The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING... ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM PST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 25 kt and very steep and hazardous seas 13 to 18 ft at 10 to 12 seconds. Winds become south Wednesday night and fresh swell seas diminish, but remain steep at 7 to 10 ft. * WHERE...All areas. * WHEN...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, until 10 PM PST this evening. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 10 PM this evening to 4 AM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...Very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
This winter storm has lasting effects for the area. Ice and wind caused many power outages and closed roads out of Florence and elsewhere along the coast.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has reopened highway 126 to Eugene. However, ODOT spokesperson David House says the while the roads are mostly cleared bad weather is still forecast and they recommend that travelers stay put for at least two more days. As it stands ODOT anticipates about 20 minute delays in certain areas along the stretch between the tunnel and Veneta with equipment still working on clearing debris.
Highway 36 from Swiss Home to Triangle Lake is still closed in both directions. Additional weather related issues include the closing of Mapleton Schools today. The threat of rain and freezing rain and road conditions have prompted the closure. ODOT is reporting that severe weather continues to be an issue through the mountainous areas today and Interstate 5 is still experiencing ice and snow. Officials say if you must travel figure in extra time to get to your destination and check road conditions by calling 511 or visiting tripcheck.com.
Sneaker Waves Along The Coast – Anyone planning to spend time along the Oregon coast should be mindful of possible sneaker waves.
King tides refer to the highest tides of the year and along the Oregon Coast these tides are typically 9 to 10 feet. There are four series of king tides, so mark your calendars. To learn more about these tides and/or to participate in some cool citizen science visit: https://www.oregonkingtides.net
Sneaker waves are waves that suddenly surge further up the beach than expected, according to the NWS. They are powerful enough to sweep people into the ocean, and can roll logs and other debris along the beach.
Severe weather has caused a Spectrum service outages again around the state. Get service updates, outage information and other helpful resources at Spectrum.net/stormcenter.
Power Outages Along Central Coast Effecting Thousands
Much of Lincoln County was hit with another series of power outages Tuesday afternoon when two large Central Lincoln Peoples Utility District transmission lines went out affecting more than 19,000 residential and business customers.
Central Lincoln found the causes of both outages – ice-laden lines thawing and touching another line – and were undertaking repairs to restore service.
The first outage occurred about 1 p.m. Tuesday, knocking out service from the South Beach area of Newport all the way south to Carl Washburne State Park south of Yachats. By 4 p.m. Central Lincoln had restored power to many customers from the Alsea Bay bridge to the Yachats River bridge and was slowing bringing others back on line.
That outage was caused by ice thawing on one line, bouncing up when the ice fell off and the line making contact with a sagging line above it, CLPUD said in a social media post. The lines in the first Tuesday outage were on Hidden Valley Road just east of Newport, said utility spokesman Mark Freeman.
The second outage occurred about 2:50 p.m. Tuesday and knocked out power to thousands of customers from Newport north through Depoe Bay to Lincoln Beach. Most of those customers had only just had power restored 24 hours earlier after being without electricity for three days.
Freeman said Central Lincoln crews located the cause of the second outage in Newport Heights, where icy lines once again made contact after thawing. Power to customers was slowly being restored at 5 p.m., he said.
The outages forced a second day of cancelled classes at Oregon Coast Community College on Wednesday.
Lincoln County School District officials made a decision early Wednesday morning to close all schools for the day Wednesday and cancel activities. The district notifies students and families through its website, Facebook page and internal messaging system.
But Central Lincoln said the issue may repeat itself as more icy lines thaw the rest of the week.
“Please be warned that this may continue to happen as ice melts and falls,” CLPUD said in a Facebook post.
Freeman said Central Lincoln has four crews made up of 3-4 linemen working the outages aided by three crews that came from utilities in Clatskanie and Moses Lake, Wash. under a mutual aid agreement. Another three mutual aid crews are arriving Wednesday. There are also three CLPUD single person crews working on smaller neighborhood issues, he said. (SOURCE)
Oregon Coast could experience gusts to as high as 50mph Wednesday.
