W031723

Coos Bay man jailed on federal charges

THE WORLD

A Coos Bay man is behind bars facing federal charges related to encouraging child sexual abuse.

According to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Willard V. Cowan was arrested by the FBI last week after an investigation that began in July 2022.

Sgt. Adam Slater with the Sheriff’s Office said his department received a report on July 31, 2022, that a 14-year-old girl has been

sexually abused. Sgt. S. Moore conducted an initial investigation into the report and the forwarded the case to Det. David Ritz.

The two deputies identified Cowan as the suspect in the case and spent an enormous amount of time investigating the allegation.

After more than a month of investigation, Ritz applied for and was granted a search warrant for Cowan’s home. During the search, Ritz was looking for evidence relat-

ed to the sexual assault allegation as well as possible evidence of other crimes.

On August 17, 2022, the search was conducted at the home east of Coos Bay, and evidence was seized. Among the items seized was electronic equipment. Ritz then contacted the FBI, and the federal agency agreed to assist with the electronic equipment. Through that process, it was determined Cowan was allegedly

involved with encouraging child abuse in the first degree.

Recently, the FRB obtained an arrest warrant for Cowan on federal charges, and agents came to Coos Bay on March 9. Working with Ritz and Clayburn, they were able to locate and arrest Cowan on the federal warrant.

Slater said reports have been completed by the sheriff’s office and local charges against Cowan, are expected in the near future.

Friends of Coos County Animals need cat foster homes

BY BREE LAUGHLIN

The World

The Friends of Coos County Animals is in need of help after receiving an influx of cats and kittens. The organization recently took in almost two dozen furry felines.

Many of the cats have been placed in foster homes, but many others still need help, said Diane Lyddon, executive director of Friends of Coos County Animals.

Lyddon said a local law enforcement officer was working with a woman who was living in an RV with more than 20 cats. The woman eventually agreed to surrender all but three of the animals (which she was able to keep) to the Friends of Coos County Animals, knowing that they would be given foster homes and adopted into caring homes.

The 18 cats quickly multiplied because a few of them were pregnant.

“One of them gave birth on Sunday at my house to three babies,” Lyddon said. The executive director said she and her team were expecting the animals to be feral, but most all of them are sweet and friendly.

“But they are pretty traumatized so we are working through that,” she said.

The organization provides foster homes with food and litter and other supplies needed to take care of the animals. If someone is unable to provide a foster home they can still give monetary and other donations. Lyddon the organization currently has a need for cat carriers.

“We are lacking cat carriers, so anyone wanting to donate that would be great,” she said. When it comes to fostering cats, Lyddon said, “If you like wild and crazy, you could go for the kittens, but if you want more laid back, go for the adults.”

The executive director reports most people want to foster kittens, but fostering adult cats can be rewarding as well.

“They are really sweet and already have developed their personality,” Lyddon said.

The cats have been to the vet. Some of the cats have already been spayed and neutered and others are scheduled to be fixed next week, Lyddon said.

Pictures of the cats can be found on Facebook and foster applications can be found on the Friends of Coos County Animals website. It includes an Amazon and Chewy wish list. Some of the cats will also be at the weekly showing at the mall from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The Friends of Coos County Animals website can be found at friendsofcooscountyanimals.org

City Council hosts second North Bend homelessness town hall

BY WILL LOHRE Country Media Inc

On March 6, the City of North Bend hosted its second town hall meeting on homelessness in North Bend. City councilors and city staff worked with more than 300 residents to discuss potential solutions for homelessness in North Bend and the impacts of House Bills 3115 and 3124.

The night began with an address from Mayor Jessica Engelke and some review from the first town hall on February 6 from City Administrator David Milliron.

Definitions of the House Bills:

• HB 3115

HB 3115 was enacted by the Oregon Legislature during its 2021 session. The bill requires that any city or county law regulating the

acts of sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outside on public property must be "objectively reasonable" based on the totality of the circumstances as applied to all stakeholders, including persons experiencing homelessness.

• HB 3124

Changes and adds to existing guidance and rules for how a city is to provide notice to homeless persons that an established campsite on public property is being closed (ORS 195.500). Gives instructions on how a city is to oversee and manage property it removes from an established campsite located on public property. HB 3124 does not specify, with any true certainty, what constitutes public property. With these house bills in mind, the focus of the town hall meeting was to find solutions with local

ordinances. Milliron and the city council outlined important factors to keep in mind with the direction of the implementation of new ordinances.

The ordinances:

• Must be objectively reasonable;

• Must comply with all federal and state laws previously discussed;

• Must be in place by July 1, 2023; and,

• Be cognizant of State Created Danger Principle. Ordinances that must be reviewed:

• Camping ordinances;

• Parking ordinances;

• Park ordinances;

• Nuisance ordinances; and,

• Right-of-way management ordinances.

• Also, review any applicable administrative rules or policies you

have that could be applicable. North Bend does not have a prohibition on public camping, or time, place, and manner regulations setting limits and conditions on camping. So, by June 1, The city council must adopt an ordinance to regulate time (when), manner (how), and place (where) to take effect July 1. In other words, the city must be able to implement an ordinance that outlines where the homeless can sit, lie, sleep, or keep warm and dry outside on public property before June 1, or all public property that is unrestricted may be used for camping. City Planner Derek Payne gave definitions of camping and reviewed the time, manner, and place outlined in the draft ordinance.

Please see TOWN HALL, Page A3

BY DR. CHARLES HURBIS For The World

There’s a difference between meaningful innovation and just change: Each passing year seems to bring the latest or greatest new medication or surgical advancement. Some will withstand the test of time; some will fall by the wayside. Predictably all will be hugely expensive and inflate the cost of healthcare in the near term. Regardless of added value, the company selling the newer product will advertise, and make claims to promote it. For new surgical devices the usual claims tend to be that they will, “shorten the hospital stay, decreases pain, decreases bleeding or cause less complications”. Often these claims are marginal at best, yet are used as justification of the hugely inflated prices for the new technology. In the past, medical devices with proper maintenance were designed to last for decades. Even then, prices for this equipment was relatively high, but you were getting lasting value and quality. Now most new devices are single use items. We live in a disposable society and medicine has become one of the worst examples, landfills be damned. Dispo medicine generously lines the pockets of medical products companies. There is zero incentive to produce a lasting product. It’s true many of these technologies will improve patient care, and used judiciously, add significant value. Others though just escalate costs and are essentially expensive options not really improving anything. The question should always be, was there a problem that actually needed solving, and if so, does the new device actually correct the issue? We see this all the time where a new device offers a slightly modified technique and backs up its use with the usual claims. Then through marketing, advertising and “scientific studies” it will evolve to become the new standard of care, justifying its inflated expense. Tonsillectomy is a great example here where it seems something new and expensive is constantly being offered for a “safer” removal of tonsils always claiming less pain. Over time, none have ever proven better or safer than just using a ten-cent blade and a 5-cent wire for removal of tonsils and have just been expensive experiments.

Could newer devices be designed differently? Could obsolescence of larger ticket items be slowed. I’m sure multiuse instruments could easily be engineered which would reduce costs greatly. The issue is, there is no profit incentive to do this. So many decisions are motivated entirely by profit. Because of this, as technology advances, costs will continue to spiral.

Our last topic is electronic medical records or EMR’s. I could write an entire series on these alone. I’ll start by saying these were not introduced for patient or doctor convenience, safety or to improve healthcare. Rather they are designed to allow for easier surveillance of the health care system, for controling

The adoptable cats live in foster homes, but can be visited on Saturdays at the Pony Village Mall in North Bend from Noon to 3pm.

Motorist rescued after being stuck in snow

On March 10 at 12:30 a.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call regarding an overdue motorist. As a result, the Myrtle Point Police Department had Tyler Brandies of Myrtle Point listed as an overdue/missing person.

After receiving the call, Officers checked Highway 42, Slide Creek and other reported areas Brandies may have taken his dogs to play in the snow. Brandies was not located and an attempt to locate was placed out to all local law enforcement agencies.

At 7 a.m. March 11, dispatch received a 911 call from Brandies stating his vehicle had become stuck in heavy snow and he needed assistance getting out. The 911 call provided dispatch

with Brandies geographical coordinates showing he was on Upper Rock Creek Road about four miles up.

Sgt. Smith and Deputy Gray responded to Upper Rock Creek to attempt to locate Brandies. Brandies and his three dogs were located uninjured, however his vehicle was stuck in deep snow and mud. Sgt. Smith and Deputy Gray were able to free Brandies’ vehicle by utilizing a winch on the front of their patrol truck. Once Brandies vehicle was freed, he drove home with his pups without further incident.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public, if you are going out in winter conditions, please ensure someone knows your route, destination of travel and expected time of arrival

Clambake Music Festival draws big crowds

The Mill Casino was packed all weekend as the return of the South Coast Clambake Music Festival drew big crowds of music fans as live music and dancing filled the room. The fan-favorite musicians of Gator Nation shouted, "Did you bring your mojo?" to the crowd while performing at the South Coast Clambake Music Festival on Sunday, March 12. "Of course you did! All weekend long!" The long running music festival featured danceable music performed through a variety of genres at the Mill Casino on March 9 through 12.

The crowd was still up and dancing during the final day of the South Coast Clambake Music Festival on Sunday, March 12. The mission of South Coast Clambake Music Festival is to improve the

economic, cultural and educational development of the community by promoting and preserving America’s original music.

The Shaymus Hanlin Quartet performed in the Cedar Room last Sunday. The Shaymus Hanlin Quartet is based out of Portland, Oregon. Hanlin, growing up with the American Songbook in his heart, fell

Florence

172 Anderson Avenue, Coos Bay P.O. Box 1840, Coos Bay, OR 97420 ©2023 Country Media, Inc.

Office 541-266-6047

NEWS DEPARTMENT

Publisher David Thornberry dthornberry@countrymedia.net

Executive Editor — Jeremy Ruark jruark@countrymedia.net

Regional Editor Emeritus — David Rupkalvis worldeditor@countrymedia.net

Associate Editor, Reporter — Will Lohre reporter1@countrymedia.net

Sports worldsports@countrymedia.net

Obituaries worldobits@countrymedia.net

ADVERTISING Advertising — Colleen DeCamillo worldsales1@countrymedia.net

& Coffee Break westernworld@countrymedia.net

Service worldcirculation@countrymedia.net

Advertising Dawn Smith worldlegals@countrymedia.net

The Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks annually offers an Americanism Essay Contest. The theme for this year was: “What is Your American Dream?”

The essay contest is open to students in the 5th through 8th grades. Florence Elks

Lodge #1858 sponsors the local competition and invites student participation from

in love with the music and began performing at age 13.

Presents Americanism Essay Awards

the Florence, Reedsport and Mapleton areas.

The winning authors and their proud family members attended dinner and the awards presentation at the Florence Elks Lodge on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

The 6th grade First place winner was Pearl Jensen, Academy by the Sea.

The 7th grade First place winner was Sailor Jensen,

Jensen Academy by the Sea. Second place winner Hunter Stemmerman and Third place Tristian Lyon are both students at Reedsport Community Charter School.

The 8th grade First place winner was Jovie Felsheim, Second place Chloe Thurman and Third place, Brooklyn Chudy. They are students at Reedsport Community Charter School.

The winning essays have advanced and will be judged at the state-wide competition in April. The theme for the 2023-24 year will be announced in August.

(Pictured L-R) Kaleena Jensen - Pearl Jensen, Sailor Jensen, Tristian Lyon, Hunter Stemmerman, George Bandy - Exalted Ruler, Chloe Thurman, Jovie Felsheim, Kaylie Smith.

photos Members of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office were able to help Tyler Brandies after his vehicle got stuck in deep snow on Upper Rock Creek Road.

