Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 12/4 – Court Documents Show Police Investigating Coos County Boy Found Dead As a Murder, Lincoln City Festival of Trees Starts Today & Other Local and Statewide News…

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

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Be Prepared for Winter Weather

A blanket of thick fog has descended over the Northwest as December weather seizes the country. A “Dense Fog Advisory” has been issued by the National Weather Service for much of Oregon.

“Air Stagnation Advisories” have also been issued across Oregon, Idaho and parts of Washington. “Stagnant air conditions over parts of the Pacific Northwest, leading to areas of dense fog and poor air quality,” the NWS said in a short range public discussion.

These atmospheric conditions may lead to “hazardous” conditions on the roads, with the NWS advising drivers to take care.

The NWS explains that a Dense Fog Advisory is put into place “when widespread fog is expected to reduce visibilities to 1/4 mile or less over a large area for an extended period of time (2 or more hours),” while an Air Stagnation Advisory is given when “major buildups of air pollution, smoke, dust, or industrial gases are expected near the ground for a period of time.”

As winter storms and extreme weather events impact communities, Oregon residents are reminded to be prepared for potential power outages, the Oregon Public Utility Commission says.

Heavy snow, ice, and high winds can damage power lines and disrupt electricity, sometimes leading to extended outages. Weather conditions in specific geographies may also cause electric utilities to adjust system settings, which can result in more frequent or longer outages.

Prepare your home and business in case a winter storm leads to a power outage: Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, and other essentials needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks.

Learn more about what supplies to consider. Charge your devices: Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation
of an outage. Consider a car charger for phones and other electronic devices. And, Use generators safely – Never operate a generator inside your home or garage, or near windows or vents, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/2-Weeks-Ready.aspx

Snow in Mountain Passes

Travelers should bring chains when headed over the Cascade, Willamette and Santiam Passes.

ODOT urges drivers to follow several key tips to stay safe:

• Turn on your windshield wipers and headlights
• Slow down and avoid cruise control
•  Increase your stopping distance and steer clear of standing water
• Carry chains and check road conditions before traveling
  using TripCheck.com or by calling 511.
• Pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, phone charger, warm clothes, food, and water in case you get
  stuck.
• Be aware of the dangers of black ice, which can be even more hazardous than snow.
• Drivers should always be prepared for sudden weather changes—especially in higher elevations.

Multiple winter storm warnings have been issued across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, urging people to avoid travel due to heavy snow expected in these states. In Oregon, warnings cover various counties, including portions of highways 97, 58, 230, 138, 62, 140, and 66. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Medford and Portland emphasized the potential for very difficult driving conditions and advised extreme caution if travel is necessary.

Traveling on Forest Service Roads

Some winter driving tips:  Bring a map. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation or communication as coverage may be unavailable.  Drivers should exercise caution as Forest Roads may not be maintained for winter travel.  Winter weather can quickly alter driving conditions. Turn around if conditions warrant or your vehicle is not equipped to continue. Stay safe out there!

Court Documents Show Police Investigating Coos County Boy Found Dead As a Murder

Court documents show police are investigating the case of a missing Coos County boy who was found dead in the woods as a potential murder.

Five year old Joshua James McCoy was found deceased on Tuesday, November 12th about two miles from his home on Stage Road in Hauser. He was found naked in the woods.

Joshua, who was autistic and non-verbal, had been reported missing three days earlier. Court documents indicate Joshua’s mother, Angela German called her friend who lives in Utah and told her that Joshua was missing. Documents also say German told her friend instead of police because of past “bad experience with law enforcement.”

A search warrant was served to search German’s home less than a week after Joshua was found dead and her car was seized for forensic testing. The search warrant affidavit says German took ketamine and barbiturates to help her sleep.

Court records show that during an interview with police, German said she and Joshua laid down for a nap around 1:30 p.m. and when she awoke around 3 p.m. she discovered he was not in the house. However later during that same interview, she said they fell asleep around 10 a.m. and she woke up at 1 p.m. Documents also say that during that interview she “also made comments about Joshua being naked and dead in the woods.”

The affidavit says Joshua was found less than two miles from his home, he was approximately 20 feet off the roadway. He was naked with no scratches or marks on his legs or feet. He was not muddy anywhere except for some dirt on his hands. Documents say the medical examiner examined Joshua where he was found and said his body had “no signs of trauma, no petechia, and no scratches or cuts that would be consistent with Joshua walking through the briars or blackberry bushes.”

Tire impressions were also found in the mud near where Joshua was located. German’s car was found to have muddy tires.

Deputy Lee with the Coos County Sheriff’s Office says a search warrant will always be requested when a death is involved. “It’s not necessarily because there’s crime afoot, but it’s just to ensure that if there is, everything is done the right way,” Lee said.

German’s friend told detectives German and Joshua used to live with her in Utah, but were asked to leave because of German’s treatment of her son. It was just two weeks after leaving Utah that Joshua went missing.

Court documents say the Department of Human Services in Oregon has been investigating German’s alleged alcohol use, along with alleged mistreatment and neglect of her son for several months. Oregon DHS had even recently issued a pick up order. Documentation also show the Utah Department of Human Services was investigating German.

Lee could not confirm or deny that German was being investigated for murder. However the search warrant affidavit says there is probable cause to believe that Angela German is involved in the crimes of Murder II. 

