The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Oregon Beach Weather
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:02 AM JAN. 24, 2024 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING... ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 AM PST FRIDAY... * WHAT...For the Gale Warning, south winds 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 9 to 15 ft at 7 to 9 seconds expected. For the Small Craft Advisory, south winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 9 to 11 ft at 13 seconds expected late this morning through this evening, increasing to 12 to 17 feet at 15 seconds tonight and Thursday. * WHERE...All areas from Florence to Point Saint George will be affected. Strongest winds and highest seas expected from Cape Blanco northward. * WHEN...For the Gale Warning, until 10 AM PST this morning. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 10 AM this morning to 4 AM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds and very steep seas could capsize or damage vessels. Low visibility conditions are expected. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
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.
Coos Bay Man Arrested On Assault and Weapons Charge After Shooting a Man and a Dog
A Coos Bay man has been arrested after a fight and shooting in the Empire area of Coos Bay.On January 22, 2024, at 8:38 p.m., the North Coos 9-1-1 Center began receiving calls about a dispute and dog bite in the 800 block of Michigan Ave. Callers reported hearing gunshots, sounds of a fight, and information that a dog may have been shot.Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) officers responded to the area.
Officers found two males with two dogs, including one male and one dog with gunshot wounds. The male gunshot victim was transported to Bay Area Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the dog was removed from the area to seek veterinary care.
During the investigation, the officers learned there was a dispute between the two males and 57- year-old Robert Pierce of Coos Bay at the intersection of Michigan Ave and South Main St. During the dispute Mr. Pierce reportedly fired rounds from his gun at a dog that was attacking him, hitting one male and the dog.
Mr. Pierce was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail on charges of Assault 4, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Harassment. This investigation is still ongoing. The CBPD was assisted by the Oregon State Police (OSP), the North Bend Police Department (NBPD), the Coos Bay Fire Department (CBFD), and Bay Cities Ambulance (BCA).
Quake Off Coast Just South of Crescent City Felt on Oregon Coast
A sizable quake was detected off the northern California coast Monday evening, January 22nd, with the quake registering 4.3 on the Richter scale.
The 4.3 magnitude temblor hit Monday evening at just before 9:30pm about 30 miles southwest of Crescent City, at a depth of 21 miles, reportedly felt as far away as Brookings and Hiouchi to the north of Crescent City, and as far as Rio Dell to the south of Eureka.
A tsunami was not generated and no tsunami warnings were issued.
The City of Reedsport is Seeking a City Attorney
A City release said they are inviting proposals for contracted attorney service. For a list of duties and services required, go to the city’s website: www.cityofreedsport.org. Proposals are due to the city recorder’s office by 4:00 p.m. this Friday. Call 541-271-3603 for more information.
Seaside Reports Sewer Overflow Event
Due to precipitation, tidal influences and snow melt in the region, the City of Seaside wastewater treatment system began overflowing into Neawanna Creek on Monday, Jan. 22.
The City is asking residents to avoid direct contact with waterways as raw sewage may be hazardous to health. Regular monitoring of bacteria levels has begun and will continue until levels return to baseline. The spill has been reported to the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) and local media have been notified.
Where is the overflow located?
The sanitary sewer system is overflowing from a manhole on N. Wahanna Rd near Shore Terrace. This overflow eventually enters Neawanna Creek.
How much is overflowing?
An estimated 50 gallons per minute is overflowing. This may be revised as the event is ongoing.
How did this overflow happen?
Heavy rainfall, high tides, and snow/ice melt from recent storms has overwhelmed the sewer at the N. Wahanna Rd location.
When will the overflow stop?
The sewage system will catch up when the rain and runoff stops or slows for long enough. City staff will test the river and report results to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), who will ultimately issue an all clear.
How is an overflow remedied?
The flushing action of rushing water in the river will clean up the overflow. Testing will monitor the return to baseline.
