Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 11/23 – Evacuations Lifted After Wildfires Spark Near Oregon Coast, King Tides Along the Oregon Coast

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

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 

Oregon Beach Weather

BEACH HAZARD STATEMENT ISSUED: 2:02 AM NOV. 23, 2022 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

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

* WHAT...Sneaker waves possible on the beaches.

* 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... 
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ISSUED: 8:18 AM NOV. 23, 2022 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO 4 PM PST SATURDAY... * 

WHAT...Steep swell driven seas 8 to 10 ft at 15 seconds through this morning. Steep northwest swell dominated seas develop again Thursday morning, peaking at 10 to 13 ft at 15 seconds Thursday night into Friday. Gusty north winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts to 35 kt develop late Friday into Saturday and seas build further to 11 to 14 ft, due to a mix of wind waves and moderate northwest swell. 
* WHERE...All areas Thursday into Saturday with the steepest seas and strongest winds expected south of Gold Beach late Friday into Saturday. 
* WHEN...From 10 AM Thursday to 4 PM PST Saturday. 
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels. 
* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Evacuations Lifted After Wildfires Spark Near Oregon Coast

Officials have announced Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations have been lifted after the 98 Delta Fire, along with several other fires, broke out in Clatsop County.

The Oregon Department of Forestry said the 98 Delta Fire, which was the largest of the fires, spanned about 250 acres approximately 10 miles east of Gearhart, where crews are now working on mop-up efforts.

The fire, sparked by escaped burn piles and propelled by east winds , led to four homes at the end of Saddle Mountain Country Road being placed under the evacuation order and closed the roadway at the Wawa Mainline Road intersection, authorities said.

On Monday, officials reported fire crews “continue to see success on several fires,” after reporting to have “controlled or mostly controlled” other small fires on state and private land Friday.

Officials say a type 3 incident management team is still in place working with landowners and rural fire protection districts. Reduced winds are also expected to help with firefighting efforts after officials initially reported crews were working against 15-25 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph.

The forestry department noted the Middle Mabel Fire has been turned back to the landowner and the Tillamook Head and Square Creek Fire — which held around 80 acres of private land — has crews still controlling and monitoring the blaze. Officials said they are holding the Park Fire, on private land, at 110 acres.

Meanwhile, crews reportedly have the Green Gold Fire in state forest land controlled at 30 acres.

King Tides Along the Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is expecting a series of King Tides this week. That’s a non-scientific term for the highest high tides of the year, when the moon, sun and Earth align at their closest points and the gravitational pull on the Earth is the greatest.

Meg Reed is with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. The group runs Oregon’s arm of the international King Tides Project, which documents the impacts over time of high-tide events. Reed encourages people to help, as long as they are above and away from the water.

She told KLCC, “If you do have a safe place to look at them, take a photograph showing the extent of high water. And really against a recognizable landmark is really helpful, so something like a sign, or a dock, or something where you can kind of tell how high the water level is.”

Reed said this is the 13th year of the Oregon King Tides Project. The dataset they’ve collected has helped them develop a planning guide, which provides potential adaptation strategies for predicted sea level rise.

This week’s King Tides are Thursday through Saturday. Reed advises to check tide tables at your location for exact times. https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/map/index.html?region=Oregon

Kiwanis Club of Florence Distributing Free To-Go Meals on Thanksgiving

The Kiwanis Club of Florence will be distributing 750 free to-go meals at the Elks Lodge on Thanksgiving. They will start serving at 11:30 a.m. and will stop serving when the 750 meals have been distributed. No more than four to-go meals per vehicle unless all recipients are present. Elks Lodge #1858, 1686 12th St.

The drive-through route will begin at 12th and Maple streets and head east along the roadway into the Elks parking lot before splitting into two lanes. Volunteers will be inquiring as to how many  meals each vehicle needs and handle accordingly. There will be no more than 4 “To-Go Meals”  per vehicle, unless ALL recipients are present.

All meals are fully-cooked, contain the same items, and can be reheated at your convenience.

Due to the national turkey shortage, we will  be providing ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, roll and a slice of pumpkin pie.

“Once again, we would like to thank the Florence Elks Lodge #1858 for opening up their facility for this event and our community of volunteers to make it happen,” said the Florence Kiwanis Thanksgiving Committee.

