Oregon Beach News, Friday 7/15 – Granddaughter Seeks Volunteers To Help Search For Missing Grandfather In Coos County, Florence Hosts ‘Blast on Bay Street’ Block Party Tonight

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

Friday, July 15, 2022

Oregon Beach Weather

Granddaughter Seeks Volunteers To Help Search For Missing Grandfather In Coos County

George Lagrou’s granddaughter is searching desperately for her grandfather after he went missing a week ago, and she’s seeking the community’s help.

Jessica Kateley says 84-year-old George L. Lagrou was last seen at milepost 7 of Weyerhauser Lane in Alleghany around 11:23 a.m. on Thursday, July 7.

“Somebody has seen something or seen him. It’s out in the public,” said Kateley. “We had 50 people from the community walking and going through the brush; we just can’t cover everything because it’s so thick.”

Kateley is now rounding up community members to search the area where Lagrou was last seen.

She says she’s put the word out to anyone who hikes, hunts, and those who would simply like to help to meet at the Alleghany Community Center at 8:30 a.m. July 16.

“We’re going to lock arms and see if he wandered into the brush,” she said.

Kateley says on the day he went missing, a dump truck driver saw Lagrou sitting in a metal framed folding seat with a plastic seat he carries with him at all times. That driver tells Kateley at that time, Lagrou did not know his name, where he’d traveled from, or where he was going. The driver let Lagrou know he was leaving to go get him help.

With a 15-man team, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of the area, but Kateley says police K9s could not pick up a scent, and after 6 hours, the search was called off.

The family requested the Millicoma River Rearing Pond be dredged, but as officers attempted to do so, the graffle became caught in rocks.

A heartbroken Kateley attempted to retrace Lagrou’s steps, traveling 22 minutes in either direction from where he was last seen and searching nearby areas to no avail.

She says while some think he may have gotten a ride into town, she believes he’s still in the woods. “But if he’s in town, he’s looking for ice cream. He loves Dairy Queen,” Kateley says.

She says he was last wearing a greenish-gray Hanes t-shirt, blue jeans, and brown and black hiking shoes.

If anyone sees Lagrou, they’re asked to notify the Coos County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 396-7830.

Florence Hosts ‘Blast on Bay Street’ Block Party Tonight

The City of Florence is excited to announce that it will be hosting a Community Block Party on Friday, July 15, from 5 to 10 p.m. in Historic Old Town Florence.

Block Party Logo

The 2022 Block Party will be held in Old Town between Laurel Street and the Siuslaw River Bridge. A free concert will be provided from 6 to 10 p.m. by the band 5 Guys Named Moe (http://themoes.com).

In addition, the city will again be creating an electronic scavenger hunt through www.goosechase.com with interactive photo and video challenges in order to encourage attendees to get out and about throughout our community.

Plus, partner agencies and organizations will set up throughout the Block Party area and there will be fun activities for people of all ages.

Street Closure Details – The segment of Bay Street between the Siuslaw River Bridge and Laurel Street will be closed to traffic for the Block Party beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 15. The street will reopen to traffic following the cleanup of the event at approximately 11 p.m.

If accommodations are needed by residents or business owners in the area, they may contact the City of Florence.

Further details can be found at http://www.ci.florence.or.us/blastonbaystreet

Coast Guard Rescues 62-Year-Old Woman After She Fell Off Rock Near Bandon

A 62-year-old woman had to be rescued after she fell and injured herself near Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon on Wednesday.

The Coast Guard was called at 2:06 p.m. to assist Coos County firefighters and other rescuers in evacuating the woman from the beach.

She reportedly suffered a leg injury and reported having back pain due to the fall.

Local emergency crews were unable to safely evacuate her due to challenging terrain. An aircrew from Coast Guard Sector North Bend transported the woman by medevac to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay for treatment.

Razor Clamming Closed On Clatsop Beaches July 15th To Sept. 30th

Harvesting razor clams is closed July 15 – Sept. 30 on Clatsop beaches (from Tillamook Head in Seaside to the mouth of the Columbia River.)

This annual conservation closure lets newly set young clams establish themselves on the 18 miles of Clatsop beaches. Protecting these clams is vital to their population and future clamming opportunities as more than 90 percent of the total razor clam harvest in Oregon occurs here. The annual closure began in1967.

ODFW staff assess razor clam stocks during the conservation closure. The 2021 assessments showed the highest abundance of clams since surveys began in 2004. This translated into a very productive harvest season.

