Oregon Beach News, Tuesday 11/22 – Two Adults Suffer Traumatic Injuries in Fall From Depoe Bay Seawall, Governor Brown Pardons 47,144 People For Marijuana Convictions

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

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 

Oregon Beach Weather

BEACH HAZARD STATEMENT ISSUED: 4:21 AM NOV. 22, 2022 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR BEACHES...

* WHAT...Sneaker waves possible.

* WHERE...In Oregon, North Oregon Coast and Central Oregon Coast counties. In Washington, South Washington Coast county.

* WHEN...From Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.

* IMPACTS...Waves can run up significantly farther on a beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties. Sneaker waves can suddenly knock people off of their feet and quickly pull them into the frigid ocean which may lead to serious injury or drowning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Beach Hazards Statement is issued when sneaker waves create potentially life-threatening conditions in the surf zone. Caution should be used when in or near the water.  Always keep an eye on the waves, and be especially watchful of children.

Two Adults Suffer Traumatic Injuries in Fall From Depoe Bay Seawall

Two adults are recovering after suffering traumatic injuries from a fall over the edge of the Depoe Bay Seawall.

According to Depoe Bay Fire, the two adults fell over the edge, about 15 feet off the sea wall on Saturday, Nov. 19. Both victims landed in the dirt and rocks below.

Upon evaluation by a Depoe Bay Fire paramedic, both victims were found to have traumatic injuries including possible fractures to their lower extremities, according to Depoe Fire Chief Bryan Daniels.

Both victims were packaged in rescue stokes baskets and carried by fire district personnel up to the highway to awaiting ambulances.

“Crews made quick work of this incident, with immediate calls for assistance from Newport Fire Department and several law enforcement agencies,” Daniels said in a Depoe Bay Facebook post. “The rescue of the two victims took less than 30 minutes and both were transported to local hospitals.”

Daniles said a crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay responded but was not needed as both victims were on dry land.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon, Willamette Valley Communications Center 911, Newport Fire Department, Depoe Bay Professional Fire Fighters, Pacific West Ambulance, Oregon State Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted in the rescue effort.

The victim’s minor child was unharmed during the incident, and in very good spirits, Daniels said. The child was taken by law enforcement to be reunited with his parents.”

“Thankfully, it’s not raining, it was low tide, and we had calm seas,” Daniels said. “This could have been very different folks.”

First responders urge Oregon Coast visitors to pay attention to posted safety signs to avoid injury and even death. Each year, there are reports of people venturing over ocean cliffs and falling to the surf below.

5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Off Coos Bay Coast – 4 in 4 Days in Same General Area

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An earthquake recorded at 5.2 magnitude shook off the Oregon coast early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Then another 2.9 west of Bandon just a few hours later.

The tremor was reported about 157 miles west of Coos Bay at 7:42 a.m. It was measured at a depth of 10 kilometers.

There was no tsunami danger, the National Weather Service Portland said.

Superintendent Of The Tillamook School District Resigns After Outside Investigation

Curt Shelley resigned as superintendent of the Tillamook School District, effective Monday, November 14; he will receive his salary through October 31, 2023.

The school board unanimously accepted Shelley’s resignation at its regular meeting on November 14, reading a brief statement before voting to accept the resignation just before adjourning the meeting.

“Superintendent Shelley and the Board have agreed that now is the time to make a change at the helm,” the board said in the statement. “Therefore, effective today, November 14, 2022, Curt will no longer serve as our Superintendent.”

Board members refused to comment further on the matter and directed questions to district staff.

The separation agreement released to the Herald revealed that Shelley will be paid his full salary of $158,656, and will receive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage through the district until October 31, 2023.

The agreement also contains a clause that neither Shelley nor the board “shall release any information from the investigation including the investigation report by Ussery Consultants, Inc.,” as well as a non-disparagement clause.

The board did not name an interim superintendent when accepting Shelley’s resignation, saying, “soon the Board will commence a search for a new superintendent.”

It was not clear who had taken control of day-to-day operations following Shelley’s departure and he was still listed as superintendent on the district’s website as of Sunday, November 20.

On Saturday, November 19, the board announced a special meeting to be held Monday, November 21, with the first agenda item being the appointment of Bruce Rhodes to serve as interim superintendent.

Governor Brown Pardons 47,144 People For Marijuana Convictions

The Governor’s Office announced Monday that over 45,000 people previously convicted of marijuana possession in Oregon will be pardoned and $14 million in fines forgiven.

