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

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Small Craft Advisory Issued – National Weather Service

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM PDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 5 to 7 ft expected.

* WHERE...All of the area, with the strongest winds in the southern portion.

* WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 5 AM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds and/or steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Several Coastal Fire Agencies To Receive Wildfire Defense Grants

Several Central Oregon Coast fire agencies will receive state grant funding to hire additional staff during the upcoming wildfire season, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal 2025 Wildfire Season Staffing Grants help local fire agencies, many relying on volunteer crews, bring on extra firefighters during wildfire season.

Central Oregon Coast fire agencies awarded the grant funding include:

Rockaway FD – $35,000 (includes carryover funds)

Siletz RFPD – $35,000

Depoe Bay RFPD – $26,905 (from carryover funds)

Toledo FD – $35,000 (includes carryover funds)

Seal Rock RFPD – $35,000

Yachats RFPD – $35,000

“The Wildfire Season Staffing Grant is one of our most impactful tools to help local fire agencies respond to emergencies faster, protect communities, and support each other through mutual aid,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We’re thankful to our legislators for continuing to invest in the safety and resilience of our communities.”

Since 2022, the grant has proven to be a vital resource in increasing preparedness, response capabilities, and overall community safety during Oregon’s increasingly challenging wildfire seasons, according to Ruiz-Temple.

These seasonal staff boost emergency response in 200 agencies across the state from wildfire calls to everyday emergencies, according to local fire chiefs.

In Lane County, Coburg Fire District Chief Chad Minter said the OSFM wildfire season staffing grants have greatly improved his agency’s response capabilities and those in neighboring districts.

“With this funding, we can staff a wildland engine daily during fire season with two additional firefighters who respond to all fires and support five nearby districts,” Minter said. “When not on calls, the crew assists with recruitment, training, outreach, and prevention. This staffing makes up 50% of our rapid response and is essential to keeping fires small. These grants are a smart investment.”

Local fire agencies were eligible to apply for up to $35,000 to increase staffing levels during the fire season. Each summer, the funding adds more than 1,500 firefighters across Oregon. The Oregon legislature allocated $6 million to the program this year. (SOURCE)

Rogue-South Coast Wild Steelhead season ends today; paper harvest tag holders urged to report tags now.

 – Today is the last day of the Rogue-South Coast winter steelhead fishing season and ODFW asks anglers who purchased a paper wild winter steelhead harvest tag to report their tag now, even if they didn’t harvest a steelhead.

Anglers using paper tags are encouraged to report their harvest tag now rather than before the next season begins Dec. 1. Those using electronic tagging on the ELS app have already reported and do not need to do anything else.

Anglers who chose a paper harvest tag have several options to report:

Report online by logging into your ODFW account.

Drop the tag at any ODFW office .

Call any ODFW office to report.

Mail the tag to ODFW, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem OR 97302.

A temporary restriction on wild winter steelhead harvest was placed on this year’s season with no wild harvest on the Illinois and Rogue rivers and just one wild steelhead could be kept on the lower Rogue. The harvest restriction was a conservation trigger adopted in the Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan.

“We appreciate anglers’ patience and understanding of the restrictions this year, and we’re happy to report there will be no restrictions for the 2025-26 season,” said Steve Mazur, District Fish Biologist in Gold Beach.

Tag reporting gives ODFW information on where harvest took place and the number of wild fish harvested. Wild steelhead harvest estimate are available online in the RSP Wild Fish Monitoring Summaries. These estimates indicate that wild steelhead harvest rates are consistently below limits identified in the RSP.

In the Rogue and South Coast rivers, regulations – including a harvest tag and reporting – established a winter steelhead season of Dec. 1 – Apr. 30. ODFW and public stakeholder teams developed this season and its requirements during the Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan process.

Anglers fishing for steelhead on the Rogue River from May 1 – Nov. 30 do not need a Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation and are reminded that wild steelhead harvest is prohibited during this period. Steelhead angling regulations vary by location within this area, so be sure to check requirements for specific water bodies you want to fish.

Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation and harvest tags will be available Nov. 1, 2025. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2025/04_Apr/043025.asp

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has reinstated the commercial rock crab fishery along the northern coastline, extending from the California/Oregon border to the entrance of Humboldt Bay.

This decision follows a closure that lasted nearly ten years due to a domoic acid outbreak. The fishery was initially shut down in 2015 as a precaution during the most significant domoic acid outbreak recorded on the west coast.

Recent testing has verified that the levels of domoic acid in rock crabs are now below federal action thresholds, permitting the fishery’s reopening. Over the years, commercial fishermen have submitted rock crab samples, which contributed to this decision. The last reopening in this region took place in May 2019.

The CDFW advises fishery participants to refrain from setting gear in the presence of whales to reduce the risk of entanglement and encourages best fishing practices, such as minimizing slack surface line.

The Newport Loyalty Days & Sea Fair Festival parade is this Saturday, May 3rd.

Hwy 101 will be closed between NW Oceanview Drive and Hwy 20 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please give yourself extra time to travel during this time and use extra precaution when transiting around parade traffic.