Razor clam harvesting is open on other state beaches from Tillamook Head south to the California border.

The best opportunities outside Clatsop beaches are in the Newport area, with the most consistent producers being Agate Beach, North Jetty, and South Beach. Other razor clam harvest areas include Winchester Bay, Bandon and Gold Beach among others.

Bay clam harvesting is currently open coast-wide.

Always check for toxin-related closures before harvesting clams or crabs by calling the shellfish safety hotline 1-800-448-2474. Closures are also noted on ODA’S Recreation Shellfish page and on ODFW’s Recreation Report – Clamming and Crabbing Report. MORE INFO: https://myodfw.com/crabbing-clamming

We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/CG0l50JWk1n

Screen shot of linked dashboard shows an increase trend in hospitalizations. Cases, test positivity, and vaccinations have plateaued. Please visit healthoregon.org/coronavirus for more.

OHA releases biweekly COVID-19 reports

The COVID-19 Biweekly Data Report, released today, shows an increase in COVID-19-related cases and hospitalizations and a slight decrease in deaths since the previous six-week period.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 21,484 new cases of COVID-19 from June 26 to July 8, a 5.3% increase over the previous biweekly total of 20,410. Over the last six weeks, reported hospitalizations have increased slightly while deaths have decreased slightly.

During the two-week period of June 26 to July 8, test positivity was 15.1%, up from 13.6% in the previous two-week period.

Today’s COVID-19 Biweekly Outbreak Report shows 225 active outbreaks in care facilities, senior living communities and congregate care living settings with three or more confirmed COVID-19 cases or one or more COVID-19-related deaths.

OHA publishes new quarterly age adjusted rate report

OHA is publishing an updated quarterly report on age-adjusted rate ratios of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths by race and ethnicity over time. Age adjustment is a method used to quantify inequities among different racial and ethnic groups. When adjusted for age, people from Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, Latinx, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native communities have experienced disproportionate rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and death. These inequities were acutely pronounced earlier in the pandemic and have decreased over the course of the pandemic. However, there continues to be inequities of COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations for communities of color and tribal communities.

OHA data quality review and improvements

OHA data analysts continuously review the quality of preliminary COVID-19 data and make improvements both at the record and system level. A recent review identified an error in how the general “any underlying conditions” category, the proportion of people with at least one underlying condition, was calculated. The corrected values are reflected in this week’s update to the Oregon COVID-19 Case Demographics and Disease Severity Statewide dashboard, published Wednesday. The 2020 Annual Data Report will also be corrected and updated this week.

Values for specific underlying conditions (e.g., cardiovascular, diabetes, chronic lung disease) remain correct and were not affected by this change. An error was also found in how age was calculated for a select group of reported cases. The values have been corrected, resulting in a decrease in the number of cases in the 0-4 age group. This change is reflected in the weekly update to the Oregon COVID-19 Pediatric Report, published Wednesday. OHA will continue to complete data quality reviews on COVID-19 data and provide updates if major changes to the data are anticipated.

OHA releases CCO 2021 financial reports

New financial information reported to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) from 16 contracted coordinated care organizations (CCOs) show that the state’s CCOs were financially stable and sound in 2021.

OHA financial analysts also noted high profit margins for some large contracted partners within CCOs. One CCO – Health Share of Oregon – pledged to reinvest $100 million in profits gained by its contracted partners into services for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members it serves.

CCOs are responsible for delivering coordinated medical, behavioral and dental benefits and other services to more than 1.1 million members enrolled in the OHP, most of whom are enrolled in Oregon’s Medicaid program. In total, OHP covers more than 1.4 million people in Oregon; as the largest provider of health coverage in the state, nearly 1 in 3 Oregon residents is covered under OHP.

Senate Bill 1041 (ORS 414.593) requires the Oregon Health Authority to make the expenditures of a CCO serving OHP members fully transparent and available to the public. CCO financial reports must be posted by Aug. 1, 2022. Financial statements for all 16 CCOs can be found here, along with additional CCO program financial summaries.

OHA Director Patrick Allen said, “Oregon’s coordinated care organizations remain financially strong, even as they have taken on more members. On average, coordinated care organizations spent 90 cents of every dollar on services for members. We want to see CCOs continue to expand their investments in care for members, especially in critical areas where they can make a bigger difference, such as giving more people access to behavioral health treatment and expanding access to supportive housing in communities across Oregon.”