Two events held in Lincoln City have been a holiday tradition for 25 years – Starts Today!

The Festival of Trees will begin on Dec. 4 and conclude with the Angels Ball on December 7. Christmas trees spectacularly decorated by businesses, individuals and families that will be auctioned to raise funds for Angels Anonymous will be on display in the Convention Center of Chinook Winds Casino Dec. 4 through 7.

The whole family is welcome to the free public viewing on: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, noon – 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 am – 3 p.m.; Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive straight from the North Pole to make a pre-Christmas appearance for photos and Christmas requests on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by Hot Lava Polynesian Entertainment. To further add to the evening’s theme, feast on all the delicacies you would expect at a luau. Buffet style dining will provide the opportunity to sample the many tasty morsels available for your dining pleasure and to go back for seconds!

In addition to live entertainment and the fabulous Hawaiian style buffet, the evening will include the auction of wonderfully decorated Christmas trees, a 50/50 raffle, and holiday wreaths in a silent auction along with a wide variety of other items.

The Festival of Trees and Angels Ball raise funds to provide immediate and basic needs to residents of north Lincoln County, from Depoe Bay north to Rose Lodge.

Angels Ball started one year after the formation of Angels Anonymous. Angels Anonymous this year has marked 25 years of serving the residents of north Lincoln County with immediate and basic needs. To date, we have paid out over a million dollars in assistance to year-round residents. The ball began to raise the needed funds to provide the assistance so desperately needed. A number of local residents have decorated trees, which in turn we auction off on the first Saturday of each December. Tickets are on sale at the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce office or online.

Festival of Trees doors are open for viewing by all ages Dec. 4, 5, 6, noon to 8 p.m., Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Angel Ball starts at 5 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person for the ball. Viewing of the trees is free to the public. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the judging of the trees and wreathes. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will visit on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. Children of all ages are encouraged to bring their Christmas wishes to Santa.

For those not able to attend the ball but who wish to bid on one of the trees, there will be a buy-it-now price on the tree.

The Angels Ball and Festival of Trees are held at the Chinook Winds Casino, located at 1501 NW 40th Place in Lincoln City. Visit the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce at 4039 NW Logan Road or visit Angels-Anonymous-LC.org for tickets.

Oregon Coast Humane Society is Offering Special Holiday Deliveries

In an effort to spread holiday cheer and to promote adoptions, the Oregon Coast Humane Society has announced it will be making special holiday deliveries on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning to families within 20 miles of Florence, the organization said.

OCHS officials said that, for those who prefer, appointments are also available on both days to visit the shelter and choose an adopted pet in person.

The holiday deliveries provide a two-fold opportunity for not only creating a lasting cherished memory but also a chance for new pet owners to receive guidance by adoption counselors on such topics as introductions to other animals in the home, feeding routines, and an animal’s specific behavioral information, OCHS staff said.

“When you adopt an animal from OCHS, we make sure to discuss the ongoing needs and expenses involved in caring for your new companion throughout their lifetime,” said Elizabeth Thompson executive director of OCHS. “We want all adopters to consider their future and think about how their new pet will fit into their lives in the years to come.”

OCHS staff said that prospective adopters are encouraged to visit the OCHS shelter to meet animals they’re interested in and to complete an adoption application. Pending an approved application, arrangements will be made for a holiday delivery or for a visit to pick the perfect pet, the organization’s staff said. OCHS officials said that the shelter is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information: https://oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/  —– Or call: 541-997-4277.

Commercial Dungeness Crab Deason Delayed

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season is delayed coastwide until at least Dec. 16, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Pre-season testing shows Dungeness crabs are too low in meat yield in some ocean areas and have elevated domoic acid in crab viscera (guts) in two areas on the south coast. Targeted to open Dec. 1, Oregon’s ocean commercial Dungeness crab season can be delayed so consumers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted.The commercial bay crab fishery (currently open from Cape Blanco to the Washington border) closes at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 1 in conjunction with the delayed ocean commercial season. The commercial bay crab season runs through Dec. 31 but will only reopen in December if the ocean commercial season does so. The next round of crab meat yield and biotoxin testing will occur in the coming weeks. Results help determine if the season opens Dec. 16 or is further delayed or split into areas with different opening dates.ODFW tests crabs out of Oregon’s six major crabbing ports in partnership with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the commercial Dungeness crab industry.Weekly season opening updates are posted online until the decision to open the season is made. During the 2023-24 season, the commercial Dungeness crab season was delayed and opened in stages due to low meat yield. Commercial fishermen landed 24.7 million pounds of crab at an ex-vessel value of $93.6 million. A history of Oregon’s commercial crab landings is available online. The recreational ocean Dungeness crab season is slated to reopen Dec. 1 as scheduled in areas with no elevated biotoxins. Recreational crab harvesting in bays, estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers, and jetties is currently open from Cape Blanco to the Washington border. Recreational crabbers should always call the Shellfish Hotline (800-448-2474) or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage before crabbing.

Seaside Art Walk for December

Seaside’s art walk takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month in the historic Gilbert District, with free, dedicated parking at Holladay Drive and Oceanway Street. Meet local artists and discover their latest collections.

Enjoy A Festive Holiday Experience Aboard the Candy Cane Express!

