Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 9/11 Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance — Traveling Memorial Walls at Chinook Winds Casino Resort for Three Days Beginning Thursday as Part of Lincoln County’s Annual Celebration Of Honor Of Military Service & 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, September 11, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

A weather system will bring widespread rain to Oregon and southwest Washington from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Forecasts predict rain amounts of over 0.25 to 0.50 inches, bringing relief to areas battling wildfires.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland, rain probabilities range from 60% to 80% for much of the region, with some areas facing even higher chances. The rain is expected to impact ongoing wildfires, significantly reducing fire activity. Temperatures will drop, leading to cooler, fall-like conditions by midweek.

First batch of showers moving in, thunder embedded in the rain along the coast right now. Spreading inland and towards Roseburg/Eugene by 5am.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland, rain probabilities range from 60% to 80% for much of the region, with some areas facing even higher chances. The rain is expected to impact ongoing wildfires, significantly reducing fire activity. Temperatures will drop, leading to cooler, fall-like conditions by midweek.

The heaviest rainfall is expected in areas along the coast and western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Some cities, including Astoria, Eugene, and McMinnville, could see over 0.50 inches. The system will also affect travel conditions due to wet roads and reduced visibility.

Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024 https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions

We’re not out of the woods yet – Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

Traveling Memorial Walls Will Be Set Up At Chinook Winds Casino Resort For Three Days Beginning Thursday For Lincoln County’s Annual Celebration Of Honor Of Military Service.

Flags and two traveling memorial walls will be set up at Chinook Winds Casino Resort for three days beginning Thursday for the county’s annual Celebration of Honor of military service.

Each fall, the roar of motorcycle engines on U.S. Highway 101 signals the return of the Annual Celebration of Honor, Lincoln County’s solemn commemoration of military service.

As the event comes together, a motorcycle guard of honor escorts two traveling memorial walls to their temporary home at Chinook Winds Casino Resort — the Vietnam Veterans of America 805 Oregon Veteran Wall and the Vets Helping Vets HQ Wall of Honor.

The walls form the centerpiece of an event that Chinook Winds has spearheaded for 20 years, honoring active-duty personnel, military veterans and their families.

The Oregon Veteran Wall is a 24-by-8-foot replica of the national Vietnam War Memorial, engraved with the names of Oregon service members who died in the Vietnam War.

The Vets Helping Vets HQ Wall of Honor carries the names of service members killed in more recent conflicts, including Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Both will be available to view on the front lawn at Chinook Winds from Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 12-14.

Visitors can also view a display of vintage and current-day military vehicles, provided by the American Infantry Soldier Group, as well as an array of military flags.

The veteran services tent is back this year, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

And at 2 p.m. Saturday there will be a re-dedication ceremony for the Desert Storm memorial located in front of the casino.

Chinook Winds is also sponsoring movie tickets and popcorn for veterans and active duty personnel at the Historic Bijou Theatre through Sept. 19. Just show your military ID to get into to the theater.

Elsewhere in town, Explore Lincoln City is joining the celebration with a special Finders Keepers float drop. Stealthy volunteers will hide 50 red-white-and-blue glass floats on the beach for lucky searchers to find from Wednesday through Saturday.

And Saturday will also see the Lincoln City Kiwanis Parade of Flags line Highway 101 with U.S. flags in a colorful celebration of patriotic pride. (SOURCE)

Celebration of Honor 2024

At Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Honoring Active Duty Personnel and Military Veterans. Visit ChinookWindsCasino.com.

The 21st Annual Celebration of Honor, is an event to honor Active Duty Personnel and Military Veterans. Displays include the Vietnam Veterans of America 805 Oregon Veteran wall, military flags, and a display of vintage and current day military vehicles provided by the American Infantry Soldier Group.

Wednesday, Sept 11: Free buffet voucher will be available (with proof of service and Winners Circle registration).

Sept 12 – 19: Free movie and popcorn at the Bijou Theatre (with proof of service).

Saturday, Sept 14: The Lincoln City Kiwanis Parade of Flags will line the streets of Lincoln City with flags to celebrate the weeklong dedication. At 2pm the Re-dedication of the Desert Storm memorial will take place in front of the casino to honor those men and women who lost their lives serving our country.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3763017743982333

https://www.explorelincolncity.com/events/celebration-of-honor-2024/

Jewell School District Slated To Lose Timber Revenue Under Conservation Plan Spends To Sue State

The Jewell School District in the Clatsop State Forest predicts it could lose millions in revenue if a plan to scale back logging on Oregon’s western state forests is implemented. (Oregon Department of Forestry)

Officials with a tiny school district nestled in northwest Oregon’s Clatsop State Forest have paid tens of thousands of dollars to fight new state limits on logging and are prepared to “bet the farm” to support its lawsuit against the state, the Capital Chronicle has learned.

The Jewell School District has paid $148,000 and owes $3,000 more to lawyer John DiLorenzo for his work on its lawsuit that was filed in March, according to records obtained by the Capital Chronicle. Jewell’s superintendent, Cory Pederson, said the cost was justified.

“Whatever the district pays in fees will be well worth the chance to avoid what will otherwise be a catastrophic loss to Jewell and the local community,” Pederson said. “This is truly a ‘bet the farm’ issue for our district.”

DiLorenzo, who’s part of the David Wright Tremaine law firm, which has offices in Portland and New York, also defended his $955 per hour fee.

“You could hire a lawyer who doesn’t know anything about the area, even if it’s a lower rate, who spends three times as much time on it,” DiLorenzo said. “I’m used to working out of my New York office, and I tell you that rate certainly isn’t high in New York.”

The suit, filed in Clatsop County Circuit Court against the Oregon Department of Forestry, state forester Cal Mukumoto and state forest chief Mike Wilson, claims the logging limits in the Western State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan will drastically reduce revenue for the school district, forcing it to cut staff and services. For decades, the district has used logging revenue and not state money to fund its school budget, pumping it up beyond what other Oregon districts get from the state on a per-pupil basis.

DiLorenzo and district leaders would like to see the state scrap the conservation plan and restore previous timber harvests, allowing it to maintain its current funding.

“This litigation is one of the very few options the district has left to avoid a disastrous loss of revenues which will be the result of the Department of Forestry’s new harvest policies,” Pederson said in an email.

But Gov. Tina Kotek’s office and the Oregon Department of Education have said the state would ensure the district meets its state-mandated per-pupil funding requirement. Projections of how much money the district would actually lose year-over-year as logging is scaled back is still unknown. READ MORE: https://www.newsbreak.com/oregon-capital-chronicle-1590267/3592075744542-school-district-slated-to-lose-timber-revenue-under-conservation-plan-spends-big-to-sue-state

Wanted Man Arrested After Tip Leads Deputies to Taxi in Coos Bay

On September 10th, 2024, around 6:47 PM, Deputy Z. Smith received a tip regarding a wanted individual, Ronald Walter Jr. (28), who was reportedly departing Charleston in a taxi.

