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Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878

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Coos County drops to low risk as cases fall Doctor says worst of the pandemic is likely past, urges vaccinations By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

After being listed as one of the worst counties in the state for months in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coos County has made almost a complete turnaround.

Gov. Kate Brown's office announced Tuesday that Coos County will return to the low-risk tier for COVID, effective Wednesday. Over the last two weeks, Coos County has recorded 20 new COVID cases, a rate of 31.6 per 100,000 people. In Oregon, any county with a rate

lower than 50 per 100,000 people is considered low risk. "We're going to get an early slide down along with Lane County," said Dr. Eric Gleason, assistant director of Coos Health & Wellness. The state typically moves counties to new tiers the Friday after

changes are announced, but the governor's office decided to move Coos and Lane counties two days early. Gleason said Coos County has had 54.6 percent of its adult residents vaccinated. Across Oregon, more than 66 percent of people

Saying farewell after 26 years

have been vaccinated. Brown announced recently when the state reaches 70 percent of adults vaccinated, most COVID restrictions will be lifted. "All great news," Gleason said. Please see Low Risk, Page A3

Experienced manager chosen to lead Coquille By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Photo by David Rupkalvis/The World

For more than 26 years, John Klynman served the city of North Bend as a firefighter/engineer. He volunteered for three years and has spent the last 23 years as a fulltime firefighter. He worked his last shift Friday.

Klynman retires after serving North Bend as firefighter By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

After more than 26 years in his “fantasy job,” John Klynman said farewell to his family at the North Bend Fire Department for the last time Saturday. Klynman, an engineer at the department, concluded his final shift as dispatchers read these words.

“Attention North Bend. Paging North Bend Fire. We wish to thank and honor Engineer/Firefighter John Klynman for his 26 years of service with North Bend. We’re grateful and proud of your service and for having the pleasure of serving and working alongside you throughout the last 26 years. From all of us at the fire department and dispatch, enjoy your retirement.

Time out at 8:01. June 5, 2021.” And with that, Klynman stepped into retirement, with plans of spending more time with his wife and children. While leaving Saturday morning was not too difficult for Klynman, he admitted to mixed emotions. “Very surreal,” he said Friday in the middle of his final 24-hour shift. “I’m excited, but a little

nervous. It’s going to be a little difficult walking out.” Like many people, Klynman grew up dreaming of being a firefighter. “When you’re a little kid, they bring the fire truck and you see all the valves, and it was pretty cool,” he said. Please see Retires, Page A3

Local events to celebrate Pride Month By JILLIAN WARD For The World

SOUTH COAST ─ June is LGBTQIA Pride Month and communities along the South Coast are celebrating. “It’s important that our community has pride in it, especially a rural community,” said Jamar Ruff, a

member of the planning committee for Southern Oregon Coast Pride. According to Ruff, Southern Oregon Coast Pride has partnered up with Q&A of Coos County, a community-based group that supports LGBTQIA youth, for Pride Month and its five free events. Communities along the South Coast are invited to participate, with most

events available online. The first event was Thursday, June 3 and had a second part on June 8. These two events were what Ruff described as “Safe Zone Training.” The first event is Queer 101, while the second event is Queer 102. Ruff recalled a conversation regarding these upcoming trainings,

where someone asked if “using the word ‘queer’ is offensive.’” “I said, ‘the Safe Zone Training is a safe place to ask questions because you’re an ally but want to be mindful of what you’re saying and not want to offend anyone’,” Ruff said. “It creates a safe space Please see Pride, Page A4

Governor outlines plans to reopen Oregon JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media

Oregon could be fully reopened in two weeks if the state can maintain its current COVID-19 vaccination rate. That's the assessment from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown who outlined the state's plans to reopen during a Friday morning news briefing. As of June 1, 66.2% of Oregonians 18 years

old and older have been vaccinated. Brown earlier had set a 70% vaccination goal statewide to be met by the end of June. "Thanks to all of you we are getting close to fully reopening our economy and moving out of this chapter of the pandemic. We just need 127,000 Oregonians to take your shot for us to reopen in the next two weeks," Brown said. Brown said the vaccinations have led to a sharp decline in COVID-19 case counts and

hospitalizations. Reopening outline In Brown's outline of fully reopening Oregon, she said there would be no more capacity limits for businesses. Masks would largely no longer be required by the state with the exception of places that the federal government has outlined that are still necessary, such as Please see Reopen, Page A4

Photo gallery: Bandon honors those who gave their all Photo gallery: Finding perspective in the forest

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The Coquille City Council voted unanimously Monday to hire a new city manager. More than six months after the council released Sam Baugh as city manager, Mayor Sam Flaherty announced the council chose Forrest Neuerburg as its new leader. Neuerburg will be coming Forrest Neuerburg to Coquille from Monte Vista, Colorado, where he has served as city manager for the last 10 years. Flaherty said Neuerburg has a history of working in economic development, housing development, community development and urban renewal. "Several months ago, we entered into a search for a new city manager," Flaherty said. "We had numerous prospects." Flaherty said the council interviewed several candidates, saying the board unanimously supported hiring Neuerburg. Councilman Jay Westrum made a motion to hire Neuerburg and Councilman Jake Marshall seconded. The council enthusiastically voted in favor of the motion. "I'm very excited to have Forrest join us," Councilor Julie Nighswonger said. "He's going to be amazing for our city. We have interviewed him, and it's just been such a mutual agreement that we have all enjoyed him. He's going to do good things for the city." Westrum spoke directly to Neuerburg, who joined the meeting on the phone, while offering his support. "I have never seen a person interview so well," Westrum said. "Forrest, we can't see you, but I know you're sitting back there smiling ear to ear. You responses were spot on. I don't think a councilor dropped a question on you where you didn't have an immediate answer. I am so looking forward to having you come out here and be part of our city." Marshall also applauded the decision. "As far as I'm concerned, we have a five-star quarterback coming," he said. "I think he's going to be a perfect fit." Neuerburg said he was excited about the opportunity and was ready to get to know Coquille better.

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