Nov 29-Dec 23 — Take in the views of the beautiful Oregon coastline aboard the historic train at Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad! Beautifully decorated both inside and out, this steam-powered train ride is complete with complementary hot cocoa and cookies. Write letters to Santa while awaiting a visit from the man in the red suit himself! This round-trip excursion departs Garibaldi and runs to Rockaway Beach for a one hour round trip ride. https://oregoncoastscenic.org/train-rides/candy-cane-express/

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Newport City Hall – Scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6

The City of Newport will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6, on the City Hall front lawn beginning at 5:30 pm. Following the tree lighting, a brief reception will be held inside City Hall featuring hot chocolate, cider and cookies. The ceremony and reception are open to all members of the community.

This year’s city tree is a 25-foot tall noble fir that was generously donated by Starker Forests in Philomath, which donates holiday trees to several communities throughout Oregon.

Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan and City Manager Nina Vetter will assist with the tree lighting, which will feature for the first time a lighted three-foot crab as the tree topper, created by Newport Signs in partnership with the Newport Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of the commercial crabbing industry that has played an important role in Newport’s history and the community. The Oregon Coast Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines, a women’s barbershop chorus, will add their special brand of cheer through song.

“The holiday season in Newport is a magical time of year, and I’m excited to share the tree lighting ceremony with the community. We wanted to do something special this year, and we felt it was a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to an industry that is such an important part of the Newport community,” Vetter said. “I invite all community members to join us at City Hall for this ceremony and to ring in the festive season.”

The Port of Newport hosts the largest commercial fishing fleet on the Oregon coast, a large amount of which is dedicated to crabbing. Much of the commercially harvested crab is processed in Newport, available locally, and shipped around the world, helping to establish the city as the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World.

For more information on the tree lighting ceremony and reception, contact City of Newport Communications Specialist John Fuller at 541-574-0649.What: City of Newport Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and ReceptionWhen: Friday, Dec. 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.Where: Newport City Hall, 169 SW Coast Hwy, NewportOpen To: All

Rules amended to prohibit camping on ocean shore in Brookings

—The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission adopted proposed rule changes to add Brookings to the list of cities where overnight camping is prohibited along the ocean shore within the city limits.

The proposed rule change was requested through a petition from residents living near Mill Beach in Brookings. Residents identified concerns over public health, risks to public safety and impacts on the marine ecosystem along the ocean shore as reasons for proposing the closure of camping on the ocean shore within the city limits.

Public comment received by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) strongly favored adding restrictions to camping. Over 90% of the more than 90 comments received by the agency expressed support for the change. 

Brookings will join the cities of Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Lincoln City, Newport, Bandon and Gold Beach where camping is currently prohibited along the ocean shore within the city limits. Camping is also prohibited on portions of the ocean shore in Clatsop and Tillamook counties, under different rules within OPRD’s division 30. The last time a new area was added to this list was in 2000 when sections of the Tillamook County area were included. 

Signage and other materials will begin communicating changes to visitors as soon as December 1, 2024. Rangers will continue to focus on visitor education to reduce the impact to natural resources and gain rule compliance. 

Annual Holiday Lights at Shore Acres

The event will include a speech by Mayor Sean Fitzpatrick, costumed carolers from the upcoming show “Decked!” which opens Dec. 6 at the Ten Fifteen Theater and a guest musical appearance by Blind Pilot.

Holiday Lights are set to sparkle again on Oregon’s Adventure Coast this season at Shore Acres State Park. Perched on the rugged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Shore Acres State Park is famous for its beautiful 7-acre botanical gardens and Japanese lily pond. Visitors get a chance to stroll through this holiday tradition every night from 4:30pm to 9:00pm, Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve – including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It has become a real holiday tradition for the whole family. Admission is always free! However, parking at Shore Acres any time of the year is $5. — BOOK PARKING PASS NOW

Celebrate the Season at Sea of Lights

Our Sea of Lights holiday event begins this Friday, December 6! See lights, drink hot chocolate, meet Santa, and be merry!

Celebrate the season at Sea of Lights: one of the coast’s most unique holiday light displays! Sea of Lights takes place at the Oregon Coast Aquarium from 5-8 p.m. on the first three Friday and Saturday evenings this December, with each weekend featuring a different attraction.

Chart a course for an unforgettable, family-friendly holiday experience. Find a full schedule of events, updates, and tickets online at aquarium.org/sea-of-lights

 Join the Fun at Florence Winter on the Waterfront! 

 Lighted Vehicle Cruise Parade  Saturday, Dec. 7th 

 Get your creativity rolling and your vehicles glowing! Decorate your car, truck, or van with lights and holiday cheer, and cruise down Bay Street with us!

 Prizes for Judges’ Favorite:

Best Commercial Entry
Best Non-Commercial Entry
 Line-Up Begins at 3:00 PM
 Parade Starts at 4:00 PM

 FREE Registration is Now Open! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this festive holiday tradition.

 Contact: Mitzi Hathaway, Director of Tourism Development
 events@florencechamber.com
 541-997-3128 x2

 Let’s light up Florence together! Tag your friends and get ready to spread some holiday magic.  Check out all the day’s events here: https://bit.ly/2024FlorenceHolidayFest

Officials are releasing the names of St. Helens High School teachers and staff members who are under investigation for sexual abuse or negligent misconduct.