Elks Lodge

Corps of Engineers to begin critical repairs to Coos

Bay North Jetty, closes roads ahead of construction

On Saturday, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District (Corps) contractors will begin making repairs to the Coos Bay North Jetty. Engineers will close access roads to the North Spit marking the start of this three-year, $64 million critical infrastructure improvement project.

Coos Bay is Oregon’s largest deep-draft coastal harbor, and the jetties there reduce wave action in the bay, ensuring the safety of ships, recreational boaters, and commercial fisherman.

“The rehabilitation of the north jetty is a critical undertaking that will ensure the safety and reliability of the bay’s shipping channels for years to come,” said Capt. Marie A. Adams, project engineer. “The project includes

Town Hall

From A1

The ordinance regarding time in the North Bend City Code (NBCC) 8.34.050(4)(5) states:

(4) Except as expressly authorized by NBCC, it shall be unlawful for any person to camp or maintain a campsite on any publicly owned property during the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

(5) Except as expressly authorized by NBCC, it shall be unlawful for any person to store personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, on any public property during the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regarding the place and location of camp-

Doc H

From A1

of your doctor’s management of you, and likely the eventual rationing of health care. An EMR is an overly comprehensive and excessively complex version of your medical record. It lists every single ailment you’ve been afflicted with and any drug you’ve ever been on. It lists everything from every time you are seen, and forever. First off, is this level of complexity at all helpful? Certainly, there are things in your past that are critical for your doctor to know. But, if you went in for a stomach ache in 2007, does this actually need to be added to your already 12-pages long, small print medical record, and show up for eternity? Do you now need to be saddled with the additional diagnosis of gastritis, and for the rest of your life when all you needed were Tums?

Next, how is it that a 15-minute doctor visit turned into a 12-page note? The answer is auto-population. Did your doctor or another practitioner actually do all that is seemingly recorded in your record for that visit?

Of course not. No one can ask that many questions or complete such a comprehensive exam 4 times an hour much less document it. The computer automatically fills everything in. The problem is, these records are so complex, it becomes nearly impossible to find what is pertinent in this extensive document. So much time is wasted pawing through (or scrolling through) layers of unneeded information. A physician encounter used to be documented in an easily understandable single paragraph. It was called a SOAP note, Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan. Everything you needed to know was in there. Anything beyond this just adds to the landfills.

Another reason EMR’s were promoted was the promise that they could help to limit medical errors. Really? That hasn’t exactly panned out. Here’s an example just last week. My office sent a biopsy specimen to a lab where it was entered into their computer under the name of another physician. This means if it had come back showing cancer, I would not have been notified. How could this happen? Unfortunately, very easily. A simple click error on the screen by the lab entered the wrong doctor. One thing I do know, I’ve never accidently written down my wrong name on a lab slip. When that starts to happen, it means I have to retire. Perhaps the old system was safer? Eliminate medical errors? I don’t think so, it just allows them to

reconstruction of the jetty head, repairs to critically damaged portions of the trunk and restoring the jetty root elevation to provide long-term erosion resilience.”

In the interest of public safety, the following sand roads will be off limits to traffic until construction is complete in December 2025 - South Dike Road, Foredune Road, and the Bayside Road starting approximately half a mile south of the end of Trans-Pacific Lane to the jetty. Additional areas may be closed including trails on the spit to prevent the public from crossing Foredune Road to access to the beach from the trail system.

“The Bureau of Land Management recognizes the inconvenience that these road closures may cause. We want to thank the public

ing, NBCC8.34.030/NBCC8.34.050 pertain to the Temporary Camping Program and Prohibited Camping, respectively. The key points are:

• Parking regulations do not change

• No residential zones permitted

• Not within 50 feet of a mapped waterway

• Public property as designated

o NBCC 8.34.030 (2)(a)

o NBCC 8.34.030 (5)

Regarding manner, NBCC8.34.030/ NBCC8.34.050 are also about Temporary Camping Program and Prohibited Camping.

The key points are:

• No fires allowed in the course of keeping warm and dry

• No storage of personal property in ROW

• Sanitary facilities must be provided

be made much faster.

EMR’s were designed to make medical records universally accessible to your doctor, the hospital, as well as to you. Yet, the systems often don’t work as intended. Not every entity is on the same system and systems frequently won’t interact with other systems. It’s kind of like your Apple iPhone charger not working with an Android phone (or even with your prior iPhone). The only solution would be to have everyone on the same system. But then I’m sure that monopoly, if ever established, would be fraught with even bigger problems and allow for a level of surveillance and control that wouldn’t be to anyone’s benefit. What would be an insurance company and governmental dream would likely be our worst nightmare.

Then there are the password issues which seem to require access limiting updates almost weekly. These electronic roadblocks are irritatingly restrictive, slowing access at almost every turn. I’ve seen emergencies where the physician or nurse, because of password update requirements, was not granted record access in a situation where vital information was immediately required. As the patient deteriorates they are struggling with a computer. The staff was terrified about just doing the right thing without the blessing of the EMR first. Repercussions from not documenting properly or getting approval in advance of an action can lead to severe reprimands which can affect one’s career.

Tell me that’s not crazy. Since they were designed by non-medical people, EMR’s are rarely convenient or medically intuitive. This is particularly frightening, since by design they more and more seem to be dictating patient care. Your doctor is no longer 100% in charge or your health care decisions anymore.

The EMR is second guessing him every step of the way. Let’s say your physician thinks you might benefit from one extra day in the hospital to recover from a medical condition or complex surgery. You may be out of luck if the data in the EMR says you don’t meet some pre-set criteria. Home you go and don’t let the door hit you in the ---.

We touched previously on the volume of specific documentation and physician involvement required to input data into your EMR. Your doctor must continuously adapt to a constantly changing system where there is always an endless stream of software updates. Your doctor is having to focus on the new system more than on you. Thus the complaints, “my doctor seemed more interested in his computer than he was with me”. It’s sad, but your poor medical professional

MARGARITAS Mexican Grill

for their patience and understanding during this time,” said Matt Bailey, Umpqua Field Office Manager. “The safety of the public and workers is everyone’s top priority.”

The 10 miles of BLM-managed hiking and equestrian trails will remain open. However, visitors should be mindful of the ocean tides if travelling on the open section of the Bayside Road to avoid becoming stuck during high tides.

As an alternative, visitors can enjoy the beach nearby at Horsfall in the U.S. Forest Service's Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area also has multiple locations where off-highway vehicles can access sand dunes.

The BLM's Bastendorff Beach and Oregon

• Garbage disposal must be provided

Next, the town hall broke into a tabletop exercise. Each of the tables was split into groups of seven. Each table was supplied with a copy of the draft ordinance, and the exercise saw each table as its own "city government," where they went through the issues of time, manner, and place outlined in the ordinance. A scribe at each table documented the course of discussions.

Each person was also provided a sheet where they could give public comment on the ordinance to the city council. The exercise allowed each table of town hall attendees to scrutinize the draft ordinance and give feedback. At the conclusion of the tabletop exercise, Milliron outlined the next steps for the ordi-

has no choice. The new focus of medicine is not so much patient care, but rather proper EMR documentation. Documentation defines payment. This takes us back to the business side of medicine. Every medical interaction is defined by 2 sets of codes, visit/procedure codes called CPT’s, and unnecessarily complex diagnostic codes called ICD-10’s. What is documented in your EMR justifies the choice of medical coding and coding equals reimbursement. Should your doctor not be properly documented, or should he/ she be just one digit off in the ridiculously complex 8-digit ICD-10 codes, they don’t get paid. Additionally, the diagnostic codes must match the 5-digit service codes. If they don’t, no one gets paid. Are you just slightly dizzy here? That response is normal. Lastly, if an office racks up a series of small mistakes, they run the risk a practice audit which never goes well for a medical office. These are often followed by demands for large repayments when the insurer or government felt documentation was deficient (even if proper care was provided), stiff fines or worse. You

State Park's Sunset Bay State Park are great options for people wanting to spend time on the beach in nearby Charleston, Ore.

The Corps contractor, Trade West Construction, will immediately start the construction of staging areas and improving some sections of Foredune Road and Reroute Road. Early construction includes building an in-water temporary Material Offloading Facility (MOF) where most of the stones used in the jetty’s repair will be barged to.

Background: Original construction of the 9,600-foot-long North Jetty took place from 1891 through 1898. The Coos Bay Federal Navigation Project was authorized in 1878

Please see REPAIRS, Page A9

nance and the city council.

• Collection of Scribe Notes, Public Comment Forms

• Next version of the draft ordinance at the April 10 Work Session

• Public Comment Welcome at Work Sessions, Council Meetings

• Final Version of the ordinance to be decided by June 1.

For more information and updates on the issue of homelessness in North Bend, visit https://www.northbendoregon.us/homelessnessresources, or sign up for email notifications to stay up-to-date on events, activities, and announcements at https://www.northbendoregon.us/notify.aspx.

get the idea. Your doctor is terrified, they lost control long ago.

And talk about waste? The EMR was supposed to be a “green” option, to save the environment by not requiring any paper use. But since the introduction of the EMR, copied medical records (and you will always have to make copies of medical records) have never been thicker, now literally stuffed with reams of unneeded information. It seems these days you can’t keep enough toner or paper loaded into the office fax machine.

So, if you feel that your latest interaction with your physician felt sort of impersonal, realize it’s not their fault. They are being pressured by insurers, medical companies, the government, the legal profession and maybe even their hospitals to do things which have very little to do with your care. I’d like to think that the pendulum may eventually swing the other way, putting the doctors back in charge once again, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

Doc H

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

U.S. SENATORS

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D)

107 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-3753

Fax: 202-228-3997

Website: merkley.senate.gov/contact

letters to the editor

There is a solution

The more I think about the North Bend camping ordinance they are working on, the more I think it can be used as an asset. North Bend hired a “resource officer” a while back. He could be used at the area that is picked for legal “camping”. Every night, he signs in each homeless person and runs a quick check through the system, looking for warrants and sex offender status. Then he signs everybody back out in the morning. No more hiding from warrants in North Bend. If you choose to not camp where it’s legal, then don’t be nice. Charge them with anything you can come up with, tow their vehicles, etc. Make it impossible to camp anywhere but the designated area. Then watch how fast the criminal homeless disappear from North Bend.

Just because the law requires time, place and manner does not mean you have to keep the ordinance detailing only those three things. Make it where the criminals don’t want to be here also. This way, there are no restrictions on who can camp, obeying the stupid state legislation, but also making the camp safer and discouraging the influx of criminals into the area.

There are more ways to make this new legislation work for the best interest of the whole community, if North Bend really does care about the taxpaying citizens and the homeless both. If we continue to hear excuses instead of solutions, then it’s clear they are not putting in real effort into the local homeless problem. Solutions are out there, but only if our “leaders” care about what the real problems are. Virtue signaling and pretending to care must stop and begin taking real actions. I keep saying Leaders don’t find excuses, they find solutions.

Samuel Adams Coos Bay

Is this OK, Hauser?

We are all experiencing the rising costs of fuel, food, commercial goods and taxes, and there is little we can do about these increases. On top of this, the Hauser Fire District is over-taxing the residents of our community without firm plans as to how to spend the surplus money they are banking.

According to the 2021-2022 Financial Review, the Hauser Fire District has a carryover surplus of $300,000. Taxes collected in that same time period totaled $250,000, giving the Hauser Fire District $550,000 to spend for the year. The average cost to run the fire department over the last three years has averaged $175,000.00 per year. This means that the district has a surplus of almost $400,000.00 for the current fiscal year, and zero plans for spending more than the basic amount to preform services for the residents of Hauser. The Hauser Fire District continues to tax Hauser residents the maximum amount they can, $1.98 per $1,000.00 property value or about $200 per $100,000 property value per year that is $600 on a property assisted at $300,000, pocketing your hard-earned money, without any plans to improve the fire protections to your homes.