With winter storm warnings and advisories in effect across much of the state, county officials on Oregon’s North Coast are urging people to stay home.
Clatsop County officials say the hazardous and icy conditions that arrived Saturday morning have made it difficult to apply treatments to roads and sidewalks. Local roads and portions of highways closed because of the ice Saturday morning.
“Do not drive,” an alert from the county said. “If you do so, you are putting law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and public works employees at risk.”
In Tillamook County, officials also warned residents to prepare for possible power outages due to the ice. A winter weather advisory for the area is in place through 10 p.m. Saturday.
In Clatsop County, near Cannon Beach, Pacific Power reports outages affecting 2,876 customers. Power is expected to be restored by 8:30 p.m.
Outages are also affecting 8,844 customers in Seaside. The cause is under investigation and the situation is expected to be resolved before 8:30 p.m.
Downed trees have impacted power for over 200 customers in the Svensen area. Power is expected to be restored before 7 p.m.
The Sunset Empire Transportation District has cancelled all route service for the weekend because of weather and road conditions.
U.S. 101 reopened Saturday afternoon after being closed in both directions at the junction with U.S. 26 between Seaside and Cannon Beach in Clatsop County because of hazardous road conditions. The Oregon Department of Transportation said trucks without tire chains were losing traction or jack-knifing.
Crews were worked through Saturday morning to spread sand on the road. In the meantime, the Astoria Bridge and the Youngs Bay Bridge in Astoria closed for a time because of freezing rain. Both have reopened as of 1 p.m.
Transportation officials warned, however, that severe weather could force highway closures throughout northwest Oregon this weekend.
Warming centers in Clatsop County opened Friday night, and LiFEBoat Services, a nonprofit that serves the homeless from its location at 1040 Commercial Street in Astoria, offered expanded hours during the daytime so people had a warm place to stay.
A warming center in Seaside operated by Helping Hands plans to be open through Tuesday. The shelter is located at 1530 S. Roosevelt.
The National Weather Service says people should expect cold and freezing conditions through the weekend.
On the coast, people should expect to see mainly freezing rain with the possibility of some snow. The rain is predicted to ease Sunday morning though it will remain very cold through the early part of next week.
For current information about road conditions and closures in Oregon, visit ODOT’s Trip Check page
Winter Weather Community Resources – Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
Partners throughout Lincoln County have been working tirelessly this week and weekend to meet community needs. Please see the information below for updates on sheltering, weather, and road conditions.
Continue to use caution and stay safe:
- Be aware of conditions and avoid traveling unless necessary. Many roads are impacted by weather and debris. Do not try to access roads that are closed or blocked. This puts additional strain on first responders and crews working to clear the roads.
- Check on neighbors and offer assistance as you are able.
- Sidewalks and side streets may still be slippery or inaccessible.
- Continue to monitor conditions, additional information resources are below.
Power outages are affecting many in the County:
- If you are impacted by a power outage, seek help and shelter from neighbors or friends, or stay at a hotel with power if possible.
- Some sheltering options are available, see the information below.
Shelters:
- City of Newport
- What: Temporary Winter Shelter with meals provided
- When: Open from 4pm on 1/14/24 until power is restored.
- Where: Newport Recreation Center, 225 SE Avery St, Newport.
- Who: Community members in general, older adults, limited space available for cats and dogs accompanied by community members.
- More information: Please call 541-270-1005. Some transportation is available if you are not able to get to the shelter.
- Lincoln County Winter Shelters – LINCOLN CITY site
- What: Overnight shelter for houseless community members, meal provided.
- When: Check-in from 4pm – 6:30pm.
- Where: Call 541-270-1005 to for location information.
- Who: Houseless community members.
- More information: www.co.lincoln.or.us/1109/Community-Shelter-and-Resource-Center or call 541-270-1005
- Lincoln County Winter Shelters – NEWPORT site
- What: Overnight shelter for houseless community members, meal provided.
- When: Check-in from 4pm – 7pm.
- Where: 351 SW 7th Street, Newport OR
- Who: Houseless community members.