Deputy Z. Smith and Deputy Rowden successfully located the taxi on Newmark Avenue and conducted a traffic stop in front of Grocery Outlet in Coos Bay.

Ronald was instructed to exit the vehicle and was taken into custody for his outstanding Felony Warrant. He was then transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked and lodged.

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

Tragic Boating Accident In Winchester Bay

A tragic boating accident in Winchester Bay has claimed the life of a Medford man and left two others hospitalized.

The incident occurred Thursday when 63-year-old James McKeane, his son Kenneth McKeane, and their neighbor Anthony Knight were out ocean fishing. After several hours on the water, deteriorating weather conditions forced the group to return to the docks.

As they navigated toward the bay, a massive wave struck the left side of their boat, causing it to capsize and sending all three men into the water. None of the men were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.

The United States Coast Guard quickly responded to the scene, rescuing James McKeane and Anthony Knight from the water. Knight, who was found unconscious, was rushed to Lower Umpqua Hospital along with James. Sadly, despite medical efforts, Knight did not survive.

Kenneth McKeane was later located by a USCG helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted to North Bend Hospital for treatment. The accident is under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division and the Oregon State Marine Board.

 U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest · Bravo Zulu to the crews of U. S. Coast Guard Station Umpqua River and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend on their search and rescue case on the Umpqua River Bar yesterday afternoon. Two people were pulled from the water by Station Umpqua River while a third was hoisted from the Umpqua River North Jetty by Air Station North Bend. This was the rescue swimmer’s first case and the hoisting pilot’s first live hoist on a case.

Lane County Parks partners with Oregon Coast Visitors Association to bring mobility mats to Heceta Beach

Lane County Parks rolled out its latest effort to make popular park locations more accessible by adding mobility mats at Heceta Beach County Park. 

“This project is a great example of making a park more welcoming and available to everyone in our community,” said Lane County Parks Manager Brett Henry. “It’s also an example of working together to make improvements that might not be possible alone. We’re really excited to be adding mobility mats to one of our popular coastal parks.”

Mobility mats are portable, non-slip pathways that make it easier for people using wheelchairs, strollers, or with limited mobility, to access sandy areas. They create a stable surface so that more people can enjoy the beach. 

The new mobility mats at Heceta Beach create a 6-foot-wide pathway that reaches 120 feet from the parking area and along the sandy path to the beach and ending just beyond the regular high tide line. 

The mobility mats were purchased using grant funds provided by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association, and Travel Lane County helped make the connection between the agencies. Lane County Parks installed the mats and plans to add more to expand their reach using levy funds.

Heceta Beach County Park is also the site of a David’s Chair location in partnership with Lane County Parks and Driftwood Shores. David’s Chair provides FREE access to all-terrain track chairs that can help people who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the beach spend time on the sand. Learn more about David and the organization at www.davidschair.org.

North Bend Police Department –  North Bend Ice Skating Rink Event on Thursday

  · North Bend, OR  · Get ready for the premier event of the year—North Bend’s Talk of the Town! This community celebration is where you want to be, packed with excitement, live music, delicious food, and local organizations ready to connect with you.

Join us Thursday, September 12th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the North Bend Event Tent (2040 Union Ave.), where you’ll enjoy complimentary appetizers, a no-host bar, and a vibrant atmosphere. Meet local businesses and nonprofits face-to-face, learn about their services, and get involved in future city plans.

Whether you’re a local business looking to expand your reach or a community member eager to engage, this event has something for everyone. It’s more than just an evening out; it’s the ultimate opportunity to connect with the heart of North Bend.

Don’t miss out on the live music, great company, and interactive experiences that will make this a night to remember. Make your mark on North Bend’s future while enjoying a fantastic evening of fun, food, and community!

Officer Involved Shooting- Oregon State Police- Lincoln County 
Oregon State Police 

Lincoln County, Ore. 5 Sept. 24 – OnThursday, Sept. 5, 2024, just after midnight, Oregon State Police SWAT responded to a Lincoln City residence to assist the Lincoln City Police Department with a barricaded suspect. Responding officers made multiple attempts to negotiate with the suspect who fired at police and refused to comply with commands.  The suspect was ultimately shot by responding police and died at the scene.  

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at approximately 12:42 p.m., the Lincoln City Police Department requested assistance from local law enforcement agencies regarding an incident involving a suspect shooting at police officers while investigating a parking violation. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle and later on foot. 

Oregon State Police (OSP) responded and deployed a SWAT K-9 unit. The K-9 tracked the suspect to a residence at 1905 NW Jetty Ave. in Lincoln City. Occupants exited the residence and knew the suspect but denied seeing him that day. It was later confirmed the male suspect was within the residence and a search warrant was granted. 

OSP SWAT personnel were activated and responded to the scene. Negotiators made numerous attempts at communicating with the suspect as well as issuing verbal commands through a public address system. The suspect made numerous threatening statements and at 2:45 a.m. the suspect began to shoot through windows from within the residence. For unknown reasons, a fire started within the residence. As the fire spread the suspect exited an upstairs window to the roof carrying a rifle. He refused commands to drop the rifle. Shots were fired and the suspect fell from the roof to the ground below. 

OSP SWAT personnel secured the suspect’s firearm and pulled him away from the burning residence to render medical aid. He was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. 

Four OSP SWAT members were determined to have fired rounds during the incident. 

The Lincoln County Major Crimes Team was activated in accordance with the Lincoln County Deadly Force Plan. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is assuming the lead investigator role and is being assisted by detectives from the Lincoln City Police Department, Newport Police Department, and Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division. 

Oregon’s U.S. senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are denouncing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for the rushed process to get two zones off the coast leased on Oct. 15 for wind energy projects.

Below are statements from the senators.

 By rushing this leasing process, BOEM’s actions undermine state-led efforts to build the necessary consensus among coastal communities, fishermen, conservation groups, and Tribes. As I have said before, BOEM should not accept bids off the coast of Oregon until the state can facilitate a robust process with significant stakeholder engagement. This is the spirit of the Oregon Way, and the state must be able to evaluate whether offshore wind best serves our coast and communities. – Sen. Jeff Merkley (D)Oregonians living and working on the Coast expect far better from federal agencies than to get steamrolled from 3,000 miles away on decisions directly affecting their livelihoods. I will pull out all the stops to make sure that Oregonians’ legitimate concerns about this hasty decision and the run-up to it receive complete and acceptable responses before any project goes forward. The move to clean energy is essential in the face of the climate crisis, but abrupt and deeply flawed edicts like this do nothing to advance that move, and in fact hurt it. – Sen. Ron Wyden (D)

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BOEM has faced scrutiny for the lack of dialogue between the government organization and local partners. 