Additional information will be provided in an updated release after the overflow has ceased. (SOURCE)
Severe weather has caused Spectrum service outages again around the state. Get service updates, outage information and other helpful resources at Spectrum.net/stormcenter.
Oregon Power Outage MAP: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/oregon
Forest Service Creating 50 Acres Of Plover Habitat South Of Florence
The western snowy plover, a small shorebird on the government’s list of threatened species, is regaining 50 acres of open sand habitat eight miles south of Florence.
The Siuslaw National Forest has started work on its largest plover habitat restoration project by using heavy equipment to remove vegetation along the beach between the Siltcoos River and the Oregon Dunes day use area.
The $240,000 three-year project will create 50 acres of open sand habitat.
The forest service said plovers have little to no nesting area within the area due to thick non-native vegetation. Once completed, the restoration is expected to benefit a variety of other native plant and wildlife species, in addition to the threatened western snowy plover, it said.
“For the first time in 60 years plovers will have continuous breeding habitat in the Siltcoos River area,” said Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area wildlife biologist Cindy Burns. “Over the last 25 years we’ve restored small pockets of habitat, which helped revive the plover population. Presently, the plovers have outgrown these microhabitats and it’s time to give them more room to thrive. We’ve already seen the plovers running around the construction site; they are ready to move in.”
Over time, invasive European beachgrass altered the formation of the sand dunes along the Oregon coast, changing the landscape and reducing its usefulness for species like the plover, the forest service said. After its introduction, the invasive grass stabilized shifting sand, facilitating the development of thick pockets of vegetation and steep, cliffy foredunes. But this change also reduced the area’s suitability for the western snowy plover, which rely on large expanses of dry sand near the tideline to nest, feed, and protect their young.
The first phase of the restoration will create about 25 acres of open sand habitat and is expected to be completed in February before nesting season begins mid-March. After plover nesting season ends mid-September, the project will continue through winter 2025.
Recreation areas near the project such as the Oregon Dunes day use area and the surrounding trailheads, will remain open to the public.
Plover recovery —- About 12 percent of Oregon beaches are closed for plovers, with the bulk of those in Lane, Douglas and Coos counties. Specific management plans are in place in those three counties to try to ensure that a total statewide plover population that dropped to only about 50 birds in the 1990s is protected going forward.
There are no closed beaches in Lincoln County.
Jodie Delavan, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson, told YachatsNews last summer that efforts to survey and assess the birds over a long period is helping wildlife stewards with the overall goal of restoring plovers to traditional areas they have long been pushed out of.
“Long-term monitoring of plovers in Oregon shows our population is doing well and expanding to reclaim its former nesting range,” Delavan said. “The fact that our population remains well and above recovery goals really speaks to the amazing partnerships we have here.”
The numbers of nests and chicks all along the coast were also up in 2023, Cheryl Strong, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist in Newport, told YachatsNews last summer.
In the traditional nesting area for plovers, which extends from Florence to Bandon, a total of 546 nests have been found and monitored by plover biologists, Strong said. While information on fledglings from these sites hasn’t yet been tallied, the overall nest success appears to be “low-to-average” at about 22 percent.
Overall, Strong said, “The population remains well above our recovery goal of 200 plovers in Oregon.” (SOURCE)
ODOT is now reporting that Highway 101 south of Florence has reopened.
Use Tripcheck.com for the latest highway and road updates.
————————————————– The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) tells us that all lanes of Highway 101, just south of Florence are closed.
In the early hours of January 22, 2024 a crash occurred on US-101, 2 miles north of Dunes City. ODOT is advising motorists to use and alternate route.
Seaside Police Issue Merchant Alert For Counterfeit Bills
Local banking institutions have contacted the Seaside Police Department this week, reporting an influx of fraudulent $100 bills being received by local businesses throughout the county.
While the bills appear authentic and pass a pen test, they will not pass through electronic validation devices, magnetic ink, or UV backlight tests.
