W112922

Taylor wins commissioner’s seat by 152 votes

By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

All of the votes have now been counted and it looks like Coos County will soon have a new commissioner.

In the final results from the November 8 election re leased by the Coos County clerk’s office, Rod Taylor received 14,483 votes, or 50.14%, to 14,331 votes, or 49.62% for incumbent Me lissa Cribbins. There were 70 write-in votes recorded in the Position 3 race.

The latest tally added 690 votes to the race, with Cribbins receiving 349 votes and Taylor 341, but Taylor maintained the lead he held after all the votes received by Election Day were counted.

The vote count will not become official until county commissioner’s canvas the election December 5, but with no more votes to count, it appears Taylor will win the seat.

No other local elections were still in limbo while

Downtown businesses damaged by fire

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Two downtown businesses were damaged when a blaze broke out the day after Thanksgiving, creating a difficult task for firefighters working to control the fire.

The Coos Bay Fire Department reported 9-1-1 calls reporting the fire in the 100 block of Anderson Avenue started shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday. The calls came as a large crowd was leaving the Christ mas tree lighting ceremony at the Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Police officers were the first to ar rive and they noticed smoke coming from Nail Polish Spa and Darrell’s Devil Food. The smoke was in a three-story building and along the strip on Anderson Avenue that holds close to a dozen businesses.

Police were able to block off An derson Avenue, and when firefight ers arrived minutes later, they found smoke coming from Nail Polish Spa and the windows at Darrell’s Devil Food were blacked out and hot to the touch, indicating an active blaze inside.

The battalion chief in charge of scene upgraded the call to a con firmed structure fire and called for backup from the North Bend Fire Department and Charleston Fire Department. Firefighters forced their way into Darrell’s Devil Food in an attempt to extinguish the blaze.

Initially, firefighters worked to keep the fire from spreading while waiting for backup to arrive. Inside the building, the firefighters ran into

waiting for the final count.

In the race for sheriff, Gabe Fabrizio easily won the contest to fill the seat being vacated by Sher iff Craig Zanni. Fabrizio received 19,223 votes, or 72.4%, while M.A. Kin naird picked up 7,199 votes, or 27.11%.

In North Bend, Mayor Jessica Engelke earned her second term as mayor, while Jenny Jones, Barbara Schultz and Larry Garboden were elected to the city council.

In Lakeside, Alan G. Pointer, Sara Coats and Ali cia Douglas were elected to the city council, and Sherry Kinsey was elected mayor.

In Powers, Robert Kohn was chosen as mayor while Kathy Rector, James C. Adamek and Bill Holland were elected to the city council.

Coos Bay, Bandon and Myrtle Point also had mu nicipal elections, but there were no contested races.

Voters in Coos County also rejected a jail funding

levy, with 16,542 voters casting ballots against the levy and 13,303 voting in favor.

Voters in the county, Coos Bay, North Bend, Bandon, Coquille, Lakeside and Myrtle Point all voted to prohibit the manufacture and sale of psilocybin.

Voters in Bandon did vote to allow the city to set system development charges, and voters in Lakeside approved a mea sure to allow ATV route access.

ROD TAYLOR

It’s Christmas time in the city

Council looks at raising fees to fund fire inspector

By JULIE AKINS For The World

The city of Coos Bay gave the go ahead for its fire chief to continue exploring the concept of raising business fees and also fees to rental properties to fund a fire inspector.

The plan, as discussed in Tuesday’s Coos Bay City Council meeting called for removing the city’s complex sliding scale based on the number of employees at businesses and the number of rental units owned by an owner to a fixed fee per business and housing rental unit.

Currently, businesses with fewer than 11 employees will realize a slight increase to a $100 fixed fee.

For businesses with 11 or greater number of workers, the fee will represent a break even point and

for bigger businesses there may be a cost savings.

For rental units, the sliding scale is even more complex based on the number of housing units the owner acquires. The current scale begins at just over $15 per unit and moves up to $16.75 per residence owned. The recommendation was to change this to a flat fee of $25 to offset the cost of inspections on residential units and to ensure their safety.

“It’s cheaper to prevent than to respond,” said Fire Chief Mark Anderson of the need for regular inspections.

Councilors expressed some concerns that landlords might pass those costs along to tenants, many of whom are already finding themselves rent burdened or priced out of the market.

Anderson responded, “Many of

the units are not allowed to raise fees except incrementally under state law, but even those who can, it would only be an additional two dollars per month. The point is to make sure that housing is inspected regularly and safe.”

Anderson went on to say that his team is looking to use the revenue to hire a fire inspector but they’d also like to create a position that can respond to complaints of tenants who are in substandard housing. Currently, they have no resources to do that.

Councilors suggested as part of his research, they’d like to see a conversation with the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association and other groups which represent businesses for their input. Mayor Joe Bonetti also asked for input from rental associations and property managers.

Councilor Carmen Matthews stated that as a business owner, he doesn’t find the new flat fee expensive.

“I’ve always thought it was exceptionally low. This is how we can ensure public safety which is our number one priority.”

The council approved Chief Anderson to continue looking into the idea. He promised to bring it back to the council in December.

The Coos Bay City Council also heard a presentation regarding the 10-year plan for city parks and cultural facilities.

They were asked if they wished to follow the priorities of public parks as expressed in a survey or if they preferred a different priorities plan. The council recognized that the top three amenities of Mingus Park, the Boardwalk and John Topits would remain important

but would not necessarily follow improvement priorities because it’s unknown how that might change.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where improvements need to happen first,” the mayor acknowledged. “The priorities today may be different in ten years.”