Mark Collins and Eric Stearns are being investigated for alleged sexual abuse. Katy Wagner and Scot Stockwell are being investigated for alleged neglect due to failure to report child safety concerns. The chair of the St. Helens School District Board has resigned, and the high school principal was placed on administrative leave after the sex abuse allegations surfaced. School Board members said they knew since September, and one teacher was allowed to continue working.

Students have returned to school after a week of protests after a current and former teacher were charged with sexually abusing multiple students for several years.

One of the teachers, Eric Stearns, taught choir at the school up until his arrest last Tuesday, even though police had notified the district he was under investigation nearly two months prior. Students walked out of class Thursday morning with anger and outrage over how the district handled the police investigation.

St. Helens High School closed Thursday, Friday and Monday amid the student-led protests on campus that included both parents and community members. In response, the school district placed Superintendent Scot Stockwell and St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner on paid administrative leave on Friday. The chair of the school board also resigned that same day.

The case is still being investigated, police said, but they wouldn’t reveal if more victims had come forward in the wake of the announcement of the two arrests. (SOURCE)

St. Helens school officials for years sat on multiple reports of sexual abuse, police say

Top law enforcement officials in Columbia County say the St. Helens School District received allegations that two high school teachers sexually abused students over a period of several years and failed to share that information with authorities.

St. Helens Acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue said Friday that his department subpoenaed the district in October and found historical reports made by students detailing allegations that the district had not previously disclosed. A police investigation led to the arrests this week of choir teacher Eric Stearns and recently retired math teacher Mark Collins, who are charged with sexual abuse of multiple students from 2015 through last year.

The school district never informed law enforcement or state officials about the reports of sexual abuse, which is required by state law, Hogue said.

“There were multiple historical reports made to high school administration from 2019 to 2023 and this also corroborated the victim statements that (detectives) had previously received,” Hogue said. Teachers and school administrators in Oregon are required to report allegations of sexual abuse.

Columbia County District Attorney Joshua Pond said Friday his office is investigating whether the district broke any laws by not forwarding the reports to law enforcement. Court documents filed by prosecutors on Nov. 8 indicate at least six student victims.

Hogue said the investigation began with a tip from a TikTok user who is a St. Helens alum. That led to detectives identifying an alleged victim in the comments of one of the videos. From there, detectives found and interviewed additional victims and witnesses.

“These comments began naming Eric Stearns, a current teacher at the St Helens High School,” Hogue said. “During the course of these interviews, a second teacher who was now retired, but that name came up as well.

Many students and parents, however, have said it is not enough to make up for years of instances of kids feeling uncomfortable in class.

“If anybody reports this stuff it was made to feel like it’s not that big a deal, like we just want it to go away,” said Brandon Hogan, a parent in St. Helens School District. 

Tips from a TikTok creator and St. Helens High School graduate in part lead to the investigation, alleging “historic sexual abuse” at the school. Now, Stearns faces seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse. And, former teacher Mark Collins faces similar charges for sexual abuse.

In March, the district also paid $3.5 million to settle a former students’ civil right suit against a former St. Helens track coach. The lawsuit alleged the district was aware for over a decade of predatory behavior by a teacher and track coach but did nothing.

“They let people with multiple strikes against them, multiple harassment claims still teach,” said Robert Schaffer, a student at St. Helens High School. “And it’s sickening.”

Police arrested Stearns and Collins on Tuesday, quickly sparking citywide outrage over the alleged abuse. It came to a head at a very contentious school board meeting Wednesday night.

In response to student-led protests, the high school was closed on Thursday, and all district schools were closed on Friday.

 A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the family of James Lorin Tavel, a Brookings resident who was fatally struck by a vehicle early Sunday. Tavel, 38, was hit around 1 a.m. near milepost 358.

The funds raised will cover Tavel’s cremation, a celebration of life, and future support for his two children. Organizers described Tavel as a beloved father, fisherman, and friend, urging the community to come together in his memory.

The funds raised will cover Tavel’s cremation, a celebration of life, and future support for his two children. Organizers described Tavel as a beloved father, fisherman, and friend, urging the community to come together in his memory.

The crash that killed Tavel led to a six-hour closure of the highway as Oregon State Police conducted an on-scene investigation. The driver, identified as Tiffany Lyne Camp, 34, of Brookings, allegedly fled the scene unharmed but was later apprehended.

Original Post —————– On Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 1:00 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Hwy 101, near milepost 358, in Curry County.

The preliminary investigation indicated pedestrian, James Lorin Tavel (39) of Brookings, was struck in the northbound lane by Honda CRV, operated by Tiffany Lyne Camp (34) of Brookings. The Honda operator fled the scene and was arrested later by law enforcement.

The pedestrian (Tavel) was declared deceased at the scene.

The Honda operator (Camp) and passenger, Julia Pettigrew (37) of Brookings, were not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately six hours during the on-scene investigation. The crash is under criminal investigation at this time.

OSP was assisted by the Brookings Fire Department, Brookings Police Department, and ODOT.

# # # About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Sandbagging Stations in Lincoln County

Lincoln County residents have access to three self-serve, public sandbagging stations located in Yachats, Newport, and Lincoln City.