As always, the event happily accepts food donations for local food shares.

For more information, visit www.florencekiwanis.org and www.facebook.com/KiwanisFlorenceOR.

Florence ‘Pounding For Food Share’ Combines Community Donations With Corporate Match

FLORENCE FOOD SHARE

The 22nd annual ‘Pounding For Food Share’ held each year the Saturday before Thanksgiving to help fill the pantry of Florence Food Share, had 22,096 pounds of food donated at this Saturday’s event.

“I’m so grateful for the significant turnout by our awesome community,” said Florence Food Share Executive Director Colin Morgan, who has seen the need for the food share go up in recent months. “Costs are going up for everyone, but that just shows you cannot keep our community down.”

For Pounding founder Cindy Wobbe, “Once again, our community showed up. I’m always humbled by the response folks show to this annual event. Some gave a little, some gave a lot, and together we stocked the pantry to overflowing. I’m grateful.”

As has become an annual custom, local manufacturing company Top Hydraulics will be matching the pounds donated with a donation. Except this year, “They said they will round up to $25,000 in honor of the tremendous effort our community put in,” Morgan said, adding his many thanks.

Oregon Nurses Association Pushes For Stricter Hospital Staffing Laws

The Oregon Nurses Association is pushing for minimum standards that establish how many nurses hospitals need to operate and meet patients’ needs effectively.

The union, which represents 15,000 nurses, recently released details of legislation it plans to pursue in the 2023 Oregon legislative session. Oregon already has a law that requires hospitals and nurses to develop staffing plans to best meet the needs of patients.

But the union says the existing law needs a stronger enforcement mechanism and steep fines to hold hospitals accountable when they try to skirt staffing requirements. Staffing standards ultimately are about patients, including their level of medical attention and other care they get, such as prompt meals and help to the restroom.

The push for better hospital staffing comes after a two-year pandemic burned out many nurses who endured in understaffed hospitals where the quality of care deteriorated.

“We live with the terrible consequences of unsafe staffing levels every single day,” Tamie Cline, a registered nurse and president of the Oregon Nurses Association’s board of directors, said in a press conference. “We are forced to pick up extra shifts and work longer hours without rest or meal breaks. Managers assign us unmanageable and unsafe numbers of patients. We leave work feeling exhausted, physically and emotionally, because we are just not able to deliver the quality of care that our patients, and our communities, deserve.”

Hospitals have faced nursing shortages for more than two years that have affected patient care, nurses have told the Capital Chronicle. Sometimes the consequences have been dire, with patients dying because of a lack of staff, Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority director, told a legislative committee in September.

The trade group that represents hospitals, the Oregon Association of Hospital and Health Systems, has said more needs to be done. But it opposes the proposal and warned it threatens access to patient care and is punitive for struggling hospitals.

“Rather than preserving access to quality health care for Oregon patients, the union’s proposal focuses on new ways to punish community hospitals based on questionable standards, while increasing costs,” Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, said in a statement. “Under the union’s proposal, community hospitals will have no choice but to reduce access to services if they are unable to hire enough staff, which is very likely given the severe staffing shortage.”

Proposal details — The proposal, backed by Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland and chair of the Interim House Health Care Committee and a former nurses association lobbyist, would set minimum figures for how many nurses should be on different types of hospital units.

From there, nurses and hospital management would set staffing standards based on factors unique to each hospital, such as the acuity of patients and experience of nurses on staff.

The proposal includes:

• The Oregon Health Authority would be required to enforce staffing plans and could levy fines of up to $10,000 a day. The authority didn’t respond to a request for comment.

• Unions and individual employees could sue hospitals in court for violations.

• Staffing plans would require nurses to have adequate meal and rest breaks.

• Minimum staffing standards in the law would set a floor for hospitals. But hospitals and staff would still be expected to collaborate on a plan that looks beyond the minimum standards. For example, an intensive care unit would have at least one nurse for one or two patients, depending on the patient’s conditions.

Allison Seymour, a registered nurse in Salem and secretary of the Oregon Nurses Association, said the improvements would encourage people to return to nursing who, like her, suffered when workloads were unsustainable.