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OSP Investigating Homicide & Requesting Public Assistance- Polk County

On July 13, 2022, at approximately 9:00 P.M. OSP responded to Hwy 18 milepost 15 in Polk County to a report of a shooting.  

Preliminary investigation revealed the shooting was the result of a suspected road rage incident, in which the victim pulled over and stopped to let the suspect vehicle pass.  The suspect vehicle stopped next to the victim, the victim got out of his car, and multiple shots were fired from the suspect vehicle.  The shots are reported to be fired by the passenger of the suspect vehicle.   The suspect vehicle then left the scene.  

The victim was declared dead at the scene.  A passenger in the car was not injured.  The passenger described the suspect vehicle and the passenger of the suspect vehicle.   The description of the car is a black car with a round emblem on the hood.  The description of the passenger in the suspect car was a younger male, less than 25 years old, medium complexion, and small in stature with short dark hair.

Officers from multiple agencies responded to the area but were unable to locate the suspect’s vehicle. One individual matching the description was detained, interviewed, and eventually released.  

OSP Detectives are urging anyone with information about this case to call the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677). Reference case number SP22177525.

This is an ongoing investigation. OSP Detectives are being assisted by Detectives from the Polk County Major Crimes Team. Oregon State Police

Oregon to launch 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

New, easy-to-remember number that starts Saturday will connect people in need of behavioral health crisis support

Starting Saturday, July 16, people in Oregon and nationwide who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis will be able to call, text or chat 988 to get compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors. The new three-digit 988 number will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs.

The 988 number is easy to remember, like 911. 988 will be available to help people who are experiencing a range of behavioral health crises, including: thoughts of suicide or self-harm, substance use, or any other kind of behavioral health crisis.

People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

“Too many people in Oregon don’t have easy, quick access to the support and care they need when facing a mental health crisis,” said Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen. “While fully implementing a transformative crisis care system will take time and further investments, the launch of 988 is a sound first step to connect more people in need with critical, life-saving care.”

The 988 dialing code connects callers to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; a network of local crisis call centers throughout the country. In Oregon, 988 call centers are operated by Lines for Life statewide, and Northwest Human Services in Marion and Polk counties.

“988 is going to transform the way we support people in crisis,” said Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton. “It will take time to build, but 988 will deliver hope to people in crisis as well as their families, loved ones and communities.”

How 988 works to help people in crisis

988 call services will be available in English and Spanish, along with interpretation services in more than 150 languages. Texting 988 and online chat (available at http://988lifeline.org/) are currently available only in English.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, counselors resolve more than 95 percent of calls over the phone. The crisis counselors are trained to use the least invasive interventions and are linked to a network of services. Often, a supportive conversation is all that is needed to help someone in crisis. When in-person support or intervention is needed, counselors may dispatch a mobile crisis team or first responder.

Preparing for 988 calls

In 2020, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline received nearly 2.4 million calls, and call volume is anticipated to significantly increase with the launch of 988.

The Oregon Legislature, through House Bill 2417 (2021) and other transformative investments, is strengthening and expanding the state’s behavioral health crisis system. This includes approximately $7 million for staffing Oregon’s two 988 call centers and approximately $39 million allocated to Community Mental Health Programs to enhance and expand community-based mobile crisis intervention services.

In Oregon, Lines for Life has staff who can provide culturally and linguistically specific services around the clock and Northwest Human Services has expanded its staff to do the same. As the 988 crisis response system expands, additional funding will be required to sustain the call centers, response units and other services.

Community input is designing the future of 988

OHA is working with communities with lived experience in the behavioral health system to guide the design, implementation and policies of 988 and a broader crisis response system, especially through the Crisis System Advisory Workgroup (CSAW). OHA recognizes that many individuals and families with lived experience and from disproportionately affected communities have experienced adverse impacts of the crisis response system due to systemic and historical social injustice.

With community partnerships and insights, OHA hopes that 988 can provide an empowering, culturally responsive experience for individuals in crisis and that the system will meet the unique needs of groups disproportionately impacted by health inequities, including youth, rural populations, communities of color, veterans and people in the military, Tribal communities and people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+.

While 988 is the first step, OHA continues to work with partners to develop a crisis response system that will help divert people from emergency rooms and connect people to other community-based behavioral health treatment facilities, such as the Behavioral Health Resource Networks, funded by Measure 110 dollars.