They also discussed parsing out the properties the city owns versus the museums and amenities that are maintained by others. They wanted to make sure to have language that says the city supports organizations tasked with using and maintaining them but not to assume the city would be in the business of seeking grants or maintaining buildings leased to other entities.

The council urged its staff to continue taking input on the plan and bring it back for the council to consider in December as well.

Photos by David Rupkalvis/For The World

The Christmas season officially kicked off in Coos Bay on Friday when Santa Claus traveled to the city to greet children and help light the city’s Christmas tree downtown. Above, Santa and Coos Bay Councilor Carmen Matthews are all smiles after lighting the tree. Right, Santa hugs a child before the tree lighting ceremony. Below, Santa greets a family.

One of the most unique and by far the largest holiday light displays on the Oregon Coast is returning to Oregon’s coast after a two-year COVID hiatus. Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park is again lighting up the coast with nearly 350,000 lights, animated displays and a hefty helping of holiday cheer from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.

“We are so excited to have Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park back this year,” said Janice Langlinais, executive director of the Coos Bay-North BendCharleston Visitor and Convention Bureau. “Shore Acres is such a beautiful park, and when it’s all lit up for the holidays, it is just a

wonderland.”

The display draws tens of thousands of visitors from around the West Coast and beyond to Shore Acres and its seven acres of botanical gardens every holiday season. To help streamline and improve the visitor experience this year, the Oregon State Parks Department has implemented a timed reservation system. Visitors can reserve their timeslot online.

Half of the available parking spots are available now for daily reservations between Nov. 24 and Dec. 31; the other half are released every morning on a seven-day rolling schedule. Each reservation is good for one hour, which allows ample time to tour not only the

lights and gardens, but the historic and festively decorated Garden House of timber baron Louis J. Simpson, as well. Entry is free, though visitors need to pay a $5 parking fee per vehicle.

A bright, colorful community tradition, Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park was initially the brainchild of Coos Bay residents Shirley and David Bridgham back in 1987. The couple, who also helped create the nonprofit Friends of Shore Acres State Park in 1986, thought the park would look good decked out in holiday lights, and they wanted to see if people would come and visit.

The first year, the display included 6,000 lights. More than

900 people showed up. Since then, the Bridghams and an everexpanding team of community volunteers – there are about 1,400 now – have grown the display to its current size of nearly 350,000 lights. Each year, volunteers spend weeks putting up lights and decorations in advance of the holidays. Local businesses also sponsor trees and help support the celebration. In addition to trees and other features, there are animal statues that get lit up as well as animated displays, including a leaping frog, a pirate ship and a spouting, 40-foot grey whale.

David Bridgham said as many as 70,000 visitors come from over 35 countries and six continents

annually to enjoy the display – and it’s been going on for long enough now that visitors who came as kids are now bringing their own children.

“People come from all around to see the lights. There have been a few years where we’ve had people from every state but one or two,” he said. “Shore Acres is kind of the go-to place for visitors, and you can be sure that when people come here this time of year, they are going to see the lights. And when they do, they just leave the most heart-touching things in our guestbook.”

Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park runs daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Commissioners honor the Medlers as Senior Volunteers of the Month

Douglas County Commission ers Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress, along with our Douglas County Senior Services Department are honored to announce that Tom and Tina Medler were awarded the Douglas County Senior Services Volunteers of the Month award for October. Kress was honored to present the couple with the award at the Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Site in Sutherlin, which is located inside the Sutherlin Senior Center at 202 East Central in Sutherlin.

“The vitality our volunteers bring to our Bistro Sixty Dining Sites is unmatched in Tom & Tina Medler! It is really something to watch them en gage with the guests. Volunteers like them are what makes our programs

run so smoothly,” remarked Kress, liaison commissioner to Douglas County Senior Services.

Douglas County Lead Food Ser vice Worker at the Sutherlin Senior Dining Site, Victoria Kietzman nom inated the Medlers for the award. She said, “Tom and Tina are the foun dation of Bistro Sixty in Sutherlin. They are passionate about their duties and fulfill them with kindness and a smile. They’ve done every single job, including driving for our Meals on Wheels program. The best part of how they serve is the time they take sitting and visiting with those who dine with us.”

Tom and Tina Medler have volun teered at Bistro Sixty Sutherlin for 18 of the 19 years they’ve lived in

Needed for (re)Start Up

Douglas County. Tom spent 42 years as an industrial engineer and Tina was an interior designer for 20 years, but now they spend their time visiting their seven children and their many grandchildren and great-grandchil dren all over the United States. When not volunteering at Bistro Sixty, their church, or the Elks Lodge, they’re traveling worldwide. The couple has been married for 61 years and they love to dance and play cards.

Tina stated, “We’ve been volun teering since we were in our 20s when we belonged to the Jaycees. We volunteer because we receive so much more than we give!”

The Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Sites prepare meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays,

Civil Engineer Needed for (re)Start-Up Location: Coos Bay, OR Compensation: $90,000 to $120,000/yr

Bay,

Compensation: $90,000 to $120,000/yr Engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit 100+ on municipal, port, and rail projects.

and Fridays at seven rural dining site locations in Glide, Glendale, Reedsport, Riddle, Sutherlin, Winston, and Yoncalla. Senior Services staff know there are others in our communities who could benefit from their Meals on Wheels delivery program and/or meals at their Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Sites. If residents know of friends or family who are unable to drive, need assistance with daily living activities, would benefit from hot meal delivery, or need other assistance, they are encouraged to call the Aging & Disabilities Resource Connection in the Douglas County Senior Services Department at (541) 440-3677 or by sending an email to adrc@co.douglas.or.us.