“I carried the guilt of delays in care and missed care,” Seymour said. “I would go home wondering if my patients were going to survive the night. Unsafe workloads made me feel my license was in jeopardy. I developed overwhelming anxiety trying to juggle an unsafe workload, trying to care for everyone at once with the care they deserve.”

Workforce crisis – The nurses union said the shortage of nurses is about retention amid poor working conditions — not the actual number of licensed nurses in Oregon.

The number of licensed registered nurses in Oregon increased from nearly 63,000 in January 2019 to 80,000 in September, an increase of more than 17,000, according to the Oregon Board of Nursing licensing data.

Those figures only reflect licensed nurses in all situations, not all those employed. Licensing figures also reflect other factors, such as nurses who keep their license and move to another state or retire and only work part time.

Still, the rise demonstrates that turnover is at the root of the problem, union officials said.

“Everyone must remember that hospitals are the authors of this crisis due to turnover; we know nurses are leaving the bedside at record rates because they are unwilling to work in unsafe and unsupportive environments,” said Matt Calzia, director of nursing practice and professional development for the Oregon Nurses Association. “Fix the working environment, and you fix turnover.”

Calzia noted that the level of increase is equal to the union’s 15,000-worker membership.

The nurses union said an increase in staffing will improve patient outcomes, help them avoid life-threatening complications and reduce expensive turnover for hospitals.

Hultberg, with the hospitals association, said the group will propose other solutions to address the workforce needs and benefit patients.

In September, the Legislature’s Emergency Board approved a $40 million request from the health authority and the state Department of Human Services for hospitals that coordinate care in Oregon’s six hospital regions, clinical staff to coordinate patient transfers and money to hire 50 more contract nurses. That money is only a temporary fix and state officials say a permanent solution is necessary so hospitals have adequate staffing and the capacity to treat patients at all levels of care.

Kroger Owned Fred Meyer Facing Class Action Lawsuit For Allegedly Not Paying Employees

Fred Meyer is facing a class action lawsuit over wages as two employees are seeking at least $5 million on behalf of employees who aren’t getting paid.

Fred Meyer stores activated a new payroll system in September that created widespread errors, causing people to miss multiple weeks of pay, according to the lawsuit.

“We have experienced a technical error in paycheck distribution. Although a small percentage of our associates have been affected, we understand the impact. We are working quickly on resolving known,” said a Fred Meyer spokesperson in a statement.

The lawsuit claims the company violates Oregon wage laws.

One employee in Vancouver, Washington who was not listed in the lawsuit, told KOIN 6 that since the launch of the new payroll system, she and a bunch of people are not receiving full paychecks or not receiving paychecks at all.

“I just feel so bad for all these other employees that are not being paid at all for weeks on end because they’re being forced into a financial hole that’s going to take them months to get out of,” said Emerson Ferguson, a Fred Meyer employee who says she hasn’t been paid in a month.

According to the lawsuit, one of the plaintiffs listed previously worked at a Fred Meyer in Portland, and the other works in Medford.

DFR advises residents to be informed and cautious when investing in crypto platforms

SALEM – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) reminds Oregon investors to diversify investments and be informed of the risks in investing in largely unregulated products such as cryptocurrency.   

Some of these financial product offerings are registered and licensed with DFR as money transmitters or securities offerings. The division has investigated several cryptocurrency companies and continues to monitor the market.

“It is important to know the risks involved with cryptocurrency or any investment opportunities,” said TK Keen, administrator for DFR. “No investment opportunities are risk free, and you should always do your homework on where you are sending your money. This is especially true when cryptocurrency is involved.”

The recent news of the bankruptcy of FTX, the third largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, which left approximately 1 million customers and investors facing total losses in the billions, should serve as a warning to anyone investing in cryptocurrency. 

“Investing in cryptocurrency is extremely risky given what’s going on right now,” Keen said. “It’s important to not invest more than you can afford to lose or put all of your assets in one bucket.”

Cryptocurrency accounts are not generally insured by the FDIC, which recently issued a fact sheet✎ EditSignclarifying when an account is considered insured.