- More information: www.co.lincoln.or.us/1109/Community-Shelter-and-Resource-Center or call 541-270-1005
Community Resources in General:
- Questions about Lincoln County Houseless Shelters or the City of Newport’s Winter Weather Temporary Shelter, call Chantelle: 541-270-2396
- Call 211 or visit 211.info.org for community resources including shelters and more.
Additional Information:
- Road closures, Trip Check: tripcheck.com or call 511
- Weather updates/alerts, National Weather Service: www.weather.gov
- Power Outages, Service Status, and Provide Updates:
- Central Lincoln Power: clpud.org
- Pacific Power: www.pacificpower.net
- Consumers Power: www.cpi.coop
- View messages sent via Lincoln Alerts: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif
- Lincoln County Emergency Management Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lcemergencymanagement
- Continue to monitor City/Tribal information sources for resources and updates.
The City of Newport declared an emergency Saturday due to the impactful winter storm causing a series of issues.
Injuries have been reported, including one person taken to the hospital when a tree fell on a homeless camp. Additionally, multiple injuries have been reported due to downed trees across the city.
Oregon Power Outage MAP: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/oregon
Be alert for landslides across southern and western Oregon
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of south-central Oregon, including the south-central Oregon coast. The watch is in effect from Saturday evening to late Monday evening.
Abundant moisture will arrive with the next storm system coming in Friday night through Saturday night. Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires.
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 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
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Drawing to Promote Tourism
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is consistently working on building the tourism traffic to Florence. The latest is a drawing for a two-night stay at the Driftwood Shores Conference Center and Resort.
The drawing is open to the public. Chamber President and CEO Betting Hannigan says the drawing comes with the two-night stay and a $50 certificate to the resort Market and Dine-in Deli.
You can register by using the qr code the link posted below. https://bit.ly/2NightsinFlorence
Plover Habitat Expanding
The snowy plover habitat is getting a makeover according to the US Forest Service. The area along the Siltcoos river to the Oregon Dunes recreational area will open up about 50 acres of habitat for the birds.
Crews are removing non-native vegetation to accommodate more breeding and nesting space according to Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Wildlife Biologist Cindy Burns.
She says over the last 25 years they have established small pockets of habitat but the birds have outgrown them. While there is the presence of heavy equipment in the area the recreation areas remain open to the public.
OSP Fish and Wildlife asking for public assistance – Lincoln County
OSP Fish and Wildlife Seeking Public Assistance in Waste of Bull Elk
Bull elk left to waste in Lincoln County
LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. 10 Jan. 2024 – Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the take and waste of a bull elk in Lincoln County.
On Jan. 8, 2024, Fish and Wildlife troopers from the Newport office responded to a report of a bull elk shot and killed in a clearing near milepost 4 on Harlan Road. The carcass was located approximately 100 yards from a Weyerhauser gate above Harlan Road. The bull elk is believed to have been shot the night before. The bull elk had two hindquarters removed from the carcass and the majority of the meat was left to waste.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP008527.
Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.
The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.
Preference Point Rewards
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar
The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.
Cash Rewards
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat destruction
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.
How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx
# # #About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
Areas Out Of Water Due To Water Break In City Of Reedsport
The City of Reedsport Water Department is responding to a water break in the 664 Elm area, according to city officials. The city says residents from S. 6th Street to the Railroad Track east of Winchester Ave will be out of water for the time being.
Officials are asking residents to be cautious of workers in the area and to use alternative routes if possible. Residents with questions or concerns are asked to call 541-271-3603 and ask for Kim Clardy.
Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy – Waldport
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is excited to start the year off by having our first quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event of 2024 in Waldport. Join us on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 8am – 10am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Café Chill (located at 540 NE Commercial St, Waldport, OR 97394).
More about these quarterly 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.
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.
Oregon Department Of Forestry Recreation Team Seeking Camp Hosts
The Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Team is looking for camp hosts to support operations at 8 campgrounds in the Tillamook, Clatsop, and Santiam State Forests for the 2024 season.
Campgrounds operates from May through October with flexible scheduling opportunities to include both full-season and short-season commitments.
