The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
Today– A 40 percent chance of showers before 10am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Thursday– Areas of frost before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 53. East northeast wind 8 to 14 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.
Friday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Saturday– Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 53. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday– A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Fatal Car Crash on Hwy 101 near Sixes
The Oregon State Police announced that early Tuesday morning, March 8, a man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 101 at milepost 294 near Sixes.
OSP and emergency personnel arrived at the scene around 3:32 am.
The agency believes 61-year-old Michael Hanson of Sixes had been traveling southbound and “failed to negotiate a curve.” The vehicle reportedly left the road and crashed into a tree.
Hanson’s injuries were fatal and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. OSP was assisted by ODOT, Cal Ore, Life Flight and Sixes Fire Department.
Offshore Wind Farm Planned for Port Of Coos Bay
Power from offshore wind turbines planned for the Port of Coos Bay could be powering homes on the coast within 5 to 10 years.
Wind turbines would be constructed in the Coos Bay channel and then launched 28 miles offshore.
Engineering company Mott Macdonald conducted a study commissioned by TotalEnergies and the Port was found to have high potential for wind farming.
The Biden administration has set a goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power in play by 2030.
Shaun Gibbs, the Executive Director of the South Coast Development Council says the Port of Coos Bay’s location is key “All the pieces kind of make sense here at the Port of Coos Bay with the deep-water channel, the rail line, the industrial property access and our proximity to the wind resource off the coast.”
The Biden administration’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will next identify areas for leasing. Coos Bay, Bandon and Brookings are being considered.
After that, publishing of leasing notices and auctions with wind developers will take place followed by an environmental analysis of the water and then construction of the turbines over the next 3 to 5 years.
Gibbs says the industry will create both short and long term living wage jobs while cutting down on carbon and generating renewable power. It would also eliminate the threat of being cut off from power in the case of a natural disaster.
Private developers will install and operate the farms.
Where the wind power comes on shore will determine if distribution of that power will be conducted through Pacific Power.
Oregon reports 397 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 29 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 29 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,772, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA reported 397 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 698,127.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (15), Clackamas (22), Clatsop (2), Columbia (4), Coos (9), Crook (6), Curry (4), Deschutes (24), Douglas (19), Gilliam (1), Grant (8), Jackson (31), Jefferson (6), Josephine (20), Klamath (5), Lake (5), Lane (33), Lincoln (4), Linn (25), Malheur (6), Marion (28), Morrow (2), Multnomah (57), Polk (7), Sherman (1), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (2), Union (4), Wasco (5), Washington (34) and Yamhill (6).
Oregon Residents Only Have Until March 14th to Apply for Rental Assistance Funds
The window to apply for assistance is quickly closing. If you’re an Oregon resident who needs help catching up on overdue rent, you’ll need to get moving before you lose that opportunity — and potentially lose your home.
More than $289 million in rental assistance funds has been paid out to Oregon residents in need of aid. All told, over 40,000 households have gotten assistance — and that help may be making it possible for them to stay in their homes rather than face eviction.
But soon, Oregon’s rental assistance program will end. Renters who haven’t yet requested relief have until 11:59 p.m. on March 14 to submit an application. From there, Oregon’s application portal will close so the state can work on processing existing applications and distributing the remainder of its limited funds.
As of now, the state still needs to process 18,000 applications for rental assistance. But those who haven’t yet applied for help aren’t necessarily going to be bumped to the back of the line. That’s because applications will be approved based on need — not based on order received.
To qualify for rental assistance in Oregon, you must have someone in your household who meets at least one of these qualifications:
- Been on unemployment due to the pandemic
- Experienced a loss of income since the start of the pandemic
- Incurred added expenses due to COVID-19
You may also need to prove you’re at risk of homelessness in the absence of getting assistance. And you’ll need to provide some form of income verification (or a certification of no income) to meet income eligibility requirements.
Applicants can request aid to cover past-due rent payments dating back to March 13, 2020. Applicants may also be eligible for up to three months of future rent.
If you qualify for rental assistance, the state will request approval from your landlord or property manager. If approved, that money will be sent to one of those parties directly, not to you. But even if your landlord or property manager doesn’t accept those funds, you may still be eligible for relief, so it pays to apply for rental assistance if you think you qualify.
Baby Found In Springfield Hotel Room Several Days After Mother Dies Of Drug Overdose
Springfield Police state that a woman died of a heroin overdose in a Springfield hotel room leaving her 6-month-old son alone in the room for four to five days.
The baby was found Monday at about 7 p.m at Quality Inn and Suites, 3550 Gateway Street.
The child was found inside the hotel room in a stroller, police said. The body of the child’s mother was also in the room.
Kirkpatrick said they used the assistance of Department of Human Services agents who were doing a check on the mother for an unknown reason.
The woman was not scheduled to check out until Wednesday, so it’s possible the two would not have been discovered until at least then had it not been for DHS.
“The child wouldn’t have made it. It was that touch and go. Having been unattended to for four to five days,” Sgt. Pete Kirkpatrick with SPD said, “But we’re lucky that DHS, that things happened how they did.”
He said the child’s lips had turned blue, and they were barely responsive when officers entered the room.
The child was taken to Riverbend Hospital, then flown to a hospital in Portland for treatment. Despite severe dehydration and several other ailments, the child is on the path to a full recovery according to police.
