Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 3/18 – Newport Bond Proposal Community Feedback Open House Today at 4, Hatfield Marine Science Center Hosts “Shark Talk” 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, March 18, 2026

Oregon Beach Weather

Here’s the overview of our weather outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

This week on the Oregon coast, expect a mix of mild conditions with increasing clouds, turning to rain by Friday before a drying trend over the weekend. Temperatures will be mild, with highs in the mid-50s to upper 60s°F and lows in the 30s to 40s°F. Winds are generally light but can be stronger on the water. 

• Wednesday & Thursday: Partly sunny with increasing clouds, high temperatures reaching the upper 60s°F, and lows in the 40s°F.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of rain, with highs dipping into the mid-60s°F and lows around 40°F.
• Weekend: The weather dries out for the weekend, with partly cloudy to sunny skies and highs in the 50s°F, dropping into the 30s°F at night. 

Marine forecasts suggest a chance of rain with southerly winds and wave heights between 5 to 8 feet through Friday. 

Always check local, National Weather Service (.gov) updates before traveling to the coast during this period. It is recommended to check specific, updated local forecasts as conditions can change rapidly on the coast.

Travel Oregon Seeks Opinions in Survey on Coastal Tourism

The Resident Sentiment Survey, conducted by Travel Oregon, asks Oregon residents about their experiences with and perspectives on tourism. Feedback helps guide strategies that support responsible travel and resilient communities, ensuring tourism benefits both residents and visitors alike. The survey is short, anonymous, and open until March 31, 2026—and participants are entered to win up to $1,000 in Amazon gift cards.

How to participate and share:

• Take the survey: Visit or share the Travel Oregon industry site landing page for more details and to see last year’s results
• Share via newsletters: Use this sample invitation, or write your own!
• Hang flyers at your business or around town
• Share the short link:bit.ly/OR26Resident
• Post on social media: Here’s a sample post you can use:

ARE YOU AN OREGON RESIDENT? In partnership with Travel Oregon, we want to hear your perspective on tourism across the state as we work to improve the lives of all Oregonians. Fill out a short, anonymous survey from Travel Oregon by March 31, 2026, and be entered to win up to $1,000 in Amazon gift cards. Your feedback will help encourage responsible travel practices and shape the future of tourism in your community.

To take the survey, go here

Coastal residents have until the end of March to weigh in on their attitudes toward tourism.

Those living on the Oregon coast can reflect how important the issue of tourism is to their communities and economies by leading the way in terms of overall participation.

Of the nearly 7,000 Oregonians who took the survey in 2024, more than 1,800 reported their residences as on the coast. That outpaced the 1,518 Portland-area respondents and the 1,041 who lived in eastern Oregon.

Results of the formally named “resident sentiment survey” are released every two years. The survey, conducted by Travel Oregon, asks Oregon residents about their experiences with and perspectives on tourism.

This year’s survey, coming when some communities are re-thinking their promotional efforts to lessen the impact of tourists, will be used by Travel Oregon to monitor progress against the agency’s own 10-year strategic vision.

Survey questions ask whether respondents in their own various geographic areas of the state are confident that their quality of life will improve in the coming year and whether they would recommend their areas to others as tourism destination points.

Coastal residents two years ago, for instance, said that the negatives associated with the environmental, cultural and social impacts of tourism narrowly outweighed the positive economic aspects. They were also less likely than not to say that their area’s quality of life would improve over the coming year.

Have ideas for Newport’s proposed $38 million bond? There’s a meeting today at 4pm for community feedback!

We invite community members to attend a Community Feedback Open House on Wednesday, March 18 from 4 – 6:30 pm at the Newport Performing Arts Center to learn more about a proposed $38 million replacement bond and help shape project priorities. An FAQ is available at NewportOregon.gov/Bond2026/index.php

At the open house, community members will have the opportunity to review potential projects and rank which they believe should be the City’s highest priorities. City staff will be available throughout the event to discuss project details, answer questions, and gather feedback from residents. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center – Hey all you shark lovers – Don’t miss Hatfield Science on Tap Today – Wed. March 18.

Research and Marine Social Scientist Dr. Isla Hodgson, who works with the Save Our Seas Foundation in Scotland, is presenting a talk titled “Human Nature: Why understanding our own species is key to conserving sharks.“

Social hour starts at 5 p.m. with drinks and food for purchase. Talk starts at 6 p.m. If you can’t make it in person, join us online. Find all the details and the hybrid link at https://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/main/science-tap

Join the webinar online from PC, Mac, iPad or Android. Join via audio:
+1 971 247 1195 US (Portland) Webinar ID: 948 2023 8531

The Wild Coast Film Festival

If you missed this year’s lineup over the weekend featuring an incredible array of stories about wild places, wild creatures, and grand adventures. **** Streaming the online festival is a great way to directly support native wildlife and conservation education.You can find the online festival here: https://watch.eventive.org/wildcoastfilm26

Get Ready for Spring Whale Watch Week

Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast Saturday, March 21 through Sunday, March 29.

Trained Oregon State Park volunteers and park rangers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot whales and their calves and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily March 21-29. The sites are among the best places to watch whales on the Oregon Coast.