Camp hosts are provided with:
*electricity
*water
*firewood
*septic
*ODF uniforms and supplies
Hosts help with light facility maintenance, visitor information services, and provide a point of contact for visitors in case of an emergency. Camp hosts enjoy direct access to trails and other recreation areas, get to meet people from all over the world, and can spend time exploring the vast experiences and views state forests have to offer.
To learn more, visit the ODF volunteer page: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/pages/volunteer.aspx
Florence Café 60 Senior Meals Program Reopens for Dine-In Meals
Lane Council of Government’s Senior Meals Program is reopening its Café 60 location in Florence after being closed for the past three years.
LCOG officials said that during the closure, LCOG’s Senior and Disability Services division offered grab-and-go meals but the reopening of Café 60 will provide a dine-in location for seniors who might otherwise go hungry. The Florence location will reopen on December 4 and operate three days a week at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Florence Senior Center located at 1570 Kingwood Street, LCOG officials said.
Organizers said that interested seniors should make reservations at least a week in advance by calling ahead at 541-997-5673 or filling out a reservation menu at the Café 60 location. The program is open at no cost to seniors 60 years of age or over and those not 60 years or older are welcome to join by paying the meal cost of $8, program organizers said. Donations are welcomed to support the program’s continued operation in the community, LCOG officials said.
Volunteers are also sought to help with the program and those who would like to participate may call 541-682-1366. More program information is also available here: https://www.lcog.org/sdslane/page/florence-caf%C3%A9-60-reopens-dine-meals
Governor Kotek Orders More Resources To Help With Winter Storm Aftermath
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Tuesday evening ordered more resources to help in the aftermath of two back-to-back winter storms that have had devastating effects on the western side of the state this week.
Kotek announced that she has directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), and the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resiliency and Emergency Management (ODHS-OREM) to employ additional resources.
“Over the last few days, state employees and countless local responders have worked around the clock and volunteered their time to support their fellow Oregonians in need as frigid temperatures and winter storm conditions left thousands without power and at risk for medical emergencies,” Governor Kotek said. “I want to thank everyone across the state who continue to help those in need. In times of crisis, I’m always inspired by how Oregonians step up to take care of one another.”
A winter storm over the weekend accompanied by subfreezing temperatures and high winds resulted in hundreds of trees falling across the Portland metro with over 160,000 people left in the dark without power or heat.
“As severe winter weather conditions and the potential for long-term power outages continue, my office and state agencies will continue to support local jurisdictions and provide updates and resources to keep individuals and families safe. If you don’t feel safe at home or need to know where your nearest warming center is, please call 211. They will help get you the information you need to reach a safe place to stay warm,” wrote Kotek.
Governor Kotek has also directed the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division to deploy SERV-OR volunteers to provide medical care in warming shelters across the state. SERV-OR is OHA’s statewide roster of licensed physicians, nurses, pharmacists, emergency medical technicians, and others who have registered to volunteer in response to public health emergencies. SERV-OR volunteers help to take pressure off the health care delivery system. It is estimated nearly 200 medical professionals have expressed interest in volunteering at warming shelters around the state during the winter storm.
Kotek’s office said, over the past weekend, ODHS-OREM coordinated a hotline that connected state employees with nearby warming shelters in need of support. So far, more than 170 state employees have volunteered to serve Oregonians in shelters across the state, and 112 have been assigned to open shelters across 19 counties.
Anyone who wants to volunteer at a local warming shelter can use this link to sign up. Additionally, ODHS-OREM activated 211info to begin 24/7 operations to support warming center efforts statewide. (SOURCE)
Ice and Snow and Freezing Temperatures — ODOT traffic alert. Road conditions remain challenging statewide
The Pacific Northwest is expected to see freezing temperatures and maybe even lowland snow this week as part of the polar vortex blasts southward from the Arctic. ODOT is alerting travelers during the extended holiday weekend for Martin Luther King Say that road conditions remain challenging statewide as freezing temperatures span across much of the northern part of Oregon.