How to tell these bills are fraudulent:
All have a backplate number of “82.” This is located on the bottom right-hand corner of the back of the bill.
Serial numbers will vary, but all start with “BB.”
The “security strip” on the bill is not a strip but is lightly printed on the back of the bill, so it looks legitimate when holding it up to the light.
All the fraudulent bills received are last generation 100s, dated 2006A. The paper on most of the bills is lighter colored than usual, likely due to them being washed.
The portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin is lightly printed on the back of the bill (pictured below within blue circle). You should not be able to see these features without light passing through.
Included below is an additional version of the fraudulent bills received.
If you have any information about the identity of a suspect(s) presenting fraudulent currency, contact your local law enforcement agency to make a report. Try to retain any security footage related to the incident. (SOURCE)
Central Lincoln PUD Says They Are Down To Fewer Than 100 Without Power As The Rest Of Lincoln County Works to Recover
Much of Lincoln County headed toward normal Thursday as Central Lincoln Public Utility District crews finished restoring power to all but 76 customers, school resumed, lines disappeared at gas stations and all the highways to the Willamette Valley cleared of ice and debris.
The ice storm took most people by surprise Saturday afternoon when rain from the west hit frigid winds blowing in from the east. That coated trees with ice, which then fell, took out power lines and isolated the county.
As a result, many of the county’s 50,000 residents were on their own – turning to family, friends, neighbors, some community organizations and emergency service agencies for help.
“We knew weather was coming … but our understanding was that Lincoln City was going to be at the southern edge,” CLPUD spokesman Mark Freeman said Thursday. “… it obviously moved south and west more than we expected.”
But there was little the utility could do.
The Bonneville Power Administration, which supplies all of Central Lincoln’s power, had falling trees take out two main lines into the county. Central Lincoln then lost several of its main feeder lines in Toledo, Siletz and Newport areas to the ice and trees.
At the height of the outages almost half of Central Lincoln’s customers – 19,000 of 40,000 residential, commercial and industrial meters – were out. Some came back relatively quickly Sunday and Monday; others until were out until Wednesday and even Thursday.
Thursday night 76 customers were still without power – 17 of those will need homeowner repairs to their home’s equipment, said Freeman. Another 186 in Toledo lost power for several hours Thursday afternoon when CLPUD lines from Central Lincoln and Consumers Power touched.
Utility officials – backed up by comments from counterparts in similarly hard-hit Lane County – said it was the highest number of weather-caused outages they experienced in decades.
“We have people who’ve been here 30 years and they’re saying it’s the worst they’ve ever seen,” Freeman told YachatsNews.
On Thursday night Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for Oregon due to the winter ice storm that swept into the state almost a week ago, leaving behind widespread damage, power outages and 13 deaths. Lincoln County, the cities of Newport and Lincoln City and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians had already declared such an emergency.
Freeman said such a declaration from the state enables it to seek reimbursement from the federal government to cover some of its storm-related costs.The result over much of the week were two days of closed schools, supplies – including gasoline, propane and even mail – not making it over the Coast Range, and some motels filling up with people fleeing their frigid homes.
Repair crews struggled Saturday and Sunday to untangle thousands of ice-covered trees that fell into CLPUD’s main transmission lines in the Siletz and Toledo areas that serve those communities and communities to the west.
Central Lincoln was able to restore service Sunday and early Monday to most customers stretching from Tenmile through Yachats, Waldport and much of Newport, although there were pockets of outages through Wednesday.
Monday afternoon power came back to parts of north Newport, including the Fred Meyer, Safeway and Walmart stores, and businesses and gas stations along Highway 101.
But most gas stations were out of service because tankers could still not get over from the valley. Grocery stores that closed due to lack of power or couldn’t run freezers or refrigerators on generators lost meat and other perishables. A large assisted living center in north Newport had to evacuate its residents.