“Spring is a great time for whale watching because the gray whale migration can be a bit closer on their return trip north, usually within a few miles from shore.  As we get later into the spring, we can sometimes see the mothers with calves in tow,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates 13,000 gray whales are expected to migrate past Oregon’s shores from late winter through June as they travel back toward Alaska, far fewer than earlier projections suggested. Although NOAA declared the Unusual Mortality Event over in 2023 and initially believed the population might be rebounding, new winter 2025 estimates instead show the lowest numbers since the 1970s.

NOAA’s models, which combine visual surveys with migration pattern assumptions, indicate that the 2025 population most likely falls between 11,700 and 14,500 whales.

A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online on the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21-29. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Park rangers and volunteers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.

All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and keeping an eye on the surf at all times. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.

For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Spring Whale Watch on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch.

The City of Florence is selecting new art for the Art Exposed Gallery on Highway 101!

The City of Florence Public Arts Committee wants to hear from the community about the finalists for Art Exposed ReVision Florence 2026-2028. Read about the submissions and how to comment at https://www.ci.florence.or.us/…/Art-Exposed-ReVision… and watch the March 9 Committee meeting for more information.

Tell us your thoughts by Sunday, March 29, 2026. We’ll be voting during the March 30 Public Arts Committee meeting at 4:00 p.m. at Florence City Hall.* Comments must be received through the website for committee consideration

Hundreds of coastal students compete in challenge to create solar, wind and wave devices

School children from Waldport to Warrenton explored that question last week when they showed off nature-powered small boats, cars and other devices during an annual contest for coastal schools.

Some 140 elementary and middle school students from nine schools competed Thursday for team honors in three categories — wind, wave and solar devices.

They tested their creations at Hatfield Marine Science Center, host of the Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge.

Each team had two tasks: Present a poster about their project to a volunteer judge with engineering expertise, and explaining how they developed their design, and then testing their entries in a wind tunnel, wave tank or water channel.

The event was overseen by Oregon Sea Grant and coordinated by the Oregon Coast STEM Hub, under sponsorship by the Oregon Department of Energy. Oregon Sea Grant addresses marine and coastal issues through research and education. The science, technology, engineering and math hub serves teachers and students in 20 coastal school districts. READ MORE: https://lincolnchronicle.org/hundreds-of-coastal-students-compete-in-challenge-to-create-solar-wind-and-wave-devices/

Lincoln City Council leaders got a closer look at the final design and price tag for the new Welcome Center at the D River recreation site last week.

While the project is moving forward, some councilors are clearly uneasy about the cost. The Welcome Center is planned for one of Oregon’s most popular coastal parks, a site that already sees more than 1.2 million visitors a year. City staff described the new facility as Lincoln City’s “living room” — a full‑service, accessible oceanfront park hub meant to replace the aging bathroom building and create a stronger first impression for visitors.

The city has already approved a lease with Oregon State Parks and a progressive design‑build contract. Funding includes 2.5 million dollars from state lottery bonds, with the remaining costs covered by transient room tax revenue. The building itself will be about 1,520 square feet, with exhibit space, staff areas, and public restrooms, plus a redesigned parking lot that adds 22 spaces, including more accessible and RV parking, and improves emergency beach access. Inside, the center will feature 720 square feet of exhibit space that highlights Lincoln City’s story, local businesses, and the coastal environment. Most of the interior artwork will be created by an artist named Duncan, with another artist expected to design a mosaic or similar work in the bathroom area. There will also be a rotating display area, space for tribal exhibits, and a prominent display of glass floats.

But much of the discussion focused on money. Councilor Hoagland questioned why the total project cost is around 7 million dollars for a building of roughly 1,700 square feet, calling line items like 279,000 dollars for siding and 43,000 dollars for painting “astronomical” compared to typical residential construction. Other high‑ticket items singled out included more than 18,000 dollars for toilet accessories and over 150,000 dollars for cabinetry and countertops.

City staff and the project manager said the materials were chosen for durability in a harsh public, oceanfront environment, emphasizing that they are intended to be long‑lasting but “not a Cadillac.” They also explained that some line items presented on the spreadsheet to the council for things like painting, bundle multiple products and treatments such as stains and preservatives for natural wood, not just interior wall paint. The council also pressed for clarity on who controls contingency spending. Staff confirmed that any use of the contingency within the already authorized total is approved by staff, and anything above that must come back to council. If contingency funds are not used, they return to the city.

Questions were also raised about how the contractor gets paid and whether they have any incentive to come in under budget. Staff said this progressive design‑build contract is “open book,” with the city able to see the contractor’s actual costs and the agreed‑upon markup. There is no bonus for finishing under budget, but any unused contingency is not shared with the contractor — it goes back to the city. Allowances are built in for uncertainties like extra gravel if bad soil is found, and for a monument sign that has not yet been fully designed; these allowance items also require approval before spending.

Councilor Hoagland again voiced concern about justifying the high costs to residents, saying he is frequently stopped in public and asked why the city is spending so much on a relatively small building. Staff responded that the costs reflect years of design work, current material and labor prices, and the realities of building a durable public facility on the coast.