From A1

Firestruggles due to the unusu al shape of the building as well as extreme heat. It took multiple attempts to push to the back of the building and extinguish the fire.

Battalion Chief Steve Takis reported it took about 20 min utes to put out the fire. Fire crews remained on scene for two more hours controlling hot spots and removing smoke from the building. After the fire was con trolled, investigators with the Coos Bay Fire Department went into the businesses to look for a cause of the fire. A report from the investigation is expected this week. Nail Polish Spa received signifi cant smoke damage during the fire while Darrell’s Devil Food received significant fire and smoke damage. Both businesses had insurance.

SHN is seeking a Civil Engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit. Work with a team of 100+ on municipal, port, and rail projects.

Qualifications:

• P.E. in OR and/or CA

SHN is seeking a Civil Engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit Work with a team of 100+ on municipal, port, and rail projects. Apply to SHN Hire@shn engr.com More information at SHN engr.com

“Fires in these types of occupancies can create great confusion for citizens due to unfamiliar surroundings and potentially large numbers of people,” Takis said. “Citizens are reminded that if you are in a business and there is indi cation that there may be a fire you should exit the business in a calm manner and remain outside until fire officials clear the building.”

• 5 to 15 years of engineering experience

• Team player and life long learner

Extra Benefits: pet friendly, flexible work arrangements, shareholder opportunities

pet friendly, flexible work shareholder opportunities

Apply to SHN Hire@shn engr.com More information at SHN engr.com long learner flexible work opportunities

Takis said the Coos Bay Fire Department would like to express their gratitude to all agencies that helped with this incident, which included Coos Bay Police Department, North Bend Fire Depart ment, Charleston Rural Fire Protection District, Myrtle Point Fire chief, Bay Cities Ambulance, Pacific Power, Northwest Natural Gas, and the business owners of both businesses effected.

Contributed photos

After two years in the dark due to COVID, the holiday light display has returned to Shore Acres State Park and there are plenty of tickets still available.

Scottish Christmas coming to Coos Bay

On December 16, The Fire presents their fan-favorite holiday show titled “The Fire’s Very Scottish Christmas” at the Egyptian Theatre in Coos Bay. Prepare to be inspired as Scottish music trio The Fire joins forces with both Scottish and Irish dancers for an extraordinary performance.

This unprecedented collaboration features Scotland’s visually dynamic highland dance in step with the powerful rhythms of Ireland. The Fire’s signature brand of dazzling virtuosity delivers an unforgettable experience as the band leads listeners through an evening of classic Christmas carols and lively dance tunes.

Enjoy David Brewer’s unparalleled mastery of the Great Highland Bagpipe, Rebecca Lomnicky’s internationally awarded Scottish fiddling, and Adam Hendey’s warm-emo tive voice over a lush foundation of guitar and reed organ.

Featuring material from their critically acclaimed album, “The Fire’s Very Scottish Christmas,” the live show experi ence presents seasonal folk ballads dating back to the 1300s alongside beloved holiday favorites. Ring in the holiday season with yuletide cheer, and join us for “The Fire’s Very Scottish Christmas.”

For more information about the show: https://www.the firescottishband.com/christmas

Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/the-fires-very-scottish-christmas-in-coosbay-or-tickets-428295311807

Police Blotter

block of Buccaneer Lane.

Sunday 11/20:

North Bend 6:52 am, loud noise, 3200 block of Tremont.

• 7:15 am, juvenile problem, 2000 block of Lincoln St.

• 10:35 am, 52 year old male cited for criminal trespass II 1900 block of Virginia Ave.

3:13 pm, located runaway, 800 block of California Ave.

• 6:06 pm, 44 year old female lodged at Coos County jail for domestic menacing, 2000 block of Cedar Court.

Coos Bay

• 1:08 am, hit and run accident, 200 block of S Schoneman Street.

• 10:07 am, 20 year old male cited for driving while sus pended, S Broadway Street and Curtis Avenue.

11:19 am, 40 year old cited result of traffic stop, Ocean Boulevard and Knife River.

• 11:55 am, seized property, 1300 block of Bayshore Dr.

• 12:52 pm, theft, 1900 block of 28th Street.

1:02 pm, 42 year old male cited result of traffic stop, 200 block of S 4th Street. 1:18 pm, 33 year old male cited on Coos Bay Police warrant, Ocean Boulevard and Woodland Drive.

• 1:33 pm, 45 year old female cited on Coos Bay Police warrant, Thompson Road and Bay Clinic.

2:39 pm, dispute, behind Knott Terrace.

• 3:04 pm, hit and run acci dent, Broadway Street and Market Avenue.

• 3:27 pm, dispute, 1800 block of N 7th Street.

5:51 pm, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, 900 block of Montgomery Ave. 6:18 pm, criminal mis chief, 500 block of Filmore Street.

• 7:29 pm, 38 year old female transported to Coos County jail for elude and PCS methamphetamine, 10th Street and Koos Bay Boulevard.

Coquille

• 4:04 pm, 69 year old male cited on Curry County warrant, 900 block of E 5th Street.

Monday 11/21:

North Bend

• 8:17 am, disorderly conduct, 2200 block of Broadway Street.

8:17 am, injured animal, 1500 block of Garfield Street.

9:16 am, theft of wallet, 2900 block of Sherman Ave. 12:31 pm, theft/criminal trespass, 2000 block of Madrona.

2:59 pm, 36 year old male cited for driving while suspended, Pine and Newmark.

3:34 pm, neighbor dispute, 1700 block of Monroe St. 4:07 pm, fraudulent use credit card, 3600 block of Tremont Avenue.