Here is the full announcement from ODOT:
In the Portland Metro area, ice and strong winds are toppling trees and bringing down powerlines. Widespread power outages mean that many electronic road signs and traffic lights may be out. Treat traffic signals that aren’t working like a four-way stop. Never drive over downed power lines.
The Willamette Valley and central Coast areas are experiencing icy roads and freezing temperatures. Expect long highway closures as crews work to remove hundreds of downed trees, and repair powerlines and network cables.
Temperatures across these areas are not forecast to be above freezing for the next few days. There is a strong possibility we could see more freezing rain on Tuesday.
Warming temperatures in southwest Oregon could lead to flooding. Watch for high water and debris on the roadway, especially on valley and coastal routes. Delays and closures are likely on mountain highways as crews work to remove snow and downed trees.
The safest place to be during winter road conditions is at home. Our crews want to give a heartfelt thank you to every person who decided not to travel this weekend. Staying off the roads gives our crews and emergency responders the space to get where they need to go.
Road and weather conditions can change quickly and make travel difficult or impossible. For the latest state highway information and to see current closures, visit Tripcheck.com. For the latest weather, visit the National Weather Service website.
If you must travel, be prepared – Safety is our priority – for travelers and our road crews. If you decide to travel, plan extra time for your journey and carry emergency supplies. Delays and closures are happening statewide. Expect to encounter chain restrictions.
Give snowplows and emergency crews extra space to do their work, and never pass a snowplow on the right. Our crews are working hard to clear roads, but their job becomes more difficult when disabled cars and trucks block traffic.
For more winter weather driving tips, see our winter travel news packet.
To see images from this winter event from across Oregon, see our January 2024 Flickr album.
Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Oregon https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Oregon Secretary Of State Releases Primary Candidate Names Though Subject To Change
Oregon’s secretary of state released an initial list of candidates who will appear on the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries — including former President Donald Trump, whose ballot status is before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tuesday’s announcement comes a day after Trump swept the Iowa caucuses, the first such vote this year. Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade said it’s standard policy to release candidate names at this point in the election process. Oregon’s primary is May 21.
“The 2024 primary election is just four months away,” Griffin-Valade said. Registration
Oregonians who’ve moved, changed their names or want to check their registration status can go to Oregonvotes.gov. The state’s motor voter law automatically registers residents through the Department of Motor Vehicles. But they have to designate affiliation with a party to vote in the primaries. Voters have to register by April 30 either electronically, through a postmark or in person. The primary is May 21.
She said the preliminary Democratic candidates are President Joe Biden, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and self-help author and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson.
The Republican candidates are Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Following Monday’s vote in Iowa, Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of the race, as did former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also dropped out last week. New Hampshire will hold its primary next Tuesday
Groups trying to oust Trump from ballots across the country asked the Oregon secretary of state last year to take him off the Oregon primary ballot under the 14th Amendment. It bars anyone from holding office who “engaged in insurrection” after previously swearing to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Griffin-Valade said in November she lacked the authority to do that, based on advice from the Oregon Department of Justice. In December, a group of Oregon voters asked the Oregon Supreme Court to remove Trump, but the court has deferred to the U.S. Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on Feb. 8 in an appeal of a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court to remove Trump from the ballot.
Griffin-Valade indicated in her release that the candidates on the ballot could change. She said she will issue a final list after Oregon’s filing deadline has passed on March 12.
“Names will be removed from the list if a candidate suspends their campaign or otherwise publicly announces that they are no longer running for president in the 2024 election,” Griffin-Valade said.
She has the sole authority to decide who’s on the ballot based on whether candidates are legitimate and covered by the media.
“To decide if candidates meet the statutory criteria, the secretary is relying on national polls and including all candidates who have the support of a minimum of 1% of party voters,” Griffin-Valade said.
Candidates can also access the ballot through a nominating petition, which requires the support of 6,000 valid signatures from active members of a candidate’s party. They have to be submitted by Feb. 27. (SOURCE)
Registration
Oregonians who’ve moved, changed their names or want to check their registration status can go to Oregonvotes.gov. The state’s motor voter law automatically registers residents through the Department of Motor Vehicles. But they have to designate affiliation with a party to vote in the primaries. Voters have to register by April 30 either electronically, through a postmark or in person. The primary is May 21.