Service north of Newport – including the Agate Beach neighborhood and communities of Beverly Beach, Depoe Bay and Lincoln Beach – didn’t get power restored until Monday night and Tuesday.
Just as CLPUD was turning the corner on repairs Tuesday afternoon, 19,000 customers lost electricity when two Newport-area transmission lines went down as ice thawed. Both came back within hours.
Central Lincoln had four crews made up of 3-4 linemen initially working the outages. They were joined early in the week by six crews from other utilities under a mutual aid agreement. Three CLPUD single person crews worked on smaller issues.
“The crews are mostly now working on individual problems, Freeman said Thursday evening. “We’re literally down to ones and twos.”
Freeman said once Central Lincoln gets a handle on the outages, does cleanup work and stabilizes repairs, it will release the mutual aid crews – likely to go help utilities in the valley.
Line crews worked 16-hour shifts – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Some head home to sleep, others who can’t make it home or are from out of town are put up in motels.
Central Lincoln set up a command center at its headquarters in Newport, but even it ran into problems when the power went and its generator couldn’t heat the building. A customer service representative spent the night answering phones wrapped in a blanket, Freeman said.
A helicopter hired to inspect lines deep in coastal forests was delayed in Medford because of bad weather. It finally arrived at the Newport airport on Monday – a city, state and federal holiday – only to find no one there to refuel it.
Freeman said CLPUD called city manager Spencer Nebel, who hustled airport staff out to help. The helicopter’s reconnaissance proved invaluable, he said.
“Nobody can do this on their own,” Freeman said. “It’s nice when everybody can work toward a common goal – and there’s lots of examples of that.”
The utility will hold a post-mortem of its storm response in a few weeks. It will look at everything from logistics to command to customer service to how it handled laundry for out-of-town crews.
“We look at what worked and what didn’t,” he said. “There’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes.”
Freeman said customers – for the most part – are understanding of situation and issues arising from such a large storm. Such a widespread and sometimes long outage should also help spur more people to examine their homes or businesses and how they can better prepare for when the lights go out.
“We appreciate all of our customers’ patience and support … the support really helps with morale,” he said. “But what our customers have gone through – and those few remaining – it’s been a lot.” (SOURCE)
Curry County Has Sandbags Available for Another Possible Round of Local Flooding this Weekend
Another round of moderate precipitation is forecast for already saturated coastal areas again this weekend, with accumulations possibly reaching 3 – 5 inches over a 72-hour period after a brief break to end the work week.
The National Weather Service has released another flood watch for Curry County that will go into effect on Saturday, January 20th through Monday, January 22nd.
The Curry County Road Department located at 28425 Hunter Creek Rd, Gold Beach has sand, bags, and twine outside of the gates available for members of the public to use for preparation of the storm. Shovels will not be available so bring your own!
For more information or questions, please contact BOC_Office@co.curry.or.us or call 541-247-3296. (SOURCE)
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.
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
Oregon Jury Awards $85 Million To 9 Victims Of Deadly 2020 Wildfires
An Oregon jury awarded $85 million Tuesday to nine victims of wildfires that ravaged the state in 2020, the latest verdict in a series of legal proceedings that are expected to put the utility PacifiCorp on the hook for billions of dollars over its liability for the deadly blazes.
“We are so proud of the strength and resilience of our clients, and thankful to the jury for holding PacifiCorp accountable for what happened on Labor Day 2020 — something it will never do itself,” Nick Rosinia, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, said in a statement.
PacifiCorp expects post-verdict rulings and insurance payments to bring its share of the verdict to just under $80 million, the company said in a statement.
“The 2020 wildfires were undeniably tragic,” it said. “PacifiCorp has settled and will continue to settle all reasonable claims for actual damages under Oregon law. … The growing threat of wildfires to communities and businesses is bigger than any one company or industry.”
The fires were among the worst natural disasters in Oregon’s history, killing nine people, burning more than 1,875 square miles (4,856 square kilometers) and destroying upward of 5,000 homes and other structures.