If this is OK with you, that is fine. But if you would like to see your taxes reduced, or an accounting of how your money is being spent, you have several options; run for the Hauser Fire Department Board of Directors, express your concerns with the current Board members, or share your thoughts at the District Budget Meeting on May 15, 2023, 7:00pm at the Hauser Fire Hall.

Jack Hoffman Hauser

Open letter to Commissioner Taylor

Commissioner Taylor:

I appreciate your reply to my concerns and questions for you. These were questions and they were not intended to be "allegations".

After reading your response, I continue to have concerns about the "blurred lines" between your involvement with The Restoration Worship Center and Citizens for Restoring Liberty. The folks I see at meetings seem to be followers and attendees of both (each of which meet at the same place, share the same address, and hold fund raising events at the same location). This does give an impression that raised the question of using a church as a political action organization.

I understand that you are pushing the issue of "local control" and "personal liberty", and that you consider yourself a "patriot". I hope

you understand that Coos County already has “home rule", that the constitution speaks of "liberty for all" (not "personal liberty" to do whatever one wishes... to the possible detriment, offense, or harm to others), and that "patriotism" involves supporting one’s country.

I am struggling with your apparent desire to disengage Coos County from State and Federal resources. Your impassioned statement at the end of the last Commission meeting about how all residents of Coos County should be "outraged" for paying income tax was filled with inaccurate math, false assumptions, and inaccurate conclusions. The residents of Coos County receive tremendous benefit by being part of Oregon and part of the United States (including at least 90% of the funding to support the County budget). I think that your job as County Commission-er would include pursuing ideas to tap into more State and Federal resources for our County instead of suggesting that we should disengage with the sources of these funds and programs.

I do not understand why bucking our current "federal democratic republic" form of government qualifies you as a "patriot". I think that your presence and participation in the Jan. 6th insurrection at the U.S, Capitol, trying to overturn the results of a valid election, was quite unpatriotic. Toting a gun and reciting slogans does not make one a "good American".

You did not address my concern regarding how some of us feel threatened and/or uncomfortable that you and some of your followers (whom I hear conversing about using violence and guns to intimidate others) carry guns into Commission meetings (while invoking the name of Jesus).

You indicated in your response to me that you have received a lot of criticism from people "who don't even know you". You are a public figure now. I would hope that my communications with you may give you a sense of why some folks might be skeptical. You indicated that your friends, associates and family know you to be ethical, and that it is your desire to serve all residents of Coos County. I would encourage you to conduct yourself in your role as an elected, paid, public servant in a manner that will give all of us confidence in your fairness, trustworthiness and competence as an advocate for Coos County, the state of Oregon, and the United States.

Douglas Jones Coos Bay

Last week over 100 loggers,timber owners and students appeared before the state Board of Forestry to blast an increasingly controversial plan for 600,000 acres of state forests that would lead to a decline in logging, revenue for communities and jobs in the state's timber industry. Their wrath is centered on what's known as a Habitat Conservation Plan currently been drafted by the Department of Forestry to help manage Oregon's state forests for the next SEVEN decades. Timber groups were told originally that the plan would allow harvest of 225 to 250,000 million board feet of timber annually. They have reduced that figure to between 165 to 182.5 million board feet for 2024 and 2025. Rural Oregonians feel that this plan has been shoved down their throat. Environmental groups noted that the plan is intended to help conserve Oregon wildlife and forest health.

As a former Californian I tell you to not believe what you hear from environmentalists. Fellow Californians began listening to the same concerns expressed by similar groups back in the 70's and little by little, less and less board feet were cut and milled in California, mills began to close, loggers and truck drivers began losing jobs to the point where those good paying jobs in forest communities were lost and some towns dissappeared. Don't believe a word they say. Call,write or email your state representatives and ask you neighbors and fellow Oregonians to do the same.

State Representative Boomer Wright

(503) 986-1409 rep.boomerwright@oregonlegislature.gov

State Senator David Brock Smith (503)986-1701 sen.davidbrocksmith@oregonlegilature.gov

Oregon Board of Forestry

2600 State Street Salem,Oregon 97310

Ivonne Richardson Reedsport

To make a submission to the editor, fill out a submission form at www.TheWorldLink.com, or email: worldeditor@countrymedia.net or call 541-269-1222 ext. 235.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D)

223 Dirkson Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-0001

Phone: 202-224-5244

Fax: 202-228-2717

Website: wyden.senate.gov/contact

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4

Sen. Val Hoyle (D)

1620 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515-0001

Phone: 202-225-6416

Fax: 202-225-0032

Guest Column

Website: hoyle.house.gov/

The Pride Flag Is More Important Than Ever

Tracy Hodson Bandon

A recent article by journalist Alice Manchester in the 9 March edition of the Marshfield Times did a good job of recapping the decision by the City of Coos Bay not to display the Pride flag this coming June. It included a brief interview with Rob Taylor, who stated a belief in “equality, not equity,” and said he had lobbied for the Gadsden flag and the Christian flag, and Kamryn Stringfield, who said that the decision to fly the Pride flag in the first place was “a good first step for reconciliation in our community.”

But more than reconciliation is needed now, and the Rob Taylors of this world need to be put on notice that bigotry won’t be tolerated in Coos County, at least not officially. What we need is for the city to take a stand in what is becoming a dangerous level of threat against the safety and well-being of all gay and trans people in the United States.

The Coos Bay City Council made the decision to display the Pride flag during the month of June - Pride Month - because it was something they wished to support; to say, in essence, "We support our queer residents." Their policy was that the only flags displayed (besides government flags) would be those that they themselves felt strongly supportive of. They never had a policy of willingness to fly any flag suggested.

The Gadsden flag, which originated in Charleston, SC, is flown there for (dubious) historical reasons, but elsewhere is associated with far-right political groups, including those who are openly white supremacists. It was also carried quite proudly, it seems, by the insurrectionists at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as they stormed the building. There is no way the Coos Bay City Council can entertain as reasonable the idea of flying that flag on the boardwalk. It would, at this point, be declaring solidarity with those who tried to stop the peaceful transition of power after a free and fair election, so let's dismiss that idea as transparently absurd.

The other request - the flying of the socalled Christian flag - is problematic for many reasons, one being that it is by no means universally accepted as representative of all Christians. The other relevant factor in discussions of this particular flag, is that there are well in excess of 30 churches in Coos Bay alone, making it very clear that Christianity, in many of its forms, is more than represented in the city. Despite the constant claims about "the war on Christianity" heard on the right, this is approximately one church in Coos Bay per 500 citizens. It is hardly necessary for the city government to validate the presence of this religion in Coos Bay. Despite the fact that only 64% of Americans now identify as Christian–down from 90% in 1973 - it seems to still be thriving here in rural Oregon, even

without a cross-bearing flag waving on the boardwalk.

The LGBT/queer community, on the other hand, really is experiencing a war right now - one that gets more intense every day with, according to the ACLU, 399 bills currently in state legislations (all proffered by Republicans) designed to end or severely curtail the rights of this population. These laws range from making it illegal to give gender or sexual orientation counseling to young people who request it, to making it legal to turn away LGBT people from hospitals. The state of Tennessee just made it illegal for drag performers to appear in public, or in any place where they might be seen by children, because there's no greater danger to 6-yearolds than catching a glimpse of a cabaret performer parking his car; it might make them late for their active shooter preparedness training sessions.

My point is, showing active support to the queer residents of Coos Bay/Coos County couldn't be more important, or more timely. Flying the Pride flag on the boardwalk says “It’s okay to be here – you don’t have to grow up and move away anymore. We see you. We accept you.” It’s how Coos Bay says "Welcome!" to those whom the Right wants to make invisible, or otherwise mysteriously gone. At CPAC this past week, Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire) said to the audience, “For the good of society … transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely - the whole preposterous ideology, at every level.” In this environment, those who represent the city should think about how they want it to be seen.

Transgender people are actual living, breathing people, not an "ideology," and they exist in the real world, including right here in God and guns Coos County. They are our fellow citizens. For the city of Coos Bay to lower its metaphorical and literal flag right now is the worst thing it can do. Loudmouthed, professional bigots like Rob Taylor, who use threats of lawsuits and other threats to get their way, need to be sent packing. Commissioner Bob Main got the "I'll sue you!" holler from Taylor about a month ago, when Main eliminated from commissioner meetings the public comments portion of the morning as it had become an unruly free-for-all with Taylor and the rest of the Citizens Restoring Liberty crowd regularly hijacking the meetings.

They had also organized a work-around when the commission voted against opening with prayer, by having someone simply get up during the next meeting and pray out loud and then explain to us all how his faith is a county concern. Main’s response to Rob Taylor’s threat of a lawsuit if he didn’t immediately restore public comments was, “I don’t care about that.”

If only the city would stand so firm. Let’s

Writers on the ranGe

By STORY WARREN

The return of wolves to the West has always been contentious, and the deaths last fall of more than 40 cattle really in western Colorado alarmed ranchers. But here’s the true story: Wolves did not kill those cattle found dead near Meeker.

After months of investigation, the state agency, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, found no evidence of wolves in the area at all.

Yet when the news of the cattle deaths went public last October, the agency issued a press release stating it was “investigating a report of dead domestic cow calves on White River National Forest lands near Meeker that show damage consistent with wolf depredation.”

A month later, the agency’s Northwest regional manager testified before the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission that though some of the cattle had injuries that appeared to come from wolves, he added: “It’s perplexing; it’s confusing; it’s frustrating, trying to figure out exactly what occurred in this inci-

dent.” The story of wolves as the culprits, however, made national headlines.

Wolves are coming back to the state naturally and because in 2020, the public passed Prop 114, mandating restoration of wolves by the end of this year. Through a Colorado Open Records Act request, the Humane Society of the United States obtained documents and photos about the livestock deaths, and shared them with Carter Niemeyer, an expert on wolf-livestock conflict. He is also a member of the state’s Technical Working Group on wolf restoration.

In his February 14 report, Niemeyer found that “the evidence at Meeker is inconsistent with wolf attacks.” Niemeyer and veterinarians concluded that the cattle more likely died from “brisket disease,” which commonly afflicts cattle living at high altitudes.

Misunderstandings like this one, which lasted weeks, aren’t helpful. Do wolves ever come into conflict with livestock? Yes, but it is relatively rare. In the Northern Rockies where wolves are

established, they account for less than 1% of cattle losses. Disease, birthing problems, weather and theft take nine times as many cattle than all predators combined, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In Washington state, which is home to at least 33 wolf packs after nearly 15 years of wolf recovery, more than 80% of the packs have no conflict with livestock in an average year.

Overall, the threat of wolves to the livestock industry is negligible. For the few livestock producers who are impacted by wolves, it is, of

It's time to act to save our forests and families who depend on them.

North Bend Public Library

The North Bend Public Library is partnering with South Coast Early Learning to offer Ready, Set, Kindergarten! Ready, Set, Kindergarten! is a program for children ages 4 or 5 and their caregivers. The program is designed to help caregivers prepare their child for kindergarten, using music, literature, art, and imaginative play. We are offering two different sessions – one in March and one in April. Each session is four weeks long and is limited to 15 children. Our March session will start Thursday, March 2 and run till March 23. This session will meet once a week on Thursdays at 2:30 PM. There will also be a graduation party on Friday, March 24 at 4:00 PM. Our April session will start Thursday, April 6 and run till April 27. This session will meet once a week on Thursdays at 5:00 PM. The session will also have a graduation party on Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 AM. All children participating in either session of the program will receive the following free resources: an iPad, books, art supplies, craft kits, puzzles, music makers, and imaginative play supplies. Registration is required. Caregivers can register their child at NBPL or at https:// tinyurl.com/5av8mctz. For more information about this event, contact the library at (541) 756-0400 or email nbservices@northbendlibrary. org.