If you plan on using the self-serve sandbagging station, remember to bring a shovel. Hours:  Mid-October through mid-April. You can access sand any time of day or night. Community members may gather up to 10 sandbags per household, per season.  Full news releases, flyers, and social posts in English and Spanish are attached.

The 32nd Annual Bay Area Economic Outlook Forum will be held on Friday, December 13^th, starting at 6:45 am at The Mill Casino, utilizing, once again, an in-house face to face format.

This event is a joint project of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Banner Bank. The schedule for our 2024 program is very similar to previous years, with the continued use of an introductory speaker, this time focused on the challenge of housing issues and opportunities we have faced on the southwestern Oregon coast. After the introductory piece, our Oregon Employment Department economist, Guy Tauer, appears on the agenda.  Areas of local update focus are focused on Housing & Development this year which will include different developers and Key Housing experts. The popular feature “Home Grown Business Successes” will highlight two operations that worked through the challenges of the past two years and are part of our local success.  Tim Novotny, Communications Manager for the Coquille Indian Tribe, will be our emcee for the program. 

Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Looking For Suspect in Sandstone Cliff Vandalism

Officials with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge are asking for the community’s help identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing a rock face recently.

According to the refuge, the names ‘Luke’ and ‘Niko’ were carved deep into a sandstone headland, which is located on public land. The refuge says the rock that was vandalized is on a section of beach between the cities of Gold Beach and Brookings.

Vandalism on public lands is illegal, and penalties include fines and jail time. Anyone with information or
knows who is responsible, is asked to contact the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge by emailing  oregoncoast@fws.gov.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Gov. Kotek’s $39.3 billion proposed budget has more for housing, homelessness, schools

Lawmakers will use Kotek’s budget as a starting point for crafting the next two-year budget

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek wants the state to spend more than $2 billion on homelessness and housing and send a record $11.4 billion to public schools as part of a budget focused on maintaining existing programs with little cash to spare for new initiatives. 

Her total spending plan, including federal funding that the state doesn’t have much control over, is $137.7 billion for the two-year period from July 2025 to June 2027. Her proposed general fund and lottery funds budget, where Kotek and lawmakers have more discretion, is $39.3 billion. Infobox: Read Gov. Kotek’s budget highlights and full 476-page recommended budget. 

That’s a sharp increase from the $33.5 billion general fund and lottery funds budget lawmakers approved in 2023, but it doesn’t reflect much new spending. Instead, the state is grappling with the same budgetary pressures as many Oregonians: Revenue is higher, but so are costs.  

“People understand this from their own household budgets,” Kotek said at a press conference in Astoria last week. “While our economy is strong and wages are up, and people, if you just look at the numbers, are making more, their expenses are up. And in the case of the state, our expenses for health and human services have really grown, so the expenditure line is outpacing the money coming in the door.” 

Initial reactions to her recommended budget were mixed, with some advocacy groups saying it didn’t go far enough and Republicans criticizing it as squandering money.

Her recommended budget doesn’t include layoffs or cuts to services, but it also has few new programs. When state agencies crafted their budget requests, Kotek limited them to a 1% increase over 2025-27 levels. She also asked them to prepare lists of where they could cut by 10% by focusing on core services and making sure to maximize federal funding. 

“It was a hard exercise for some folks,” Kotek said. “But I believed, and do believe, that Oregonians, in this moment, would be better served by committing time and energy to practical considerations rather than well-meaning hypothetical wish lists. Developing my budget was an effort grounded in the reality of our state and our resources.” READ MORE: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/02/oregon-gov-koteks-39-3-billion-proposed-budget-has-more-for-housing-homelessness-schools/

Recall at Albertsons and Safeway

Some store-made deli and produce items at Albertsons and Safeway stores are being recalled due to potential salmonella contamination. The items included contain recalled bulk cucumber supplied by Baloian Farms of Arizona.

Following this recall initiated by Baloian Farms, Albertsons is voluntarily recalling select deli and produce items that contain bulk cucumber. The following is a list of recalled items at Albertsons and Safeway locations in Oregon and southern Washington. All items are store brand, most have sell-through dates between December 2 and December 5:

o Ecomm tray vegetable & dip

o Tray vegetable & hummus 16 inch

o Ecomm tray vegetable & hummus

o Tray vegetable & hummus 18 inch

o Vegetable & dip tray 16 inch

o Vegetable &; dip tray 18 inch

o Tray vegetable 16 inch

o Tray vegetable 18 inch

o Ecomm tray vegetable

o Cucumbers sliced 7 ounces

o Cucumbers sliced 14 ounces

o Premium vegetable tray (sell-through dates between December 4 and December 7).

Consumers who have purchased these items, should throw them out or return them to their local store for a refund. Questions can be directed to Albertsons Companies customer service at 1-877-723-3929. Salmonella can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Additional items have been recalled at Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Albany Teachers and Students Go Back to Class After Strike Ends

After one of the longest Teacher Strikes in Oregon, the Albany teacher’s union overwhelmingly approved the contract, which included capped class sizes and guaranteed bathroom breaks.

A day after the longest teacher strike in the Greater Albany School District’s history ended, teachers celebrated walking back into their classrooms.

Teachers overwhelmingly approved the new contract after nine months of negotiations, followed by the school board’s approval during an emergency school board meeting Monday night.