Traffic entering Hwy 101 from NW 31st Street and NW 36th Street must turn north.The Walmart parking lot will serve as the staging for the floats. Once all floats are cleared from that area, crews will open an alternate route to go north on Hwy 101 via NW 25th Street.

Coos Bay Woman Arrested After Firing Handgun in Domestic Dispute

CLARIFICATION: To clear up confusion that has happened on shared posts, please read that this was a domestic issue. Both the suspect, and the victim lived on the property. Hopefully this helps clarify the situation.

On April 29, 2025, at approximately 5:11 AM, North Coos Dispatch received a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Isthmus Heights Road in Coos Bay. Deputy Z. Smith responded promptly to investigate the incident.

Upon investigation, Deputy Smith determined that the suspect, Brandy Piepkorn, 29, had discharged a handgun in the direction of the victim in an attempt to force him to leave the property. Deputy Smith seized the firearm and arrested Ms. Piepkorn at the scene.

Ms. Piepkorn was transported to the Coos County Jail, where she was booked and charged with Domestic Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

“Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay Food Can Tsunami 4 “The Fourth Wave” Results

Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities and Their Projects Including Oregon Coast

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Says Federal Cancellation of Grant Program Impedes Oregon’s Ability to Prepare for Disasters

 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program has on Oregon.

The cancellation, detailed in a memo from Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton, outlines a review of BRIC programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 for programs communities depend on across the state.  

In addition, FEMA issued an updated advisory on April 16 further clarifying that: “as the program is concluding, the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled, no applications submitted will be reviewed and no funds will be awarded. In addition, for all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023, if grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.” 

The BRIC grant program gives money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. For example, BRIC funds can be used to build better levees to help prevent the kind of flooding we’ve seen recently in Harney County. BRIC helps build safer roads, buildings, and other important things to keep people and property safe during a disaster. Currently, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is unaffected in Oregon. 

What this means:  

• Projects that were selected but not yet awarded won’t receive funding. 
• Ongoing projects may be delayed or stopped short of construction. 
• Money set aside for managing these efforts could be pulled back.  
• Without extensions or continued support, communities across Oregon will face delays or cancellations in vital infrastructure improvements designed to reduce risk and protect lives. 

FEMA is conducting a full review of active and obligated BRIC projects before further work to help Oregonians prepare for disasters in the future can continue.   

“These decisions will significantly impact communities across Oregon working to reduce disaster risk and invest in safer, more resilient infrastructure,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We are actively working with federal and state legislators to communicate these financial impacts and with FEMA partners to gain clarity on next steps and timelines. I have directed my team to conduct our own review to see what projects may fit within other Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants through federal partners that are currently funded like the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant or other state grant programs.” 

The Impact on Oregon: 

• Federal share of BRIC projects: $140 million  
• Local matching share of BRIC projects: $90 million  
• Total local sunk costs: 8 of the 26 projects have a combined total of $8 million in sunk costs (details below). 
• Impact on submitted budgets: Due to funding delays and their effect on project timelines, even if the grants were reinstated, some projects will be priced out as they locked cost estimates years ago when inflation and tariffs were lower, but those locked in prices are set to expire and the new cost could be significantly higher.   

During remarks yesterday to the media, Governor Kotek referenced cuts to the BRIC grants: “These are bipartisan or nonpartisan community projects that everybody supports. I have not heard one rationale from the Trump Administration as to why they cancelled the BRIC grants.” She was speaking specifically about a project in Mapleton that received grant funding to assist with necessary upgrades to the town’s water infrastructure. You can view the full remarks at around the 25-minute mark here. 

To stay informed, OEM encourages interested parties to sign up for alerts when updates are posted on the federal action webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/Federal-Changes.aspx 

Details about the 8 projects with sunk costs: 

City of Port Orford  –

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project aims to address vulnerabilities in the City of Port Orford’s drinking water supply infrastructure caused by earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. It includes the installation of water meters, as well as the design, replacement, and retrofit of strategic sections of the water distribution system. The grant would ensure that the city has sufficient water to meet average daily demand while maintaining adequate emergency storage to withstand and respond to natural hazards. The project would impact a population of 1,146 residents. 

• Federal Share: $6,566,537  
• Local Share: $691,214 
• Sunk cost: $273,350 

Medford Water Commission     

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project will conduct critical infrastructure improvements at four system locations as part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program (RVWSRP). The goal is to enhance the resilience of the water system against seismic events, wildfires, and droughts caused by extreme weather conditions. 

• Federal Share: $34,806,505               
• Local Share: $14,516,834 
• Sunk cost $1,875,370  

City of Grants Pass           

Water Treatment Plant Relocation Project. This project aims to relocate the Water Treatment Plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to prevent system failure during a flooding event. The City of Grants Pass has made substantial investments in the comprehensive design of the project, contributing over 50% of the required cost match. The loss of federal grant funds jeopardizes the broader system project scope, which exceeds twice the federal contribution. To date, the city has invested over $5 million in pre-award technical engineering and design, in addition to sunk costs incurred during the subapplication process.  

