oregon Whale Watch weeks are returning to live, in person events.
Volunteers will be returning to some of the most beautiful parks and locations along the Oregon Coast to document gray whales as they migrate along the coast and in turn, we will educate thousands and thousands of visitors about these amazing animals and the incredible journey the complete.
If you are a current volunteer, or someone who wants to get involved, please watch the short video below to learn how the process for this years events will work. FOR MORE INFO: https://orwhalewatch.org/
Seaside Police Seek Info on Missing Person
Seaside Police are investigating the disappearance of LaDawn Rene Bloom, 58, who was last seen Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 at approximately 5:45 pm in the Seaside area.
Bloom was driving a 2018 Silver Ford Fiesta with Arkansas plate AHK77J on the back and no front license. She had three cats in the car with her but does not have her purse, medications, cell phone or any other known communication devices. Her direction of travel is unknown.
Bloom, also known as Rene Dawn, is a 5-foot-3 female weighing approximately 108 pounds with green eyes and gray hair. She was last seen wearing a purple and pink plaid button-up with a purple undershirt.
The public is asked to call 911 immediately if she is located. Anyone with information related to the search for Bloom should contact Detective Sergeant Josh Gregory by phone at 503.738.6311 or by emailing jgregory@cityofseaside.us.
Florence Chapter of Soroptomist’s Christmas Meal Distribution
Families in the area who may not have the resources to put together a traditional Christmas dinner are being offered a basket filled with items to make that meal. Members and friends of the Florence chapter of Soroptomist will be ready to go Saturday, December 17th at Siuslaw Middle School.
“We plan to be ready to distribute at ten but we don’t start until we’re all ready to go.”
Carol Bennett says it will be a “drive through” affair with participants entering the north parking lot at the middle school from 27th street. Volunteers will be there to greet them. There are no forms to fill out, and no income restrictions.
“They don’t have to do anything to qualify. They just have to show up.”
A food box tailored to the size of the household will be put together by the time they reach the front of the line. Bennett says this time of year it’s not just about getting a food box for some.
“I’m sure there are people that show up just to have somebody say Merry Christmas to them.”
Volunteers are welcome. They need to park in the South parking lot and arrive by 9 o’clock.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.4% in November
Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in November from 4.1% in October. The unemployment rate increased 0.9 percentage point over the past four months from its recent low of 3.5% in May, June, and July. The last time Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.4% or more was in October 2021 when the rate was 4.4%. In contrast, the U.S. unemployment rate has remained below 4%, as it was 3.7% in both October and November of 2022.
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 8,500 jobs in November, following a gain of 5,500 jobs in October. The gains in November were largest in government (+2,900 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,400); wholesale trade (+1,100); and leisure and hospitality (+1,000). None of the major industries cut a substantial number of jobs in November.
All major sectors of government grew. Federal government added 900 jobs in November, with several firms adding jobs when they normally would be shedding seasonal jobs heading into the winter slow period. State government added 300 jobs, continuing its slow growth this year. Local government added 1,700 jobs, but remained 2,400 jobs below November 2019, prior to the pandemic recession.
Oregon’s private sector added 5,600 jobs in November, reaching another all-time high of 1,688,400. This was 16,700 jobs, or 1.0%, above the pre-recession peak in February 2020.
Health care and social assistance continued its steady and rapid advances this year, adding 1,400 jobs in November, which was close to its average gain of 1,200 jobs per month this year. Social assistance grew the most, adding 5,100 jobs (+7.8%) in the past 12 months. Ambulatory health care services (+4,500 jobs, or 4.8%) and nursing and residential care facilities (+2,100 jobs, or 4.3%) also have expanded rapidly since November 2021.
Leisure and hospitality is still substantially below its pre-pandemic peak. But its revised gain of 2,000 jobs in October, coupled with its gain of 1,000 in November, put the industry back on its recent upward trajectory. Over the past 12 months it added 15,700 jobs, accounting for nearly a quarter of Oregon’s private-sector job gains during that time.
Notes: All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted, except for the industries within health care and social assistance.
The Oregon Employment Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) work cooperatively to develop and publish monthly Oregon payroll employment and labor force data. The estimates of monthly job gains and losses are based on a survey of businesses. The estimates of unemployment are based on a survey of households and other sources.
The Oregon Employment Department publishes payroll employment estimates that are revised by using employment counts from employer unemployment insurance tax records. All department publications use this Official Oregon Series data unless noted otherwise. This month’s release incorporates the October, November and December 2021 tax records data. The department continues to make the original nonfarm payroll employment series available; these data are produced by the BLS.
The PDF version of the news release can be found at QualityInfo.org/press-release. To obtain the data in other formats such as in Excel, visit QualityInfo.org, select Tools, then choose LAUS or CES under the Economy header. To request the press release as a Word document, contact the person shown at the top of this press release.
To file a claim for unemployment benefits or get more information about unemployment programs, visit unemployment.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.
Monthly COVID-19 reports released
Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Monthly Data Report, released Thursday, shows an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, but a decrease in deaths.
OHA reported 15,236 new cases of COVID-19 in November, a 13% increase from the 13,427 cases recorded in October.
During November, test positivity was 7.8%, up from 7.3% in October.
This month’s COVID-19 Congregate Care Setting Outbreak Report shows there were 140 active outbreaks in care facilities, senior living communities and congregate care living settings, a 40% increase from the prior month.
Data from the reports was included today on OHA’s COVID-19 data dashboards.
Suspect Now in Custody After Fatal Hit and Run in Albany
The Albany Police Department received multiple tips from our community which led to the suspect and suspect vehicle being located today in Albany. Matthew James Dreyer, age 49, has been taken into custody. He was lodged at the Linn County Jail on criminal charges associated with the fatal hit and run that occurred in the early morning hours in the 1500 block of Geary St SE on December 10, 2022.
Investigators located the involved vehicle, a black 1997 Nissan pickup, at the time of his arrest. The investigation remains active and no further information is available at this time. The Albany Police Department would like to thank our community for providing information that led to the identification of the suspect in this incident.
Medical Examiner Says Body Of Woman Found In Portland Unidentified – Seeks Public Help
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying the body of a woman who died Nov. 28 in Portland.
The Medical Examiner describes the woman as white, between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. They say she also was about 5′4″ tall, weighing 139 pounds. She had medium to long brown hair with brown eyes.
The woman also had pierced ears, with scars on both forearms and the following tattoos:
- Right wrist: Faith Hope Love
- Left wrist: Amirah
- Right Shoulder: Black and red butterfly
Anyone with information about the woman is asked to call the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office at (503) 988-0055 and reference case number #MU-221128-812.