For now, the Welcome Center project remains on track, with design complete, funding identified, and construction not to exceed previously approved limits. The next steps will likely focus on refining explanations of specific costs — including what exactly falls under high‑profile line items like painting — as city leaders prepare to answer tough questions from the public about how their tourism dollars are being spent. (SOURCE)

State Plan Could Provide Lifeline for Coos Bay Hospital

A major piece of legislation passed by the Oregon Legislature could provide significant financial relief for Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, helping the facility avoid potential service cuts.

House Bill 4075 authorizes the state to guarantee a loan of up to $44 million as part of a long-term refinancing plan designed to stabilize the hospital’s finances.

Supporters say the plan will allow the hospital to restructure debt and avoid relying on higher-interest loans to stay operational.

Bay Area Hospital has been operating at a financial loss and had previously explored a possible merger with Quorum Health, though those talks ended last August.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Boomer Wright, who represents the Coos Bay area. The 2026 legislative session concluded Friday, and the bill now heads to Governor Tina Kotek for final approval.

If signed into law, the funding could play a key role in maintaining healthcare services for thousands of residents along the southern Oregon coast.

Respect Nesting Areas to Protect Threatened Snowy Plover Mar. 15 through Sept. 15

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors to the Oregon Coast that western snowy plover nesting season begins March 15 and runs through Sept. 15.

Beachgoers can help recovery efforts for the threatened shorebird by observing recreation restrictions at designated plover beaches.

Sensitive plover nesting areas are identified on maps for the northern Oregon Coast and southern Oregon Coast. Western snowy plovers nest in dry sand above the high tide line and are often difficult to see because they camouflage well.

To help protect these tiny shorebirds, please stay on wet sand and leave your dogs at home or at your campsite, even if they are leashed. Visitors may notice signs at trailheads with additional rules and limitations. There may be rope fencing in dry sand areas; this fencing delineates some, but not all, of the critical plover habitat that should be avoided.

Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect and recover the western snowy plovers living on Oregon’s beaches. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-hidden. During the nesting season, human disturbances can flush adult plovers away from their nests as they attempt to defend their young. Left alone too long, or too often, eggs or chicks can die from exposure and predators. Habitat loss from invasive plants and human disturbances—including litter and discarded food scraps that attract predators— also contribute to the birds’ decline.

Recreation restrictions occur only in designated plover management areas where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.

Reminders for recreation on designated plover beaches March 15 – Sept. 15:

• The following are not permitted: dogs (even on a leash), driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle or e-bike, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
• Foot and equestrian traffic are permitted below the high-tide line on wet, hard packed sand.
• Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed western snowy plovers as a threatened species in 1993 when officials counted only 45 breeding adults. Populations have steadily increased since then due to ongoing efforts. Officials counted 546 during the breeding season survey in 2025.

“We appreciate visitors’ support in keeping these shorebirds safe. We invite visitors to enjoy permitted recreation in sensitive areas or to recreate without seasonal restrictions on beaches not designated as plover nesting areas,” said Laurel Hillmann, ocean shore specialist for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

More information on the snowy plover, including detailed maps of nesting sites, can be found on the Oregon State Parks website (oregon.gov/plovers) and on the Siuslaw National Forest website (fs.usda.gov/r06/siuslaw/animals-plants/western-snowy-plover).

Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand at fs.usda.gov/r06/siuslaw/recreation/rules-and-guidelines.

Plover activity near Sand Lake Recreation Area — The increase in plover numbers may result in nesting occuring at new or historical nesting sites. For example, visitors to Sand Lake Recreation Area may see small roped off areas near the lake’s inlet to protect active nests and may encounter plovers on the beach. Beachgoers are encouraged to protect these birds by restricting recreation activities to wet sand areas, avoiding roped off nesting areas, packing all trash out and keeping dogs on leash. Paragliders should steer toward the northern area of Sand Lake Recreation Area to avoid gliding or landing near plover nests on the southern edge of the Sand Lake spit.

Background on plover protections — Several land managers oversee beach activity for plover protection, primarily the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). For more information on how plovers are managed in Oregon, see the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP): https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PCB/Documents/WSP-HCP_08182010-web.pdf.

Registration Opens for SOLVE’s Month-Long Spring Cleanup

Registration is now open for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup, in partnership with Portland General Electric. This year, SOLVE is expanding its largest spring volunteer initiative to span the entire month of April, turning Earth Month into coordinated action across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup is SOLVE’s largest spring volunteer initiative, bringing together individuals, families, schools, businesses, and community groups to care for beaches, neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, and waterways. Projects include litter cleanups and habitat restoration efforts such as native plantings, invasive species removal, and mulching. In April 2025, the initiative supported 214 projects, engaging nearly 4,500 volunteers who removed 26,077 pounds of trash and cleared more than 22 acres of invasive species across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

With 65 events already open for registration, volunteers can sign up for projects taking place throughout April. SOLVE is aiming for 200+ projects across the region and continues to recruit additional event leaders to broaden statewide engagement. Expanding the initiative to a full month creates greater access and enables more communities to take part in coordinated Earth Month action.

“Earth Month is a powerful reminder that local action drives meaningful environmental impact,” said Kregg Arntson, Director of Community Impact at Portland General Electric. “Through our partnership with SOLVE, PGE deepens its commitment to helping Oregon’s vibrant communities become climate resilient communities.”  