• Federal Share: $50,000,000               
• Local Share: $60,800,302 
• Sunk cost: $5,000,000 

Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital        

Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) Project. This project integrates a Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) into the Columbia Memorial Hospital expansion, creating a multi-purpose facility designed to shelter the impacted population at an elevated level above tsunami inundation zones. 

• Federal Share: $13,897,122               
• Local Share: $5,955,909 
• Sunk cost $817,846 

Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development     

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updates to the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans (NHMP) for the Burns Paiute Tribe, as well as Columbia and Umatilla Counties, aim to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts while mitigating the future impacts of natural disasters. 

• Federal Share: $488,653       
• Local Share: $152,704 
• Sunk cost $8,347 

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY2021 Grant Management Costs 

• Federal Share: $488,257       
• Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $39,500  

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY 2022 Grant Management Costs   

• Federal Share: $19,695,731               
• Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $73,141 

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY 2023 Grant Partnership Costs 

• Federal Share: $1,261,848  
  Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $79,029 

# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

Call for Local Authors at the Cannon Beach Library

By The Cannon Beach Library

The Cannon Beach Library’s NW Authors Series invites local published authors to apply to our first Local Authors Festival on Saturday September 27th, from 3-5 p.m. at the library.

Connect with visitors and members of the community, meet with other local authors, and promote and sell your published books. The deadline for applying is June 15th and all authors that apply will be notified of their status via email by July 14th.

To apply for table space, submit the online application form or download and print an application on our website, https://cannonbeachlibrary.org/events-and-programs/local-author-festival/ . Applications can also be picked up at the library, 131 N Hemlock Street in Cannon Beach.

Local published authors of any age with books published in any genre are invited to apply, including self-published authors. We’re primarily looking for authors from the Washington peninsula through the southern Oregon coast. Ideally, we will be looking for 3 fiction authors, 3 nonfiction authors, 3 mystery authors, and 3 children’s/YA authors.

The Local Authors Festival is designed to create a space to connect local published authors with readers, and to highlight the accomplishments of local published authors. Please make sure to read the application guidelines and event information before applying!

ODFW Investigating Reports of Sick and Dead Brown Pelicans Along the Oregon Coast

If you see a sick, resting, or dead pelican, please leave it alone. Keep dogs leashed. No need to report — ODFW is monitoring.Two pelicans tested negative for avian flu, but more tests are pending to check for domoic acid toxicity or other causes.

Brown pelicans breed in southern California and migrate north along the Oregon coast in the spring. It is not uncommon for juvenile birds to become fatigued—especially during strong north winds—and stop to rest. Some of the pelicans reported to ODFW have appeared to be tired but otherwise uninjured juveniles.

In southern California, domoic acid toxicity caused by harmful algal blooms has recently sickened or killed dozens of brown pelicans and other wildlife. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring neurotoxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning. It is produced by algae and can be concentrated in shellfish and some fish species. Wildlife that consumes contaminated prey can suffer poisoning from the domoic acid.

Please note that a razor clam harvest advisory is in effect from Cascade Head to the California border due to domoic acid levels from last fall. Razor clams clear toxins slowly, but current monitoring shows no harmful algal species off the Oregon coast. Photo: Brown pelicans are easily recognized by their large size, massive bill, and brownish plumage.

It’s a sign of the times, Early Rhody Carnival Day Passes are on sale now—get yours at a discount at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.

 If you’re looking to save a few bucks, you can encourage your kids to sign up to be a banner carrier in the 118th Festival Grand Floral Parade.  Ages 9 through 17 are eligible to earn their carnival credentials.  More information, including a link to download the 2025 Rhododendron Festival Event Program can be found at RhodyDays.net 

Convicted Felon Arrested for Threatening Victim with Firearm

On April 28, 2025, at approximately 1:55 AM, North Coos Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a disturbance at a residence on Weekly Creek Road, Myrtle Point. Sergeant J. Boswell and Deputy S. Converse promptly responded to investigate.The investigation revealed that the suspect, Steven Paul, aged 49, had threatened a male victim and pointed a firearm at him. Records confirmed that Mr. Paul, a convicted felon, is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Mr. Paul arrived at the scene driving a 2008 Infiniti Q56 SUV, despite having a felony-level suspended license, as verified by North Coos Dispatch.

During the investigation, Sergeant Boswell located the firearm used by Mr. Paul to threaten the victim inside the vehicle. Mr. Paul was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail, charged with Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Felony Driving While Suspended. He remains in custody pending further legal proceedings. “Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Astoria DMV to extend service hours

The Oregon DMV Astoria office at 705 W. Marine Dr. is expanding our hours to better serve the community. Starting April 30, we will no longer be closed daily from 12:30 to 2 p.m. We are excited to open up during this prime time, which is a popular option for people needing to visit the DMV during the work week.

Effective April 30, Astoria DMV’s new operational hours will be:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

You can also access more than 20 services online at DMV2U and renew vehicle registrations at Oregon DMV Express Kiosks . We recommend always checking the status of your DMV office before visiting.