Last June a jury found PacifiCorp liable for damages for negligently failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from top fire officials, saying its power lines were responsible for multiple blazes. PacifCorp has appealed.
That jury awarded around $90 million to 17 homeowners named as plaintiffs in the case, with damages to be determined later for a broader class that could include the owners of about 2,500 properties, as estimated by plaintiffs’ attorneys.
The damages awarded Tuesday were the first in cases brought by that broader class, with additional trials expected in February and April.
PacifiCorp also agreed last month to pay $299 million to settle a lawsuit brought by 463 plaintiffs who were harmed by separate devastating wildfires in southern Oregon over Labor Day 2020. (SOURCE)
New lawsuit filed against three utility companies for Holiday Farm Fire devastation
Four law firms out of Oregon and California are representing 238 victims of the Holiday Farm Fire and are asking for $232 million in damages.
Travel in Oregon Still Challenging
While Medford, Klamath Falls, and Roseburg seemed to skip the worst of this week’s ice storm activity, it wreaked havoc in cities like Bend, Eugene, Salem, Portland and all along the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast.
Winter weather is far from done in Oregon as freezing rain, heavy snow and high winds continued in several corners of the state.
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
Did you have to throw away food due to Oregon’s winter storm?
You can request replacement SNAP benefits for up to 10 days.
Oregon households who receive SNAP and lost food due to storm and power outages may be eligible for replacement benefits.
If you had to throw away food purchased with SNAP due to storm or power outages, you can request replacement benefits to purchase new food. You must request replacement benefits within 10 calendar days of the food loss.
Replacement benefits may be requested by:
Calling (800) 699-9075
Emailing: oregon.benefits@odhs.oregon.gov
Once approved, replacement benefits are added to the household’s existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
FOLLOW Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HungerFreeOregon
Consumer Advocates Offer Oregonians Insurance Advice After Damaging Ice Storm
In the aftermath of major ice storms that pummeled much of northwest Oregon, many homeowners are dealing with property damages. Here are some tips for folks considering filing an insurance claim.
When first assessing damage to home or property, safety is paramount.
“If you cannot safely remove something without causing more damage—don’t do it,” said Jason Horton with the Division of Financial Regulation. That’s a part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services that makes sure insurance companies follow the law.
Horton said losses from ice, wind, tree falls or flooding should first prompt a call to your insurance agent or company. Take pictures and make detailed lists of damaged property, including brand names and model numbers. Horton said homeowners should protect property from further damage but not make permanent repairs until an insurer inspects it.
And know your deductibles: Horton advises a cost/benefit analysis can help determine if a reported claim is worth it. “You know, (if) you file a claim and your insurance pays out—it could impact your rates. As in, they’ll go up,” he said.
DFR consumer advocates are available to help with problems or concerns with insurance claims. For assistance, consumers can call 1-888-877-4894 or email dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov
Here is additional information from Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation:
Homeowners insurance
A typical homeowners policy covers damage to the home caused by falling trees or limbs and weight of ice and snow.
For example, if your home sustained severe structural damage from a fallen tree or other storm debris, and it is deemed uninhabitable, you may qualify for additional living expenses, which helps cover the extra costs of lodging, meals, and even pet boarding while you are unable to live in the home.
If your home received minor damage, such as the wind blowing a few shingles off your house, your homeowners insurance will probably replace the damaged shingles, but not the entire roof.
Winter storms can also create sudden damage caused by an ice dam on the roof or pipes bursting due to freezing. This type of damage is typically covered and can be extensive if a pipe burst floods a home or minor, such as a leak from an ice dam causing a stain on a ceiling.
Coverage may be available for food spoilage due to the power outage. However, be sure to consider if the actual benefit from filing this type of claim is worth the potential effect it can have on your premium. Remember, if the loss is close to or less than your deductible you may not want to file a claim. If you need to file a claim for another type of damage to your home, food spoilage can typically be added to the claim you need to file for repairs.