As global attention turns toward environmental awareness in April, the Oregon Spring Cleanup provides a way to translate that momentum into tangible results. Each project contributes to protecting natural spaces, improving neighborhood livability, and preventing litter from entering rivers and the ocean ahead of peak recreation season.

SOLVE is actively seeking additional event leaders to host cleanup or restoration projects in April. Whether returning hosts or first-time leaders, participants receive planning support, free supplies, disposal assistance, and volunteer recruitment tools. Hosting a project can be as simple as identifying a site in need and completing the new leader orientation at volunteer.solve.org/orientation.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer: Browse the event calendar and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solve.org/oregon-spring
• Lead your own project: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
• Encourage participation: Invite schools, workplaces, and community groups to take part in Earth Month action

The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2026 is made possible through the partnership with Portland General Electric and the generous support of Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon State Park & Recreation, The Standard, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, KOIN6, LAM Research, Lithia & Driveway, National Parks Recreation & Parks Association, and PepsiCo.

For more information or to register, visit solve.org/oregon-spring

About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn. 

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has made a decision with a vote of 6-1 to reject a petition from environmental organizations that sought to implement more stringent regulations on the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

This petition, initiated by groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Oceana, aimed to further reduce the risk of whale entanglements along the coast. During a well-attended meeting in Springfield, numerous local fishermen provided testimony opposing the proposal, contending that external interests should not control local fishery management.

In the end, the commission opted to allow the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) to proceed with its existing rulemaking processes and ongoing collaboration with federal agencies.

YACHATS LIONS Announces Launch of Bird City Yachats

Bird City Yachats (BCY) will hold its official launch on March 1st, 1:30 PM at the Yachats Lions Hall when Bird City Oregon will present the designation to the Mayor of Yachats. This will be followed by a talk entitled “Taking Refuge on the Oregon Coast”, a history of our coastal wildlife refuges, which provide critical seabird nesting habitat. BCY is sponsored by the Yachats Lions Club.

In the Fall 2025 the city of Yachats was awarded an Oregon Bird City, the first bird city on the Pacific Coast. This certification rewards cities for their efforts to help wildlife. Bird City Yachats (BCY) is part of a national program, Bird City Network ( https://birdcity.org/) of more than 300 “Bird” cities across the country. A steering committee for BCY has been established to encourage our citizens to protect and enjoy our precious wildlife and to develop projects for their protection.

BCY projects range from education (e.g., speaker series, bird walks) to removing threats (e.g., bird strike prevention) and marketing (e.g., website, ads promoting Yachats as a birding destination). Birds have unique threats. One that kills millions of birds a year is striking windows. In that regard BCY been working with the city manager on window treatments for the new pavilion that will minimize bird strikes. Open pipes and chimneys that can trap birds are another threat. Working together with Seven Capes Bird Alliance, BCY has surveyed 24 state parks in Lincoln County and identified over 150 open pipes which we will help cap.

BCY now has a website (https://birdcity.org/oregon/yachats) and information available at the Visitor Center on birds and birding sites. This month we will unveil a photo exhibition of local birds and wildlife in the children’s section of the new Yachats library.

Established in 1950, the Yachats Lions Club serves Yachats and South Lincoln County. With our motto of “WE SERVE”, we provide service for eyeglasses and exams, hearing aids and exams, eye screening in Lincoln County schools, pancake breakfasts, crab feed, lunch bunch, speaker series, peace poster and flag day events in our schools, and community use of our clubhouse. Through community donations to the Yachats Lions Thrift Store our sales allow us to donate to local needs such as student scholarships, food pantries, school programs, and conservation projects.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it. For more information, contact Lion Jim Welch at 970-217-4424 or jameswelch1009@gmail.com

Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast 

10% off Packages and Retail Items!If you have a birthday or anniversary in March, celebrate along with the Heceta Head Lightstation, whose birthday is March 30th. You will recieve 10% off any Picnic, Package, or retail item when reserving a stay in March 2026. Use Promo code: BIRTHDAY Valid along with any stay March 1-31, 2026.www.hecetalighthouse.com

NW Natural has released a multi language notice that will also go to every customer regarding how to best identify a NW Natural Utility Worker when they come to your home or are nearby.

There has been reports of ICE agents disguising as utility workers to lure people out of their homes. Please stay aware.

“We are aware of reports of individuals impersonating utility workers in order to gain access to residents. Please note:

Our workers who show up at your home should either be wearing a uniform and a utility badge or wearing a badge that says “CONTRACTOR.” Their vehicles should be similarly marked with a NW Natural company logo and/or “CONTRACTOR.”

If someone comes to your house and asks for access to your home or for you to come outside:

• Our employees will never ask for immediate access to customers’ homes. They often will go to a back or side yard to access a meter.
• In most situations, if there is a reason a NW Natural employee would need to go inside a customer’s home (such as a safety check or inspection), they would have set this up with the customer in advance.

NW Natural is a company based in Coos Bay, OR that specializes in providing natural gas services to residential and commercial customers.