The City of Reedsport is accepting applications to fill council position #5. Councilor Rich Patten recently resigned.

The person selected will begin at the time of appointment and serve until the end of 2026. At the general election in November 2026, the position will be open for election for a new four-year term.

Applicants have to have lived in the city of Reedsport for the previous 12 months. City employees are not eligible to serve.

Those interested in applying for the position may pick up an application at Reedsport City Hall on Winchester Avenue or online at www.cityofreedsport.org. Anyone with questions about the position or the application process can contact City Recorder Rhonda Bryan at 541-271-3603 extension 1005.

Brooking’s Capella by the Sea Seeks Volunteers

The City of Brookings is calling for volunteers to help keep the Capella by the Sea open to the public beginning May 1st. The chapel was built in 2008 and donated in 2009 by Oscar-winning film producer Elmo Williams as a memorial to his late wife, Lorraine.

Michelle Robidoux is the Public Works and Development Services Administrative Assistant for the City of Brookings. “We like to keep the Capella open to the public May through October, and again during Nature’s Coastal Holiday,” Robidoux said. “But to do that, we rely on volunteers.”

Due to previous volunteers aging out, the city is now facing a shortage and hopes to recruit new faces. Volunteers work two-hour shifts, simply welcoming visitors and enjoying the calm space. “It’s a great way to meet people, build your resume, and give back to the community,” Robidoux said.

The Capella is typically open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, though hours may vary based on volunteer availability. To get involved, contact Michelle Robidoux at 541-469-1103. — https://www.brookings.or.us/facilities/facility/details/capellabythesea-2

Beachgoers Urged To Keep Distance From Molting Elephant Seals

— It’s molting season for elephant seals, and Oregon beachgoers are being urged to “share the shore.” Signs have recently gone up in Seaside advising residents to remain at least 100 yards away from the seals after a young elephant seal was found sunbathing there yesterday.

If you spot a sickly looking elephant seal on land, it is probably moulting. All elephant seals spend one month a year on land to moult; they undergo what is called a “catastrophic moult” in which they shed all of their fur along with the underlying layer of skin.

The molting process requires elephant seals to rest on land for multiple weeks while they shed their old coats and grow new ones. Elephant seals can be extra irritable during the molting process.

Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission New License Plate To Help Support Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Industry

Oregon’s Dungeness crab fuels families, $68M a year industry — According to the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Dungeness crab fishing typically brings in more money than every other type of fishing in the state.

For many people, when Dungeness crab is on the menu, it’s a go-to in Oregon. It’s a savory treat that fuels a multi-million dollar a year industry in the state.  It’s a tradition that not only supports the state economy, but also families up and down the Oregon coast.

According to numbers from the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, commercial crabbing has over the last decade pulled in an average of more than $68 million a year. Typically, Dungeness crab fishing brings in more money than every other type of fishing in Oregon, said Crystal Adams, the executive director of the commission, which supports and promotes the state’s crabbing industry. 

“It’s our livelihoods,” Adams said. “A labor of love. People do it because it’s in their blood and, you should support that. Support your industry, support your state, support local fishermen.”

Oregon is the dominate producer of Dungeness crab, where on average 16 millions pounds of crab are harvested per season, according the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. It’s considered the most valuable single species commercial fishery in the state.

A portion of the harvest stays in state and is sold at local grocery stores and restaurants — but most of Oregon’s Dungeness crab is processed and shipped all over the world. 

“It’s a difficult thing to go do, but it’s a very positive thing and we just want everybody to try it and buy it and yeah, support us,” Reeves said.

Right now, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission is working on a license plate that would help support Oregon’s Dungeness crab industry.

Celebrate Oregon’s coastal heritage and show your support for one of the state’s most iconic industries with the new Oregon Dungeness Crab license plate! This eye-catching design features a bold, bright orange Oregon Dungeness crab against a light blue sea background, inspired by the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission logo.

By purchasing this specialty plate, you’re not only adding a unique touch to your vehicle but also supporting vital programs that sustain and promote Oregon’s Dungeness crab fishery.”Get your License Plate Here – https://oregondungeness.org/new-licence-plate/ —- Learn More with Our FAQs

Cannon Beach Gallery · Calling All Art Instructors & Volunteers!

We’re hiring paid art instructors for our Summer Art Camp (July 14-18, 2025)! Earn $28 per hour for in-person teaching and prep time. Instructors can design their own curriculum and teach any medium in 2-hour sessions (10 AM – 12 PM or 1 – 3 PM)—or both—over the 5-day camp! Select your preferred age group and inspire young artists this summer.