Governor Brown is pardoning the 47,144 convictions for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana going back several decades. Criminal convictions, even for possessing small amounts of marijuana that would be legal now, can be barriers to employment, housing and education.

“No one deserves to be forever saddled with the impacts of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana — a crime that is no longer on the books in Oregon,” Brown said in a statement Monday. “Oregonians should never face housing insecurity, employment barriers, and educational obstacles as a result of doing something that is now completely legal, and has been for years. My pardon will remove these hardships.”

She noted that while all Oregonians use marijuana at similar rates, Black and Latino people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted of marijuana possession at disproportionate rates.

Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union applauded Brown’s action on Monday, saying her move followed an important step by President Joe Biden last month to pardon thousands of people nationwide of federal convictions for marijuana possession.

Officials with the ACLU of Oregon said Brown is the first governor take this action on pardoning.

Sandy Chung, executive director of ACLU of Oregon, said they were grateful for Brown’s use of clemency to address the state’s outdated and racially-biased practices, including policies from the failed “War on Drugs.”

“The path to justice is through our values of equity, care and humanity — not vengeance or criminalization,” Chung said.

According to the Governor’s Office, the pardon applies to electronically available Oregon convictions for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana in pre-2016 cases in which the person was 21 years of age or older, where this was the only charge, and where there were no victims.

This pardon does not apply to any other offense related to marijuana or other controlled substances.

Following Brown’s pardon, the Oregon Judicial Department will ensure that all court records associated with the pardoned offenses are sealed. About $14 million in unpaid court fines and fees associated with the pardoned convictions will be forgiven.

The pardoned marijuana convictions will no longer show up on background checks of public court records, but the conviction may show up on background checks conducted by law enforcement officials or licensing authorities as a pardoned conviction.

Brown said the pardons were a step toward creating a more equitable future for many Oregonians.

“We are a state, and a nation, of second chances,” she said. “Today, I am taking steps to right the wrongs of a flawed, inequitable, and outdated criminal justice system in Oregon when it comes to personal marijuana possession. For the estimated 45,000 individuals who are receiving a pardon for prior state convictions of marijuana possession, this action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions.”

Jessica Maravilla, policy director of ACLU of Oregon, said by eliminating $14 million in fines and fees, Brown is breaking down a massive barrier many have to housing, schooling, and jobs.

“For low-income communities and people of color, they can result in continued entanglement in the criminal legal system,” she said. “The Governor’s forgiveness of $14,000,000 in fines and fees is a significant step in addressing unjust systemic burdens created by prior convictions — especially, in this case, for a crime that no longer exists.”

President Joe Biden announced Thursday he would pardon people federally convicted of simple possession of marijuana, a measure seen as a strong statement on how such offenses should be handled.

The president’s historic gesture could affect more than 6,500 people but does not affect those convicted at the state level, where most such convictions occur. Biden is hoping states will follow suit.

The notion of legalizing marijuana at the federal level has been gaining steam in recent years, and many states have already approved the substance for medicinal purposes, with a handful giving the OK to recreational use.

Before he was elected, Biden had called for marijuana decriminalization on the campaign trail and in April pardoned nine federal offenders.

This Statement from the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association is the latest information we have regarding M114 at this time. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

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Paid Leave – New Statewide Campaign

Paid Leave Oregon has launched a statewide campaign aimed at notifying Oregon employers about their role and responsibilities in the new program, which begins in just six weeks, on Jan. 1.

To make sure employers are ready to participate in the program, the statewide campaign includes social and digital advertising featuring Oregon employers. High-resolution photos for media from the campaign are available at this link.

Paid Leave Oregon also has a new online employer toolkit, a one-stop place for employers to find all the resources they need to prepare. The toolkit includes the required notice poster, an employer guidebook, a new video, and sample social posts that employers and partners can use to share information with their employees and networks, and much more.

Resources for employers are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese.

“Paid Leave Oregon is here to support employers so they can help their employees prepare for this new program,” Paid Leave Oregon Director Karen Madden Humelbaugh said. “We are excited to share all of these new resources with employers, who we know are still learning about the program and how it will help Oregonians.”

Paid Leave Oregon allows employees to take paid time off for some of life’s most important moments. It covers leave for the birth or adoption of a child, for serious illness or injury, for taking care of a seriously ill family member, and for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or harassment.

The new campaign targets employers, because all employers, regardless of size, will collect contributions from employees starting Jan. 1.