• 5:08 pm, 21 year old male cited result of traffic stop, Sheridan and Oregon Pacific Company.

• 6:21 pm, criminal mischief, Ash and Virginia.

• 10:49 pm, theft of tools from truck, 2300 block of Pacific Street.

• 11:31 pm, burglary, 2000 block of 16th Street.

Coos Bay

• 12:03 am, dispute, Shark Bites.

• 12:51 am, burglary, 1900 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 1:14 am, disorderly conduct, Newmark Avenue and Schoneman Street.

• 1:41 am, 48 year old male cited for criminal trespass II, harassment and resisting arrest, 1000 block of Newmark Avenue.

• 2:38 am, barking dog, 800 block of S 5th Street.

• 7:41 am, fire, N 10th Street and W Commercial Avenue.

9:02 am, 36 year old male cited for driving while suspended, 1900 block of Newmark Avenue.

10:07 am, fraud, 400 block of S Marple Street.

10:16 am, fraud, 61500 block of Highway 101.

10:31 am, criminal mischief, 1400 block of Southwest Boulevard.

11:44 am, custodial interference, 400 block of Madison Street.

2:08 pm, traffic hazard, S 11th and Ingersoll.

3:36 pm, 23 year old

female cited for driving while suspended, Ingersoll Avenue and S 7th Street.

• 4:08 pm, dog at large, Koos Bay Boulevard and Thompson.

• 4:34 pm, Douglas County Sheriff served 53 year old male on Coos Bay Police warrant, 600 block of Fir Ave.

4:41 pm, 35 year old female transported to Coos County jail on assault IV domestic, 1600 block of S 16th Street.

• 9:53 pm, 34 year old female cited on a Coquille Police warrant and a Coos Bay Police warrant, 800 block of S 1st Street.

10:59 pm, Corvallis Police served 36 year old female on a Coos Bay Police warrant, 100 block of NW 5th Street.

Coquille

• 11:13 am, juvenile problem, 400 block of W Central Boulevard.

• 11:29 am, violation of restraining order, 1000 block of W 12th Street.

3:44 pm, fraud, 1000 block of N Knott Street.

5:56 pm, harassment, 800 block of S 1st Avenue.

• 7:57 pm, disorderly conduct, 5th Street and CVH.

Reedsport

• 9:10 am, trespassing, Lighthouse Electrical.

1:22 pm, civil dispute,

2100 block of Greenwood Avenue.

1:42 pm, trespassing, Ace Hardware.

2:09 pm, harassment, Reedsport Post Office.

3:24 pm, disorderly conduct, 200 block of N 4th Street.

• 4:29 pm, civil dispute, 2100 block of Greenwood Avenue.

• 6:01 pm, disorderly conduct, 1700 block of Greenwood Avenue.

• 8:02 pm, road hazard, mile post 215 and Highway 101.

• 11:03 pm, noise complaint, 2600 block of Frontage Rd.

Tuesday 11/22:

North Bend

• 8:03 am, minor in possession of tobacco –seized vape pen, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue.

• 11:23 am, 34 year old male cited on warrant, 500 block of Liberty Street. 12:00 pm, 62 year old male cited on warrant, Dead Man’s Curve.

4:30 pm, 37 year old male cited on Coos Bay Police warrant, 2400 block of Maple Leaf Avenue.

• 4:38 pm, unlawful entry into motor vehicle, Colorado and Cessna.

5:38 pm, threats, 2100 block of Everett Avenue. 7:49 pm, harassment, 1200

9:33 pm, 1900 block of Garfield Street.

Coos Bay

• 12:31 am, runaway juvenile, 300 block of Harbor View Drive.

• 8:06 am, phone harassment, 1200 block of Crocker Ave.

• 8:36 am, 30 year old cited result of park violation, SWOCC student parking.

9:42 am, Curry County served 33 year old male on North Bend Police warrant, 29800 block of Ellensburg Avenue.

• 10:15 am, hit and run accident, Curtis and 2nd Avenue.

• 12:12 pm, dog at large, 400 block of Central Avenue.

• 12:26 pm, 32 year old male cited for driving while suspended, 500 block of N Broadway Street.

12:42 pm, fraud, 200 block of E Johnson Avenue.

2:14 pm, civil problem, 600 block of N 4th Court.

• 3:56 pm, theft of bike, 300 block of S Wasson Street.

• 3:56 pm, located runaway, 300 block of Harbor View Drive.

4:30 pm, 37 year old male cited on Coos Bay Police warrant, 800 block of California Avenue.

5:56 pm, dispute, 400 block of N Cammann Street.

• 6:19 pm, hit and run

accident, N Bayshore and Liquor Store.

7:49 pm, 300 block of Ackerman Avenue.

8:03 pm, assault, 500 block of Schetter Avenue.

• 9:18 pm, prowler, 200 block of E Johnson Avenue.

• 11:13 pm, phone harassment, 500 block of Schetter Avenue.

11:12 pm, 44 year old female arrested by Winston Police on two Coos Bay Police warrants and a North Bend Police warrant, 1000 SE Douglas Avenue.

Coquille

• 9:28 am, burglary, 800 block of N Central.

• 1:49 pm, fraud, 400 block of N Cedar Street.

• 3:20 pm, neighbor dispute, W 6th Street and N Central.

Reedsport

• 9:30 am, theft, Umpqua Mobile Home Village.

• 9:44 am, criminal mischief, Lions Park.

• 10:38 am, trespassing, 2700 block of Frontage Road.

• 11:28 am, drug violation, Riverside U Pull It.