We’re also looking for volunteers to assist instructors, help during lunch sessions, and supervise outdoor playtime .Inquire today and be part of an unforgettable creative experience! info@cannonbeacharts.org

Elks to Feed You Well at Rhody Festival  

The 118th Rhododendron Festival is less than three weeks away, and preparations are well under way.  The Florence Elks Lodge announced over the weekend that they are preparing their traditional events to add to the weekend festivities.  This year, they’ll be serving their barbecue chicken dinners to go on Saturday, May 17, only.  Follow the smoke to the parking lot for a half-chicken dinner, potato salad, and beans for just $15.  That starts at 11:00 and lasts until it is sold out.  At the same time, the Ladies of the Elks have their homemade pie and bake sale.  Sunday, May 18th the Past Exalted Rulers of the Lodge will be serving their traditional pre-parade breakfast from seven AM to eleven for just ten bucks.  All proceeds from the festival community events are used by lodge members to support local causes.  

Wildlife Center of the North Coast ->>> ALL ARE INVITED TO THIS FUN, FREE EVENT! Spring Festival May 10th & 11th, 2025 – 11am to 3pm

This fun, two-day festival is our Annual Spring Open House & Native Plant Sale, with free tours of our facility, fun activities for the kids, awesome raffle prizes, and visits with our Education Ambassadors. We will be announcing the winners of our 2025 Birds of a Feather Youth Art Contest & displaying all of the artwork that was entered.

Bring the whole family. Everyone is invited to this free-community event! All money raised from the Birds of a Feather Spring Festival will support our 2025 Birds of a Feather Annual Campaign. Donations to our Annual Campaign support our mission of promoting compassion, empathy, and respect for all life through wildlife rehabilitation, ecological teachings, and wildlife conservation.

Oregon’s Shore Acres State Park Volunteer Days – Chance to Give Back

Shore Acres State Park will host Garden Volunteer Days once a month April through September to give visitors a chance to volunteer in the garden.

Volunteers can learn how to prune a rose or maintain a 100-year-old-lily pond as they work alongside rangers in caring for the beautiful gardens at 89526 Cape Arago Highway, Coos Bay.

Garden Volunteer Days run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• April 18: Pond Cleanup including pulling out debris, fertilizing pond lilies and trimming shrubs along the pond. Rubber boots are highly recommended, and plan on getting wet. For ages 18 and older.
• May 16, June 20 and July 18: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.
• Aug. 15: English Ivy pull to help remove this invasive species from the garden. For ages 14 and older.
• Sept. 19: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.

Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground at the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools. Gloves, hand tools and morning snacks are provided. Bring a lunch.

Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Please contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward with any questions at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov or 541-888-3732.

Shore Acres features a formal garden with plants and flowers from all over the world. It includes a Japanese-style garden with lily pond and two curated rose gardens that include All-American Rose Selections. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year: the first spring bulbs pop up in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas soon follow; roses bloom through the summer; and dahlias appear August through mid-October.

Respect Nesting Areas to Protect Threatened Snowy Plover on the Oregon Coast Through Sept. 15

 – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors to the Oregon coast that it is plover nesting season ­— beachgoers can help recovery efforts for the threatened western snowy plover March 15 to Sept. 15.

Sensitive plover nesting areas are identified on maps for the northern Oregon Coast and southern Oregon Coast. Signs may be present at trailheads with additional rules and limits, such as staying on the wet sand and no dogs even on a leash, to help protect the small shorebirds and their exposed nests during this crucial period. Visitors may also see rope fencing in dry sand areas; this fencing delineates some, but not all, of the critical plover habitat that should be avoided.

Recreation restrictions occur in designated plover management areas: stretches of beach along the coastline where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.

Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect these small birds that nest on open sand along Oregon’s beaches. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-camouflaged. 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, predators or people.

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, operating electric-assisted bicycles, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
• Foot and equestrian traffic are permitted below the high-tide line on hard packed sand.
• Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.

“With the support of the public and improvements to plover habitat, we’re making great strides in reversing the decline of this species,” said Cindy Burns, Siuslaw National Forest wildlife biologist. “Keep doing your part to understand nesting season rules and to share the beach this spring and summer.”

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 (https://t.ly/AKPAN). Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand.

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.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is looking for its newest crew member!

MUSEUM EDUCATOR — Full Time, Salary Position reporting to Director of Education

Full job description and employment application are available on our website – https://www.crmm.org/join-our-crew.html

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)

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

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Drought, beetles, and tree diseases continue to threaten Oregon’s forests according to latest aerial survey

The latest Oregon forest health report is now available online: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits/documents/forest-health-highlights.pdf

– A new report on the state of health of Oregon’s forests is now available. Based on an extensive aerial survey of Oregon’s forests completed last year by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service, the report shows that drought, insect pests, and tree diseases continue to be the biggest threats to the state’s trees. The full report is available at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits/documents/forest-health-highlights.pdf

“A large part of this report is devoted to looking at the impact from climate change, specifically drought. Drought is often paired with rising temperatures, and together these are often the underlying causes for tree mortality across our landscape. Drought reduces tree growth and increases susceptibility to insect pests and some diseases, which healthy trees may otherwise resist or tolerate,” said ODF Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl, who helped produce the report.

Buhl said the report also measures other causes of trees being injured or killed, such as insect pests, diseases, storms, and wildfires.

