W060322

Page 1

Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878

Honoring all veterans

Back in action

Scouts, volunteers place flags, A5

Swimmers return to the pool, A8

RAIN 47 • 35 | FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022 | theworldlink.com |

$2

Waterfall forms co-op to expand mental health services By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Just one day after Bay Area Hospital announced it was closing its behavioral health department, Waterfall Community Health Center said it was working to meet the growing need for mental health counseling in the community. Lance Nelson, chief innova-

tion office with Waterfall, said Waterfall was working to create a mental health cooperative model in an effort to coordinate care and hopefully bring new providers to the community. Nelson said the announcement was not a direct result of Bay Area Hospital’s decision, but when the hospital made its announcement, Waterfall sped

up plans to unite mental health providers in the community. “Although Waterfall has always been in the business of searching for ways to provide better mental health care for Coos County, recent decisions impacting the delivery of mental health services in our area of service have solidified our resolve to do more,” Nelson said.

Waterfall is bringing on Dr. Robert Gerber, the current medical director of Bay Area Hospital’s Acute Psychiatric Unit. Gerber will be transitioning to become the full-time psychiatry program manager at Waterfall, and his No. 1 priority will be to bring more psychiatric providers into the co-op. “We had offered him a part-

time contract two weeks ago,” Nelson said. “He didn’t learn about this until about two hours before the rest of us.” Nelson said when Gerber informed Waterfall that he would be available full-time, they quickly changed plans, hiring Gerber to lead the co-op effort. Please see Waterfall Page A3

Service honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World

Top: A group of veterans offers a gun salute during a Memorial Day service at Ocean View Memory Gardens. Right: Veterans hold American flags during a Memorial Day service Monday. Below: Travis Bainum, president of Fishing Veterans of America, places a wreath during a Memorial Day service.

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

During A Memorial Day ceremony at Ocean View Memory Gardens, Mike Huffman Jr. made it a point to remember the most recent men and women who gave their all while serving the United States. “The 13 U.S. service members who died last year in Afghanistan will not be the last to make such a sacrifice,” Huffman said. Huffman, the exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge, then read the 13 names and gave information about each person who died while the U.S. was trying to evacuate U.S. residents and Afghanis who assisted during the 20-year conflict. • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Tex. • Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, of Roseville, Calif. • Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31, of Utah • Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn. • Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Calif. • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee

McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyo. • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Calif. • Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, of Omaha • Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25, Lawrence, Mass. • Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, Logansport, Ind. • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Mo. • Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio “Their mission was noble,” Huffman said. “Not only are the diverse men and women forever in our hearts, for those who knew them, they are forever young.” Huffman said the 13 service members in Afghanistan were a sobering reminder of the meaning of Memorial Day, a time set aside to remember and honor those who have their lives for the United States. “From the American Revolution to the Global War on Terror, more than 1 million Americans made the ultimate sacrifice,”

Huffman said. “This is why we are gathered here today. We are also remembering the young men and women who continue to step up to serve and, if needed, die for our country." Huffman was joined by dozens of veterans representing different service organizations in the area. Dozens of U.S. flags were proudly held and a team gave a proper military gun salute before a lone bugler played Taps in honor of those lost. Huffman said for those still around, the mission is ongoing. “We must share the legacy and tell the story of the men and women who aren’t here,” He said. “There are many things we can do to care of the heroes, the first and foremost is to take care of their loved ones.” Huffman said Memorial Day remains a somber day for many, even as others celebrate the beginning of summer. “Memorial Day is not about picnics or parades,” he said. “Memorial Day is about gratitude and remembrance. It is to remember those who made our

The council was scheduled to learn about the results of the study during executive session. Later in the meeting, City Administrator David Milliron said due to the findings, the city could not even remove a fallen tree from a trail without the Tribe’s permission. “Obviously, you’re going to hear in executive session the archaeological study results, and that may frustrate folks,” Milliron said. “They are confidential. We cannot share them, and folks cannot see them. It’s not a choice we have. We cannot even address a tree until we have an agreement in place for the Tribe.” The council also learned about progress being made on some of

the goals the council set in 2021. The two-year set of goals gives city staff a priority of things to work on. The goals are revamped every two years based on the new council’s plans. The first goal the council set was to Identify and secure additional revenues for the long-term sustainability of the city. It then set several specific strategies for the staff to prioritize. Milliron went issue by issue to let the council know what has been done, is being done and is planned for each council strategy6. Create citywide capital improvement plan

way of life possible.” Huffman closed the ceremony with a quote from Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

Archaeological study halts any work at Ferry Road By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

An archeological study of Ferry Road Park has been completed, but the results will never be released to the public. North Bend Public Works Director Ralph Dunham told the city council the results are required to remain confidential. While Dunham did not release details, he implied that archaeologically sensitive sites were found in the park. “We are wishing to open a dialogue with the Confederated Tribe about some of the issues where archaeological permits need to met that make it difficult to operate regular business,” Dunham said.

Please see Parks, Page A3

Photo gallery: Washed Ashore finds new home

OPINION A4 WESTERN WORLD A6

AT THEWORLDLINK.COM

CLASSIFIEDS A9

Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 • A Country Media Newspaper • Copyright 2022

Follow us online:

Photo by John Gunther/For The World

Volunteer Lauri Thomas rakes new chips on the nature trail at Ferry Road Park. Such work has been stopped after an archeological study was completed at the park.

SPORTS A8 CALENDAR B2 OBITS A5

facebook.com/theworldnewspaper

twitter.com/TheWorldLink

instagram.com/theworldlink


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.