Low-stakes Beanstack Challenge

March through May

North Bend Public Library

Use Beanstack to earn badges by reading, reviewing books, and going to NBPL programs. For each badge earned, you will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $10 gift card. Earn at least one badge per month to be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card at the end of the challenge. Beanstack is a web and mobile app used to track independent reading time, books and activities. It is free to use, and patrons can sign up for an account by going to http://northbend.beanstack. org/.

Sip N Stroll 5-7 pm, March 17th

North Bend Main Street

Friday, March 17, 2023 visit downtown North Bend for Sip N Stroll from 5-7 pm. After Sip N Stroll take

Community Calendar of Events

in Matilda at the Liberty Theatre, dine at downtown restaurants, or continue the stroll to Back Alley Bar and Grill for festive Irish tunes.

Visit businesses to sample beer and wine. Sip N Stroll glasses will be distributed at the new Visitor Information Center at 745 California Ave. Don’t forget to wear green on to show your Saint Patty’s Day spirit. Find additional information on North Bend Main Street (https://www.facebook.com/ northbendmainstreet/) and the City of North Bend Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ NorthBendOregon) pages.

“Mamma Mia”

7 pm, March 17th

Egyptian Theatre Egyptian Theatre presents: Mamma Mia. March 17th at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Regular admission. 50/50 raffle. Gold and Silver Falls Hike 10-3:30 pm, March 18th Gold and Silver Falls

Hidden gems in the dense emerald forests of Southwest Oregon, Golden and Silver Falls are transformed by the spring rains into raging giants. During the 3-mile, moderately-strenuous, hike we will explore the falls and rich natural and cultural history of this special place. Please bring rain gear, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, water bottle, lunch and snacks. We will provide transportation from Coos Bay. The event is free; however, registration is required and the event is limited to 15 participants.

Saint Patty’s Day Block Party

12 pm, March 18th 2040 Union Avenue, North Bend Saturday, March 18th, continue the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration at 2040 Union Ave, downtown North Bend. The Saint Patty’s Day Block Party starts at Noon with performances by local groups. Then get ready to party with Captain Blue band from Roseburg during a free concert hosted by the City of North Bend. Inside the event tent, this danceable rock and roll band will be playing from 3:00-6:00 pm. Spirit drinks from Back Alley Pub and Grill will be available for those over 21. Continue the fun downtown North Bend after the concert. Pick up a Clover Pub Crawl card with a list of participating businesses at the event tent. Visit four listed locations, find the

four-leaf clover, and receive a stamp. Once your clover stamp card is full, leave it at one of the participating locations for your chance to win a Saint Patty’s Day prize. No purchase is necessary, nor is alcohol consumption required to participate; you must be 21 years of age to enter participating locations. Enjoy food trucks from 11-7 on Union Ave, including Papa Doggs, The Muncheria, and Smokin Aces Kettle Corn. Don’t forget to wear green on to show your Saint Patty’s Day spirit. Find additional information on North Bend Main Street (https://www.facebook.com/ northbendmainstreet/) and the City of North Bend Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ NorthBendOregon) pages.

Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers

1 pm, March 18th Winchester Bay Community Center

The music is happening once again and the Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers invite you to join us on the 18th as we once again take to the stage at the Winchester Bay Community Center. The Center is located at 635 Broadway in Winchester Bay. We will open our stage show with a fiddle jamboree which begins at 1:00 PM. Various musicians will follow, and we will perform a variety of Old Time Tunes until 3:00 PM. Cookies and Coffee provided. We sometimes have a circle jam from 3:004:00 following the stage show if the musicians and audience need more music!

Admission is free so please join us an afternoon of music!

The Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers Association is a non-profit 501C organization which was founded in 1964 with the sole purpose of “preserving, promoting and perpetuating ‘Old Time Music” and “Old Time Fiddling”. Please join us at Winchester Bay if you enjoy live old time tunes. This event is hosted by The OOTFA Members of District 5. For more information call Mapril at 541-572-5532 or Dawn at 541-347-4561.

Our Oregon Neighborhood

2-4 pm, March 18th

The Artist Loft Gallery

David Johnson of North Bend is the Guest Artist at the Artist Loft Gallery March through April. “Our Oregon Neighborhood” is a celebration of familiar local scenes. David has lived in the area for many years, and it is the beautiful imagery of this area that has inspired his

present work. The Loft will host a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 18th, 2-4 p.m. We invite you to come and meet the artist, hear about his art journey, and enjoy his evocative paintings.

Spring Oasis Belly Dance Show

6:30 pm, March 18th

The Dolphin Playhouse Spring Oasis Belly Dance Show, March 18, 2023 ~ 6:30 p.m. $6 admission at The Dolphin Playhouse 580 Newmark Ave. Coos Bay. Dancers and musicians from around Oregon will be sharing the stage at the Dolphin Playhouse and giving you a taste of the mystique of belly dance. This is family entertainment at its best. Please join the Goddess Gang as they present this amazing production and welcome you to enjoy the show plus have an opportunity for open dancing with professional musicians.

Contact: Mezdulene mezdulene@mezdulene.com www.mezdulene.com 541315-5550

Stay Home & Read Fundraiser Event

March 18th North Bend Public Library

Support the Library by purchasing a $30 ticket to the North Bend Public Library Foundation's Stay Home and Read event. For every ticket purchased, participants will receive a Stay Home and Read box personally curated by one of our librarians. Each box will be tailored to your preferences and will include a surprise library book to check out and read, a snack, and a special party favor. To participate, please register at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/stay-home-and-read2023-tickets-512010105007 by March 10. Boxes will be available for pick up from the Library starting on March 15.

Prepping – Past, Present, Future

March 18th Coos Bay Public Library

Southwestern Oregon Preppers (SWOP) will be holding a meeting at Noon on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420. The main topic is "Prepping - Past, Present, Future". Over the last decade we have been affected by many events. Our round table discussion will center around how we prepared before, during and after. SWOP meetings always start with a question and answer period before the main topic so all in attendance get a chance to participate. This is a free public meeting to get to know fellow local preppers in southwestern Oregon counties and to exchange

information and ideas. It is important for individuals to understand that they will be “on their own” in the event of a disaster and not depend on receiving outside help.

Join Southwestern Oregon Preppers on Facebook and/or meetup.com

Bach Birthday Party & Concert

2-5 pm, March 19th

Holy Trinity Catholic Church Parish Hall

Come celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach's 338th birthday with live performances of Bach's music by some of the South Coast's finest musicians and special Bach Birthday Cupcakes, coffee, and wine tasting.

Musicians will include the Seascape String Quartet, composed of Claire Mohr, Luanne May, Lisa Jarvis, and Kimberly Wurster; Bandon duo Sarah Mautner, violin & Crystal Landucci, piano; Langlois cellist Dace Sultanov; and Coos Bay pianist Madi Cristina Barrena. It's rumored that Old Bach himself may attend!

Admission by donation at the door to benefit the grand piano fund at Holy Trinity Parish Hall. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Parish Hall 355 Oregon Avenue SE, Bandon.

Baby Storytime

10 am, March 21st, & 28th

Coos Bay Library

This March, the Coos Bay Public Library will host a series of storytimes on Tuesdays at 10:00 am designed for babies 0-14 months and a parent or caregiver. The program will include stories, rhymes, and songs selected specifically with babies in mind. The program encourages early literacy development by fostering opportunities for parents and caregivers to talk, sing, read, play, and write with the children in their lives. Pre-registration is not required. For more information on storytimes visit the Coos Bay Public Library’s website at www. coosbaylibrary.org, call (541) 269-1101 x 236 or email Jennifer Knight at jknight@ coosbaylibrary.org.

ACOA (adult child of alcoholic) 6:30 pm, March 21st, & 28th Episcopal Church, Bandon ACOA (adult child of alcoholic) meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at the Episcopal Church, Bandon.

Ladybug Love 2 pm, March 21st

North Bend Public Library

On Tuesday, March 21 at 2:00 PM, the North Bend Public Library will be hosting Cheryl O'Dell of Natural

Grocers as she presents a talk entitled "Ladybug Love." This talk will focus on protecting ladybugs and other beneficial insects by integrating ladybug friendly agricultural practices.

Ladybugs are vital to the health and wellbeing of our ecosystem. One ladybug can eat as many as 5,000 destructive aphids in their lifetime. Unfortunately, current agricultural practices have contributed to the decline of ladybug populations. Please join us to learn how you can show some "Ladybug Love" and make a difference by protecting this important insect. Cheryl O’Dell holds a Master of Science Degree in nutrition from Bastyr University, School of Natural Medicine. Her passion is engaging with the local community to achieve their health goals by helping them establish healthy habits that align with their individual lifestyles. When not at Natural Grocers, Cheryl enjoys spending time in the natural areas of the Coos Bay area and participating in the area’s local festivities. For more information about this event, contact the library at (541) 756-0400 or email nbservices@northbendlibrary. org.

Many Lands, Many Dances

9 am, March 23rd & 30th North Bend Public Library

In March, Stacy Rose will return to the North Bend Public Library to offer her popular dance class “Many Lands, Many Dances.”

Every Thursday at 9:00 AM, Stacy will teach attendees different folk dances from around the globe. In addition to instruction on the specific dance techniques, attendees can expect to hear folk music and learn cultural information relevant to each folk dance. This class is open to all ages and ability levels. Attendees can expect a judgment-free, beginner-friendly space. No special clothes or footwear are required. Stacey Rose has been instructing folk dancing for over 20 years. She has led community dancing in a variety of settings, locally and on a national scale. In September of 2009, she began teaching a weekly international folk-dance class at Southwestern Oregon Community College. More information can be found at http://www.stacyrosedance. com/. Attend in-person or register at https://tinyurl. com/6hfd3fec to attend via Zoom. Registration is not needed for in-person attendance. For more information about this event, contact the library at (541) 756-0400 or email nbservices@northbendlibrary. org.

As I See It:

BY MARY SCHAMEHORN

I've long been curious about the beautiful house on the corner of Fourth and Ocean Drive, which as long as I could remember, belonged to the Shindler family.

I asked Otto and Geneva Shindler's grandson, Bo, to share some photos and a bit of history about the house, after finding an old postcard of Ocean Drive homes before the fire ... and wondering if they had rebuilt on the same site. It turns out they did.

After the Bandon Fire of 1936, there were three men who led the reconstruction effort to rebuild Bandon: Pharmacist Otto Shindler, Mayor and businessman Ed Capps and my grandfather, Western World publisher L.D. Felsheim. This is a bit of Otto Shindler's story, mostly as told by his grandson.

"Otto Shindler moved to Coos County after World War I and was partners with Sy Furman, who had a pharmacy in Coquille.

"Otto and Geneva Robinson were married Oct. 4, 1922, in Coquille, and their first order of business was to ride the sternwheeler to Bandon where they had a new drug store and had purchased a home on Beach Loop/Ocean Drive (first photo) that was at the current address of 810 Ocean Drive.

"The home they purchased was a craftsman style house that had been originally ordered from a catalogue, either Sears & Roebuck or Montgomery Ward. That home burned to the ground in the Fire.

"Otto and Geneva started rebuilding immediately after the Fire on the same site. They lived in a one-room house on the site (second photo) for a number of years. They added to that one room house several times to where it has the current footprint (third photo taken many years ago).

"On July 16, 1954, Otto had a heart attack at home and died on the way to the hospital.

"Geneva lived in the home, where she died 35 years later, May 18, 1989. Upon her death, ownership of the house was transferred to her only son, Franz. It was his primary residence until his death March 26, 2009, although he was actually living up the Rogue River about 20 miles west of Gold Beach. My sister Rachel lived in the home for a

number of years during that time period.

"Upon Franz' death, ownership of the house transferred to his spouse, Sonja. When she died July 27, 2013, she left the house to her brother, Ed. Ed needed money and my sister Catie purchased the property back for $50,000 and I'm told that she then transferred the contract to her daughter Johanna, who is the current owner of record," said Bo.