12:18 pm, trespassing, TRMF Smokes.

1:27 pm, animal problem, Master Heights. 11:51 pm, phone harassment, Reedsport Police Department.

By Cheyenne hunt-Majer InsideSources.com

Now that Elon Musk is in charge of Twitter, what will become of the platform’s content moderation?

Musk has laid off a significant part of the content moderation staff, leaving users and advertisers wondering whether the platform will turn into a bottomless pit of disinformation and bigotry.

If Musk follows through on his plan to rely on Twitter’s current crowd-sourced content moderation feature called Birdwatch, launched in October, he may break the plat form not long after taking the reins.

Birdwatch is going as poorly as you might expect from a program that outsources content moderation to the masses.

Birdwatch allows average users, dubbed Birdwatch contributors, to add notes below tweets that provide helpful context from “different points of view.” Twitter claims that these notes will be attached to tweets only if a critical mass of contributors indicate that the note was helpful.

And therein lies the inherent flaw: What’s factual and what’s popular aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Public Citizen, a democracy and consumer advocacy organiza tion and my employer, witnessed this breakdown firsthand on our organization’s Twitter account a few weeks ago.

Almost as soon as Birdwatch went live, a note appeared under a Public Citizen tweet claiming that we had shared a doctored image. The image, in fact, was a 100 percent genuine screenshot showing that Elon Musk had blocked our account.

In other words, after we truthful ly and justifiably criticized a public figure with a huge fanbase on the platform, Twitter suddenly labeled Public Citizen a distributor of fake news.

Never mind Public Citizen’s decades-long reputation for com batting disinformation. Never mind that the screenshot was real. Never mind that our social media team im mediately provided clear documen tation of its authenticity.

The alert that initially appeared under our tweet falsely claiming it was a doctored photo eventual ly came down. But when viewed through Twitter’s Birdwatch, our tweet is still followed by a series of “context” notes debating both sides of the issue and asking users to rate their level of helpfulness — as if popular opinion has any bearing on whether the screenshot is real or not!

Of course it’s real. We proved it. There’s nothing left to discuss or debate. Yet Twitter’s Birdwatch is still treating the matter as an open controversy.

We’re not the only ones encoun tering this problem. Birdwatch notes parroting right-wing talking points are already starting to appear on tweets from the White House and President Joe Biden.

This is no way to conduct a factcheck.

Twitter claims Birdwatch was designed to address issues of lesser importance that aren’t covered by its content moderation rules, such as, “Is there a giant void in space?” or “Is this bat actually the size of a human?”

But a recent analysis of Bird watch comments revealed that most of these notes are being placed under tweets about issues with high stakes.

Top keywords within Birdwatch notes included COVID, vaccine, election, Trump and Biden.

Twitter has given users the au thority to “fact-check” highly con sequential information about public health and our democracy through a system that resembles a popularity contest. Content moderation should

be based on informed research. Crowd-sourced opinion is simply not the way to determine the truth. Fact-checking information related to the pandemic or the legitimacy of elections is a serious job with world-changing ramifications. It doesn’t take a content moderation expert or professional fact checker to see how relegating these roles to the equivalent of an online com ments section is bonkers.

Twitter has already confirmed that it won’t do any quality control on Birdwatch notes, and it shows. Birdwatch’s own data indicates that false and misleading tweets alleging widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election were marked “not misleading.”

All it takes is a small, dedicated group of fanatics — or for that mat ter, clueless morons — to cast doubt on reputable sources of information and muddy the waters enough to leave many people unsure of what to believe.

The bottom line is that Bird watch isn’t content moderation or fact-checking. It’s nothing but birdseed for conspiracy theorists, liars and frauds. And nothing about this system has merit or can be salvaged. Twitter must shut down Birdwatch immediately and commit to content moderation practices that prioritize the truth over the prevail ing winds of the mob.

Given his vocal opposition to content moderation on social media, Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twit ter could lead to the end of Bird watch. But it would be wrong for its predictable failure to be used to impugn more thoughtful, accurate and compassionate ways of moder ating content.

For some users, it’s literally a matter of life and death. When harassment runs rampant online, vulnerable people and marginalized communities face serious risks of real-world harm.

One study found that Twitter’s failure to remove abusive content directed at women led to substantial increases in anxiety and depression. Shockingly, 41 percent of women polled said that “on at least one occasion, these online experiences made them feel that their physical safety was threatened.”

While the harms to individual users are significant, content mod eration failures also pose systemic threats to our democracy. A Twitter whistleblower revealed in her testi mony before the January 6 Commit tee that the platform’s unwillingness to enforce its own content modera tion rules against former president Donald Trump helped fuel the radicalization that eventually led to the violent insurrection.

The gold standard of content moderation requires a nuanced approach that recognizes what’s at stake.

Innovative technologies like hash-matching or AI moderators can contribute to the effort, but vetted fact-checkers are invaluable to maintaining a platform that is fortified against bad actors.

And before Twitter can expect random users to enforce their content moderation policies, they need to do it themselves. Their rules against non-consensual sexual content and threats of violence often go unenforced. Only real modera tors adequately responding to flags placed by AI or other users can fix this.

Responsible content modera tion may not be sexy or edgy like sending rockets to Mars, but it’s an absolute must to prevent Twitter or any other platform from becoming a hellscape of unchecked hate speech and disinformation.

Musk has assumed the respon sibility of managing one of the world’s largest and most influential social media platforms. Whether he agrees with it or not, sensible content moderation is indispensable to that job.

