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WEEKEND EDITION

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Inside Fall Home Improvement Special Section

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NT GUIDE HOME IMPROVEME September 2019, FALL to A Special Supplement CURRY COASTAL PILOT & DEL NORTE TRIPLICATE

Saturday September 28 2019

www.currypilot.com

Brookings, Oregon

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

Curry County jobless rate gets mostly mixed reviews for August Great Recession. Oregon Employment Department regional economist Guy Tauer said there are several reasons Curry County’s rate exceeds the state’s, including a smaller job market, more seasonal employment and a high rate of retired residents.

Jeremy C. Ruark Pilot Editor

C

urry County’s August jobless rate of 5.6% was above Oregon’s 4% rate overall, seemingly a reflection of how the county is continuing to recover slowly from the

“Also, Curry County doesn’t have a diverse economy,” he said. “So, smaller rural areas typically have larger jobless rates compared to the larger metropolitan areas of the state.” However, Tauer said, compared to historical averages, “these unemploy-

ment rates are still historically low rates for most rural areas.” Curry County has been showing slight job payroll employment increases over the years, Tauer said. Construction employment currently More Reviews on Page A4

HIKING HIGH ... in the redwoods

Jessica Goddard Staff Writer

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ourists soon will be able to walk through the region’s redwoods on a trail … that sways several feet above the ground. Trees of Mystery, in Klamath, is working on its newest attraction, one that it says no other redwood forest in the Northern Hemisphere has - an aerial trail through majestic redwoods that’s been named the Redwood Canopy Trail. “It’s gonna be a great addition for the business and our customers,” said Jesse Laforest, chief operating officer of Trees of Mystery. The outdoor attraction is located in the center of Redwood National and State Parks and offers interesting and accessible ways for guests to experience some of the world’s largest trees. The new Canopy Trail will consist of platforms on nine trees linked by suspended walkways. In total, it will stretch about 600 feet in length. The highest platform is planned to sit some 140 feet off the ground. Visitors will need walk but a short distance from the attraction’s entrance to reach the aerial trail. After taking in the view from a round platform surrounding the tree, they’ll be able to stroll along a wooden bridge, with netted sides, and move along to the next tree. “We’re always looking for something new, some other way for our guests to really experience the trees,” said Laforest. To complete the project, Trees of Mystery has contracted with Tree-Mendous, a company that specializes in creating tree houses, zip lines and aerial playgrounds. Trees of Mystery planned the trail more than a year ago, Tree-Mendous began its construction Aug. 19, after creating its design. “[It] takes a while to figure out how to do it,” said Laforest, “who can do it and how much it’s gonna cost.” The trail is projected to be halfway finished by Oct. 18, although the crew will have an additional eight weeks of work until completion, said Tree-Mendous site superintendent Brandon Hintz. The crew of 10, eight from TreeMendous and two from Trees of Mystery, can’t afford to fear heights to take on this project. Led by

(Main Photo) Two workers place wooden beams on one of the platform’s metal frames several feet above ground. (Above) Three out of the nine trees have parts of their platforms in place for the new trail. Photo by Jessica Goddard.

More Redwoods on Page A4

Any solutions to county’s ‘childcare desert’? L

Jeremy C. Ruark Pilot Editor

ocal authorities are moving forward with plans to deal with what they’re calling a crisis in adequate daycare services in Curry and Coos counties. The Oregon Community Foundation reports that national experts define a “childcare desert” as a community where no more

Index

Classifieds.................B3-6 Crosswords...............A6 Calendar...................B1-2

than 33% of the children have access to a regulated childcare slot. Research shows that in Coos and Curry counties, fewer than 20% of the families have access to infant and toddler care. “The crisis-level shortage of quality childcare is similar and related to the issues of the lack of More Desert on Page A4

Weather HIGH LOW

The Oregon Community Foundation is responding to the region’s childcare crisis with a $500,000 multiyear investment service model that will shift how childcare businesses operate. Courtesy photo.

Fri 67 48

Past four days

Thurs 87 56

Wed 90 70

Tues 83 62

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Smith River crash hurts 3 A

Staff Report

two-vehicle headon crash at 2 p.m. Sept. 25 on U.S. Highway 101, south of Crissey Road in Smith River, resulted in injuries but no fatalities. The Fort Dick Fire Department, along with Smith River Fire, CalFire, the Harbor Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Del Norte Ambulance and Cal-Ore Ambulance responded after a 1997 Toyota Rav4, headed north, suddenly veered into the southbound lane and collided with a 2004 Lexus RX330. Both drivers sustained major injuries; a passenger sustained minor injuries. All were taken by ambulance to Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City. Toyota driver Kristin Scott, 60, suffered a broken femur, chest and back pain, and lacerations to her arms. Lexus driver Carol Woodley, 73, sustained a broken leg, cracked rib and bruised thumb. Her passenger, James Woodley, 63, had chest and hip pain. Both vehicles blocked the roadway until tow trucks from Crescent City could remove them. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Fred Meyer pact in doubt T

Linda Pinkham Staff Writer

his weekend may mark a critical point in whether United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555 will strike Fred Meyer, which has a store in Brookings. The union also is in contract negotiations with Safeway, Albertsons and QFC Markets. A new round of negotiations between UFCW and Fred Meyers had been set to resume Thursday. Pay equity is one of the key points in those contract talks. Next steps and further updates on the boycott may follow as early as noon today, after completion of the current round of bargaining, according to a press release from the UFCW. As of Friday night, contract negotiations were ongoing, which was a good sign, said union spokesperson Kelley McAllistair. More Doubt on Page A4

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