The February rainfall for at least one location in Bandon was reported to be 5.51 inches, compared to a high of 15.61 inches in 2019 and a low of 2.48 in February of last year.

Judging from the rain and snow that we've experienced the first week of March, I would guess that the total rainfall will be higher than it was in February. In March of 2022, we recorded 5.53 inches.

If Ballot Measure 110, which saw Oregon become the first in the nation to decriminalize user grade amounts of cocaine, meth and heroin, weren't enough ....now we have SB 603, which would give $1,000 a month to homeless individuals and those about to be homeless for two years. That is until $25 million has been disbursed by the state. That should be a real drawing card for people seeking a handout if they are not already here, brought by the lure of BM110.

Ironically, SB603 is the brainchild of Senator Wlnsvey Campos, a graduate of Bandon High School, who knows what it's like to struggle with poverty. She was elected in November and became the youngest state senator ... at 26 years old.

Personally, I feel that if the state indeed has $25 million to put toward helping the homeless, rather than dole it out in amounts just enough to help feed a drug habit, it would be better to use that money to put a downpayment on a housing unit, particularly for a family is need. True, it might not help as many people, but it might be far more meaningful .... and actually assist rather than aid and abet ...

KEZI TV recently interviewed several people living on the street, and at least two of them said the money would probably just be spent for drugs, which are pretty easy to find in Oregon, because the consequences amount to no more than a

$100 traffic ticket. I wonder what it will take until the majority party figures out what is happening to our once proud state ... and does something about it. But don't hold your breath ....

I heard recently that one of Bandon's most popular eating places, Tony's Crab Shack, has been sold by long-time owner Tony Roszkowski to Dave Hisel.

Dave is manager of Banner Bank and chairman of the Bandon School Board. I understand that the business, which is being run by Dave's sister, sold for $1.2 million.

It sits on property owned by the Port of Bandon.

I received a call this week from a man who lives at Pacific Pines, and he had just learned that crows are not governed by the city's ordinance against feeding birds (like seagulls) because they are in the same category of smaller song birds. And he wasn't happy about it. He says the trees above the apartment complex are filled with loud crows, who share their waste on people's vehicles and the area sidewalks.

He sees someone in a pickup routinely drive by and scatter food for the birds, which he feels is not only littering but just encouraging more crows to flock to the area.

When people routinely feed crows, or seagulls (which is illegal), they sometimes affect others in the area who do not have the same love for the big birds that they do. I just ask that people be mindful of others . . . .

As mayor, I received a press release this week indicating that the Arbor Day Foundation had named Bandon a 2022 Tree City USA to "honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.

"Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival," read the press release.

People are invited to join VFW Post 3440, VFW 3440 Auxiliary and American Legion Post 26 as they remember Vietnam War era veterans.

The ceremony will be held Wednesday, March 29, at the Bandon Veterans Memorial Wall in City Park, beginning at 10 a.m. A reception will follow in the Barn.

"This day holds a special place in history as March 29, 1973, was the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, as well as the same timeframe when Hanoi released the last of the acknowledged prisoners of war," according to Preston Wayte, quartermaster of VFW Post 3440.

The Bandon Booster Club is accepting donations for those wishing to help pay

for a sign honoring longtime baseball/football coach Dick Sutherland. The goal is to raise $3,000 toward naming a portion of the athletic complex after Coach Sutherland.

Dick primarily coached football and baseball at Bandon during the 1950s, '60s and '70s, and he also coached some basketball and track as well as taught physical education classes.

"Dick was a mentor to many young people (who are now getting old) and is deserving of this recognition," said BHS graduate Bo Shindler, who posted information on Facebook.

The Booster Club has created a link for electronic payment. Donations can also be mailed to PO Box 1819, Bandon, OR 97411.

Earlier the Club had

announced a similar fundraiser to honor long-time softball coach and district maintenance director Hiemer Kiefer, for a sign at the softball complex on the south side of 11th Street. Kiefer was an outstanding athlete at Bandon High, graduating in the class of 1974

People are reminded of several upcoming events, including the Bandon Lions Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at City Park. The Kingston Trio will appear on the Sprague Theater stage on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. General admission is $50, and tickets can be purchased on line.

Bay Area Hospital and members of the United Food and Commercial Workers 555 Union have reached an impasse as they bargain over salary and benefit increases. The hospital board has reportedly offered raises of 14 percent; in their final offer to the mediator, the union is now seeking increases of more than 20 percent.

INSURANCE AGENCY

“FortheserviceYOUdeserve!” 541-347-3211

541-347-3211 1075AlabamaAve.SE

1075AlabamaAve.SE

Yourlocal independentagent

Yourlocal independentagent

P r o v i d i n g i n s u r a n c e f o r :

P r o v i d i n g i n s u r a n c e f o r :

INSURANCE AGENCY “FortheserviceYOUdeserve!” 541-347-3211 1075AlabamaAve.SE P r v i i n i n u r n f r : A u t o • H o m e • L i f e • H e a l t h

u t o • H o m e • L i f e • H e a l t h

A u t o • H o m e • L i f e •

B u s i n e s s • F a r m s • R a n c h e s

u s i n e s s • F a r m s • R a n c h e s

Kim Winker, director of marketing and communication for the hospital, said the district's balance sheet reflects an average $5.4 million loss for each of the last 13 months, or a total of more than $70 million dollars. Those figures are borne out by the hospital's last audit, which shows a loss of over $60 million for the year.

"The fact remains that an additional $13 million increase in labor costs and/ or a vote by the union to strike would place us in an untenable financial situation and we may very well be forced to close our doors," Winker is quoting as saying.

PATRICK MYERS TREE SERVICE. Certified arborist, 50 yrs. exp. Free estimates. 541-347-9124 or 541-290-7530. Lic. #116632. Stump grinding, hazardous removal, pruning hedges and brus h clipping. Serving Bandon area since 1995.

Gorse/Brush Mowing

Mini Excavator w/Mower Head

Let me help you gain more access to your property

-Create Pathing through your forest

-Roadsides and Driveways

-Clear the underbrush from your meadows

-Hillsides and steep inclines

-Create a safe fire barrier from your home

-Rain or Shine

Fast, Efficient, Experienced BellHurst LLC, CCB: 24501

541-254-4848

Bandon Inn is accepting applications for ALL positions:

Front Desk Position (All shifts)

Continental Breakfast Servers

Laundry Attendant Housekeepers Maintenance

If you are professional, a team player, honest, reliable, dependable and flexible, please pick up an application at the front desk. Experience desired, but not necessary. Positive and team player attitude is a must! We offer a competitive wage and benefits. Apply at front desk.

Coos County Circuit Court is hiring a full-time Release Assistance Officer. Salary $4,017 - $6,534/month. To learn more and apply, please follow this link: https://tinyurl. com/3atc9afp

Seeking experienced & reliable motel assistant to help with daily work, including; general housekeeping, customer service, phones, etc. Need references pls.

Apply: Shooting Star Motel in Bandon. (541) 347-9192

Recreational Vehicles 604

1.23 acres just east of town. End of the road. Completely private and lush. If you like close in, yet private, with lots of trees - this is the building site for you! Offered at $180,000. Call Keeli Gernandt, David L Davis Real Estate 541-297-9535.

Announcements 311

Legal Notices 999

Now is the time to clear that Gorse! Big Foot Stump Grinding LLC does Gorse and Brush Clearing. Stump Grinding, Tractor Services, Landscape Maint. We are Licensed, Bonded and Insured. LCB#9933 Serving Bandon and Surrounding Areas, Find us on FB. Big Foot Stump Grinding LLC (541) 366-1036

Misc Services 150 PAHLS FAMILY DENTISTRY offers single-visit crowns, dental implants and sedation dentistry. Accepting new patients. Call to reserve your appointment today. 541.396.2242, Coquille

Pete’s Wood Furniture Repair & Refinish. We pick up & deliver in Bandon area. 480-415-5419.

Announcements 311

$1 NEWSPAPER BUNDLES

The World is selling past newspaper bundles for $1 each.

172 Anderson Ave. Coos Bay, 541-266-6047

Employment Opps 515

The Best Western Inn at Face Rock is now hiring:

Front Desk Agents Housekeepers

BE PART OF A GREAT TEAM!

Earn a minimum of $16.00 per hour (depending on experience) in a variety of our open positions

We offer referral bonuses and all Best Western employees are eligible for reduced rates at select Best Westerns across the United States and Canada

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Summer bonus programs

Please stop by anytime to pick up an application at 3225 Beach Loop Drive, Bandon, OR

BUYING RVs. Gib's RV is looking for clean pre-owned RVs to buy/consign. No fee consignments. We make house calls. 541-888-3424.

Pets 736

ANIMAL CREMATORY

The Bay Area’s only pet crematory with COOS BAY CHAPEL. 541-267-3131 coosbayareafunerals.com

Misc Wanted 790

Wanted: radio tubes, hamradio equip., antique radios, tubes stereo, lg speakers. 503-999-2157.

Storage 860

BANDON MINI-STORAGE. Temp. controlled RV & boat storage. 50317 Hwy. 101 South. 541-347-1190.

BANDON E-Z STORAGE. Affordable plus Boat/RV. 370 11th St. SE, 541-347-9629.

BANDON MINI-STORAGE, temp controlled, 88371 Hwy. 42S, 541-347-5040. Ask for Manager's Special.

Real Estate/Trade 900

SPINNAKER DR

J. Eichelberger Oceanside

Masterpiece High Ceilings, wood floors, pride of ownership Wood shades, huge great room with top of line appliances beautiful main suite $820,000

12.5 acres Beach Loop 40 lots + 10 acres Opportunities galore! $775,000

Industrial Shop near Museum and Face Rock Creamery 2400 sq ft $250,000

ONE ACRE Seabird Drive Can divide $350,000 Broker

Owned Fred Gernandt, Broker David L Davis Real Estate 1110 Alabama SE 541 290 9444

PACIFIC PROPERTIES Principal Broker Dan Cirigliano

Announcements

311 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COOS CASE NO.: 22CV44078

SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION VILLAGE CAPITAL & INVESTMENT LLC, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF GARRY R SQUIRES, A DECEASED INDIVIDUAL; SHEILA COTTOM AS POTENTIAL HEIR OR DEVISEE OF GARRY R SQUIRES; STATE OF OREGON, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION UNIT; AND ALL OTHER UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1225 N LAUREL ST, COQUILLE, OR 97423, Defendants.

To: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF GARRY R SQUIRES, A DECEASED INDIVIDUAL TO THE DEFENDANT/ RESPONDENT(S)

ABOVE NAMED:

You are hereby directed and required to appear in, and defend against, this legal action within 30 days after the first date of publication of summons, which is the 3rd day of March, 2023, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff VILLAGE CAPITAL & INVESTMENT LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, ZBS LAW, LLP, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. This is a Complaint for Judicial Foreclosure of Deed of Trust. You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer.” The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the plaintiff’s attorney or, if the plaintiff does not have an attorney, proof of service on the plaintiff. If you have any questions,

you should see an attorney immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may contact the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service online at www.oregonstatebar.org or by calling (503) 684-3763 in the Portland metropolitan area. If you are a veteran of the armed forces, assistance may be available from a county veterans’ service officer or community action agency. Contact information for a local county veterans service officer and community action agency may be obtained by calling a 2-1-1 information service.