If you want to verify if someone at your home is a NW Natural employee or contractor, you can call our customer service line at 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012. If you suspect an imposter, call 9-1-1 immediately.” https://www.nwnatural.com/…/2025-utility-and-contactor…

Anticipating Early 2026 Opening, Oregon Seeks to Block Potential Newport ICE Facility

Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction.

Lawyers for the state sought an injunction from U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in an amended complaint filed last week as part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the U.S. Coast Guard’s removal of a rescue helicopter from its Newport Municipal Airport facility in late October. They argued that the federal government is skirting federal environmental and coastal land use regulations which would require more notice for Oregon leaders should an ICE facility be constructed in the area.

Donor Offers $50K Reward in 40-Year-Old Case of Missing Oregon Coast Teen

Lincoln County authorities hope the recent offer from an anonymous donor of a $50,000 reward will lead to the remains of a 17-year-old Siletz girl who was last seen walking on U.S. 20 more than four decades ago.

An anonymous donor put up money hoping it will spur information that leads not only to Kelly Disney’s remains but also to the conviction of her killer, according to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s Office has confirmed that an anonymous donor offered the reward for any information leading to Disney’s remains and/or the conviction of her killer.

Information can be submitted anonymously at 541-265-0669 or online at FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us

READ MORE on CASE: https://lincolnchronicle.org/15597-2/

Wildlife Center of the North Coast · We need your help! 

Make a difference in wildlife rescue! Join our Wild at Heart Membership Program starting at just $5/month. Help us save lives! https://coastwildlife.org/wild-at-heart/

It’s been a busy summer here at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, and our rehab clinic has gone through lots of supplies caring for patients!!

->> To help us restock and stay prepared for the next wave of wildlife in need, we’ve updated our Amazon Wishlist with the items we need most. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA

Every donation—big or small—goes directly to helping orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife get a second chance at life. Check out our wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA Thank you for being part of our wildlife rescue family! 

Friends of Haystack Rock  · We have puffins!

Check out our website, Friendsofhaystackrock.org to see them live! We have our webcam zoomed in on a couple active burrows. Your best chance to see them is in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Volunteers are being sought to help prepare and serve lunch three times a week at the Florence Senior and Activity Center.  

They serve lunch Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Both programs, the in-house dining known as Cafe 60, and Meals on Wheels, are very important in helping promote socialization and nutrition for older adults in Lane County.  Volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels use their own vehicles, but they can be reimbursed for their mileage.  The Lane Council of Governments operates the Senior and Disabled Services in Lane County.  Alisa Andrion encourages potential volunteers to give her a call at L-COG, 541-682-1366.

Coos Bay Police Department –  WE’RE HIRING 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS

$4684 – $5972/Month DOQ — We offer:•A dynamic team environment •Alternative schedule benefiting work/life balance •Up to 5 weeks paid time off per year after the first year •The opportunity to serve your community

Our team members have come from a variety of work fields- no experience necessary! For additional information from the North Coos 9-1-1 Recruitment Team or to schedule a ride-along please email: join911@coosbayor.govhttps://www.coosbayor.gov/…/Compon…/JobPosts/Job/126/107

Gleneden Beach Community Club Events

Look what’s coming up soon at the Club… (sign up at glenedenbeach.org)

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.

If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.

Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?

Here are resources that can help:

211Info:  Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank:  Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Mapto find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you. 

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area. 

More than 2 million seedlings planted this season in Oregon’s state forests

A mild winter with spring-like weather has helped the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) replanting of state forest timber harvest areas stay ahead of schedule this year with approximately two million seedlings already in the ground.

“This has been a great planting season with no shutdowns due to weather,” said John Walter, ODF’s State Forests Silviculturist.  “All our districts are done or will be this month.  The only exception being Klamath Lake—they typically plant into May and have about 60,000 to get in.”

Like most Western Oregon’s forests, Douglas Fir is the dominant species, but ODF tries to add diversity to its reforestation plan to promote resilience and provide additional types of timber products.

“This year we planted about 74 percent Doug(las) Fir, 17 percent Hemlock, two percent each of Western Red Cedar and Noble Fir, one percent each of Grand Fir and Sitka Spruce with the remaining three percent Pondarosa Pine,” said Walter.  “Later, hardwoods naturally seed in with mainly alder and bigleaf maple.  So, we end up with a species mix that is fairly typical western Oregon forests.”

The seedlings are grown by nine contracted northwest nurseries and this year they supplied ODF with 2.3 million of them.

“The successful bidders that purchase timber sales, have three years to complete harvest so it makes it a little tricky on the planning side to project a year in advance how many seedlings we need each year,” said Walter.  “However, we never want to run short so we typically order a little more than what we will plant in state forests.”

This year ODF has nearly 300,000 of those “extra” seedlings, all of which are destined for Oregon’s forests—just not state forests.  ODF typically sells, or sometimes donates, seedlings to watershed groups, other non-profits, and Oregon tribes.

All those 2.3 million seedlings that were grown in controlled environments at the nurseries are then shipped to ODF and held in large coolers until planting season.

The planting is done mostly by private contractors working for ODF.  Some planting and replanting the next year, mainly in the Tillamook State Forest, is also done by Adults In Custody from the South Fork Forest Camp, a facility jointly run by the Department of Corrections and ODF.