Both employers and employees fund Paid Leave Oregon with a total contribution rate of 1 percent of gross payroll. Employees will pay 60 percent, and large employers will pay 40 percent, of the 1 percent contribution rate. For example, if an employee makes $5,000, the employee will pay $30, and the employer will pay $20.

However, only employers with 25 or more employees also will contribute to the program. Small employers with fewer than 25 employees are not required to make contributions, but they can choose to participate in coverage as a benefit to their employees.

“Paid Leave Oregon will make it easy for business owners like us to support employees, and that helps keep trained folks on our team,” said Kathryn Weeks of Peoria Gardens in Linn County.

Peoria Gardens is one of the local Oregon employers featured in the Paid Leave campaign.

“Without this program we could not afford such comprehensive coverage, and we know that our workers are also contributing,” Weeks said. “The state will confirm a worker qualifies, and of course pay for the leave itself out of the fund. This is a real service, both for us and for our employees.”

Paid Leave Oregon will administer the program, including paying employees while they are on leave and determining their eligibility for benefits. Benefits will be available to employees in September 2023. Another statewide campaign focusing on employee outreach begins in 2023. MORE INFO: https://paidleave.oregon.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Increased emergency SNAP benefits continue in December

Need to know

  • Most Oregonians who receive SNAP benefits will continue to receive temporarily increased emergency food benefits in December
  • Approximately 426,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $70 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits
  • These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency
  • Find resources to meet your basic needs: Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
  • Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in December.

The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.

Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for December, Oregon will also be able to issue them in January 2023. However, the emergency benefits are expected to end when the federal public health emergency ends.

In December, approximately 426,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $70 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.

“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Jana McLellan, interim director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs. “The holiday season can also bring additional stress and worry for many Oregonians who are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time.”

Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on Dec. 13. Emergency allotments will be issued Dec. 30 or Jan. 4, 2023 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.

SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards. 

More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/Emergency-Allotments.aspx.

Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075.

If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-to-date information. 

You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways: 

  • Online at: ONE.Oregon.gov
  • By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
  • By fax at: 503-378-5628
  • By phone at: 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711

Resources to help meet basic needs

Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/benefits/Pages/index.aspx . For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.

Free parking at Oregon State Parks the day after Thanksgiving — Free Fishing Days after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25-26

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department invites Oregonians to head outside the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25.

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park
North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

Popularly known as “Green Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition in recent years. Oregon state parks will once again waive day-use parking fees in the 24 parks that are open and charge for parking on that day.

“We’re proud to promote this tradition and offer Oregonians an alternative to the busiest shopping day of the year,” said Lisa Sumption, director of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Parking is free year-round at almost all state parks; the waiver applies to the parks that charge $5 daily for parking. Fee parks include popular destinations such as Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Silver Falls, Champoeg, L.L. Stub Stewart, Smith Rock and Milo McIver. A complete list of parks that require day-use parking permits is available online at stateparks.oregon.gov (Fall Creek is listed, but closed for the season).

The fee waiver applies from open to close on Nov. 25, except at Shore Acres State Park, where it expires at 4 p.m. for the Holiday Lights event that runs Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. 

Use #OptOutside and #OregonStateParks on social media to share your adventures.  Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. 

Free Fishing Days after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25-26

#OptOutside the two days after Thanksgiving and make fishing part of your plans with friends and family. Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, 2022.

No fishing/shellfish licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required those two days. Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for rules and remember to check for any in season regulation changes at the Recreation Report especially for salmon and steelhead fishing. Click on the zone where you want to fish and then click the “Regulation Updates” tab to see the in-season changes.

The Recreation Report is updated weekly and features the best bests for fishing for the upcoming week. Depending on water levels and conditions, fishing could be good for Chinook or coho salmon.

For beginners, Easy Angling Oregon is a great guide to getting started fishing in Oregon, https://myodfw.com/EAO And if you live near Portland Bend Medford Roseburg or in Lane County , there are lots of nearby options.

Prefer to crab or clam instead? MyODFW has all the information you need to get started clamming or crabbing . Remember to check ocean conditions and take safety precautions: always clam with a friend and never turn your back on the ocean.

Currently, crabbing is open in bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties along the entire Oregon coast. Crabbing is closed in the ocean due to the annual closure from Oct. 16-Nov. 30 each year.

Remember to call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check their Shellfish page before you go clamming or crabbing. The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat. Currently, razor clamming is closed along the entire coast but this closure may change by Thanksgiving weekend.

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