Guest Column

Opinion: The FDA Is Getting It Right on Youth Vaping

By Dr. Matthew holMan InsideSources.com

The most recent data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) tell a story that you proba bly haven’t heard.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the 2022 NYTS results, which showed underage e-cigarette use had dropped below the level that led the FDA to declare an “ep idemic” in 2018. The data show the epidemic continues to be reversed.

That same data show youth combustible cigarette smoking is at an all-time low, standing at 1.6 percent. In fact, youth use of all tobacco products has decreased sig nificantly over the past few years. Many stakeholders (including me) have worked tirelessly to reduce underage use, and they’ve succeed ed. I applaud their efforts. We all should.

However, this progress isn’t being matched by a driving down of the number of adult smokers, cur rently numbering 34 million Amer icans according to the American Cancer Society. The FDA can do more to help America stop smok ing, and they need to start talking to smokers again like they did before the 2018 NYTS data were released.

Like youth smoking, adult smok ing rates have declined but not by nearly as much. Smoking continues to be the single largest preventable cause of death in the United States according to public health data. So, while it’s important to recognize the great strides that have been made in recent years to reduce youth tobacco use, it is equally important

to recognize that there are still too many Americans smoking.

As a 20-year veteran of the FDA, most recently as the top scientist at the agency’s Center for Tobac co Products, I know it is home to talented scientists who want to do more to help smokers make better choices than sticking with ciga rettes, while also guarding against underage nicotine use.

So, what can be done to acceler ate driving down adult smoking in America? A vital strategy, which is urgently needed, is a more balanced approach by U.S. public health agencies when it comes to commu nicating about tobacco and nicotine products.

The FDA has invested heavily in numerous multi-media campaigns directed at teenagers and parents that are meant to reduce underage e-cigarette use. These types of campaigns should continue. What’s completely missing is a similar investment in communicating with adult smokers. The FDA must engage smokers in a consistent, public, and meaningful way to help them ideally quit smoking altogeth er or urge those who don’t quit to switch to innovative smoke-free products. FDA acknowledges that such products are a better choice than continued smoking. Let’s make sure adult smokers know that.

The message that all Americans need to hear from health experts is a simple one: If you don’t use tobac co products now, don’t start. If you smoke, quitting is the best choice. If you don’t quit, change to a smokefree alternative. This message is supported by science, as evidenced by FDA’s authorization of nicotine products that, for adult smokers

Letters to the Editor

Thank you, North Bend

who completely switch to them, can significantly reduce their exposure to the harmful chemicals found in smoke or, for some products, reduce the risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases.

Today, smokers are simply not hearing this message, and that needs to change, or close to 500,000 Americans could continue to die needlessly each year. Health experts have an obligation to proactively share information about better choices with adult smokers while continuing to guard against under age tobacco product use.

While I was still at FDA, Com missioner Scott Gottlieb announced a comprehensive plan that centered on moving smokers away from combusted cigarettes to less harm ful tobacco products or completely away from all tobacco product use.

That plan was unveiled more than five years ago, but so far, ac tion by the FDA has centered only on preventing underage use. The time is now to start acting to help adult smokers make better choices.

I hope my old colleagues at FDA, who are amazing public health scientists, will take the needed actions to accelerate the transition to a healthier America by moving smokers away from cigarettes.

ABOUT THE WRITER

During this last election, I was able to meet and talk with many voters while walking the streets of North Bend. I truly appreciated those who said to me “Thank you for providing an alternative.”

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to express your opinions and concerns facing the city of North Bend. I will never forget the many phone calls received and returned daily. Hopefully, those thoughts and opinions were heard by your newly elected city council during the campaign.

I would also like to express my thanks to those who provided moral and financial aid, especially those who I consider to be my campaign committee. Your encouragement provided the drive needed to make this a meaningful campaign.

Finally, I need to say thank you for the tremendous support received from my wife, Rose, who was against this undertaking. When she understood why I needed to get involved, she became my most ardent supporter. Her house is being returned to normal as you read this.

Thank you volunteers

Oregon Bay Area Beautification (OBAB) would like to express our appreciation for the many volunteers who have come out to OBAB 2nd Saturday clean up events this past year. This year we have focused on Boynton Park, a local Veteran’s home, Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery, John To-pits Park, the CASA facility, and the Coos Bay Boardwalk.

By our calculations, volunteers have cleaned up over 150 cubic yards of stuff (15 dump truck loads of junk, de bris and litter) as well as over 15 miles of trails and the sides of highways. Volunteers have also finished numerous painting and building projects in our local parks and local non-profit facilities. Thank you to everyone who has come and worked, to those who helped spread the word and to the parks and public works departments of Coos Bay and North Bend who have supported these clean ups. Oregon’s Bay Area is more beautiful because of your ef-forts.

We are taking December off but will be back on the 2nd Saturday in January with a clean-up focused on Winsor Disc Golf Course, Ferry Road Park and Simpson Park in North Bend. More info at www.facebook.com/oregonba yareabeautification or by emailing oregonbayareabeautifica-tion@gmail.com

John Briggs North Bend

Oregon Bay Area Beautification Steering Committee Catie Loy, Elisabeth Chu, Jim Behrends, Penny Moloso and Rich McCann

Dr. Matthew Holman is Philip Morris International’s Vice Presi dent of U.S. Engagement & Regula tory Strategy. Prior to joining PMI in September 2022, Dr. Holman was most recently Office of Science director in the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

Elon Musk blocked us on Twitter; This is no way to moderate content

Bubbles and Steam

Professional Carpet Care. Serving Coos County over 20 years in the cleaning business. Professional and responsible. Economical prices available for our services. Call us at 541-650-1790.