Auto
There are three coverage options on an auto insurance policy that typically apply to winter storms.
- Comprehensive covers damage caused by falling trees or limbs. This includes while your car is parked inside a garage.
- Collision covers damage to your car that occurs while driving. This includes hitting storm debris or sliding on ice.
- Liability covers damage you accidentally caused to another person’s property or to a person who is injured in an accident. (SOURCE)
Oregon Health Authority Acknowledges Asante Infection Spike Coincides With Alleged Drug Diversion
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has revealed healthcare associated infections spiked at Asante’s RRMC during the same time a nurse allegedly replaced patient’s pain medication with tap water.
We reported late last week that the Oregon Health Authority is not investigating the alleged drug diversion case at Asante at this time, but it is reviewing the situation.
The OHA says that it needs to review complaints at a facility, before determining whether or not it has jurisdiction to investigate. But it has confirmed to us that RRMC saw dozens of infection cases from 2022 to 2023, that were acquired at Asante’s signature hospital.
The OHA records these central line infections over a span of years. Asante acknowledged these healthcare associated infections, or HAIs, but the OHA is now providing the numbers that illustrate a spike.
From 2016 to 2021, the hospital would see one to three infections a year, save for 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, which had seven. But in 2022, the OHA reports that Asante saw 15 infections and then in 2023, another 14.
These years coincide with a period of time when sources tell us a nurse was replacing ICU patient’s fentanyl pain medication, with non- sterile tap water, which may have caused multiple deaths from infections. The OHA said it is taking this case seriously.
The OHA said it has different programs, like the Healthcare Associated Infections Program and Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Program to help assure that hospitals comply with these standards.
If the OHA does investigate, they will be looking to see whether Asante’s systems and processes meet the minimum requirements in federal and state law to protect patient health and safety.
Failure to meet those requirements have varying ramifications on the state and federal level, including even losing its license. (SOURCE)
Oregon Lawmakers Poised to Make Drug Possession a Crime Again
Three years after Oregon became the first U.S. state to decriminalize low-level drug possession, the state is on track to reverse parts of its groundbreaking measure.
On Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers unveiled a proposal that would recriminalize possessing small amounts of drugs—a move that’s been criticized by harm reduction and criminal justice reform advocates.
The proposed amendments to Measure 110, released by the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response, will make possessing small amounts of controlled substances a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days of jail time or a $1,250 fine. But people will be able to negate those charges by completing a deflecting program, involving a behavioral health screening and contact with a case manager.
Under the state’s current decriminalization policy, those offenses are considered class E violations, which come with a fine of up to $100 that is waived if a person undergoes a health screening, which includes calling a hotline.
“With this proposal, we are braiding together the public health and public safety systems to create as many effective pathways to treatment and recovery as possible through proven, evidence-based solutions,” said Representative Jason Kropf, a Democrat, in a statement about the new plan.
The legislation, which will be introduced as an amendment when the legislative session begins on Feb 5, comes about two weeks after Oregon House Republicans announced their own bill to toughen up the state’s drug laws, including making low-level possession a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $6,250 fine.
Recriminalizing low level possession will put an additional strain on public defenders, and mandating treatment when there’s already a severe shortage of treatment beds will be counterproductive, she added.
The joint committee proposal claimed it would make it easier for people to obtain medications to treat opioid use disorder and would set up a new grant program for drug treatment programs. (READ MORE)
Oregon Struggles With Nursing Teacher Shortage at 21 Nursing Schools Statewide
Oregon lawmakers from both parties, including one democrat from Oregon, are working together on new laws to help increase the number of nursing teachers.