Springfield police said this is an ongoing investigation. The woman placed the privacy sign on the door, which is why housekeeping did not enter the room. It’s unclear if the baby could be heard from outside of the room. A noncriminal amount of heroin and other drug paraphernalia was also found inside of the room.
Sen. Wyden Leading Charge To End Banks, Credit Card Companies’ Forced Arbitration Rules
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden is leading a charge to get rid of forced arbitration and lawsuit waivers that banks and financial firms have consumers sign and agree in order to avoid litigation. Wyden is chair of the influential Senate Finance Committee. He is a top sponsor of the Arbitration Fairness for Consumers Act along with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Other Democratic lawmakers and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, are also co-sponsors of the bill.
Bank, credit card firms, and other companies frequently have customers agree to required arbitration in disputes. The policies help the business avoid class-action lawsuits and other litigation. The rules also help companies avoid turning over emails, communications and other evidence to consumers’ attorneys. The Oregon senator also pointed out that arbitration agreements are often nestled inside lengthy agreements signed by customers.
The federal legislation would prohibit “pre-dispute arbitration agreements and class-action waivers in contracts for consumer financial products or services. Under the legislation, such agreements would be neither valid nor enforceable,” according to the lawmakers.
Airfares and Gasoline Prices Reaching New Highs
As COVID-19 cases drop, mask protocols ease and more Americans venture out to beaches, theme parks and other tourist destinations, travel is bouncing back to levels not seen since the pandemic took hold, industry experts say. The bad news: Airfares and gasoline prices are also reaching highs not seen in years.
AAA of Oregon says Nearly 40% of Americans are planning to travel during spring break, up from the 29% who said they were traveling for spring break 2021, according to a survey commissioned by the vacation rental company Vacasa. The home rental business Vrbo has also reported a nearly 50% increase in demand for vacation homes this
spring, compared with spring of 2021.
Road trippers are not catching a break either. Already-high gasoline prices have been pushed to near-record levels due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has sent shockwaves through the oil market.
Nationwide, the price of a gallon of gas rose to an average of $3.61, about 90 cents higher than a year earlier, with prices in California climbing to $4.82 per gallon, according to AAA. Oregon had the nation’s fourth-highest gas prices as of Monday.
Doggie Dash will return to Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland!
After two years of virtual celebrations, the Oregon Humane Society’s Doggie Dash returns to Waterfront Park this year. Doggie Dash is the largest celebration of people and pets on the West Coast and the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Oregon Humane Society.
It’ll be held Saturday May 14th. Some changes have been made, because of the pandemic. The traditional pancake breakfast has been replaced with individually wrapped items. There will be two Libation Stations, so people can spread out. And there will be more waves of start times. FOR MORE INFO: https://www.oregonhumane.org/get-involved/events/doggiedash/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvaGRBhBlEiwAiY-yMKOJfFEDljPZcima5JdYi8KVXFk5jAQe6n9O26NhuRSJEn1d_mloABoCkH0QAvD_BwE
Oregon Farm Bureau FFA Video Contest
Students can submit videos featuring projects, programs or farm and ranch happenings
The following is a release from the Oregon Farm Bureau
Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) invites FFA students to participate in its second-annual #GrowingOregon video contest — for a chance to win at least $400!
“This year the winner will earn a generous cash prize for their FFA chapter,” said Anne Marie Moss, OFB communications director.
To participate, FFA members should create a video up to a minute long that features the #GrowingOregon hashtag and something interesting about Oregon agriculture.
Video topic ideas include an overview of an FFA project or program, what’s happening on the farm or ranch, or highlighting an Oregon agricultural product.
Students have until April 30 to submit their videos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The contest winner will be determined by which video gets the most likes and views on OFB’s social media platforms by May 31. The winner will receive a cash prize that will be donated to their FFA chapter. The prize amount will be at least $400.
“We can’t wait to see the students’ creativity. There are so many aspects to Oregon agriculture that are fascinating, so the possibilities truly are endless,” said Moss.
For more information about the #GrowingOregon video contest, visit https://oregonfb.org/growingoregon/
Police Ask for Public’s Help in Search For Victim’s Roommate In Albany Homicide
A 42-year-old woman, the roommate of a 75-year-old man whose death was ruled a homicide, is wanted for questioning in the case, Albany police officials said.
Elvin “Al” Pierce was found dead by officers around 9:10 p.m. Friday after a 911 caller reported a man was unconscious and not breathing. Investigators at that time said the circumstances surrounding his death were suspicious.
APD said Pierce’s roommate, 42-year-old Elizabeth Nicole Tyler Jimenez, wasn’t there at the home when officers found Pierce dead and they don’t know where she is. Authorities did not specifically state whether Jimenez is a suspect or if there are any charges against her.
Pierce’s car, a tan 2004 Buick Park Avenue with Oregon license plate 081FAX, is also missing.
Jimenez, who investigators believe is currently without a job, is described as often visiting local soup kitchens. She also has skills as a masseuse and a seamstress, officials said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact APD at 541-917-7680 or APD Lt. Buck Pearce at 541-917-3209.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Asks for Public’s Help in Search For Trucker Suspect
The first real clue to come in on all the missing person cases in the area. Help Klamath Falls Oregon Sheriff Office ID this trucker. He was the last to see this woman alive and could be the key to not only solving this woman’s disappearance but a number of the hundred other women missing in PNW. IF you have any information, please call (541) 883-5130
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/