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Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878

NB honors bowling team Announces free summer camps, A12

MOSTLY SUNNY 63 • 54 FORECAST A12  |  TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2021  |  theworldlink.com  | $2

‘Devastating lack of affordable housing’ Merkley introduces bill to tackle lack of housing in Oregon By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

A “devastating lack of affordable housing” is something that can no longer be ignored, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said Tuesday

as he announced he was unveiling the Affordable Home Act in the Senate. Merkley said housing is something he hears about constantly and is something that must be addressed now.

“Every single town hall I hold, every single meet and greet with elected officials, housing comes up,” Merkley said. “It’s a challenge in rural areas, suburban areas, everywhere. Every Oregonian, every American, should be

able to afford a decent home in a decent community.” Merkley said housing is something that every person needs, adding a stable home is a goal for every American. “Housing is so much more

than a building or a bed,” Merkley said. “Stable, affordable housing is a foundation for thriving families and thriving communities. Study after study Please see Housing, Page A2

Laughter returns to North Bend pool Two more COVID deaths reported

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

After 15 months of silence, the shrieks of joy returned to the North Bend Municipal Pool on Thursday after the pool finally reopened. North Bend hosted a reopening ribbon cutting ceremony, and the North Bend Fire Department gave out free fire dogs, chips and drinks to the community. But those who gathered an hour before the pool opened came for one reason only, to get back in the water. Like many businesses in the community, the North Bend Pool closed its doors in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What was intended to be a short closure, stretched to 15 months, with many speculating the pool would never reopen due to budget concerns. But in May, North Bend voters approved a tax levy to fund pool operations for five years, and

Virtually all COVID restrictions have been lifted in Oregon, but the last week was a stark reminder that the pandemic is not over for everyone. In the last week, two more Coos County residents died after contracting the virus. On Tuesday, Coos Health & Wellness announced the county’s 38th death was a man in his late 60s who had underlying conditions. The man tested positive June 24 and died two days later at Mercy Medical Center in Mt. Shasta. On Thursday, the county’s 39th death was revealed. One of the youngest victims, a 49-year-old woman died. She tested positive June 14 and died June 28 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Dr. Eric Gleason, assistant director of Coos Health & Wellness, said the two deaths are a stark reminder that more people need to get vaccinated quickly. “This is a preventable disease,” he said. “For the most part, if you get your vaccine, you’re in pretty good shape. The vast majority of cases, around 96 percent we’re seeing now, are from the unvaccinated.” Gleason said even with COVID restrictions lifted, it is important to remind people that the vaccines can save lives. “We need to make sure we’re still getting out there and getting the vaccine,” he said. “We need to do it so there’s not a resurgence in the

Please see Pool, Page A2

Please see Deaths, Page A3

Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World

Mayor Jessica Engelke and State Rep. Boomer Wright cut a ribbon to celebrate the grand reopening of the North Bend Pool. City leaders were joined by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce to officially welcome the community back to the pool. Below, minutes after the pool opened for the first time in 15 months, children were playing in the water.

After 15 months of silence, pool finally opens again By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Residents Marshfield Junior High nears completion move into homeless village By JILLIAN WARD For The World

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

For the last decade, Aaron Howley’s home has been on the streets, and it’s been more than a year since he’s slept in a bed. That all changed Thursday when Howley moved into the tiny home village hosted by The Nancy Devereaux Center. Please see Village, Page A3

COOS BAY ─ Construction on Coos Bay School District’s junior high is almost complete. After over a year of work, administration and teachers can start moving into Marshfield Junior High as soon as next month. “Construction is still on schedule,” said district Superintendent Bryan Trendell. “… Substantial completion’ (is) the first week of July, which is a time period where we’re allowed to start moving our things into the building.” Trendell said that work will still be done to “touch up items here and there” and then be finished by the end of July. According to Trendell, Please see Marshfield, Page A4

Photo by Jillian Ward/For The World

Construction at the new Marshfield Junior High is scheduled to be finished by the end of July.

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