“The district is pleased to announce that GAEA and the District have settled the contract, and it has been approved by both the GAEA members and the Board as of 8:26 p.m.,” an e-mail from the Greater Albany Public Schools said.

During the three-week strike, teachers had complained about class sizes reaching high levels and had pushed the district to put a cap on class sizes throughout schools. Kindergarten classes are now capped at 25 students.

It was the first teachers strike in Albany in nearly 40 years and the longest one in the district’s history.

Missing Oregon Hiker Found Dead. Estranged Husband Arrested For Murder

UPDATE (December 1, 2024): Two dogs believed to be Susan Lane-Fournier’s found deceased

Date12/1/2024 CCSO Case #24-024698 — On Saturday, November 30, 2024, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recovered two deceased dogs believed to be Susan Lane-Fournier’s. The dogs have been transferred to the custody of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, where investigators are working to confirm their identities.

This case remains an active homicide investigation. Detectives continue to request information from anyone who saw Michel Fournier in the days leading up to Susan’s disappearance or has knowledge of his activities and whereabouts since then.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip Please reference CCSO Case #24-024698

EARLIER (November 30, 2024): Suspect arrested; deceased person found in Welches area identified as Susan Lane-Fournier

CCSO Case #24-024698 Today, Saturday, November 30, 2024, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy of the deceased person found on November 29, 2024, near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in unincorporated Clackamas County. The Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the deceased as missing person Susan Lane-Fournier and the manner of death as a homicide.

On Friday, November 29, 2024, shortly after the discovery of a deceased person in the Welches area, now identified as Susan Lane-Fournier, detectives contacted Michel Fournier, 71 of Brightwood. Detectives arrested Michel Fournier and he was booked into the Clackamas County Jail where he is currently being held without bail on a charge of second-degree murder.

Susan Lane-Fournier was first reported missing on Friday, November 22, 2024, after failing to arrive at her workplace. On Saturday, November 23, 2024, a community member reported seeing Lane-Fournier’s white 1992 Ford F-250 parked near East Salmon River Road and the Green Canyon Way Trail south of Welches. This led to a multi-day search and rescue operation by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, while detectives continued their investigation.

Susan Lane-Fournier’s two dogs have not been located. Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier in the days before her disappearance or who has information about his activity and whereabouts since then.

We are releasing Michel Fournier’s booking photo from this incident. The release of the booking photo is for law enforcement purposes and is in accordance with Oregon House Bill 3273 for the identification of additional criminal activity.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip — Please reference CCSO Case #24-024698

EARLIER (Friday, November 29, 2024): Investigation underway after person found deceased in Welches Area

Around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a deceased person found near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in unincorporated Clackamas County.

When deputies arrived, they located a deceased individual. Investigators are now working to identify the person and determine the circumstances surrounding their death.

This is an active investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office will provide updates when more information becomes available.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip

The information in this story came from a Facebook post posted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon. 

Oregon State Parks Offering Discounted Parking Passes – Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during December.

Shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25 (regularly $30) from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase at the 25 parks that currently charge for parking.

The annual permit is an even better option for frequent park visitors in 2025 when day-use parking fees will increase from $5 to $10 on Jan. 2, 2025.

Purchasing permits is easy. Visitors can buy them online at Oregon State Parks store. They’re also available at select park stores operated by friends’ groups, park visitor centers and local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

The daily parking fee is required at the 25 parks that charge for day-use parking unless visitors have a 12-month or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The parking fee does not apply to those who hike, bike or use public transportation.

The 24-month permit is $50 and is also available at OregonStateParkStore. The cost for the 12-month and 24-month permits is not currently increasing. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

Oregon Receives $750,000 to Fund Monarch Butterfly Conservation

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced $750,000 in new funding for two projects. The Pollinator Partnership works with private landowners to conserve butterfly habitat. The other project is a habitat kit program for both public and private land. Here is the full announcement from the senators:

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today a total of $758,810 in funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)’s Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) for two projects that will increase and improve western monarch butterfly and pollinator habitats in Oregon.

“We’ve all experienced the moment of excitement when we spot a monarch butterfly fluttering through the air. If we allow the iconic western monarch butterfly to go extinct, we will not only lose this beautiful species, but a critical pollinator forever,” said Merkley, who secured the federal funding as Chair of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, where he continuously boosts conservation efforts for monarch and other pollinators. “Groups and communities across Oregon and across the West are stepping up to find sustainable solutions, from planting pollinator-friendly gardens in their yards to providing resources and habitats for them. This funding, which includes the federal funding I secured, will further fuel our collective efforts to save this species before time runs out.”

“Monarch butterflies are crucial pollinators on the West Coast, where much of America’s food is grown,” Wyden said. “This investment will support a vital component of our food ecosystem while also helping to preserve a species that symbolizes the rebirth and resiliency Oregonians are known for.”

Today’s investments are part of $5.2 million in grants recently awarded by the NFWF’s Pollinator Fund for projects to conserve monarch butterflies and other insect pollinators in 24 states. Details of the projects in Oregon are as follows:

• $458,810 for the Pollinator Partnership to support Partner Biologists in planning climate-smart voluntary conservation efforts for private working lands that benefit the monarch butterfly and other pollinators across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The project is expected to restore 100 acres, improve 500 acres, develop 80 conservation plans, reach 720 people, and host 30 events.
• $300,000 for The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to sustain their Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kit Program that supports monarch butterfly and other pollinators on public and private lands in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregions, eastern Washington, and California. The project is expected to improve 500 acres, reach 200 people, and host 16 events.

These efforts are critically needed, as the western monarch population has declined over 95%, from as many as 10 million in the 1980s, to just over 233,000 counted last winter. These low populations are dangerous for humans, as 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants, and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce.

Ensuring pollinator survival means ensuring our own survival. That’s why Merkley has led a series of actions to revive the populations of western monarch and other pollinators, like honeybees. His efforts include hosting Monarch Butterfly Summits in partnership with the Department of the Interior, the first of which announced a $1 million investment in the NFWF Pollinator Fund and established a Pollinator Conservation Center at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Merkley also introduced and passed the bipartisan Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act and he introduced the Pollinator Power Act, which would incentivize pollinator habitats surrounding new solar projects carried out through the Rural Energy for America Program. Merkley is also behind the MONARCH Act and the Pollinator-Friendly Plant Labeling Act, both of which are cosponsored by Wyden.

Oregon State Police announces winning entry in the “Name Our K-9” Contest

YouTube Video Link: Name Our K-9: Violet and Millie 

Oregon State Sr. Trooper Scott Show needed an official name for his new drug-detection K-9. He had the idea to let Oregon elementary school students name the two-year-old female Belgian Malinois. On Oct. 17, 2024, OSP launched the “Name Our K-9” contest. At the time, no one knew we would end up with a very special name for one family.   

After almost 800 entries and a week of online voting, the winning entry of “Millie” was selected. Receiving almost half the votes cast, the winning entry was submitted by five-year-old Violet of Winston in honor of her twin sister Millie, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. 

Kylee Stewart, Violet and Millie’s mother, said, “Millie and Violet were inseparable. Although they were complete opposites, they shared a love of animals. When we came across the “Name Our K-9” contest, Violet knew she wanted to enter her sister’s name.”

“Nobody planned for there to be this much meaning behind naming the K-9,” said Sr. Trooper Show. “To have our dog end up with a name that’s got some significance and is meaningful to this family is really wonderful.” 

K-9 Millie is certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association as a drug-detection dog. She and Sr. Trooper Show are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug interdiction along Interstate 5 and throughout the state. As an ongoing tribute, OSP will recognize K-9 Millie’s drug seizures, when possible, with a special nod to the little girl who inspired her name.   

“On behalf of myself and the entire Oregon State Police family, it is an honor to be part of this special memorial to Millie Melton,” said Superintendent Casey Codding. In recognition for winning the naming contest, Violet received a letter and certificate from Superintendent Codding and an OSP uniform patch. She also received a Belgian Malinois plushie personalized with the OSP logo and the name “Millie” generously donated by Hero Industries. 

OSP is continuing to recognize the contest finalists with presentations to students across the state. We send a heartfelt thank you to the 778 students who submitted entries in the “Name Our K-9” contest. “K-9 teams play an important role in keeping our communities safe and it was exciting to have so many students participate in the contest in such an engaging and meaningful way,” said Superintendent Codding. 

Contest finalists: 

• “True” submitted by Michael B. from Creswell Christian Academy in Creswell. 
• “Showtime” submitted by KariAnn G. from Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg. 
• “Pearl” submitted by Bailey P. from Jefferson Elementary in Medford. 
• “Mable” submitted by Mrs. Moles’s second-grade class from Prairie City Elementary in Prairie City. 
• The school with the most entries: Hillcrest Elementary in North Bend. 

About the Oregon State Police
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon’s people, wildlife, and natural resources. 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. 

Ways to get and give help this holiday season

‘Tis the season for connection and caring for one another. But we also know this time of year can be challenging for many families. So whether you need a little extra support, or are looking for ways to give back to your community, we’ve got some suggestions to make the holiday season special.

Ways to get holiday help:

1. Visit the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) holiday resources webpage

Our 2024 holiday resources webpage has a list of local organizations that can provide hot meals, toys, winter clothes and more for families and individuals this holiday season. The page is available in English and Spanish, and you can sort the list by county to find resources in your area.

2. Connect with 211info

Not seeing anything near you on our list? Dial 2-1-1 to connect with someone who can guide you to the support you need. You can also visit 211info.org, enter your zip code, and search for “Holiday Gifts/Toys,” “Christmas Baskets,” or “Christmas Meals.”

3. Reach out to your local ODHS office

We’re here to help! Our local office staff often know about upcoming events and resources in your community. We can also help you learn more about services that be accessed year-round, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and more.

Ways to give holiday help:

1. Donate to ODHS or a community organization

ODHS partners with many community organizations that collect donations, like food, clothes, and toys, that support children in foster care, older adults, families in need, and more. For 2024, we’ve compiled a list with some of the ways you can donate to help the families ODHS serves. Don’t see anything on the list in your area? Contact your local ODHS office for more suggestions. You can also make a financial contribution to ODHS and specify how you want it to be used by emailing dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov.

2. Volunteer

Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. At ODHS, we have several temporary volunteer opportunities this holiday season for things like wrapping donations, delivering gifts, and helping at holiday parties for children in ODHS care. Email dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov to learn about holiday openings or to get involved longer-term. If that’s not for you, we also recommend reaching out to local nonprofits or community centers with missions you believe in to see how you can help.