What do people need to know about calling 988?

Important facts to know:

  • 988 will be available through every landline, cell phone and voice-over internet device in the United States, as well as text and chat.
  • The current technology for 988 will route callers by area code, not geolocation.
  • 988 is not currently available when phones are locked or do not have prepaid minutes.
  • The transition to 988 will not impact the availability of crisis services for veterans and military service members. They can call 988 and press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.
  • For support in Spanish, callers can press 2 to connect with the Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has an infographic with more information on what happens when people call, text or chat.

Learn more about 988 in Oregon on OHA’s 988 webpage.

Note: Until Saturday, July 16, those in crisis should continue to use the current number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), which will continue to function after the transition.

OHSU Environmental Employees Walk Off The Job

Environmental services workers at OHSU in Portland walked off the job Wednesday to demand better working conditions.  The union employees say they’ve experienced bullying by managers and staffing issues.  They delivered a list of demands to management with more than 50 signatures.  

OHSU released a response saying they recognize the issues raised by the staff and look forward to working collaboratively to reach an agreement on a new contract.  OHSU says they’ve been bargaining with the union
since February and more mediation is planned.

This Could Be a Busy Year for Mosquitos

If you haven’t been bit by a mosquito yet this summer, count yourself lucky. Entomologist Gail Langellotto says it’s going to be a busy year for those little disease-carrying pests. “Mosquitoes breed in freshwater. With the abundant rains we had early in the summer, it probably created a lot of small pools of water that make perfect mosquito breeding sites.”

Langellotto is a professor with the OSU Extension Service and says there are things you can do to prevent mosquitoes from getting too cozy. Reduce the standing water in your yard. Yes, even the bird bath and pet dishes. “If they have any pots that aren’t draining that are holding water, old tires are oftentimes receptacles for standing water where mosquitoes can breed,”

Some aromatic oils are effective as a natural repellent, and Langelloto says the chemical Deet is the gold standard for mosquito protection. Or, you can get a little more creative, “You can even put a fan out there, because mosquitoes don’t fly in windy conditions, just to keep them away from you when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors.” She says Bug zappers aren’t much help in combating mosquitoes. 

‘American Pickers’ to Film in Oregon

The American Pickers are excited to return to Oregon! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout your area in October 2022.

American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.

We at American Pickers continue to take the pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and CDC. Nevertheless, we are excited to continue reaching the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking and are eager to hear their memorable stories!

The American Pickers TV show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to:

americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184 — Facebook: @GotAPick

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Women Missing Since May between Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg per Oregon State Police

MAKENNA KENDALL                                   5/3/2022
ERICA LEE  HUTCHINSON                          5/26/2022                          
DANIELLE MARIAH SHARP                          6/12/2022          
KAITLYN RAE NELSON                                  6/14/2022                 
BROOKLYN JOHNS                                     6/14/2022
DONNA LEPP                                               6/27/2022  
BARBARA  DELEPINE                                    7/4/2022                     
KENDRA MARIE HANKS                              7/7/2022
CORI BOSHANE MCCANN                             7/8/2022
RAVEN RILEY                                                7/13/2022
TAHUANA RILEY                                        7/13/2022

Women Missing Since May in Lane County per Oregon State Police

BREISA RAQUEAL SIKEL                            5/3/2022
HANNAH MARIE RHOTEN                             5/17/2022
MARISSA ALEESA DAMBROSIO                  5/18/2022
ISABELLA BROSOWSKEYOUNGBLOOD    6/7/2022             
LOUISA DAY AVA                                           5/28/2022             
AMY CHRISTINA SULLIVAN                          6/1/2022
NIKKI ELIZABETH  ZEREBNY                              6/6/2022
SHADOW STAR SEVIGNY                               6/17/2022
SHAUNA LEAH HOGAN                             6/17/2022
AIRIONNA CHEALSEY RHODES                    6/27/2022           
KARISSA RENEE ADAMS                                7/6/2000
VERONICA ESSYNCE DELERIO                    7/6/2022
AUBRIE HANNA STEPHENS                           7/10/2022     
LARA IVEY STEINMETZ                                 7/11/2022
SARA LINDSAY SCHAEFER                            7/12/2022

That’s 26 women missing in 2 1/2 months between Medford and the Eugene area. Four more just over the last couple of days. That averages out to 8 women missing per month in Southern Oregon.  https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED IN MISSING PERSON'S CASE - KQEN News Radio
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