Last year a record 1.9 million acres were affected by wildfire. However, some of those acres contained sections that were not damaged, not all of the burned areas were forested, and not all forests burned with the same intensity.  Some areas that experienced low-intensity wildfires, in many places because of fuel-reduction work, may see a majority of their larger-diameter trees survive.

Areas hardest hit by drought, such as the eastern foothills of the Cascades and some parts of northeastern Oregon, saw the largest amount of non-wildfire tree damage—some 2.26 million acres. Within those 2.26 million acres is a mosaic of unaffected and current-year affected acres of forest. In 2024, 580,000 affected acres of damage from these agents were recorded. Damage consisted of 496,000 affected acres of tree injury, most of which (463,000 acres) was caused by Swiss needle cast, a foliar disease from which trees may recover. But 84,000 acres showed tree deaths. 

“We may be under-reporting the impact of many tree-killing diseases, because the signs can often be missed from the air. For example, root diseases require ground-based assessment, such as excavating roots, to verify the presence of disease.  This is labor intensive so is not done routinely across all forestlands,” said Buhl.

Buhl emphasized the importance of on-the-ground collaborators to help round out the full picture of forest health in Oregon. “In addition to information ODF and the USDA Forest Service gather, we rely on Oregon State University Forestry Extension staff from across the state, and collaborate with other natural resource agencies, universities, public and private forest landowners, and members of the public to gather information,” she said.

In the aerial survey, trained observers fly over all forested lands in the Pacific Northwest in fixed-wing aircraft and record damage to trees from all sources. Flights are staffed with one observer on each side of the aircraft. Survey flights typically fly between 1,500 to 2,500 feet above ground level, following a systematic grid four miles apart and traveling at 90 to 140 miles an hour.

The Pacific Northwest Aerial Detection Survey is the longest continuous survey of its kind in the United States, having been established in 1947 and flown every year since, except 2020 when it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Tina Kotek has announced a $10 million investment aimed at developing the artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, in conjunction with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Oregon and chipmaker, NVIDIA.

This initiative seeks to enhance AI education and skill development. The announcement was made during her speech at the Northwest Breakfast Forum, organized by SEMI, an association representing the semiconductor, electronics design, and manufacturing supply chain sectors.

The MOU creates a partnership framework for Oregon and NVIDIA to promote entrepreneurship and expand AI-centric education and skill development, preparing Oregonians for future opportunities while assisting state agencies in identifying responsible AI applications to enhance government services. As part of this collaboration, NVIDIA will partner with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Oregon’s higher education institutions to establish an AI Ambassador Program, which will deploy trained ambassadors across campuses to offer practical training and mentorship to students. This initiative will be guided by a steering committee comprising representatives from both the state and industry.

In addition to the MOU, the Governor is allocating $10 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act funding to the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund, aimed at cultivating a strong technology workforce in Oregon. This investment will support workforce development initiatives related to the semiconductor and AI industries, with an emphasis on training Oregonians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, for lucrative career opportunities.

Oregon hits recycling milestone: 10 million gallons of paint

Oregonians have recycled more than 10 million gallons of leftover paint through the nonprofit PaintCare.

The PaintCare program allows people to recycle paint for free, by dropping off leftover cans at sites across the state, mostly in paint and hardware stores.

Lauren Scher, Oregon and Washington Program Manager for PaintCare, which was established by paint manufacturers, said the first step is to always consider if paint can be reused. If not, recycling is the next best choice.

“Taking all that paint and making it into a new product, which then could be sold at a price point that is available to everybody,” Scher explained. “What we can’t recycle, we’ll make sure that it’s properly disposed of.”

Last year alone, Oregonians recycled nearly 650,000 gallons of paint, keeping it out of the waste stream and giving it a second life through recycling and reuse.

PaintCare has recycled almost 78 million gallons of paint through 11 programs nationwide since it launched in 2012. Scher noted PaintCare’s drop off sites are placed strategically throughout the state, with almost all Oregon residents living within 15 miles of one.

“By setting up more than 200 drop-off sites throughout the state, PaintCare made it easily accessible to all Oregonians,” Scher added.

To find the drop-off site nearby, visit PaintCare.org. Each site accepts up to five gallons, and some will take more. The program also offers free pick-up for businesses with 100 gallons or more of extra paint. (SOURCE)

Another Missing Woman in Oregon Who’s Car Has Been Found But She is Still Missing

Search and rescue teams are looking for a 29-year-old Klamath Falls woman reported missing out of Harney County last week. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office says Kaylee Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

Reports indicate Kaylee was on a trip from Klamath Falls headed to Iowa, driving a golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon whale license plate #GW21073.

According to an update from the sheriff’s office, her car was found in a remote part of Harney County on Sunday, but she has not yet been located.

Search efforts are resuming Monday morning with the assistance of Lake County Search & Rescue, local ranchers on horseback, side-by-sides and four wheelers, as well as Oregon State Police and Grant County Search & Rescue with K-9s.  

Kaylee is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has green and brown glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve green shirt and white sweatpants with a Christmas tree design on them. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and another one on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 Bible verse.

