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Deputies continue to search for missing man By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
The Coos County Sheriff's Office is continuing to search for an elderly man who disappeared from the Allegany area nearly two weeks ago. Capt. Gabriel Fabrizio said
sheriff's deputies have spent many hours searching for George L. Lagrou, who was last seen at mile post 7 on Weyerhauser Lane in Allegany shortly before noon July 7. Fabrizio said Lagrou is known to get rides from Allegany and frequent restaurants, bars and grocery stores.
Fabrizio said the sheriff's office has received several tips after first publicizing the missing person's case, but none of the tips have panned out. Family members of Lagrou have posted frequently to local media, asking anyone who might have seen him to let them know.
But despite the effort and many hours searching in the Allegany area, there have been no sighting and no clues as to where Lagrou might be. If you have seen Lagrou or know where he might be, call the Coos County Sheriff's Office at 541-396-7830.
DA: Officers justified in shooting murder suspect By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier announced Wednesday that the two officers involved in an officer-involved shooting in June that left a murder suspect dead have been cleared after an investigation by the Oregon State Police. Frasier said both officers, Detective Aaron Whittenburg of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Dan Henthorne with the Coos Bay Police Department were interviewed by Oregon State Police. OSP also interPhoto by David Rupkalvis/The World
Daisy Garduno rides a sheep during the mutton bustin competition at the Coos County Fair.
Coos County Fair kicks off next week By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
The Coos County Fair & Rodeo will return to Myrtle Point with five days of fun activities planned beginning Tuesday. The fair will include a variety of exciting and fun events ranging from youth livestock shows to days of carnival with everything in between. While the days are filled with contests and activities, the big crowds come to Myrtle Point at night. As the sun goes down each day, the activities really heat up. The annual rodeo runs Friday and Saturday, showcasing some of the best rodeo stars in the nation in events such as bull riding,
roping and barrel racing. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, country music will fill the fairgrounds. Josh Gracin will be on stage Tuesday, Mark Willis will take the stage Thursday and Colt Ford will headline the event Thursday. All three concerts begin at 7 p.m. Gracin grew up listening to country music before catapulting to fame while auditioning for American Idol. Gracin, who was an active duty Marine at the time, finished fourth in the second season. After finishing his military service, Gracin released his first album. He has had three top-5 singles. Willis has been a country star since 1996 and has had seven
singles reach the top 10 in the charts, including "19 Somethin," which reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. He has been releasing music and touring for decades. In 2019, Willis become the 218th member of the Grand Ole Opry. More of a newcomer to the industry, Ford has become one of the biggest names in country music with five consecutive top 10 debuts in the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. He has sold over 3 million albums with his unique country rap combination. His latest album, Keys to the Country, is very personal to him. “Listen to these tracks…you’ll know exactly who I am,” he said.
“Colt Ford is about God, family, friends, and America. I’m just a guy who loves life. I love people. I love knowing I could make a difference in somebody else’s life with a song. I hope you walk away with a smile on your face. I poured my heart and soul into this one. This ain’t a hobby. It’s life. The fans are the reason I’m here. I’m going to keep doing it for them. I feel like the luckiest man on planet earth, so I’m not stopping.” Tickets to the Coos County Fair cost $8 Tuesday and Wednesday and $10 from Thursday through Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online through the county fair website.
Orchestra season kicks off in Coos Bay
Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World
The Oregon Coast Music Association season kicked off last weekend as the Bay Area Concert Band hosted a free concert at Mingus Park. More than 100 spectators attended the concert as the local band, conducted by Stephen Simpkin’s, played a variety of music. To see what the OCMA has in store in the coming week, see Page A12
Please see SHOOTING, Page A3
County leans toward having voters weigh in on psilocybin By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Coos County commissioners are leaning toward asking voters whether to allow psilocybin to be manufactured in the county. During its regular meeting Tuesday, commissioners hosted a public hearing for Ordinance 2027, which would send the question of psilocybin manufacturing and licensing to the voters in November. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound in more than 200 species of fungi that is psychedelic, but also has many medical uses. Known by many as magic mushrooms, psilocybin is consumed and has hallucinogenic effects. It is also known to trigger changes in perception, mood and thought. Voters in Oregon approved the manufacture of psilocybin but gave counties the ability to option out. Voters in each county must approved the ability to option out. If passed by voters, the vote would only apply to the unincorporated areas of the county. During the public hearing, two members of the public spoke about the ordinance. Pam Lewis said she was concerned because psilocybin is a strong psychedelic. "I happened to do a tiny bit of research," Lewis said. "Psilocybin is a substance for, No. 1, in the medical category that is psychedelic and is the worst case to monitor. It is the most damaging to the brain and lasts for hours and hours." Rob Taylor also spoke out, saying the county should consider changing the rules related to many drugs. "My understanding has always been that psilocybin is not a particularly dangerous substance," Taylor said. "It's Please see PSILOCYBIN, Page A2
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