In the U.S. house, they’ve proposed the nurse faculty shortage reduction act. This act would give $28.5 million each year for five years to nursing schools. The money is to keep and bring in more teachers. Right now, there aren’t enough nursing teachers in Oregon and other places. A report by the American association of colleges of nursing showed that in 2021, almost 92,000 people who could have studied nursing were turned away because there weren’t enough teachers and other problems.
In Oregon, there are 21 schools where you can study nursing at the associate’s or bachelor’s level. A study by the Oregon longitudinal data collaborative, a group that researches education, found out that in 2020, only four of these schools could take more than half of the people who qualified.
“Current capacity is not meeting the needs of Oregon’s prospective qualified nursing students,” it said.
This lack of teaching capacity has led to not having enough nurses. The Oregon board of nursing says there are over 84,000 registered nurses and more than 6,000 licensed practical nurses in the state, but not all are working. They think Oregon could use about 21,600 more registered nurses to take care of patients. (READ MORE)
AARP grant ‘unique’ opportunity to fund community projects in Oregon
A program that funds ideas for improving communities is now open to applications. The AARP Community Challenge grant program is accepting applications until March 6th for projects that can be enacted quickly to make cities more livable for people of all ages.
Stacy Larsen, communications director for AARP Oregon, said the program has a track record for supporting communities of all sizes.
“They deliver really unique support to rural communities. Since the beginning of the program in 2017, 46% of the grants distributed in Oregon have been to rural communities,” Larsen said.
Since its start in 2017, the program has invested $16.4 million in more than 1,300 projects nationwide, including 28 in Oregon. The program is open to local nonprofits and governments. A webinar for interested applicants will be held on the AARP website on January 31st at 11 a.m.
Applicants can apply in three different grant areas. Those include capacity-building microgrants, demonstration grants and flagships grants, which allow for the most creativity and flexibility. Larsen has some tips for those applying.
“The applicants who can demonstrate that they are addressing a clear need, that brings positive change to make their communities more livable for residents of all ages, and that they’re addressing disparities for people of color or other historically marginalized groups will find themselves rising to the top,” she explained.
Selected projects must be completed by December 15th. (SOURCE)
Customers who want to stall the effects of a price increase on Forever Stamps have this week to act before the cost goes up to 68 cents each.
The cost of the stamps, as well as the cost of many other services offered by the U.S. Postal Service, will increase on Sunday, Jan. 21.
The price of Forever Stamps, now 66 cents each, will climb to 68 cents. That’s the stamp used for letters up to 1 ounce.
The postal service said it will not change the additional-ounce price. It will stay at 24 cents. But other charges — for certified mail, post office box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item — will climb.
- Letters, metered, 1 ounce: Increase from 63 cents to 64 cents
- Domestic postcards: Increase from 51 cents to 53 cents
- International postcards: Increase from $1.50 to $1.55
- International letter, 1 ounce: Increase from $1.50 to $1.55
The rate changes will be the second in six months.
Red Cross: Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures — American Red Cross – Cascades Region
Winter storms across Oregon and Washington forced more than 70 blood drives to be canceled, according to the Red Cross Cascades Region. The Red Cross stated in a press release that this “resulted in the loss of nearly 2,100 liters of blood.” In addition to these cancellations, road closures and icy conditions have made it difficult to transfer supplies to collection sites.
The Red Cross is also seeing an emergency blood shortage. January is usually a slow month for donations but with the emergency shortage and the winter weather, hospitals are in desperate need for donations.
The Red Cross is urging the public to donate blood if they can.
Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades —- Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Who donations help
Sandy Thornton, of Dallas, Oregon, knows firsthand how important a readily available blood and platelet supply is. Sandy battled a rare form of cancer called Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myleo Fibrosis. She received numerous blood and platelet transfusions until eventually needing a stem cell transplant.
“There are people who cannot get a stem cell transplant, which means they face a lifetime of platelet or blood transfusions. That’s their life. Blood is a lifesaver no matter how you look at it. It’s not just about when disasters happen, it’s when people get sick,” shares Sandy.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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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