DATED: February 23, 2023

ZBS LAW, LLP

By: /s/ Amber L. Labrecque Amber L. Labrecque, OBS No. 094593 alabrecque@zbslaw.com

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Published: March 3, March 10, March 17 and March 24, 2023

The World & ONPA (ID:359514) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COOS

In the Matter of the Estate of: ARLO TANNER HARWOOD, Deceased. Case No. 23PB01528

INFORMATION TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ARITA HARWOOD has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate of ARLO TANNER HARWOOD are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the personal representative at 96845 North Big Creek Ln., Lakeside, OR 97449, or through her attorney, Nathan B. McClintock, at PO Box 1178, Coos Bay, OR 97420, or in person at 936 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the lawyer for the personal representative, Nathan B. McClintock. Dated and first published on March 10, 2023.

/S/Nathan B. McClintock, OSB #841520

Attorney for Personal

Representative

Personal Representative: Arita Harwood 96845 North Big Creek Ln. Lakeside, OR 97449 541.759.3231

Lawyer for Personal

Representative: Nathan McClintock PO Box 1178 Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: (541) 269-1123

Fax: (541) 269-1126

Email:

nmcclintock@epuerto.com

Published: March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31, 2023

The World & ONPA (ID:359910)

In the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon

For the County of Coos Probate Department.

In the Matter of the Estate of Jane Louise Hanson, Deceased. (No. 23PB01913)

Estate of Jane Louise Hanson

Notice to Interested Persons

Notice is hereby given that Mark L. Hanson has been appointed as personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned personal representative in care of the undersigned attorney at: 9250 SW Tigard St., Tigard, Oregon 97223 within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, as stated below, or such claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative.Dated and first published March 17, 2023.

Mark L. Hanson, Personal

Representative

c/o Stephanie Carter, OSB

No. 093064 HILARY CARTER LAW

Attorney for Personal

Representative 9250 SW Tigard St. Tigard, OR 97223

Published: March 17, March 24 and March 31, 2023

The World & ONPA (ID:360385)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to ORS 477.250, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at the Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) Headquarters, 63612 Fifth Road, in Coos Bay, Oregon, on April 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., to receive from any interested persons suggestions, advice, objections or remonstrance’s to the proposed budget for the forest protection district.

A copy of the tentative budget for the Forest Protection District may be inspected during normal working hours. To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with disabilities, persons with disabilities requiring special arrangements should contact Dominique Ray, at 541-267-3161 or dominique.c.ray@odf.oregon. gov at least two working days in advance of the scheduled hearing.

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

CAL MUKUMOTO, STATE

FORESTER

Published: March 17 and March 24, 2023

The World & ONPA (ID:358951)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COOS

In the Matter of the Estate of CARMEN ANN BUTLER, Deceased.

Case No. 23PB01730

NOTICE TO INTERESTED

PERSONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned personal representative at Lawrence Finneran LLC, Attorney at Law, 405 North Fifth Street, PO Box 359, Coos Bay, Oregon, 97420, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by this proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published this 17th day of March, 2023.

Carmen Ann Rakosi

Personal Representative

Published: March 17, March 24 and March 31, 2023

The World & ONPA (ID:360397)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COOS

In the Matter of the Estate of EDWARD J. LANDAY JR. Deceased. Case No. 23PB01581

NOTICE TO INTERESTED

PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned personal representative at Lawrence Finneran LLC, Attorney at Law, 405 North Fifth Street, PO Box 359, Coos Bay, Oregon, 97420, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by this proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published this 17th day of March, 2023.

Denise Reiber

Personal Representative

Published: March 17, March 24 and March 31, 2023

The World & ONPA (ID:360399)

Ave.

• 10:51 am, civil problem, 1900 block of Meade Street.

• 2:51 pm, animal complaint, Sherman and Grace Unity Church.

• 3:48 pm, shoplifter, 2100 block of Newmark Street.

• 4:44 pm, threats, 1800 block of Johnson Street.

• 5:02 pm, dispute, North Bend Middle School.

• 6:13 pm, phone harassment, 3200 block of Tremont Avenue.

• 11:10 pm, assault, 1900 block of Union Avenue. Coos Bay

• 10:03 am, fraud, 1500 block of N Bayshore Drive.

• 10:28 am, threats, 2600 block of Ocean Boulevard.

• 12:49 pm, 39 year old male transported to Coos County jail for violation of restraining order, 500 block of Central Ave.

• 3:44 pm, shoplifter, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 3:44 pm, threats, 2200 block of Woodland Drive.

• 4:10 pm, dispute, 2200 block of Woodland Drive.

• 4:34 pm, theft, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 4:36 pm, harassment, 2200 block of Woodland Drive.

• 5:02 pm, theft, 1200 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 7:07 pm, disturbance/ dispute, 300 block of Ackerman Avenue.

• 7:30 pm, prowler, 800 block of S Broadway Street.

• 7:35 pm, runaway juvenile, 1300 block of Anderson Avenue.

• 8:52 pm, 31 year old female cited on two counts forgery II, two counts possession of forgery instrument, Curry County warrant and Roseburg Police warrant, 2100 block of Newmark St.

Coquille

• 11:48 am, 45 year old

female transported to Coos County jail for criminal mischief III and disorderly conduct II, 800 block of N Central Boulevard.

• 1:00 pm, harassment, 900 block of E 2nd Street.

• 2:43 pm, civil problem, 400 block of W Central Blvd.

• 5:37 pm, theft, 1200 block of N Dean Street.

Tuesday 02/28:

North Bend

• 12:07 am, 58 year old female cited for driving while suspended, 1900 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 8:01 am, unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 500 block of Exchange Street.

• 8:28 am, dog at large, 1100 block of Maine Avenue.

• 9:19 am, dog at large, Sherman and Oregon Avenue.

• 11:28 am, civil problem, 1800 block of Madrona Street.

• 12:14 pm, theft, 3600 block of Inland Court.

• 12:41 pm, civil problem, 3500 block of Ash Street.

• 2:41 pm, fraud, 800 block of California Avenue.

• 3:40 pm, family dispute, 2000 block of Oak Street.

• 3:46 pm, civil problem, Asylum Mini Golf.

• 4:30 pm, theft of mail, 2600 block of Sheridan Avenue.

• 8:42 pm, disorderly conduct, 1700 block of Sherman Ave.

• 9:01 pm, domestic harassment/assault, 2600 block of Pine Street.

Coos Bay

• 1:20 am, 38 year old male cited on two Coos Bay Police warrants served by Coquille Police, 300 block of N Elliott Street.

• 2:51 am, disorderly conduct, 200 block of Anderson Ave.

• 4:34 am, animal at large, Southwest and Illinois.

• 5:43 am, runaway juvenile, 1800 block of Thomas Street.

• 8:25 am, dispute, 300 block of Ackerman Avenue.

• 10:38 am, juvenile problem, 700 block of N 9th.

• 12:58 pm, dog at large, top of Telegraph.

• 1:13 pm, neighbor dispute, 500 block of Hall Avenue.

• 1:16 pm, 24 year old male cited on warrant, 1100 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 2:24 pm, theft from vehicle, 900 block of S 2nd Street.

• 2:33 pm, located runaway, 700 block of S 7th Street.

• 3:05 pm, burglary, 1900 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 3:27 pm, violation of restraining order, 200 block of S Schoneman Street.

• 3:31 pm, animal complaint, 2000 block of S 13th Street.

• 8:48 pm, Oregon State Police served 51 year old female on warrant, 1300 block of Airport Lane.

• 11:06 pm, assault, 700 block of N 14th Street.

Coquille

• 1:20 am, 38 year old male cited on failure to report as a sex offender and two Coos Bay Police warrants, 300 block of N Elliott Street.

• 12:38 pm, theft, 100 block of N Birch Street.

5:48 pm, male subject transported to Reedsport jail on warrant, 900 block of E 5th Street.

Reedsport

• 3:20 am, juvenile problem, Reedsport Community Charter School.

Wednesday 03/01: North Bend

• 8:35 am, civil problem, 3500 block of Ash Street.

• 8:48 am, burglary, 1600 block of Cessna Circle.

• 10:56 am, unlawful entry

Police Blotter

into motor vehicle, 3000 block of Tremont Avenue.

• 12:56 pm, civil tenant issue, 2600 block of Virginia Ave.

• 3:01 pm, 56 year old female cited for disorderly conduct

II, 1000 block of Virginia

Ave.

• 4:04 pm, threats, 700 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 5:44 pm, 57 year old male cited for theft III, 1700 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 5:49 pm, civil problem, 800 block of Vermont Avenue.

Coos Bay

• 10:02 am, civil problem, 1100 block of S 1st Street.

• 10:32 am, civil issue, 4th and Anderson.

• 10:53 am, dispute, 200 block of S 7th Street.

• 2:07 pm, 38 year old male cited for driving while suspended, Woodland and Myrtle.

• 2:41 pm, prowler, 500 block of Bessie Street.

• 3:58 pm, disorderly conduct, Norman and Newmark.

• 7:55 pm, theft, 3200 block of Ocean Boulevard.

• 8:24 pm, civil problem, 500 block of Central Avenue Reedsport • 4:19 pm, civil dispute, 500 block of Regents Place.

Thursday 03/02:

North Bend

• 12:25 pm, fraud, 1100 block of Windsor Avenue.

• 1:04 pm, dog at large, 1500 block of Hayes Street.

• 8:13 pm, criminal mischief, 2200 block of Lewis Street.

• 10:43 pm, disorderly conduct, 1600 block of Monroe.

Coos Bay

• 12:43 am, male subject cited on warrant, 1800 block of Ocean Boulevard.

• 12:53 am, animal at large, Southwest and 13th.

• 4:10 am, 29 year old male transported to Coos County jail on warrant, Newmark Avenue and Morrison Street.

• 5:23 am, 41 year old male transported to Coos County jail on warrant, 1100 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 5:47 am, prowler, 500 block of Bessie Street.

• 8:15 am, 45 year old female transported to Coos County jail on two warrants, 700 block of S Empire Blvd.

• 11:09 am, 48 year old male transported to Coos County jail for forgery I, issuing bad check and theft II, 800 block of S 4th Street.

• 11:32 am, 33 year old female cited for driving while suspended, 2nd and Commercial.

• 12:22 pm, threats, Newmark and Wasson.

• 3:08 pm, 48 year old male transported to Coos County jail for forgery I, issuing a bad check and theft II, 200 block of S 5th Street.

• 3:09 pm, cows at large,

Southwest Boulevard and Idaho.

• 3:44 pm, theft of bicycle, 500 block of W Anderson Ave.

• 4:27 pm, vehicle window shot out, Fenwick Street and Holloway.

• 5:07 pm, assault, 1700 block of Thompson Road.

• 5:11 pm, dispute, 900 block of N 9th Street.

Coquille

• 9:22 am, theft, N Baxter St.

• 7:15 pm, unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 1100 block of N Baxter Street.

• 9:40 pm, civil problem, 1200 block of Shelley Road.

Reedsport

• 10:16 am, animal problem, McDonald’s.

• 1:01 pm, theft, Reedsport Post Office.

• 4:06 pm, DUI, McKay’s Friday 03/03:

North Bend

• 2:35 am, disorderly conduct, 1600 block of Monroe Street.

• 7:27 am, juvenile problem, 1300 block of Bayview Street.

• 11:41 pm, dispute, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 1:41 pm, dispute, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 2:45 pm, dispute, 2500 block of 11th Avenue.

• 3:22 pm, fraud, 2100 block of Union.

• 3:49 pm, civil problem, 3400 block of Pine.

• 4:09 pm, disorderly conduct, 2200 block of Newmark St.

• 4:36 pm, theft, 1800 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 6:29 pm, dog at large, 3700 block of Pacific Street.

• 9:06 pm, prowler, Broadway and 11th.

• 10:30 pm, 43 year old male transported to Coos County jail for resisting arrest, 200 block of S Wall Street.

• 11:00 pm, disorderly conduct, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue.

Coos Bay

• 1:41 am, 23 year old female transported to Coos County jail for criminal trespass II, 1200 block of Newmark Ave.

• 3:17 am, loud music, 10th and E.