“This is not easy work,” said Bill Sayers, Reforestation Forester for ODF’s Forest Grove District who along with two of his coworkers were monitoring contractors working in Tillamook State Forest. “The terrain can be steep and slippery especially with a pack of 200 or so trees on your back and a shovel in your hand.  Also, the contracts emphasize both speed and efficiency.  They have to plant fast and plant correctly to get the maximum pay out specified in the contract.  Most of these guys do amazing work.”

To determine if the work is done correctly ODF staff measures out a 1/100^th of an acre circle and counts the number of seedlings planted in the circle.

“To get to our goal of usually 400 trees per acre there needs to be four seedlings in that circle,” said Sayers.  “If there are too few or too many, we alert the foreman and they correct the issue right there.  We then dig up the seedings in the circle to make sure they are planted correctly. If they are too deep or too shallow or the roots are bent over, we call those planting errors.  We identify those issues and again get it corrected in real time.  And yes, we replant the ones we checked ourselves.”

Once in the ground correctly and at the right time, the number one determining factor for their survival is whether they get the right amount of moisture at the right time.

“Obviously weather is the top determining factor—if it is an unusually dry spring and hot dry summer mortality goes up,” said Walter.  “We can’t do anything about the weather.  The second major factor is competing vegetation.  Even if it is a “normal” participation year, seedlings can struggle if other plants are sucking up all the moisture.  We evaluate each unit individually and then where deemed necessary use herbicide to limit that competing vegetation to increase the survival rate.”

Other factors impacting seedlings survival are deer and elk browse, root damage (mainly from mountain beavers that live underground), insects, tree diseases and wildfire.

“However, these stressors are usually limited to certain units and not as much of a threat when compared to the overall impact lack of water or drought region wide,” said Walter.

Looking to the future, ODF has several cooperative agreements and is a partner in research projects in Oregon and the Northwest to improve the genetics to increase the survivability of future trees.

“It’s difficult and a long-term effort to improve our trees,” said Walter. “Ideally, we want disease resistance, climate adaptation and growth all in the same tree.  Realistically it is hard to get one of those traits without dropping one or two of the others.”

Meanwhile, ODF continues to manage state forests to yield a sustainable balance of economic, environmental and social benefits over time and for all Oregonians.

To learn more on how your state forests are managed see: Oregon Department of Forestry : State forests : Forest resources : State of Oregon

Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services  · Join a free webinar TODAY — Student loan ombuds from Oregon and several other states will share the latest on federal student loans, vital borrower resources, and how their offices can assist you.

This webinar will cover essential topics, including borrower rights, repayment plans, new borrowing limits, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), default management, and more.The webinar takes place March 18 at noon PST. To register, visit https://dfpi.ca.gov/…/navigating-the-future-of-student….

Cherry blossoms illuminated at State Capitol State Park March 21 through April 4

SALEM— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host “Yozakura,” night viewing of the Akebono cherry blossoms, March 21 through April 4 in the North Mall at State Capitol State Park.

The cherry blossoms will be illuminated with Japanese lanterns and lights nightly from 6-10 p.m. Visitors may bring blankets, camping chairs, or an evening picnic to enjoy under the canopy of the illuminated trees.

The lanterns and lights create a striking and beautiful scene inside the park at night.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will livestream the cherry blossoms on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OregonParks beginning March 21 during the day and evening through April 4.

Park staff ask that tree limbs and blossoms are left as is so everyone can view them throughout the bloom. Alcohol is not allowed in State Capitol State Park (without permits) and the park closes at 10 p.m.

For more information on events at the Capitol, call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit the events page.

Wyden questions changes to postmark rule as tax, election deadlines loom

Wide-scale changes to when the U.S. Postal Service collects mail and postmarks envelopes could jeopardize timely tax returns and the ability for voters in Oregon and other states to have their ballots counted, Oregon’s senior U.S. senator warned Thursday.

Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, sent Postmaster General David Steiner a letter Thursday with 11 questions about how the Postal Service is implementing its changes, making Americans aware of them and working with election officials and the Internal Revenue Service to minimize risks that the changes could lead to penalties for late tax filing or disenfranchise voters.

“Voters in my state of Oregon have for 30 years relied on the USPS to cast their ballots with confidence knowing their votes will be counted in a timely manner,” Wyden wrote. “These network changes and corresponding postmarking delays may jeopardize timely ballot delivery in 2026, disenfranchising voters in Oregon and nationwide.”

The Postal Service plans to create roughly 60 regional processing and distribution centers, mostly in urban hubs including Portland. When completed, about 23,000 post offices — roughly three-quarters of the country’s total — won’t have end-of-day mail collection.

Instead, mail that arrives at a post office more than 50 miles from a regional center will be picked up the following morning and processed at the regional center, adding at least a day to delivery times. Those changes apply to most of Oregon, including the second- and third-largest cities of Salem and Eugene.

The shift to regional processing centers and ending evening mail collection means envelopes won’t receive postmarks until they’re processed at the Portland center — so someone mailing a ballot, filing a tax return by mail or who otherwise counts on a postmark as proof a letter was sent by a deadline will have to send their mail earlier or ask for a manual postmark at a post office.