Misc Services 150

Orange Creamsicle is the cheesecake this week at The Fleet Deli! Have you tried our Wasabi Tuna sandwich? Pan seared Albacore cooked any way you like it! We will be open Wed - Sat, 11 - 5. Located next to the cheese factory in Bandon. 541-290-7030.

$1 NEWSPAPER BUNDLES

The World is selling past newspaper bundles again for $1 each. Limited stock on hand. 172 Anderson Ave. Coos Bay, 541-266-6047

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

Consulting Civil Engineer

Employer: SHN

Location: Coos Bay, Oregon

Compensation Range: $90,000 to $120,000 per year

This position will fit someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, someone who wants to get in on the ground floor of the revitalization of Oregon’s South Coast harbor, port, and railways, and yet continue our work in municipal infrastructure. This is a job for someone who sees themself as a Regional Principal in the future; there is lots of growth potential in this position.

For the right individual, a career pathway could be entering as a Project Manager, promoting to Senior Project Manager (managing multiple disciplines on large projects), and then promoting to Regional Principal (responsible for Coos Bay staff and projects). Depending on experience and drive, this pathway could take as little as five years. Shareholder eligibility is available after one year.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in engineering or a related area of study from an accredited four-year college or university 5 to 15 years of engineering experience under the direction of a licensed professional engineer

Proficiency with Civil 3D and AutoCAD

Preferred:

Experience with site development and/or municipal engineering • Experience with GIS, Hydrology/Hydraulics programs

Certificates and Licenses:

Professional Civil Engineer license (P.E.) in Oregon and/ or California • Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship • Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving clearance

SHN Is… A small business with 100+ staff • Employeeowned by approximately 30% of staff, which allows us to control our firm’s destiny and direction • A company with offices in rural areas because we choose to live and work in these places.

• A company with revenues from both public and private clients, giving us stability as the economy cycles up and down • A team effort of engineers, geologists, planners, surveyors, and environmental scientists and we bring a diversity of skills and expertise to our projects

People who thrive at SHN tend to: Find meaning in the work we do because our projects support our local communities • Like a variety of work more than increased specialization • Function well in teams as both team leaders and followers • Be life-long learners • Take advantage of outdoor recreation that is minutes away from our homes • Value family time and integrate work into life

Other benefits of working at SHN include: Group medical, dental and vision insurance • Medical and dependent care FSA • 401(k) plan with up to 4% SHN match • SHN paid term life insurance with buy up options • Pet friendly • Flexible work arrangements

• Professional development and licensure

Auction of Storage Unit #18

Contents at Trigg Properties NB, 1890 Monroe, North Bend, OR 97459. Occupant: Yvonne Bennett. Auction online at storagetreasures.com, closes Sunday, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Auction of Storage Unit #3 Contents at Trigg Properties NB, 1890 Monroe, North Bend, OR 97459. Occupant: Carole Perry. Auction online at storagetreasures.com, closes Sunday, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Auction of Storage Unit #6 Contents at Trigg Properties NB, 1890 Monroe, North Bend, OR 97459. Occupant: Lara Steinmetz. Auction online at storagetreasures.com, closes Sunday, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Pets 736

ANIMAL CREMATORY

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

Legal Notices 999

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COOS, PROBATE DEPARTMENT

In the Matter of the Estate of: MATTHEW FRANCES SULLIVAN, Decedent. Case No.: 22PB08769

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Brian Sullivan has been appointed Administrator. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Amber Gies, attorney for the Administrator, at Gies Law, LLC, 455 S 4th ST, Suite 1, Coos Bay, OR 97420, 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 probate clerk’s office at the Coos County Courthouse, Probate Department 250 N Baxter, Coquille, Oregon 97423, Monday through Friday between 8 am and noon, and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., the Administrator, or the attorney for the Administrator, Amber Gies, Gies Law, LLC, 455 S 4th ST, Suite 1, Coos Bay, OR 97420. Dated and first published this 15th day of November, 2022 Published: November 15, November 22 and November 29, 2022

The World & ONPA (ID:352723)

NOTICE OF SHERIFF

Auction of Storage Unit #17

Contents at Trigg Properties NB, 1890 Monroe, North Bend, OR 97459. Occupant: Jason Michael Keefer. Auction online at storagetreasures. com, closes Sunday, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:59pm.

SALE

On January 9th, 2023, at the hour of 10:00am at the front door of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, 250 N. Baxter St; Coquille, the defendant’s interest will be sold, subject to redemption, in the real property commonly known as: 58689 Seven Devils Road, Bandon, OR 97411. The court case number is 11CV0059, where Western Sun Capital, Inc., dba Western Sun Capital, assignee of Sherri Norris, dba Western Sun Capital, is plaintiff, and MARJORIE L. LORANGE is defendant. The sale is a public auction to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check, in hand, made out to Coos County Sheriff’s Office. For more information on this sale go to: http://oregonsheriffssales. org/. Published 11/29/22, 12/6/22, 12/13/22 and 12/20/22. The World/ONPA (ID:343559)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF OREGON FOR COOS COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of MURIEL LAURA RUSSELL, Deceased Case No. 22PB09776

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kay Russell has been appointed and has qualified as Personal Representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present the claim, with proper documentation, within four months after the date of first publication of this Notice, as stated below, to the Personal Representative at the office of GOULD LAW FIRM, PC. 243 W. Commercial, PO Box 29, Coos Bay, Oregon, 97420, or the claim 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, 250 N. Baxter Street, Coquille, Oregon 97423, the Personal Representative or the attorney for the Personal Representative. Dated and first published November 15, 2022.

Kay Russell Personal Representative 17870 Copper Queen Lane Perris, CA 92570 (909)238-7343 Published: November 15, November 22 and November 29, 2022 The World & ONPA (ID:352837)

CLASSIC PEANUTS

FRANK AND ERNEST

DILBERT

CLASSIC PEANUTS

FRANK AND ERNEST

CLASSIC PEANUTS

FRANK AND ERNEST

DILBERT

CLASSIC PEANUTS

FRANK AND ERNEST

Panthers and Tigers honored for football

The World

Gold Beach and Bandon each had multiple players named to the first team while Oakland dominated voting for the Valley Coast Con ference after winning the league title and advancing to the state title game.

Gold Beach’s first-team selec tions on offense included quarter back Jake Westerman, running back Nelson Wilstead, wide receiver Zane Gibson and lineman Korben Storns. Westerman also was the first-team punter.

Bandon’s Dylan Kamph also was named to the first team on the offensive line.

Gold Beach’s Gibson was named to the first team at defensive back

and Storns was named to the firstteam defensive line, along with Zane Gray.

Bandon’s Kamph also was on the first team at defensive line, while Conner Define was named to the first team at linebacker and Will Panagakis at defensive back.

Gold Beach players on the second team offense were center Austin Westerman, offensive line man Tim Hamilton, wide receiver Tanner Wright and running back Landyn Miller. Players on the sec ond-team defense were defensive lineman Thomas Remy; lineback ers Miller, Austin Westerman and Tanner Wright; and defensive back Nelson Wilstead.

Devine was named to the sec ond-team offense for Bandon, while Stealth Franklin was named to the

second-team defense at linebacker.

Reedsport’s Micah Hill was a second-team pick on the offensive line and Landon Serrano was on the second team at defensive back.

Gold Beach tight ends Shase Sprinkle and Gray were named to honorable mention on offense along with running back Braiden Flynn. Thomas Remy was an honorable mention pick at defensive line and Jake Westerman at defensive back for the Panthers.

Bandon center Been Brown was an honorable mention pick, along with tight end Colton Siewell, run ning back Eli Freitag and Panagakis at quarterback. Siewell was named honorable mention at defensive line and Brandon Wilson at defensive back. Logan Knapp, the team’s lone player from Pacific as part of a

cooperative agreement between the schools, was an honorable mention selection at kicker.

Reedsport players to receive hon orable mention recognition were Jaden Morgan at tight end, Tristin Corrie at wide receiver, Hill on the defensive line and Ryan Davidson at linebacker.

Oakland running back and linebacker Cade Olds was named the offensive player of the year and defensive player of the year. Tucker Cozart of the Oakers was the line man of the year and Oakland’s Ben Lane was coach of the year.

VOLLEYBALL: Bandon’s Makenna Vierck was named to the first team in the 12-school Coast Valley League. The sophomore was the lone South Coast player on the first team.

Bandon junior Katelynn Senn was named to the second team, along with Gold Beach’s Gabby Clifford and Reedsport setter Bailey Ward.

Honorable mention picks includ ed Bandon’s Caitlyn Michaleck and libero Brynn Hindman, Reedsport’s Gaby Calan and libero Maddie Car ter, and Gold Beach’s Madi Allen.

Monroe swept the top awards with player of the year Bella Gamache and coach of the year Angie Thompson.

Monroe lost the state champion ship match in five sets to top-ranked Salem Academy.

Bandon finished second and Gold Beach third in the league’s south di vision, but both lost to Lowell and were denied a spot in the league tournament.

Marshfield honors top student-athletes from fall sports

Marshfield High School honored its top student-ath letes from the fall sports season during an awards ceremony Monday.

The students who won team awards, most chosen by the teammates, were:

Cross Country

• Most Improved Award –Jaxson Stovall

• Most Inspirational Award – Bodey Lutes

• Distinguished/Citizen Athlete Award – Alexander Garcia-Silver

Football

• Most Improved - Chantry Potter

• Most InspirationalToby Johnston

• Attitude & Sportsmanship award - Dawson Howerton

• OSAA Athlete - Mitchell George

• Distinguished Citizen Award - Johnny Calvert

• Scholar Athlete AwardConner Middendorff

Boys Soccer

• Most Valuable Defensive Player – Gannon Frost

• Most Valuable Offenseive Player – Jose Yanez Torres

• Most Improved Defense Player – Jake Bennett

• Most Improved Offense Playver - Jonah Martin

• Best Newcomer – Fernan do Ramirez

Girls Soccer

• Most Valuable Player –Kaleigh England

• Best Defensive Player –Milagros Perez Nanez

• Best Offensive Player –Mallory Edd

• Most Improved Player –Abigail Tempelhoff

• Most Inspirational Player – Rylinn Clark

• Best Team Player – Izabel Perez

Volleyball

• Most Improved - Alie Clarke

• Most InspirationalDevin Plummer

• Best Offense - Bridget Gould

• Best Defense - Gracie Peach and Kate Miles

• Most Valuable -Tatum Montiel

Photos by David Rupkalvis/For The World

Above, Tatum Montiel receives the Most Valuable Player Award for the Marshfield volleyball team. Middle left, Alex Garcia-Silver accepts the cross country award for Distinguished/Citizen Athlete after leading the boys cross country team to sixth place in the state. Middle right, Kaleigh England accepts the Most Valuable Player Award for the Marshfield girls soccer team. Bottom left, Johnny Calvert accepts the Distinguished Citizen Award for the Marshfield football team.Bottom right, Gannon Frost accepts the award for Most Valuable Defensive Player for the Marshfield boys soccer team.