State, IRS to start processing tax returns January 29th
The Oregon Department of Revenue will begin processing e-filed 2023 state income tax returns on January 29, 2024, the same day the IRS will begin processing federal returns. Paper filed returns will be processed starting in mid-February.
E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 15. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099.
E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
The department reminds taxpayers that taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing their 2023 tax return easier in 2024.
Oregon Free File opens today
Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of Oregon’s free file options. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Free fillable forms are available for all income levels. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.
Free and low-cost tax help
Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.
Use Revenue Online to verify payments
Taxpayers can verify their estimated payments through their Revenue Online account.
Through Revenue Online, individuals can also view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Revenue Online on the Revenue website to learn more.
To check the status of your refund after February 15, or make payments, visit Revenue’s website . You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls. (SOURCE)
Timber Industry Tied To Proposal Shifting Wildfire Protection Costs From Landowners To Public
Timber companies appear to have played an influential role in a new legislative proposal to find sustainable funding for fighting wildfires. If passed, it could save the industry millions of dollars in fees they now pay to the state for fire protection and shift more of the cost to all Oregon property owners.
Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, will present the proposal on Wednesday morning to the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee for consideration during the session. It would impose a $10 fee on all property holders in Oregon to pay for fighting wildfires, raising an estimated $20 million a year, about 15% of the projected total cost for wildfire protection in 2024. The proposal would reduce the per-acre fees that private and public forest and range landowners now pay to the Oregon Department of Forestry for protection.
Fighting wildfires has grown significantly more expensive in the last few years, and the state’s general fund has absorbed much of the excess cost, along with landowners who’ve seen their fees to the forestry department rise. State leaders such as Steiner, who is now running for treasurer, are trying to find new sources of wildfire money to relieve pressure on private landowners – primarily east Oregon ranchers without billions in timber holdings – and the general fund, which pays for other major state investments in mental health, addiction and housing. A proposal by another lawmaker, Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, would tax timber harvests.
Critics of Steiner’s proposal say it shifts the costs of protecting billions of dollars in private timber assets away from the companies that own much of the land at risk to average Oregonians. They’re also concerned about the membership of a secretive workgroup Steiner convened to help develop the proposal and a lack of transparency around who was allowed to participate in discussions and planning.
Three of the 11 members of the workgroup – whose names Steiner’s office provided after multiple requests from the Capital Chronicle – are employed by industrial timber companies, including one of the world’s largest, Weyerhaeuser. A fourth participant works for the state’s largest timber industry association: the Oregon Forest Industries Council.
A document outlining the proposal from Steiner’s office indicated it was written by a Weyerhaeuser lobbyist: Her name was shown as the author in the file’s metadata, which includes basic information about the history of a document. That lobbyist, Betsy Earls, told the Capital Chronicle she only edited it. She said she copied a document written by Gov. Tina Kotek’s wildfire advisor, Doug Grafe, and edited parts to make it understandable to an audience without a forestry background. Steiner also said Grafe was the key author.
State Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, will also be proposing wildfire funding legislation to take some financial pressure off of east Oregon ranchers and the state’s general fund. But instead of turning to the public to make up the difference, Golden wants industrial timber companies to pick up a larger share of the costs.
He’ll propose that lawmakers approve a ballot measure to go to Oregon voters. If passed, it would impose a tax on the value of timber harvested on private land, much like the former timber severance tax that was removed in the early 1990s. The tax would be higher depending on the acreage that each company holds, so a small timber operation wouldn’t pay the same rate as a company like Weyerhaeuser.
Golden previously told the Capital Chronicle that imposing a timber value tax could bring the forestry department and local fire districts tens of millions of dollars annually for wildfire prevention, response and responding to threats from climate change.
“There is a segment of the timber industry that’s more than able to shoulder more of the load, and when we think about the protection that they get from ODF, they should be picking up more of the baggage here,” Golden said. READ MORE: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/01/10/timber-industry-tied-to-proposal-shifting-wildfire-protection-costs-from-landowners-to-public/
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.
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