In a rule finalized on the federal register on Christmas Eve, the Postal Service maintains that a postmark date “does not inherently or necessarily align with the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of the mailpiece.”

“If customers are aware that the postmark date may not align with the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of a mailpiece, they will be better equipped to adjust their plans accordingly,” the rule reads. “And if policymakers or other entities that create rules utilizing the postmark date are aware of what the postmark date signifies, they are better equipped to determine whether their rules adequately serve their purposes.”

But, Wyden noted in his letter, federal law explicitly states that the IRS uses postmarks to validate the timeliness of tax returns.

“Slower application of the postmark has direct legal consequences on whether taxpayers’ returns will be considered timely by the IRS,” Wyden wrote. “USPS’s network changes will inevitably delay postmarking for tax returns and may result in late penalties for a significant number of Americans who are unaware of these changes.”

Taxes must be filed by April 15, and Oregon’s primary election is May 19. Because of changes to how the Postal Service handles mail outside of the Portland area, election officials will urge voters to mail their ballots back at least a week prior or use drop boxes instead of relying on timely mail delivery. (SOURCE)

WIC boosts shopping budgets for Oregon families, increases access to healthy foods statewide

Annual report highlights expanded food options, newly opened clinics and the impact of WIC dollars in local communities

March is National Nutrition Month. One of Oregon’s largest nutrition programs, Oregon Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), is marking the occasion by sharing its 2025 annual report. It highlights the program’s role in building healthy families and strong communities.

Key information in the report includes:

• In 2025, nearly $68 million in WIC benefits were spent at 483 authorized grocery stores and pharmacies across the state, an increase of almost 5% from 2024, when close to $65 million in WIC funds were distributed in Oregon. WIC-authorized stores must stock a minimum amount of specific healthy foods, improving access to nutritious options for the entire community. Oregon WIC also sets nutrition standards for food items sold statewide.
• The new WIC food package reflects the latest nutrition science and aligns with dietary patterns recognized globally. The changes bring increased variety, flexibility and choice, allowing families to honor cultural traditions and access healthy food options, including gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-free foods.
• WIC increases health access in rural communities. Nearly 37% of pregnant women in Oregon’s rural and remote areas participate in the program, and WIC has improved access by opening clinics in Gilliam County, Wallowa County and Grand Ronde, bringing services closer to home for more families.

The report comes at a time when some Oregon families are struggling to make ends meet with rising food costs. The 2026 Oregon Financial Score Card shows that three quarters of Oregon households have cut down on spending due to higher housing and food costs.

WIC plays a vital role in providing nutritious foods that support healthy pregnancies and the growth and development of babies and young children. The program helps families maintain their buying power because the WIC food packages supply a set amount of healthy foods each month, offering stability when grocery prices are high.

“WIC dollars go directly into Oregon communities. Families use their WIC benefits at grocery stores, pharmacies, farmers markets and farm stands, supporting local jobs, retailers, and farmers while providing nutritious foods,” said Oregon WIC Director Tiare Sanna, M.S., RDN.

The Farm Direct Nutrition Program is just one of the innovative programs highlighted in this year’s report, published March 1. The state-administered federal nutrition program allows participants to purchase fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables and herbs directly from farmers at farmers markets and farm stands. In 2025, 40,600 WIC participants and 53,000 low-income seniors used benefits to buy produce through the WIC and Senior Farm Direct programs.

“It brightens my day when WIC participants shop at my farmers market booth with their Farm Direct dollars,” said Nicki Passarella of Storybrook Farm in Sandy. “Seeing a child’s eyes light up when they get to choose a vegetable is so heartwarming and encouraging. The impact of WIC Farm Direct is invaluable to me, to my farm business, and to Oregon’s farming community.”

WIC’s modern approaches to nutrition education and breastfeeding support are making a difference for families. Marion County resident Diane Smith shared how WIC supported her breastfeeding journey and her children’s nutrition.

“The information I have gotten from WIC has tremendously helped me. It’s amazing, and I recommend it to anybody—young moms and families that need assistance with nutrition or anything,” Smith said. “I’m so proud of myself for being able to breastfeed through my last two pregnancies because of the WIC program and nutrition program. It’s made me a stronger mom and my kids stronger, and I’m all around a better person because of it.”

• Hear Smith discuss how WIC has helped her family inthis video.

About WIC – Last year, Oregon WIC served 119,464 participants across 36 counties, including 86,461 infants and children received nutrition support that helps boost early learning and kindergarten readiness. WIC serves income-eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals, and infants and kids under age 5. WIC also provides families with nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health screenings, wholesome foods, and connections to community resources. For more information, call 211 or go to healthoregon.org/wic.

Supporters of a referendum to challenge Oregon’s gas tax increase have filed another lawsuit over the state’s transportation funding law.

The lawsuit comes after the Oregon House approved Senate Bill 1599 in a 31–20 vote. The bill moves the referendum on the transportation package from the November ballot to the May ballot.

The transportation law would raise Oregon’s gas tax and some DMV fees. Supporters of the law say the increases are needed to fund transportation projects and prevent layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

State Rep. Ed Diehl and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr spoke about the lawsuit during a press conference in Salem on Tuesday, saying they support the legal challenge. The issue will now be decided in court.