Anyone who has seen Kaylee or knows where she might be is asked to call 911 or contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office at 541-573-6156.

There are a string of these cases in Oregon where the missing women’s vehicles are found, but they are still missing to this day.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Trails Coalition will host eight virtual focus groups in May to better understand the needs of different types of trail users who use land and water trails throughout Oregon and not just at Oregon State Parks.

OPRD launched an online survey this month to collect feedback through April 30. The focus groups expand that effort and take a deeper dive into the needs of different trail users including mountain bikers, paddlers, hikers and adaptive equipment users.

The information from the survey and focus groups will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance to OPRD as well as other federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners. It outlines trends and issues, creates priorities for grant funding and recommends actions to improve trails over the next 10 years.  

Participants can join the 90-minute Zoom sessions to provide feedback. Anyone interested in joining, can register in advance using the links below:

• May 5: OHV / ATV Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 7: BIPOC Nature Network Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 8: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• May 14: Adaptive Equipment Users and Disability Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 15: Winter/Snow Trail Focus Group (Non-motorized and motorized) Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 27: Hiking, Trail Running, Backpacking, Equestrian User Focus Group 4:30- 6 p.m.
• May 29: Paddling (Flat water and Whitewater) Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• Agency Partners Trails Plan Focus Group Meeting TBD.

Check the website for more information including updates such as the time and link for the agency partners trails plan focus group: https://www.oregontrailscoalition.org/post/oregon-state-trails-plan-share-your-trail-user-experience-in-focus-groups-this-may

A state-funded matched savings program has helped low-income Oregonians for more than 25 years and backers said it needs more funding to continue.

Participants in the Oregon Individual Development Account Initiative save money toward specific goals like buying a home or vehicle, or going to college, while working with local nonprofits. Once they reach their savings goal, the state matches it at a 5-1 ratio, helping build long-term financial stability.

Abi Brambila, a first-generation college graduate and small business owner, credits the program for the financial support to make college possible, and its budgeting classes for giving her confidence.

“These skills are going to take you further than any amount of money,” Brambila pointed out. “For me, it really has been life-changing, and I do believe that other people deserve to get into a program like this.”

Despite rising costs for goals like education and homeownership, program funding has remained flat for 15 years. Advocates are asking the legislature to update the funding to reflect inflation.

Cameron Herrington, director of policy and advocacy for the nonprofit Neighborhood Partnerships, which helps distribute the funds, said lawmakers have two options to shore up the program’s funding: raise the cap on its main tax credit or dedicate some lottery revenue.

Herrington noted the program has helped more than 19,000 low-income Oregonians since it started, but cannot continue at its current pace without more support. He added both bills have bipartisan backing statewide.

“It’s a matter of the budget writers at the legislature stepping up to the plate now and fixing the funding,” Herrington emphasized. “It’s overdue but we’ve set it up for them to make an easy decision to keep this program strong for the future.”

Both bills to increase funding are in committee. Backers of the initiative said it helps bridge the growing income gap in the state, as well as the racial wealth gap. Data show the top 1% of earners in the state have more income than the bottom 50% of Oregonians combined. (SOURCE)

The Oregon House has unanimously approved legislation aimed at enhancing confidentiality protections for mental health services.

Proponents argue that the inclusion of peer support services will benefit firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and 9-1-1 dispatchers in need of trauma assistance.

This bill has garnered support from various first responder organizations, such as the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and the Association of Chiefs of Police, and is now set to be reviewed by the Senate.

The state of Salem may impose severe penalties on Oregon’s power companies if they are determined to be negligent or responsible for igniting a wildfire.

Senate Bill 926 seeks to prohibit private electric companies from recouping costs associated with wildfire lawsuits if a court finds them negligent in causing a fire.

State Senator Jeff Golden, a Democrat from Ashland and a proponent of the bill, asserts that electric companies must provide compensation to the affected parties before addressing any financial obligations to their shareholders. Senator Golden emphasizes that numerous Oregonians continue to face challenges stemming from the 2020 wildfires, and this legislation prioritizes the needs of wildfire victims.

Senate Bill 926 enjoys bipartisan support and had a public hearing last month, although it has yet to be scheduled for a vote.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has reinstated the commercial rock crab fishery along the northern coastline, extending from the California/Oregon border to the entrance of Humboldt Bay.

This decision follows a closure that lasted nearly ten years due to a domoic acid outbreak. The fishery was initially shut down in 2015 as a precaution during the most significant domoic acid outbreak recorded on the west coast.

Recent testing has verified that the levels of domoic acid in rock crabs are now below federal action thresholds, permitting the fishery’s reopening. Over the years, commercial fishermen have submitted rock crab samples, which contributed to this decision. The last reopening in this region took place in May 2019.

The CDFW advises fishery participants to refrain from setting gear in the presence of whales to reduce the risk of entanglement and encourages best fishing practices, such as minimizing slack surface line.

Deliberately using a drone to obstruct first responders would constitute a Class C felony, according to legislation approved by the Oregon House.

Conversely, unintentional disruption of police, firefighting, or search and rescue efforts would be classified as a Class B Misdemeanor. The bill received unanimous approval from Oregon’s House and has been forwarded to the state Senate.

Next year, the average inflation-adjusted student tuition cost for Oregon residents attending the state’s seven public universities is projected to be nearly 30% higher than it was ten years ago, due to proposed or approved increases by each university board for the upcoming academic year.

The seven public universities in Oregon—Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, and Western Oregon University—are all expected to implement tuition hikes ranging from 3% to 5% for the 2025-26 academic year.

This follows a trend of annual tuition increases at each institution over the past decade. Any tuition hikes exceeding 5%, including mandatory fees such as student health fees, necessitate approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Ben Cannon, the commission’s executive director, indicated via email that the commission does not anticipate any tuition increase proposals surpassing 5%, based on the information received from the universities.

The tuition increases are attributed to rising labor costs and inflation affecting various expenses, including teaching materials, utility costs, and insurance, as stated by university representatives. Cannon further noted that inadequate levels of state funding are also contributing to the rising costs of enrollment.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the process of revising curve warning signs.

According to ODOT, advancements in vehicle technology, along with updated national standards, necessitate a reassessment of Oregon’s curve signs and advisory speed limits. Consequently, some signs may be deemed unnecessary, while others may be enlarged.

OHA to issue algae warnings when dog deaths reported  

As summer approaches, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to enjoy the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the look-out for potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.  

To help, OHA is adding a tool reporting the possible presence of cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes and rivers statewide. Starting immediately, OHA will issue pre-emptive public warnings following reports of dog illnesses or deaths possibly resulting from cyanotoxin exposure.  

“Each year, we receive reports about dog illnesses or deaths linked to a water body that may be affected by cyanobacteria, but the deaths are often unexplained, or the cause of the death isn’t immediately known,” said Linda Novitski, Ph.D., a recreational waters specialist in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.  

“These pre-emptive warnings will help us immediately takes steps to inform the public about the possible presence of cyanobacteria in a water body,” she said.

Toxin testing is only possible for certain types of cyanobacteria. When testing is done, results are typically available within two weeks.

Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found in all fresh water worldwide. The bacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body under the right conditions—warm weather, sunlight, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry.  

Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick. Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs when water or algae mat material is swallowed while swimming, or when people inhale water droplets during high-speed activities such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include:  

• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Numbness
• Dizziness and fainting

Although cyanotoxins are not known to be absorbed through the skin, people with sensitive skin can develop a red, raised rash when wading, playing or swimming in or around a bloom.  

Some species of cyanobacteria live in the water or float on the top of the water surface. Other cyanobacteria, called cyanoHAB mats, anchor themselves to the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or grow on rocks or aquatic plants can release toxins into clear water. These bloom mats contain toxins that, if ingested, can be fatal to dogs and can make people sick.  

Dogs can get extremely ill, and even die, within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water. Problem signs include licking their fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore.  

If, after swimming in a lake or stream, a dog exhibits symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, difficulty walking or standing, or loss of appetite, owners should get their pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. 

“Enjoying lakes and rivers is such an important part of the Oregon experience,” said Novitski. “To have fun and stay safe this season, protect small children and dogs by avoiding anything you think might be a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom in the water or in a mat attached to the bottom of the lake or river.” 

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins it released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. 

OHA advises recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms in the water and in mats attached to the ground or rocks. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.  

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab. 

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.

Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.

The tenth anniversary season of ‘In a Landscape, Classical Music in the Wild’ commences in May and continues until September.

This season will feature 50 concerts showcasing classical music at two locations in Lake County: Summer Lake and Fort Rock, as well as the Alvord Desert. The Summer Lake concert is titled ‘Dark Sky Concert,’ as Summer Lake is recognized as an Oregon Dark Sky Park.

The performance at Fort Rock State Park is scheduled for September 13, followed by the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert on September 14.

Additionally, a performance near Jacksonville at Applegate Lake will take place on May 30, and another at the Alvord Desert on June 21.

The Fort Rock concert will start at 4 p.m. and conclude around 5:30 p.m., while the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert will begin at 9 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours due to the Dark Sky designation.

Tickets for individual concerts are priced at $50, or $135 for both performances, which includes two nights of camping at Summer Lake Hot Springs, with the camping fee charged per person. ‘Good neighbor’ tickets are also available for residents of Lake County.

Pianist Hunter Noack is curating a new program for this tour, which will encompass 50 concerts across six Western states: Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

The performances will take place at 10 new venues, including the recently reopened Kah-Nee-Ta in central Oregon. Noack will perform on a 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to sit near the stage, and wireless headphones will allow them to explore the surroundings while enjoying the music, creating a unique experience in the wild, particularly at Fort Rock, the Alvord Desert, and Summer Lake Hot Springs.

The series will kick off on May 10 in Goldendale, Washington, at the Maryhill Museum of Art. Tickets for the public can be purchased through the In A Landscape website at https://inalandscape.org.

The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now less than 2 months away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.

Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.

If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.

In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.

The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com