Brookings Mayor Isaac Hodges told NewsWatch 12 that at a previous meeting for the offshore wind energy projects, “not one” community member had a positive thing to say about the project or BOEM’s process so far. 

“I believe it’s the truth — we’re dealing with a government agency that truly doesn’t care about the community that they’re directly impacting,” said Hodges.

BOEM said in a news release on Aug. 13 that they were working with community partners.

In February, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians said BOEM is failing its obligations to Tribal Nations and other community members by not answering questions and concerns processed during BOEM’s multiple submission periods. 

In this year’s legislative session, House Bill 4080 — titled “Offshore Wind Labor Standards & Roadmap” — was passed. Rep. Pam Marsh and Sen. Jeff Golden were sponsors on the bill. 

HB 4080 outlined Oregon’s goals to reach the goal of creating three gigawatts of green energy while still staying true to the state’s sustainability, community and environmental goals. 

Governor Kotek’s statement:  The Department of the Interior’s announcement is a significant step in the process of evaluating offshore wind in Oregon. Governor Kotek believes that climate change requires bold action to meet our state’s clean energy goals, so Oregonians are prepared for and resilient to the impacts we’re already seeing across the landscape. Offshore wind development is unprecedented in Oregon, and Governor Kotek believes that any federal agency decision to award a lease should be made in cooperation with Oregon’s federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations, local and impacted communities, and in close consultation with feedback from the state of Oregon – including ensuring alignment with the work of the state roadmap. -Gov. Tina Kotek (D)

The US Department of the Interior Sets Date for Floating Wind Energy Lease Auction

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has released the scheduled date for the first-ever offshore wind energy lease auction off southern Oregon.

The two areas have the potential to provide up to 3.1 GW of generation capacity and, if fully developed, could power approximately one million homes with clean energy, according to DOI. Areas in the federal waters off Oregon are deemed most suitable for floating wind technology.

The two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in Oregon, the Coos Bay WEA and the Brookings WEA, will be auctioned on 15 October 2024 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

The Coos Bay (Lease Area P-OCS 0566) Wind Energy Area offshore Oregon is located approximately 32 miles (approximately 55 kilometres) from shore and covers 61,203 acres (approx. 248 square kilometres).

The bigger Brookings (Lease Area P-OCS 0567) Wind Energy Area spans 133,792 acres (approx. 541 square kilometres) and is located approximately 18 miles (approx. 29 kilometres) from shore. (READ MORE)

Oregon Coast Aquarium 

 In partnership with Nintendo of America, we’re hosting the Animal Crossing™: New Horizons Aquarium Tour! • Take photos with standees of familiar characters• Learn about in-game marine species • Check out the Animal Crossing: New Horizons photo opportunity, featuring a themed background with characters from the game.

The Tour is included with general admission and will be at the Oregon Coast Aquarium through October 20, 2024. Learn more at aquarium.org/animal-crossing — Stay tuned: aquarium.org/animal-crossing

LATEST UPDATE FROM ODOT CONCERNING HYW 101 NORHT OF MANZANITA ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: Traffic will be flagged through one lane on U.S. 101 four miles north of Manzanita 24 hours a day until repairs to the bridge there can be made. The single-lane traffic flagging is likely to continue into September, so plan extra time into your trip on the north Oregon coast between Cannon Beach and Manzanita, including the Oswald West State Park area. Please watch out for flaggers in the area, as well as traffic slowdowns during this busy holiday travel weekend. Please go to TripCheck before you travel so you are up to date on anything that will affect your travel.

Important Information. US 101 is closed at MP 39 (4 miles north of Manzanita) for inspection of damage to a bridge in the Oswald West State Park area. ODOT advises that if you plan to travel between Seaside and Manzanita today and not the weekend, the nearest detour will be OR 53 and Hwy 26- please refer to www.TripCheck.com for updates.

Coos Bay Library Events

The Coos Bay Library is kicking off fall with a plethora of events in September! Have you been to see the Native Innovations display? If not come and check it out. This is an interactive display that is interesting and fun for all ages and features some innovations by local tribes! This display will remain up until mid-September.

Did you know that Coos Bay is celebrating its 150th birthday? To help celebrate the library is hosting a scavenger hunt of current and historically famous places here in Coos Bay. Beginning September 6 and running until September 16, solve the clues and take a picture of yourself at each place to win a prize. Bonus prizes will be given to anyone who posts their pictures on social media and tags the Coos Bay Public Library.

Non-Profit Seminar in Florence

If you are on the board of a non-profit here in western Lane County there will be a one day seminar to learn about valuable tools and resources available and to interact with other community members.  The event will be at the Florence Event Center on Friday September 20^th. the sessions will total 4 ½ hours with a lunch and networking. 

Topics will cover effective board management, and a look at board governance plans and transitions.  Siuslaw residents will have a cost of $25.00 to attend.  This includes Florence, Dunes City, Mapleton, Swisshome, and Deadwood.  You can contact Siuslaw Vision as vision@siuslawvision.org for information and a discount code.

Rhododendron Festival Theme Sought

The Florence Area Chamber of commerce has announced that they will be looking for the theme of the 2025 Rhododendron Festival. 

Each year ideas are collected from the public with one person chosen for their creativity. 

The theme’s winner will receive a $100 prize for their submission.  Deadline for submissions is September 23^rd.

After the theme is chosen the chamber will then look to the public for a design of the 119^th annual rhododendron Festival Logo.  A form is available on the Florence Chamber website http://florencechamber.com

Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024

Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.

We will have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:

1. MorningGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
2. AfternoonGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
3. EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm

All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class will also be live and in person on the Curry Campus.

For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Fall term starts September 16th and ends November 27th.

To register for orientation and classes, go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.

Press Release: Make Waves — Registration for the 2024 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is Now Open

Portland, Ore., August 29, 2024 – SOLVE invites volunteers to make a global impact this September by joining the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. From September 20 through September 28, families, community members, student groups, and nature enthusiasts from all stages of life will gather across Oregon and Southwest Washington for a 10-day event series with a variety of projects to choose from. Registration is now open for this vital community effort to protect and restore our coastlines, rivers, and public lands.

Connecting Local Actions to Global Movements – September 21 is International Coastal Cleanup Day, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect our coasts and waterways from harmful trash and debris. This global movement amplifies the impact of local efforts, uniting communities for cleaner environments. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup wraps up on September 28 with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, focusing on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

Join the Effort – “After a season of heavy use, our rivers and beaches need care,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “This event is a cherished tradition and a powerful force for change. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a lasting impact on our environment.”

SOLVE will host over 50 project sites across Oregon and SW Washington, from the Oregon Coast to the Willamette Valley and beyond. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers removed 20,000 pounds of trash. Since 1986, the event has cleared over 2.5 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s natural areas. Volunteer registration is open for posted events and SOLVE is still seeking additional projects. Interested event leaders should register their events as soon as possible to fully maximize SOLVE’s support, resources, and everything needed to host a successful event. 

New Supply Hubs for Event Leaders – This year, SOLVE is making it easier for event leaders by launching five supply hubs at South Beach, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Cape Blanco, and Sunset Bay. These hubs are equipped with reusable supplies like litter grabbers, vests, and buckets sponsored by Knife River. This partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation strengthens SOLVE’s mission to provide even more volunteers with reusable supplies and host cleanup events with sustainability in mind.

Be Part of the Change – Join thousands of volunteers to protect our waterways, restore natural areas this September, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oregon. As the event dates approach, more details on project sites and opportunities will be released. For more information and to register, visit https://www.solveoregon.org/beach-riverside.

2024 Sponsors – SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2024 is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Daimler Truck North America, Fred Meyer, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Here is Oregon, Keen Footwear, Knife River, KOIN, Metro, NEEF, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Owens Corning.

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 group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

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

OHA 2024 Oregon Beach Monitoring Season

Agency shares list of monitored beaches for May-September

—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is kicking off the 2024 beach monitoring season by announcing the list of coastal recreation areas it will be keeping an eye on for bacteria during summer and early fall.

The 24 beaches on the list that the OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, is publishing includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon. It also includes beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.

The following are Oregon beaches being monitored during 2024, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:

• Seaside Beach – Seaside, Clatsop County
• Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Tolovana Beach State Park– Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park) – Arch Cape, Tillamook County
• Manzanita Beach – Manzanita, Tillamook County
• Rockaway Beach – Rockaway, Tillamook County
• Twin Rocks Beach – Twin Rocks, Tillamook County
• Oceanside Beach – Oceanside, Tillamook County
• Cape Kiwanda Beach – Pacific City, Tillamook County
• Neskowin Beach – Neskowin, Tillamook County
• D River Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Siletz Bay Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Beverly Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Agate Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Nye Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Ona Beach (Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Seal Rock Beach – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Heceta Beach – Florence, Lane County
• Bastendorff Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Sunset Bay State Park Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Hubbard Creek Beach – Port Orford, Curry County
• Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Curry County
• Mill Beach – Brookings, Curry County
• Crissey Fields State Recreation Site – Brookings, Curry County

Beach monitoring season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within this sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the next beach monitoring season.

OBMP works with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include: pollution hazards present; previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns; type and amount of beach use; and public input.

As part of an adaptive sampling plan, beaches and sampling locations are routinely re-evaluated to ensure available resources best protect public health. A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact OBMP at each.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0400.

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

9/11 – Patriot Day — On this day we come together to remember and to honor the bravery and selflessness of the 343 firefighters and 60 police officers, and everyone who lost their lives that day. Let us stand united in hope and resilience.

Governor Kotek hosts demobilization ceremony for returning Oregon National Guard Soldiers

SALEM, Ore. —Governor Tina Kotek and Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon hosted a formal demobilization ceremony in Salem, Oregon for the unit members of the Oregon National Guard’s A (-) 641st Aviation on Sept. 9, 2024.

During their mobilization they provided fixed-wing air capabilities in support of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and AFRICOM from Djibouti and throughout the AFRICOM Theater of operations.

“Just over a year ago we gathered to see off an exceptional group of aviators as they embarked on a critical mission to the Horn of Africa,” said Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold to the returning Soldiers during the demobilization ceremony. “Today we come together once again –  not to say goodbye but to celebrate your safe return and extraordinary service.”

Gov. Kotek welcomed the member’s home and praised their dedication to the yearlong deployment with family and co-workers in attendance. “It was last July that you first mobilized here, and I reminded you to come home safe from your mobilization, and as this was my first mobilization ceremony as Governor and your guidon was in my office while you were gone.”

“With your dedication to duty, I am truly humbled by your commitment to serve. I want to welcome you back, and hopefully, you can now catch up on some of the activities you missed while you were away,” said Gov. Kotek.

Prior to their overseas mission, the unit spent nearly two-weeks of specialized training at Ft. Bliss, Texas. The unit has a long history of deploying overseas supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and later deploying to support Operation New Dawn in Iraq in 2010 while some members of the unit deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Their most recent mobilization was in 2017 when they deployed to Kuwait to support Operation Enduring Freedom followed by Operation Spartan Shield.

Missing Oregon Nurse Found Dead. Neighbor Arrested For Her Murder

A nurse allegedly murdered by her Oregon neighbor just two weeks after getting married had plans to move out to be with her long-distance husband in Washington state, her family shared.

Police recovered the remains of Melissa Jubane, 32, on Friday evening after a three-day search that ended in the arrest of her 27-year-old neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert, who was charged with second-degree murder.

The newlywed was reported missing on Wednesday after failing to show up to her morning shift at St. Vincent Hospital in southwest Portland. Her co-workers requested a wellness check on her, but police didn’t find any signs of her at her apartment.

Jubane married Bryan Llantero, of Hawaii, on the island of Honolulu on Aug. 24 and had just returned to Oregon before she vanished.

The newlyweds first met in Hawaii and dated for over a decade, flying back and forth to see each other. Llantero had last heard from his new wife the morning she went missing, according to KHON .

Jubane would stay in her Oregon apartment because of its proximity to her workplace while Llantero stayed in Washington state with Melissa’s family, her mother-in-law, Imelda Llantero, told the local news station.

But after tying the knot, Jubane planned to look for a job in Washington so she could live with her new husband, Imelda Llantero said.

Since her alleged murder, family members have taken to social media to advocate for justice and preserve her memory.

Jax Marquez, one of Jubane’s cousins, has turned to dedicating parts of her social media to her, including changing her profile picture to read “Justice for #melissajubane.”

Jubane’s father also expressed his heartbreak online. “I’m in so much pain right now for you my daughter Melissa Jubane. As promised by the Beaverton Police Authorities to us, your justice will be done soon,” Valentin Jubane, Melissa’s father, wrote in a post on Facebook .

“I have trust in our God The Almighty and His only son our Lord God Jesus Christ. You are loved by so many good people around the world.”

Another one of Melissa’s cousins, Onilobes Allan, urged politicians to protect potential victims from bad actors.

“[…] our government need[s] to protect [people like Melissa] so we can have a chance to live in peace and have happiness in the world but unfortunately got taken advantage and was killed by someone that is very evil. I’m asking the government to make laws that protect good citizens,” he wrote in a post on Facebook .  (SOURCE)

Cooler temperatures and rain starting Wednesday will help dampen flames, but won’t end the fire season

High temperatures, strong winds and lightning storms have sparked dozens of new fires in Oregon these past few days, particularly in Central and southeastern Oregon.

And a national firefighter labor shortage is making it harder to suppress massive wildfires across the West, with fewer federal teams that Oregon can ask for help.

State fire officials say crews are running out of steam and resources.

“We have men and women fighting fire in the poison oak,” Oregon Department of Forestry fire division chief Chris Cline said at a press conference Monday. “They need to get clean. There are no showers, there’s no food.”

State and federal fire agencies usually help each other fight fires. But Cline said all federal fire teams are busy fighting fires across the West.

“There are no incident management teams available in the United States of America today, right now,” Cline said.

U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman said with so many large wildfires burning in several parts of the country — including California and the Rockies — the agency would be stretched thin regardless of a firefighter labor shortage.

“There are a finite number of resources and with this much activity, we are always going to be short of firefighters,” Freeman said.

The U.S. Forest Service has recently struggled with hiring and keeping firefighters, a ProPublica investigation found earlier this year. In Oregon, state officials say they were able to hire enough firefighters for the 2024 season, but they worry about the coming weeks.

“A lot of our firefighters are college students who are usually in college for a forestry degree and this is their summer job,” agency spokesperson Jessica Neujahr said. “Once school starts back up, we lose a significant portion of our workforce.”

In addition to state-owned land, the Oregon Department of Forestry protects private property belonging to landowners who pay rates for its firefighting services. For that reason, it usually attacks small fires aggressively to keep at least 98% of them from growing past 10 acres. But this year, the agency has only been able to keep 93% smaller than 10 acres.

“There’s just not enough people to answer each fire appropriately with that same aggressive initial attack,” Neujahr said.

Much of Oregon will get a reprieve, with some cooler temperatures and potential rain starting Wednesday. Even so, fire officials say it’s not enough to end the fire season, so Oregonians should remain vigilant through September and October.

The 2024 fire season has been a record-breaker for Oregon, with 1.8 million acres burned so far, mostly affecting rural areas and rangelands in Central and Eastern Oregon. These dry lands are naturally prone to recurring wildfires, but ecologists say climate change is making wildfires bigger and more destructive.

While fewer acres burned during the 2020 Labor Day weekend fires, that remains one of the most destructive fire seasons in the state’s history, when thousands of homes burned. (SOURCE)

This year so far, 1.5 million acres have already burned across Oregon compared with the 10-year average burned in an entire fire season of 640,000 acres. The western side of Oregon got more of a break this summer as most of the aggressive activity has been in eastern Oregon.

With around 5,000 firefighters currently dispatched across the state, they have worked for almost two months straight and are experiencing fatigue.

Kotek said that the state has been able to protect a lot of communities but the team has been pushed to the brink this season. She also predicts that fire seasons are not going to get easier and Orgeon must figure out how to have consistent funding to do the necessary work.

Kotek confirmed that Oregon received approval for seven FEMA grants that will provide help in the form of significant levels of reimbursement. Other states and even other countries like Australia and New Zealand have sent help to Oregon.

Wildfires have burned more than 1 million acres across the state, making Oregon by far the worst off out of all the states in terms of acres burned this summer.

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/11/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Devils Knob and Milepost 98 Fires – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	4058 Acres	2 minutes 46 seconds ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	4 minutes 11 seconds ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	3047 Acres	7 minutes 9 seconds ago
Rail Ridge – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	161675 Acres	21 minutes 32 seconds ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	23197 Acres	37 minutes 9 seconds ago
Shoe Fly Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	26744 Acres	44 minutes 21 seconds ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	1732 Acres	44 minutes 55 seconds ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	4631 Acres	1 hour ago
Wiley Flat – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	29423 Acres	1 hour 20 minutes ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	9483 Acres	1 hour 23 minutes ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11141 Acres	2 hours ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	5286 Acres	2 hours 1 minute ago
Milepost 98 – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	240 Acres	2 hours 14 minutes ago
Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	Acres	11 hours 28 minutes ago
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	5987 Acres	11 hours 44 minutes ago
Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25927 Acres	18 hours 1 minute ago
Buck Creek Fire – ORFWF	Wildfire	Oregon	3501 Acres	20 hours 8 minutes ago
Fossil Complex – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	15552 Acres	21 hours 38 minutes ago
Copperfield Fire – OR98S	Wildfire	Oregon	3822 Acres	1 day ago
Two Cabin – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	251 Acres	4 days 11 hours ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	86968 Acres	1 week 1 day ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1313 Acres	1 week 2 days ago
Lone Rock Fire – ORPRD	Wildfire	Oregon	137222 Acres	2 weeks 1 day ago

https://app.watchduty.org/

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page. 

U.S. Forest Service Hiring in Oregon

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to shore up its wildland firefighting force in the Pacific Northwest.  Recruitment events will take place across Oregon next month, with stops in Bend, Sandy and La Grande on September 12th, in an effort to hire a couple hundred permanent seasonal positions.

“That’s our goal, is to hire up to 200, maybe even a little more if we can, into these what we call entry level, perm-fire-hire positions, which are typically your six to nine-month timeframe employment within the agency,” said Jason Heinz who works in regional workforce development for the Forest Service.  He added those jobs are spread around Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and in most cases fill a currently vacant position.  Heinz says several factors make it more difficult to recruit wildland crews.

“We are increasing the number of individuals that work for the agency, our fire seasons are getting longer, burnout is a real thing. And so, we’re trying to work on adding more capacity to our crews so that we can have a better work-life balance.”  — Applications can be submitted now through September 24th. Visit USAJobs.gov to apply.

Oregon Farm Bureau — Thanks to the generous support of our agricultural community, we are now receiving both monetary and feed donations through our Wildfire Relief Fund. If you are a farmer or rancher affected by the wildfires, please take a moment to complete our short application for relief. https://www.oregonfb.org/

Federal Report Finds Food Insecurity Worse In Oregon Since The Pandemic

More Oregonians were food insecure, couldn’t afford groceries or outright skipped meals in 2023, compared to 2020. That’s according to an annual U.S. Department of Agriculture household food security report released Wednesday.

While inflation is cooling down, prices at grocery stores still remain high for many people. In Oregon, food insecurity rates rose sharply to 12% from 2021-2023, an increase from 9.2% from 2018-2020, according to the USDA report. That means more than 400,000 people – including many of the state’s children – were food insecure, or didn’t know where their next meal was coming from.

The state was one of six states where very low food security rates rose as well – essentially when people are in a more severe situation and are skipping meals because they can’t afford adequate food. Nationally, 13.5% of households were food insecure at least sometime during the year.

The report aligns with the spike in need for emergency food assistance across Oregon over the last few years, said Morgan Dewey, a spokesperson for the Oregon Food Bank.

“For the last couple of years we’ve seen a record-breaking number of visits across our more than 1,400 food assistance sites across Oregon and Southwest Washington,” Dewey said. “This data absolutely confirms the anecdotes that we’ve seen on the ground and what those local food pantries are saying.”

Sarah Weber-Ogden, co-executive director for Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, said she attributes the sharp increase to the rising cost of living, but also to the end of pandemic-era assistance programs, which kept many families afloat during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s really showing us that government programs that provide access to food are actually very successful in keeping our neighbors out of food insecurity,” she said. “And that can give us a roadmap for moving forward and taking next steps in light of this data.”

Weber-Ogden said going into the 2025 state legislative session, she and other advocates will make universal free school meals a top priority, which would help address hunger among children. While free meals are available in all  three of Oregon’s largest school districts, that’s not the case for all schools, Weber-Ogden said.

“We’re not all the way there…we have a small gap to close to get there, but it is going to require that lawmakers prioritize this now,” she said.

Dewey said the Oregon Food Bank, along with other advocates, including Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, will work to introduce the Food for All Oregonians policy during next year’s legislative session as well. The bill would extend benefits similar to SNAP, informally known as food stamps, to over 62,000 Oregonians currently ineligible to apply because of their immigration status.

“This would directly put money in people’s pockets to buy food,” she said. “It would get Oregon off the list of those [high food insecurity] states.”

For Weber-Ogden, the report overall highlights the need for stronger policies to reduce food insecurity rates.

“This data really should be a wake up call to lawmakers in a state as abundant as Oregon,” she said. “There’s no reason why we should be seeing food insecurity rates like this.”  (SOURCE)

OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man —  Oregon State Police 

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

WASCO COUNTY, Ore. 9 Sept. 2024 – Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims. 

On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody. 

Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. 

Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone. 

Another lawsuit has been filed against Medford’s Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in the case involving a former nurse accused of giving patients non-sterile tap water instead of intravenous fentanyl.

In a Sept. 6 filing in Jackson County Circuit Court, an attorney for 63-year-old Candi Kay Palomares says former Asante nurse Dani Marie Schofield diverted fentanyl prescribed to Palomares for the severe respiratory distress that brought her to Asante’s intensive care unit on March 26, 2023.

The suit seeks $116 million for Palomares’ pain and suffering, future medical expenses and lost wages. By March 31, 2023, blood tests showed infections in Palomares, then a mobile home park manager in Brookings. By April 3, 2023, Palomares suffered from sepsis-induced brain dysfunction, the suit claims.

On April 14, 2023, a patient safety representative for Asante posted a notice online about what the hospital termed “water quality rumors.” Attorney Bruce Nishioka argues in court papers that Asante acted with negligence by failing to prevent “the foreseeable diversion of fentanyl.” Palomares can no longer work and also lost her home because it was part of her compensation for managing the mobile home park.

——-    In a related story, A stay has been granted by a judge for the former Asante nurse, accused of drug diversion at the hospital. The civil case of drug diversion in regards to Horace Earl Wilson, will be delayed until the criminal case of Dani Schofield has concluded.

The former Medford nurse accused of criminal assault of 44 hospital patients through drug diversion can “stay” or pause, the related civil case. Schofield is one of two defendants in a Jackson County civil court case, Patti L. Wilson for the Estate of Horace Earl Wilson, Plaintiff, v. Asante, an Oregon corporation; Dani Marie Schofield, R.N., Defendant, filed in February by Justin Idiart with Central Point’s Idiart Law Group.

Schofield also has 44 felony counts of criminal assault in Jackson County Circuit Court, accusing her of causing illness to 44 Asante Rogue Regional Medical Cnter (Asante) intensive care unit patients from diverting to herself fentanyl intended for them, replacing it with hospital tap water that could cause infection.

Oregon boosts emergency preparedness with new evacuation software

Oregon Emergency Mangers already seeing significant reduction in time to communicate evacuation information. 

Salem, Ore. – In honor of National Preparedness Month, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is excited to announce a new contract that will provide advanced evacuation software to all of Oregon’s 36 counties and nine Tribes. The software, from Genasys Inc., will help manage emergency evacuations more effectively across the state.

As Oregon deals with more frequent and severe disasters, it’s essential to have a clear plan for evacuations and support services. While law enforcement handles the immediate evacuation of people, the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) works with local communities to help identify people who need evacuation assistance and ensure people are evacuated to a location that meets their needs.  

“Even well-prepared communities face challenges with evacuations, especially when multiple areas are affected. We’re thrilled to offer this new software to all our counties and Tribes,” said Ed Flick, Director of OREM. “This tool will help emergency managers make quick and informed decisions to keep everyone safe. Over the last week the tool was used to coordinate evacuations for the Rail Ridge Fire in Grant, Crook and Wheeler Counties, which is Oregon’s top priority wildfire. National Preparedness Month is a great time for everyone to review their own emergency plans and supplies. For tips, check out Ready.gov.” 

The Genasys EVAC software helps with planning and managing evacuations. It allows emergency services to quickly create and update evacuation plans, run realistic simulations, and respond faster during an emergency.

Nick Vora, Emergency Manager for Union County, shared his enthusiasm: “Changing, exporting, and adding evacuation zones for alerts used to be slow and complicated. While there are many great mapping tools out there, they often made it time-consuming to update evacuation zones and get them ready for emergency alerts. It could take 15 to 30 minutes to make these changes and load them into the alert system. With Genasys, however, the process is much faster. You can select and adjust an area and get it ready for alerts in just a few minutes. This quick turnaround makes managing emergency alerts much easier and more efficient.”

“Genasys Protect was instrumental in notifying community members of evacuations during the Falls and Telephone Fires in Harney County. When time is of the essence, being able to instantly notify community members of updated evacuation levels is crucial. We loved the ease of use and the ability to train new staff members on how to use it under one minute. This is an essential tool during wildfires,” said Melinda Todd, Harney County Emergency Manager.

Ken Kehmna, a retired fire chief and advisor at Genasys, added, “After Oregon’s severe fires in 2020, we tested this software in Deschutes and Jackson counties. Both counties saw great results and adopted the software, leading to its statewide use.”

Michael Smith, Senior Vice President at Genasys Protect, emphasized the benefits: “EVAC’s planning and real-time communication features are vital for managing emergencies in any community, from small towns to large cities.”

This new software represents a significant step forward in making sure Oregon is ready for emergencies and can respond quickly and effectively.

About the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management

ODHS holds four distinct roles through its Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, all of which reduce the impact of disasters on people.

• Mass care:  Planning for and supporting people in the early stage and immediate aftermath of emergencies. Our work includes things like coordinating evacuation assistance, the distribution of life-sustaining goods and services, including hydration, feeding, sheltering, reunification, and distribution of emergency supplies. 
• Social services recovery:  Helping people and social services agencies recover. Our Social Services Recovery Coordinators work with survivors and their families to identify barriers to recovery, make a plan to address those barriers, and support the survivors on their journey. Our role also includes helping local social services agencies that may be impacted by the disasters to return to full functioning as soon as possible. 
• Continuity of operations:  Ensuring communities’ ongoing access to ODHS services. This includes making sure our offices are open and essential services continue, as well as supporting the agency programs and the case managers who ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of Oregonians who may need extra and early help in an emergency. 
• Legislatively directed resilience work:  Warming, cooling and cleaner air shelters; water distribution and resilience hubs. These situations don’t fit what’s traditionally been considered emergencies, but they can have significant impacts on people. The Legislature made OREM the lead for this type of work to help people. 

Across all these roles, ODHS develops and relies on partnerships and coordination with public and private organizations at the local and regional levels and with our state and Tribal Nation partners. 

3,000 Oregon state workers claim faulty state analysis left them underpaid

More than 3,000 Oregon state workers have filed claims alleging that they are underpaid due to an inaccurate evaluation of their experience and education in a recent state equal pay analysis.

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services conducts the analysis at least once every three years to ensure employees have the correct job classification and are fairly paid. The latest review, covering about 36,000 state employees and completed in June, resulted in salary increases for 8,789 workers, who were reclassified based on updated education and experience assessments, according to Bryanna Duke, public records manager for the agency.

The significant number of reclassifications marks a victory for the state’s public employee unions, which have successfully negotiated several changes to the equal pay analysis process, aiming to promote fairness and address wage disparities between male and female state employees, as well as between employees of color and their white counterparts.

However, 3,025 employees – or about 8.4% of employees covered by the analysis – have appealed, contending that the state miscalculated their experience, education level or both, according to Andrea Chiapella, spokesperson for the Department of Administrative Services.

Summer EBT application deadline extended to Sept. 30, 2024
(Salem) – The application deadline for the new Summer EBT program has been extended to midnight Sept. 30, 2024. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. Eligible families should act now.

Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days. 

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:

1. Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
3. Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level 

Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. 

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children enrolled in a school during the 2023-2024 school year who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “We are grateful to our federal partners for making this extension. The extra time is so important for us to reach families who may be eligible because we know access to nutritious food is critical.” 

“Staying engaged in school and active in life requires proper nutrition,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “We know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit and this important extension boosts our opportunity to reach them.”

Since June 28, 2024, more than 336,198 eligible school-aged children have been issued $40.3 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.

Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before midnight Sept. 30, 2024.

To learn more:

1. Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
2. Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

 Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline.

It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com

Oregon Senators Celebrate $11.5 Million To Boost Oregon Literacy Programs

On Friday, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that $11.5 million is coming to Oregon to boost the state’s programs to close disparities in literacy for students.

A release said the U.S. Department of Education is awarding the Oregon Department of Education $11,578,036 to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing for students from birth through grade 12. The program will particularly focus on limited-English-proficient students, and students with disabilities, including dyslexia. Friday’s award is the first of an anticipated 5-year program that could total up to nearly $58 million.  

Merkley said, “Reading is key to success in education and life”. Merkley said, “Making sure the Oregon Department of Education has the resources it needs to support students and students with disabilities, including dyslexia, benefits us all. I’ll never stop fighting for Oregon students to make certain every child has a solid start in life”.

Wyden said, “The road to a great future for young Oregonians begins with reading”. Wyden said, “Students throughout our state with learning disabilities, English language learners and other young Oregonians will all gain from these federal literacy funds. I’ll always battle for these kinds of opportunities to strengthen educational support in classrooms statewide”.

The release said planned activities include literacy coaching, utilizing research-based literacy instruction, and developing effective school transition practices. The State will partner with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to align efforts with the Governor’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council.

Recreational Trails Program accepting grant applications for trail projects
SALEM, Oregon— The Recreational Trails Program is accepting grant applications through Nov. 15 for the approximately $1.6 million in grant funds available for the 2024 grant cycle. 

Grants are available for trail construction, heavy restoration, trailhead facilities, trail building and maintenance equipment, land or easement acquisitions, safety and education, trail assessments for accessibility or maintenance and water trails.

The federally funded reimbursement grant program provides matching grants to construct, expand or improve public trails for motorized and non-motorized use. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent via https://oprdgrants.org by Sep. 30. Applications due Nov. 15.

An optional webinar is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 11 to provide information on the program and how to navigate the application process. Registration is required: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YcBVw4OpQseoi6GZQgYffg#/registration. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the Recreational Trails Program web page shortly afterward at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx

The grant program is open to local governments, park districts, state and federal agencies, tribal governments, other public land managers, and nonprofits.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Since 1993, the program has funded over 550 projects across Oregon.

Information about the program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is on the Recreational Trails Program web page: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx

Questions can be directed to Jodi Bellefeuille, Recreational Trails Program coordinator, at ellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov“>jodi.bellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-856-6316.

Governor Kotek issues a proclamation recognizing September as Preparedness Month in Oregon

– Governor Tina Kotek has officially proclaimed September Preparedness Month in Oregon.

“I want to call out the extraordinary work of local and state leaders who made sure our state was prepared for this year’s unprecedented wildfire season,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “As firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fires burning across the state, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management effectively mobilized shelters, evacuation support, and identified the resources each community needed.”

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) will observe preparedness month by launching a new community-based initiative designed to help individuals and their communities prepare for emergencies and practice their skills as a group. The Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit is a step-by-step guide to individual and community resiliency.  

The digital version of the kit is available at Oregon.gov/OEM and is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese, with American Sign Language videos coming soon.

“As director of OEM, it’s a top priority for me to help people living in Oregon be ready for disasters,” Erin McMahon, said. “The Be 2 Weeks Ready program helps foster a culture of preparedness within established community groups such as faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, local 4-H clubs, schools, and workplaces.”

Preparing for emergencies can feel overwhelming. It’s important to remember that being two weeks ready doesn’t have to be expensive or happen all at once. There are a lot of effective and low-cost to no-cost actions your community can take today to be ready for tomorrow. You can find more details about these on FEMA’s preparedness site Ready.gov, but here are a few:

• Visit ORAlert.gov to sign up to receive local emergency alerts or update your contact information
• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your mobile phone.  
• Understand Oregon’s evacuation levels and know the evacuation routes in your area.  
• Familiarize yourself with TripCheck.com.  
• Make go bags with survival essentials for every member of your family, including pets.
• Store copies of important information or documents in a password-protected online drive or on a flash drive in a waterproof container in your go bag.

Also, look to your local leaders for additional tips on how your community is preparing. Connect with your local emergency management office, sheriff’s office, or Tribal police and follow them on social media to stay up to date during quickly changing emergencies.  

When a disaster strikes, you are the help until help arrives. By working together, communities can enhance their collective resilience and ensure everyone is equipped to handle emergencies.  

In addition to the Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit, people interested in helping their communities and deepening their basic disaster response skills can join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and learn from peers.

There are four types of CERT programs: Community, Workplace, Campus, Teen. Each program is supported by a sponsoring organization. A sponsoring organization can be any government agency, such as a fire department, emergency management agency or city council.

In the end, OEM wants to help people feel empowered, not frightened, when thinking about how they will respond in an emergency. The Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit and CERT programs can help individuals build meaningful connections with one another that will lead to better outcomes for everyone when disaster strikes. 

More than 50 active CERT programs exist in Oregon. People can find contact information for teams in their area on the Oregon Department of Emergency Management website.

People who are interested in becoming a Be 2 Weeks Ready program coordinator or want to find a program near them can email eparedness@oem.oregon.gov“>community.preparedness@oem.oregon.gov.

Take action now during National Preparedness Month to get ready for emergencies – Prepare your household now for more extreme weather events and natural disasters. 

The American Red Cross Cascades Region is encouraging everyone to take critical action during National Preparedness Month this September to be ready for worsening disasters. Deadly storms, raging wildfires and extreme heat are becoming more frequent and intense and families are experiencing the effects.

“Disasters can happen at any time, often without warning, changing lives forever in just minutes,” says Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer Jonathan Seibert.“ As our climate changes, it’s critical to help protect your loved ones and National Preparedness Month is the ideal time to get your household ready for emergencies.”

HOW TO PREPARE Get ready for disasters by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected. Follow these steps to prepare for emergencies:

1. Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. If you may need to leave, think about where you will go, how you will get there, where you will stay and what you’ll take with you. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.
2. Next, gather and organize critical supplies — like food, water and medicine — into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can take with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water, and a one-month supply of medications, if possible.
3. Customize your kit to meet your household’s specific needs. If you have young children, don’t forget formula and diapers. If you have pets, include leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and a litterbox.
4. Make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down. Write down important phone numbers on a contact card and carry it with you.
5. Finally, download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and expert advice in both English and Spanish. And don’t forget to sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government to get critical information during local emergencies. 

CLIMATE CRISIS EFFECTS.  This summer, a record-breaking 1.5 million acres have been burned by wildfires in Oregon. We’ve opened more than 20 shelters for level 3 “Go Now” evacuations since June.  

So far in 2024, nationwide, 2.7 million more acres of land have been burned by wildfires compared to all of 2023.  In July, Hurricane Beryl broke records as the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded and in early August, Hurricane Debby brought widespread flooding to much of the East Coast. Plus, 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record according to experts. Altogether in 2024, the U.S has experienced 19 climate disasters, each with losses of over a billion dollars — more than double the average from the last 40 years.

When these disasters happen, the Red Cross is there providing food, shelter and comfort to ensure no one faces this difficult time alone. To help families better cope with this worsening climate crisis, the Red Cross is also enhancing our support for those who need it most and increasing our capacity to respond to non-stop disasters. 

“The best defense during an emergency is to be prepared, and that’s true for both our individual families and our entire community,” said Red Cross Cascades Region CEO Priscilla Fuentes. “During National Preparedness Month, consider donating to help people affected by disasters big and small, or making an appointment to give blood. If you have the time, take a first aid class or put on a red vest and join us as a volunteer.”

Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to learn more today.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

The 10th annual Ride the Rim Days will be held at Crater Lake National Park the next two Saturdays — Sept. 7 and 14. The event is hosted by the park in partnership with the Friends of Crater Lake and Discover Klamath.  On both days East Rim Drive from the North Junction to Park Headquarters will be closed to motorized vehicles at 7 p.m. on the Fridays before the event until 4 p.m. on Saturdays to allow for non-motorized recreation including biking, hiking and running. The event is free, but normal park entrance fees apply.

In accordance with National Park Service policy, e-bikes (low-speed, electric bicycles with power assistance) are permitted as part of this event. The operator of an e-bike may only use the motor to assist pedal propulsion. The motor may not be used to propel an e-bike without the rider also pedaling, except in locations open to public motor vehicle traffic. The closed route around the lake is about 25 miles long with 3,500 feet of climbing at elevations over 7,000 feet. In a statement, park officials suggest, “Make sure your battery power, or leg power, will last this long, or consider a shorter out-and-back route. There is no SAG wagon provided.”

Park visitors on the Ride days should expect a large number of bicyclists on park roads. Cyclists and motorists on West Rim Drive are asked to ride and drive with “caution and patience.” Cyclists should ride single file when sharing the road with motorists. West Rim Drive will be open for all travel. North Entrance Road will also be open beginning at 7 p.m. on Fridays before the rides. Park staff recommend that cyclists avoid riding on West Rim Drive, if possible, because of increased traffic from Ride the Rim participants, shuttles, and other park visitors.

Ride the Rim parking will be available at the North Junction, Park Headquarters, and the Picnic Hill area of Rim Village. Participants are encouraged to share rides to help ease parking congestion.

A free shuttle will transport participants to the start of the ride or to their vehicles after the event. The shuttle will run between North Junction, Rim Village and Park Headquarters. The shuttle will not carry bicycles to accommodate more people. “A person or people from each party will need to remain with bicycles while members of their party park or retrieve vehicles. For single riders, there will be a limited bike valet at North Junction and Park Headquarters,” note park officials. 

Smoke from wildland fires in and near park did increase some days but has lessened. Participants are encouraged to check weather, fire and smoke forecasts and make decisions based on their personal needs. Smoke information is available at Current Smoke Outlook for Central Oregon. For more information: www.RideTheRimOregon.com.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com