Oregon Lottery’s Winning Raffle Numbers Drawn

Are you holding a $1 million ticket? Oregon’s annual Raffle numbers have been drawn.

Winning $1 Million Top Prize Number: 061889

Prizes for the Raffle include:

• $1 million top prize
• 300 prizes of $500
• 1,500 prizes of $100

To check the winning Raffle numbers for all 1,801 prizes, players can use the Lottery’s phone app, go to www.oregonlottery.org, or visit a participating Oregon Lottery retail location.

The $500 and $100 prize winners can claim their prizes at any Oregon Lottery retail location. In addition, players can claim their prize by mail – visit https://www.oregonlottery.org/claim-a-prize/ for instructions. The $1 million Raffle prize winner will need to make an appointment with the Oregon Lottery office in Salem or Wilsonville. Please call 1-800-766-6789 for assistance.

The Raffle offers the best odds of any Oregon Lottery game of winning $1 million – 1 in 250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 138.8. The Oregon Lottery’s Raffle game went on sale January 4 with 250,000 tickets available, and all tickets were sold out by the evening of Friday, March 13, 2026.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $17.8 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.

Recent federal changes are expanding work requirements for some Oregonians who receive SNAP food benefits. State agencies are encouraging recipients to get free job search and training help through WorkSource Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Employment Department say more SNAP recipients must now show they are working, looking for work, or in training to keep their benefits.

The new rules apply to more people than before, including some adults up to age 64 and some households with older children. Some recipients will also need to meet these requirements for longer than three months.

SNAP Director Amya Hoffman says many people may already qualify through jobs, volunteering, or other activities. Free help is available through WorkSource Oregon, which has 37 centers across the state. For more info, go to WorkSourceOregon.org.

Oregon State Parks to hire seasonal Park Rangers, Park Ranger Assistants

Oregon State Parks is hiring seasonal Park Rangers and Park Ranger Assistants for positions across the state for the 2026 season.

Hiring starts as soon as this month and runs through June with new positions listed on a rolling basis on the website. The positions last anywhere from four to nine months. Most seasonal staff work April through September, but some start as early as this month or work as late as December.

Seasonal staff help visitors access world-class experiences and ensure clean and safe park areas for everyone to enjoy. Duties include janitorial work, landscape maintenance, visitor education and visitor services.

Salaries start at $20.28 per hour for seasonal assistants and $23.79 for seasonal rangers. Both positions include comprehensive medical, vision and dental plans for employees and qualified family members. The positions also include paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Student workers, ages 16 and older, who are enrolled in high school start at $20.27 or more per hour, depending on experience.

Several of Oregon State Parks’ top leaders started their careers as seasonal employees, including all three Region Directors.

“We are focused on developing an engaged workforce by partnering with staff on career development, investing in skill building and fostering a culture of belonging. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you make a difference in protecting and promoting Oregon’s special places,” said interim Director Stefanie Coons.

Seasonal staff gain valuable skills working with experienced Park Rangers at parks around the state. Positions are available in Oregon’s coastal areas, scenic valleys, and mountain regions, offering opportunities to work in some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about current openings, visit https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in accessibility or alternative formats, please email Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recruiting D.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.

Beginning on March 30, 2026, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will discontinue the waiver of parking fees at an additional 22 day-use parks.

Currently, a day-use parking permit costs $10 for residents of Oregon and $12 for out-of-state visitors, and it is valid for the entire day of purchase at any state park in Oregon. Access to the parks remains complimentary for those who walk, bike, or utilize public transportation.

Visitors arriving by car can present valid parking by displaying a current hangtag from camping at an Oregon State Park or a valid 12 or 24-month parking permit. Additionally, visitors who acquire parking permits online or through parking QR codes can link their license plates to the valid payment.

At present, OPRD mandates a day-use parking permit at 46 parks and waives parking fees at over 150 parks throughout the state. The selection of the 22 additional parks was based on the amenities and features that necessitate maintenance and operation, including restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation, boat ramps, and more.

The revenue from parking fees contributes to the maintenance and operation costs, ensuring that these facilities remain available for all visitors.

UNDER PRESSURE: A VOLCANIC EXPLORATION, AN EXHIBITION FROM OREGON’S HIGH DESERT MUSEUM, SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE RUMBLING GIANTS AMONG US

(BEND, Ore.) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.

On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum. Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.

“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director. “We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum.

WHEN:            Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027

WHERE:          High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery)

                         59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE)

COST:              Free with Museum admission or membership

   Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID

Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include:

• Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research.
• Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region.
• Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them.
• Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows.
• Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits.

“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.org.

Raise Funds to Plant Trees in Oregon

Registration is open for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K

Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests.  You must register by April 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day).   Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible.  If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.

For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks.  Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration.  This year’s tree plantings will be placed in the Santiam Canyon.

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its sixth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include fifteen other states. Together, all sixteen states will help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.

“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least One Million Trees in Oregon.” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.  “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org.

For more information, contact Seth Miller at 503/966-1053 or seth@orparksforever.org

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.

The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.

In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.

If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

Find the mental health support you need

           Click to see all resources https://oregonhealthnews.oregon.gov/find-the-mental-health-support-you-need/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery