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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
Brookings, Oregon
Brookings councilors pause charging franchise fee (usually enacted through city ordinances) with a variety of private companies that use city property or city rights-of way to conduct their business. These companies include those that provide cable television, broadband, telephone service and garbage collection. The ordinance under discussion would have granted a 20-year franchise to Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative and replace the current ordinance. Former city manager
BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
Brookings city councilors decided to hold off making a decision regarding a franchise fee rate for Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative after a lengthy discussion at their latest council meeting. The barter system that is expiring will be in place for another 30 days until a decision is made. Cities have franchise agreements
pro-tem Gary Milliman proposed charging the electric cooperative a 7 percent fee that would be enacted gradually over the next few years. Councilor Ed Schreiber said he was onboard with this rate, calling the barter system a mistake and a missed opportunity for the city to gain important revenue. Mayor Ron Hedenskog proposed a lower franchise fee rate of 4.5 percent. He said he didn’t want Brookings residents to think the
city was “taxing” them on their electricity bills. Newly hired city manager protem Christy Wurster said that if the city did not make a new agreement, the franchise fee would default to 5 percent. Newly appointed city councilor Isaac Hodges said if that is the case, then 5 percent should be the low end the city should consider charging the electric cooperative. Brent Bischoff, general manager and CEO at Coos-Curry encouraged
Celebrating Christmas rain or shine
the councilors to adopt a lower franchise fee. He said that the board members at the coop would agree to “socialize” part of the franchise fee if it was kept under 5 percent. City staff and councilors discussed the different options for nearly an hour before deciding to come back to the table at their next meeting. Councilors voted 3 to 2 in favor of waiting until January to decide on a new franchise fee rate.
Surge in respiratory cases putting hospitals on the brink BY DAVID RUPKALVIS For The Pilot
Courtesy photo
A group of Brookings Christmas Parade participants didn't let the very blustery weather stop them from spreading holiday cheer throughout town. The annual holiday event was at held at dusk on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Curry County honors its veterans with Wreaths Across America ceremonies Gold Beach hosting ceremony at library
BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
Remember fallen United States veterans. Honor those who serve. Teach your children the value of freedom. This is the mission of those who work together to bring National Wreaths Across America Day to locations around the United States every year. Curry County community members have the opportunity to take part in the event in Brookings this Saturday Dec. 17, along with Americans at more 3,400 locations across the nation, at sea and abroad. Information about the event in Gold Beach can be found in the accompanying article. “If it wasn’t for veterans this country would be quite different I believe,” said Don Bemis a local Vietnam Veteran who served three tours for the Navy. “One of the mottos is ‘All gave some and some gave all,’” Bemis said. “Any veteran that I see I always greet them as a veteran and I thank them for their services.” Bemis got involved with Wreaths Across America while living in Nevada. When Bemis moved to Brookings, he said there was no knowledge of the program in this area. He and his partner, Debbie Salzman, worked with the WJ Ward Cemetery board to sign up to become one of the locations. “It’s a program we have been
BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
Contributed photo
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Don Bemis salutes the veterans memorial at the WJ Ward Cemetery in Brookings.
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Gold Beach residents have the opportunity to take part in The National Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Gold Beach Library located at 94341 3rd St. Guest Speakers are Gold Star Mother, Sally Wiley, WWII Veterans Dorothy Nickerson and Bud Dubay with Special Music by Dr. Jessica Carlson. Ceremonial Wreaths will be presented for each United States Military Branch, and a Ceremonial Wreath will be presented in honor of Gold Star Families. Vietnam Veterans who have not received a 50th Commemorative Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin will be honored. Any veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are Please see GOLD BEACH Page A3
An unprecedented rise in upper respiratory illnesses across Oregon is putting the state’s hospital system at risk. That’s the message, state Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger shared Thursday during a briefing with the media. Sidelinger said Oregon has seen a combination of three sicknesses that has led to a rapid increase in hospitalizations with RSV, influenza and COVID-19 cases all raising at the same time. “The situation facing our hospitals is very serious,” Sidelinger said. “Today, our hospitals are reaching a point of crisis. The combination of surging flu, RSV and COVID 19 cases is pushing hospitals past their maximum bed capacity, which never happened during the COVID-19 crisis.” Sidelinger said OHA is working to provide emergency resources that will enable hospitals to bring in more help from out of state, He said Governor Kate Brown signed an executive order Wednesday that will allow traveling doctors and nurses to be used at hospitals in the state to help alleviate a shortage of medical providers. “Every one of us can protect ourselves and our families from respiratory viruses and prevent them from spreading to other people,” Sidelinger said. “As another wave of respiratory diseases sweep the nation and Oregon, hospitals are overwhelmed and don’t have enough meds to treat everyone in the manner they’re accustomed to. Many more people are being hospitalized with breathing problems, especially those under 2.” Sidelinger said in November, Oregon saw a five-fold increase in RSV cases. While the rate has since slowed, there are still record numbers of RSV patients being see. “Rates of RSV remain higher than any recorded time,” Sidelinger said. “Influenza activity in our community has doubled week over week for five consecutive weeks. Flu related hospitalizations have increased rapidly since October. It is impacting people over 65 primarily.” Sidelinger said it is still early in the flu season, and he expects the case counts to continue to rise. “We’re also seeing warning signs that COVID-19 cases are quickly increasing this respiratory season,” he said. “We’re all tired of dealing with these respiratory diseases, but we know what works to keep ourPlease see SURGE Page A2
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