• 7:16 am, theft, 200 block of E Johnson Avenue.

• 10:16 am, Hillsboro Police served 48 year old subject on Coos Bay Police warrant, 200 block of SE 10th Ave.

• 12:49 pm, runaway juvenile, 200 block of S Cammann St.

• 1:39 pm, 31 year old male transported to Coos County jail for ID theft, fraudulent use of credit card – felony and computer fraud, 1700 block of Newmark Street.

• 2:40 pm, theft, 100 block of S 7th Street.

• 3:05 pm, criminal mischief, N 10th Street and W Commercial Avenue.

• 4:03 pm, shoplifter, 1000 block of S 1st Street.

• 4:52 pm, 41 year old male cited for driving while suspended, Newmark and Cammann.

• 6:51 pm, civil problem, 900 block of Ocean Boulevard.

• 8:12 pm, cow at large, 2300 block of Ocean Boulevard.

• 9:13 pm, 29 year old male transported to Coos County jail on three warrants/35 year old female cited result of traffic stop, S 2nd Street and Ingersoll Avenue.

• 10:07 pm, 23 year old female transported to Coos County jail for criminal trespass I and theft II, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 10:30 pm, 43 year old

male arrested for menacing, domestic harassment and resisting arrest, 200 block of S Wall Street.

• 10:07 pm, 22 year old

female cited for criminal trespass II, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue

Coquille

• 9:23 am, fraud, 300 block of E 1st Street.

• 12:05 pm, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, 1200 block of N Baxter Street.

Reedsport

• 1:16 pm, harassment, 2200 block of Arthur Drive.

Saturday 03/04:

North Bend

• 4:15 am, 39 year old male transported to Coos County jail for theft III and criminal mischief III, 3200 block of Tremont Avenue.

• 9:41 am, 31 year old male transported to Coos County jail on two warrants, 1800 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 1:32 pm, disorderly conduct, 1800 block of Virginia Ave.

• 2:50 pm, dispute, 2200 block of Pony Creek Road.

• 9:03 pm, disorderly conduct, Sherman and Florida.

Coos Bay

• 4:15 am, theft of items, Cape Arago.

• 9:296 am, theft of checks, 1000 block of Plymouth Ave.

• 9:57 am, 31 year old male transported to Coos County jail on two warrants, 800 block of California Avenue.

• 10:02 am, assault, 700 block of S Broadway Street.

• 11:05 am, dog at large, 1400 block of N Bayshore Dr.

• 12:55 pm, 57 year old male served on warrant, 400 block of 5th Street.

• 1:03 pm, animal at large, 100 block of Norman Ave.

• 4:20 pm, 34 year old male transported to Coos County jail on criminal trespass II, 1000 block of S 1st Street.

• 4:32 pm, graffiti calls, 200 block of W Central Avenue.

• 6:48 pm, shoplifter, Fred Meyer.

• 6:53 pm, 45 year old male cited for DUII and reckless endangering, Central and 8th.

• 7:08 pm, runaway juvenile, 1800 block of Thomas Ave.

• 7:58 pm, dispute, 200 block of S Schoneman Street.

• 11:44 pm, Winston Police served 44 year old female served on two North Bend Police warrants and two Coos Bay Police warrants, 100 block of Rose Street.

Coquille

• 12:45 am, 61 year old male cited for driving while suspended, 100 block of E

1st St.

• 4:47 pm, violation of restraining order, 1200 block of N Dean Street.

• 11:05 pm, criminal mischief, 200 block of N Gould Street.

Reedsport

• 12:29 pm, disturbance, 900 block of Greenwood Avenue.

• 10:06 pm, DUI, 100 block of Riverfront Way.

Sunday 02/26:

North Bend

• 5:45 am, disturbance, 2100 block of McPherson Avenue.

• 7:14 am, dispute, 2100 block of McPherson Avenue.

• 8:30 am, disorderly conduct, 1600 block of Virginia Ave.

• 9:49 am, unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 1700 block of Sheridan Avenue.

• 1:45 pm, juvenile problem, Sherman and Michigan.

• 2:04 pm, violation of restraining order, 2000 block of Marion Avenue.

• 4:02 pm, dog bite, 1600 block of McPherson.

• 4:06 pm, disorderly conduct, Grant Circle.

• 6:37 pm, threats, 3000 block of Broadway Avenue.

Coos Bay

• 11:25 am, theft, 300 block of N Marple Street.

• 12:51 pm, criminal mischief, 800 block of S Broadway St.

• 1:18 pm, theft, Newmark and main entry way.

• 2:30 pm, 24 year old female cited result of traffic stop, Newmark and Oak.

• 2:38 pm, 64 year old male cited result of traffic stop, Newmark and Broadway.

• 2:49 pm, 43 year old male cited for driving while suspended, Newmark and Broadway.

• 4:10 pm, theft, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 4:40 pm, located runaway, 200 block of S Schoneman St.

• 5:35 pm, criminal mischief, 900 block of Newmark Ave.

• 6:11 pm, juvenile problem, 400 block of S Wall Street.

• 6:15 pm, phone harassment, 300 block of S Wall Street.

• 7:35 pm, dispute, 1400 block of Newmark Avenue.

Coquille

• 6:44 am, unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 1000 block of N Dean Street.

• 1:41 pm, phone harassment, 300 block of E 1st Street.

Bandon Police Blotter

Monday 02/27:

• 4:04 pm, theft, 1300 block of Oregon Avenue SE.

• 9:53 pm, noise complaint, 300 block of Highway 101.

Tuesday 02/28:

• 5:09 am, intoxicated subject, 1300 block of Oregon Avenue SE.

• 11:34 am, violation of restraining order, 50300 block of Highway 101.

• 4:32 pm, intoxicated subject, 1200 block of Oregon Avenue SE.

• 5:31 pm, shoplifter, 9th Street SW.

Thursday 03/02:

• 8:39 am, theft, 55300 block of Rosa Road.

• 11:45 am, disturbance,

Michigan Avenue NE.

• 1:12 pm, criminal mischief, 1100 block of Beach Loop Drive SW.

• 3:46 pm, criminal mischief, 1100 block of Beach Loop Drive SW.

• 3:49 pm, missing person, 300 block of 9th Street SW.

Friday 03/03:

• 10:53 am, DUII, Rosa Road and Windhurst Lane.

• 1:55 pm, located missing person, 500 block of Highway 101.

• 3:04 pm, juvenile problem, 300 block of 9th Street SW.

• 11:37 pm, disorderly conduct, 1100 block of 2nd Street SE.

Sunday 03/04:

• 12:24 pm, civil problem, Division Avenue NE

The police blotter is a public record of incidents as reported by law-enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty. The information printed is preliminary and subject to change.

Bandon Dunes adding another par-3 course

BANDON — Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is getting another golf course. The resort announced on Tuesday the addition of another par-3 course, located south of the Bandon Preserve short course and west of Bandon Trails, one of the resort’s five 18-hole courses.

In an announcement on the resort’s website for the new short course, which doesn’t yet have a name and doesn’t have a scheduled timeline for opening, resort owner Mike Keiser praised the property.

“Words don’t really do the site justice,” Keiser said. “It has so much potential.”

It is being built by the firm Whitman, Axland & Cutten Golf Course Architects. WAC includes Rod Whitman, Dave Axland and Keith Cutten, who all have worked extensively with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the famed architect duo who built Bandon Preserve, Bandon Trails and Sheep Ranch at

The season ended for the Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s basketball team Sunday when the Lakers fell to Columbia Basin 81-70 in the quarterfinals of the NWAC tournament.

Columbia Basin led 39-31 at the half and the Lakers

the resort. It will share a couple of traits with its neighbor Bandon Preserve.

First, it goes against the mold for traditional number of holes. While Bandon Preserve has 13 holes, the new course will have 19.

“We were charged with finding up to 14 holes over outstanding and rumpled dunes,” Axland said. “Our first routing resulted in a 12-hole layout. However, after follow up conversations, we decided to try for more holes, on even more dynamic land, to the south. Interestingly, we ended up with 19 holes purely by accident. We believe these holes to be the best the site has to offer.”

The second similarity to Bandon Preserve is that the new course also will benefit the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, with all net proceeds helping fund the resort’s grant-making department, which supports conservation, community and economic projects on the South Coast.

Construction of the new course

starts soon and the architects share Keiser’s praise for the site.

“It is a privilege to work on a pure links site,” Whitman said. “It is the perfect setting for the style of course we hope to build.”

“This will be fun,” Cutten added. “Fun to build and fun to play. What an honor to work for the Keisers on a piece of ground so ideal for golf.

Keiser is confident the design team will “untap the land’s inspiring features with a unique routing unlike any of the other golf experiences on property,” according to the website.

Axland has worked with Coore and Crenshaw for more than 20 years and was a key shaper on the famed Sand Hills Golf Club course in Nebraska, as well as on Bandon Preserve.

Whitman also has worked with Coore and Crenshaw many times over the years and was the designer for the famed Cabot Links course in Nova Scotia, Canada, the first course

in the Cabot Cape Breton Resort that is part of the Dream Golf family along with Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley in Wisconsin.

That project was the first time Whitman, Axland and Cutten all worked together on a project.

Whitman and Axland also worked as shapers when Coore and Crenshaw built Cabot Cliffs at Cabot Cape Breton and Cutten completed the bunkers on the course.

Whitman and Axland designed The Nest, a 10-hole short course at Cabot Cape Breton, and Cutten was the project manager and lead shaper.

The trio officially incorporated their design firm in 2020.

The routing for the new course at Bandon Dunes is included on the resort’s website. While all the holes are par-3 holes, they will have several tee boxes to cater to golfers of all abilities.

SWOCC loses in NWAC elite eight

weren’t able to make up the deficit.

Logan Prince led the Lakers with a fantastic shooting night off the bench, scoring 22 points on 8-for-9 shooting overall, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

Cody Nixon also had four 3-pointers and scored

14 points while Onwaja Thomas had 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Ta’Veus Randle had 29 points for Columbia Basin, including hitting six 3-pointers.

Columbia Basin will face Bellevue in the final four this weekend after Bellevue beat

Garcia-Silver to run for BYU

Marshfield distance running ace Alex GarciaSilver will get to follow his dream.

Garcia-Silver signed a letter of intent Tuesday to compete in track and field and cross country for Brigham Young University in Utah.

Even back in his middle school days, long before he

won two state cross country titles for Marshfield, Garcia-Silver often wore BYU sweat shirts and gear. His past few years have been filled with success, including winning the Class 4A state meet for cross country the past two falls and placing second in both the 1,500 and 3,000 meters at last year’s state track

meet. He also won the 3,000 meters for Colombia (he has dual citizenship) in the South American 18-andunder championships his junior year. Now Garcia-Silver is hoping to win a state track title for Marshfield during the new season, which has just started.

Tacoma 94-79. The other final four matchup features NWAC South Region champion Clackamas facing Everett. Clackamas is the only region champ to advance to the final four. Everett and Bellevue were part of a three-way tie for second

There will be two shared greens, a concept used on the third and 16th holes at Sheep Ranch and the fifth and 10th holes at the resort’s Old Macdonald course, as well as at the famed St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland. The sixth and 18th holes will share a green on the new course, as will the ninth and 13th holes.

“This will not be a simple pitchand-putt,” Cutten said on the design firm’s website. “All 19 par-3 holes will be of a quality to match the rest of the superlative offerings at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. However, multiple teeing areas will ensure that golfers of all abilities will have fun.

“There are more than 16 acres of connected turf, highlighting incredible natural and shaped ground contours, which will add to the interest of this design.”

The site is filled with rolling dunes and scattered shore pines. Soon it will have the newest golf course at the resort.

in the North Region and Columbia Basin tied for third in the East Region.

The Lakers tied for second in the South Region.