3. Build community connections

Sometimes, the best way to give back is by simply showing up. Attend local events, check in on your neighbors, and spread the word about the ways to get help that we listed above. A little kindness and connection can go a long way!

Oregon Lottery Transfers $947 Million Back to State

– The Oregon Lottery will return more than $947 million to the state for the 2024 fiscal year – a $48 million increase from the previous year. Lottery generated $940 million in profit and reduced reserves nearly $8 million, enabling the higher return. 

Unclaimed prizes for the year totaled $8 million and will also go back to the state. 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. 

“Oregonians help support the state programs they care about by playing our games,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We continue to celebrate the wins of our players, the retailers who sell our games, and the public programs lifted up by these funds in our communities.”       

Lucky lottery players earned payouts totaling nearly $16 billion for the year. Including a record-breaking $1.3 billion Powerball win in the spring, 13 players took home prizes worth $1 million or more. Prizes big and small account for about 92% 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 close to $310 million in commissions this year.  

Since 2016, Oregon Lottery has maintained the highest level of accreditation for responsible gambling from both the National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries/National Council on Problem Gambling and the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Responsible Gambling programs. Oregon is one of only eight lotteries in the U.S. to reach this level by the WLA. 

The Lottery’s financial year runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. A final audited report is posted to Oregon Lottery’s website under “Proceeds and Financials.”

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15.5 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. 

OHSU study sheds light on the role housing and other needs play in health care

A national survey of low-income households that receive Medicaid finds improved health outcomes when housing and food needs are met in clinic visits

Housing and food insecurity sharply increased in Oregon among Medicaid and Medicare recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic, even amid a moratorium on evictions and increased government support for nutrition. 

The basic needs of Oregonians remained in peril from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 until at least the end of 2021, according to the findings of a study led by Oregon Health & Science University researchers published Monday in the Annals of Family Medicine. 

The study sheds light on the role that social determinants of health like adequate housing and food can play in a person’s overall well-being. This month, the Oregon Health Authority launched a new program to help people on Medicaid with their rent costs when a medical crisis hurts their ability to pay. 

The Oregon study surveyed and followed about 21,000 people who received Medicare or Medicaid benefits for their health care coverage, starting in 2019 and continuing through the end of 2021.  Researchers found a 17.7-percentage point increase overall in health-related social challenges such as housing instability and adequate food in March 2020, which coincided with the nation’s shutdown during the pandemic. That increase did not significantly decline through the end of 2021.

In Oregon, more than 1.4 million residents rely upon the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care, dental and behavioral health services to low-income people. More than 930,000 Oregonians are on Medicare, which is available for people who are at least 65 years old or receive Social Security disability benefits. 

The study was part of a broader national effort that surveyed 1.1 million people in the U.S. in a similar situation. The nationwide survey, overseen by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, found that people who had their basic needs like housing, food, transportation and utilities addressed during a health care visit enjoyed better overall health compared to people who did not receive assistance. 

“Together, these findings drive home the point that health care organizations need to think about the social care of their patients,” said senior author Anne King, an OHSU adjunct faculty member and Oregon state director of Comagine Health, a nonprofit health care quality improvement firm. “It actually improves their health and it reduces costs for taxpayers.” (SOURCE)

Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025

Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.

The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.

Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.

Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.

The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.

While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. 

Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person.

For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners  – visit the O[yes] online contest page.

The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.

### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.

Lend Your Voice to Shape the Future of Emergency Management in Oregon!

SALEM, OR – November 19, 2024 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management across the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., OEM is hosting its second annual town hall where community members and partners from all backgrounds can provide input and feedback on the agency’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) plan.

The Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for OEM’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and building resilience within Oregon’s communities. The IDEA plan guides emergency management practices that address the needs of all communities, fostering equitable outcomes and inclusive resilience statewide.  Feedback from this town hall will help guide OEM’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, response and recovery in ways that serve every community across the state—before, during and after a disaster.

The town hall is open to everyone, and no prior emergency management experience is required. Closed captioning will be available, and a video and audio transcript of the event will be accessible upon request after the event.

Event Details:

Event: Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s second annual strategic planning and IDEA town hall
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting will be virtual; link will be sent as event nears.  

Your feedback is critical in helping OEM serve Oregon’s diverse communities better and to foster an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and resilience. We look forward to hearing from you at this important event.

For more information or questions, please contact Bobbi McAllister at obbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov“>bobbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov.

Tips To Purchase a Permit to Cut Your Christmas Tree From an Oregon National Forest

The holiday season is upon us, which means the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is on. For those looking to bring home a real tree, permits are available now for all Oregon national forests.

Christmas tree permits are available for purchase online at recreation.gov (with an added $2.50 processing fee charged by the website) and at local U.S. Forest Service offices or from local vendors.

Permits are $5 each, and each permit allows the cutting of one Christmas tree. Households can purchase a maximum of five permits.

For downloadable maps of tree-cutting areas and a list of local vendors selling tree permits, go to bit.ly/WNFtree .

Fourth-grade students can receive a free tree permit by getting their Every Kid Outdoors pass and entering the voucher or pass number when prompted on Recreation.gov or by visiting a Forest Service office.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com