DFR encourages Oregonians to follow these tips when it comes to digital currency and nonfungible tokens (NFTs), which are often linked to digital works of art, photos, or videos:

  • Carefully research these types of investments. Many of these “investment opportunities” are speculative in nature. Before engaging in a transaction, make sure that you understand what you are purchasing, the value of the item purchased, the reason for the valuation, and how easy it is to sell the investment if you want to get out your money.
  • Use a digital currency exchange that is licensed with the state to transmit cryptocurrency to someone else. Oregon law requires companies that transfer digital currency from one person to another to be licensed as money transmitters. Digital currency exchange companies that purchase or sell cryptocurrency from their own inventories are not required to be licensed.
  • Do not spend money you need. The volatility of the digital currency and NFT markets means that you should not purchase cryptocurrency with money that is needed for essential purposes such as food, housing, and gas.

The division originally put out a press release on Jan. 20 warning of the risks of these types of investments.

Anyone who has questions about these platforms or believes they may have been defrauded, should contact the division’s advocates at 866-814-9710 (toll-free).

About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Triple Your Impact: Pacific Power Will Match Your Contribution to Oregon Energy Fund 2-for-1

Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Oregon Energy Fund with $2 more.

Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find it includes an Oregon Energy Fund contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. 

This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-888-221-7070.

Donations may be tax-deductible and are forwarded directly to the Oregon Energy Fund, which verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need from the same county in which the donor resides.

“Pacific Power’s commitment to our mission of supporting household stability is bolstered by compassion, collaboration, and innovation,” said Brian Allbritton, executive director of the Oregon Energy Fund. “Studies have shown that more than a quarter of Oregonians struggle to pay their bills each year. Pacific Power’s partnership helps ensure that our neighbors don’t have to sacrifice food, rent, medicine, or childcare to keep the lights on.”

Last year, donations from Pacific Power’s customers, employees, and the company helped 721 households in need throughout Oregon. These households included 672 children, 253 seniors, and 221 people with disabilities. This year, Pacific Power will match up to $144,000 in donations.

Customers who need bill assistance themselves can talk with Pacific Power representatives who can help with payment plans that work for their individual needs and direct them to agencies that may be able to help. Pacific Power’s customer service number is 1-888-221-7070.

About Pacific Power — Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 764,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, thermal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 2 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.

Oregon Lottery Earns Big Returns for State in 2022

The Oregon Lottery announced a return of nearly $909 million dollars to the state for the 2022 fiscal year – a return to pre-pandemic levels and 81% year over year growth. The funding directly benefits state parks and natural habitats, public schools, veteran services, outdoor school, and economic development.

Oregon Lottery is self-funded through the sale of games, not tax dollars, and voters and the Legislature designate where the money goes. 

“Lottery funds are dedicated to support some of Oregonians’ most treasured programs,” said Oregon Lottery Director Barry Pack. “The sales rebound this year shows our players continue to find relevancy in our games and value the reliable revenue they provide to help make our state a great place to live.” 

Lottery players also won big, with payouts totaling nearing $16 billion for the year. Five players in Oregon won prizes over $250,000 and five won prizes $1 million or over. Prizes big and small account for 91% of the Lottery dollars played. 

Sales commissions on Lottery games also support retailers, many of whom are small business owners. The 3,800 Lottery retailers across Oregon collectively earned more than $313 million this year.  

Demonstrating a commitment to responsible play, the World Lottery Association recognized the Oregon Lottery in 2022 with the highest certification level for its Responsible Gaming programs. The Oregon Lottery was one of only eight lotteries in the United States to reach this level. 

The Lottery’s financial year runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. A final audited report will be posted to the Oregon Lottery’s website

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.

Bend Top Thanksgiving Destination in the State

With 777,000 Oregonians expected to travel this week for Thanksgiving roads in the High Desert will get very crowded, starting today. Bend is a top regional destination for the Thanksgiving weekend, according to Oregon
AAA.

Spokesperson Marie Dobbs says that the days before Thanksgiving, are the busiest travel days. So, if you can avoid traveling in the afternoon and early evening on Tuesday and Wednesday that will be an advantage.

Same thing when you’re coming home on Sunday; 4-8 p.m., that’s the busiest time to travel” says Dodds who advises trying to avoid peak commuting times, adding that you don’t intermingle with folks who are trying to get home from work while you’re trying to leave on your Thanksgiving trip.

89% of holiday travelers are estimated to be driving, which will make for a very busy weekend for our roads.

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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