In the women’s tournament, South Region champion Lane faces Peninsula in one semifinal and Green River meets Columbia Basin

in the other. Lane beat North Idaho 58-42 in the elite eight. Green River knocked out Clackamas 83-79 in the elite eight and Columbia Basin beat Umpqua 70-65. Peninsula beat Linn-Benton, the fourth team from the South Region, 79-76 in the first round of the tournament.

Hutton places ninth in NCAA meet

Bandon graduate Hunter Hutton placed ninth in the mile for Western Oregon at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Virginia on Saturday.

Hutton finished the tight race in 4 minutes, 10.20 seconds.

All nine finishers were separated by just 3.03 seconds and the fifth to ninth runners

all finished within a second of each other.

Hutton qualified for the finals with a time of 4:08.29 in the preliminaries, finishing with the seventh-best time.

Earlier in the season, the junior moved up to No. 2 on Western Oregon’s all-time list in the mile with a time of 4:03.26.

The Wolves won their first

Great Northwest Athletic Conference indoor title since 2012. Hutton placed second in the mile at the conference meet with a time of 4:09.11. He also was third in the 3,000 in 8:27.23.

Freshman Holly Hutton, Hunter’s younger sister, placed sixth in the mile for Western Oregon at the conference meet in 5:09.58.

Successful 20th Annual Women’s Health Day Focuses on Life Changes

BANDON – The Southern Coos Health Foundation’s 20th Annual Women’s Health Day event on Feb. 25 drew over 100 attendees to discuss and celebrate issues of importance to women.

The event, held at both the Sprague Theater and Bandon Community Center, was the first one held in-person since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The topic this year was “Mindfully Navigating Life Changes.” The keynote speaker was Gillian Ehrlich, ARNP, DNP, who practices conventional, functional and ayurvedic medicine at NeuroVeda Health in Seattle, Wash.

Other speakers included Dr. Ann Kellogg, DO, MSW, Chief Medical Officer of Coast Community Health Center, who spoke about “Mastering Menopause’; Morning Star Holmes, a Transitional Life Coach and Family Consultant and founder of Transitional Wisdom Inc., whose

talk was focused on the stories of our lives and included sharing among participants; and Sandra Woodside, a retired Community College sociology teacher whose talk focused on “Managing Change Through Mindfulness.”

The healthcare panel comprised Dr. Paul Preslar, DO, from Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center; Dr. John Cotrufo, retired psychiatrist; Johanna Shindler, Certified Health Coach from Coast Community Health Center; and Heather MacLean, FNP, CNM, from North Bend Medical Center. Questions from the audience were posed to the panel, who each had a turn at answering.

In addition to the speakers, attendees were treated to a delicious grab-and-go breakfast and boxed lunch, as well as special swag specific to the 20th anniversary of Women’s Health Day. Several vendors were set up in the lobby of the

Community Center and gift baskets were also offered in a raffle.

The inclement weather, including ice and snow in some areas, did prevent some from attending, but those who braved the elements were glad they did.

One of those was Kristin Hoefer Kazaar, co-owner of Black Market Gourmet of Coos Bay.

“Just wanted to reach out and let you know how much we enjoyed the Women's Health Day,” Kazaar wrote in an email following the event. “I have wanted to attend in the past and typically have had a conflict. The topics were relevant to what is happening in my life.

Lunch was great and appreciate the attention to dietary proclivities. I look forward to the 21st Women's Health Day! Thank you to you and all those involved in the production and success of this event.”

they were pleased to be a part of it and that they gained valuable information.

Women’s Health Day presenters also were excited to be a part of the event.

“I had a marvelous time at the very valuable health day presentation,” said panelist Dr. Cotrufo.

“Even on the panel I was happy to meet the other panelists and to hear their answers and comments. I gladly attended and participated with a full sense of the value of what I learned and the rich connections that I enjoyed with many others in attendance,” Cotrufo added.

times a year. To learn more about 100 Strong Bandon, visit https:// bandon.com/100-strong/.

Other sponsors included Roger Straus, in memory of Anita Straus; Bain Insurance Agency; Coast Community Health Center; Scott McEachern; AirMedCare; Advanced Health; and Sharen Strong, DMD.

“We planned a special day for our 20th anniversary of Women’s Health Day and are pleased with how the event turned out,” said Scott McEachern, CIO of Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center and Executive Director of the Southern Coos Health Foundation. “We’ll be back again in February 2024 with another great event to enrich the lives of women in the community.”

Wolves

From A5

But options exist for ranchers to safeguard their livestock. Old-fashioned riding the range to drive off wolf packs, cleaning up carcasses so they don’t attract wolves, penning up livestock at night, installing scare devices, and using guard

dogs are all deterrents that can work.

Unfortunately, data from the United States Department of Agriculture suggest that few livestock owners use these effective, non-lethal mitigation measures.

But many livestock producers across the west — in southern Alberta, the Big Wood River Drainage of Idaho, the Tom Miner Basin and Blackfoot Valley of Montana

Many others complimented organizers during the event, saying

Women's Health Day could not have been possible without its generous sponsors, including main event sponsor 100 Strong Bandon, a woman’s giving group that supports nonprofit organizations by choosing and gifting to a local charity four

and elsewhere — do use a variety of these deterrents, which make it possible for their herds to live alongside both wolves and grizzly bears.

To its credit, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has produced a resource guide for livestock producers.

To do an even better job as wolves integrate into western Colorado, the state must improve the way it investigates

livestock deaths.

These investigations must be timely and transparent — as in other Western states such as Washington — and without scapegoating. The Colorado legislature could do its part, too, by providing funding for a trained, rapid-response team that would immediately investigate livestock injuries and deaths.

According to Niemeyer, authorities must respond as

if they were investigating a crime scene — checking out dead livestock within 24 hours to prevent losing evidence from tissue decomposition or scavengers.

Only when a cause is determined, based on evidence, should information be made public. If wolf recovery is going to be successful for both wolves and people, everyone involved — livestock producers, wolf advocates,

agencies — must work together. What happened in Meeker has been a valuable lesson in what not to do.

To watch videos of this year’s speakers, visit the Southern Coos Hospital Facebook page. Videos of the event will also be coming soon to the hospital’s YouTube channel. course, economically painful and time consuming.

Story Warren is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange. org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is a program manager in wildlife protection for the Humane Society of the United States.

Contributed photos

More than 100 people attended the Southern Coos Health Foundation’s 20th annual Women’s Health Day event on February 25.

Furry Friends Therapy Dogs have returned to Southern Coos Hospital, bringing comfort and joy

Furry Friends Bring Comfort to Patients at Southern Coos Hospital

BANDON – “Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.” - Thom Jones.

Furry Friends Therapy Dogs are once again visiting patients at Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center, much to the delight of patients and staff alike.

Bandon residents Rose Anne Gates and Jeannie Scholl are bringing their canine companions, Queen, a Queensland healer (also known as an Australian cattle dog), and Beaux, a standard poodle, once a month to visit patients at the hospital.

Furry Friends made regular visits to SCHHC prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and now have begun their rounds once again, not only to hospitals, but also to local longterm care and assisted living facilities.

SCHHC CEO Ray Hino is pleased the program is underway again. At a CEO Meet and Greet in the community, Hino met one of Gates’ neighbors who asked about Furry Friends. From there, Hino learned more and reached out and invited the organization back into the hospital.

Hino sees the positive impact the dogs have not only for patients, but for the staff as well.

“We’re just so grateful they are here and bringing this wonderful program to Southern Coos,” Hino said.

“Ray has been so nice and supportive and just happy to have us,” Gates said. Gates and Scholl only take the dogs into rooms where the patient has requested a canine visit. The dogs interact with the patient, even sometimes climbing on their bed for snuggles. In return, the dogs get lots of petting and hugs.

All Furry Friends Therapy dogs must be outgoing and comfortable around people. They also much pass a Canine Good Citizen class before interacting with the public.

According to Gates, there are three Furry Friends teams in Bandon. Her pup Queen, who she has had since he was a puppy and is now 3, has learned how to be a therapy dog in the past year. Gates is former owner of Begin Agains consignment shop in the Bandon Shopping Center. Prior to that, she worked as a baker at Raley’s in Sacramento for 25 years.

She enjoys bringing Queen into the hospital and the feedback she gets from patients.

“It’s just such a joy to be working with these dogs,” she said. I think it’s the way the patients and staff respond. It gives them a lift and I really think they all need it.”

Scholl has had Beaux since he was 4 months old. He’s now 9.

“You really have to wait until they are 2 or 3 years old, until they settle down,” Scholl said of the therapy dogs. It’s work for them

and for us. You have to watch the dog and notice whether it’s getting stressed or tired.”

Scholl said after the visits, the dogs are ready to sleep for a few hours.

“But they love it, they really do,” Scholl said. “They love people.”

Scholl, a retired RN, is a former Southern Coos Hospital employee who worked at Ocean View Care Center before it was sold and torn down.

The Furry Friends Therapy dogs has chapters all over the United States. The

one in Coos County is located in Coos Bay and provides insurance and support for its volunteers throughout the county.

Gates and Scholl also take Queen and Beaux to visit Still Water Senior Living and Pacific View Senior Living Community in Bandon.

“It’s just a really good program,” Gates said. “We’re so glad to come here.”

For more information, visit https:// furryfriendstherapydogs.org/ or on Facebook: Coos Bay Furry Friends Therapy Dogs, Inc.

The Chamber Minute: Wednesday Business Connection

Have you been to the Wednesday Business Connection lately? Well chances are some of your friends have, since 207 of you participated in our four sessions in February. We had a good mix of variety at WBC with the annual presentation of Arin Carmack from Cardinal Services, Marie Simonds on the work of the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, Stephanie Kilmer on our commercial airport operations and the latest information on the Elliott State Research Forest proposal. March has continued our variety of information with Brian Moore, CEO, of Bay Area Hospital sharing their challenges with service operations and Michael Gordon, CPA, alerting business to a significant issue impacting you. In the remainder of March you will hear an update on the containerized cargo project planned for the North Spit of Coos Bay, followed with insights about the Small Business Development Center at the College and how it can help your business and finally the Coquille Tribe will share the latest status of their work, with ODFW, on saving and

promoting the salmon population in the Coquille River system.

WBC offers you the chance (September through May) to network with others, promote your business or event with the weekly open mic, while keeping current on issues that impact your operations and Oregon’s Bay Area, through our main presentation.

April and May will have great line ups to finish our WBC season. May is sponsored by the Coos Bay North Bend Charleston Visitor and Convention Bureau. Their highlight will be a focus, at WBC on May 10th, on the state of tourism in southwestern Oregon with many of our coastal tourism promotional teams involved . Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, will be the keynote speaker.

The mission of the WBC is to provide an opportunity for businesses to network with each other, market products and services and expand their knowledge of the Bay Area business climate. WBC often highlights the many issues and opportunities Chamber members are actively working to make Oregon’s Bay

Timm Slater

Area a better place to live and do business. Come see how you can get involved!

What a great informational and networking resource for you. That’s the Wednesday Business Connection (WBC), every Wednesday from 11:30 to 1:00 pm in the Salmon Room at the Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, remember Our Business is helping your Business. And like us on Facebook.

Dear Abby Abigail Van Buren

Dear Abby: — TAKEN ABACK IN NEW YORK

DEAR TAKEN

try to remain neutral in these situations because I love my girls equally. The older one is hurt and angry and has every right to feel that way. She doesn't want to even look at her sister at this point, and I completely understand. (By the way, this has nothing to do with a man; both are happily married.) The younger one is embarrassed and ashamed and doesn't want to face her sister right now. Again, I understand. On holidays and special occasions, I always cook a huge meal, and the girls come to my house. How do I handle this? I refuse to cook separate dinners or choose

Dear Abby: — CHALLENGED MOM IN TENNESSEE

DEAR MOM: