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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

Brookings, Oregon

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K9 officers save lifes, make a big difference JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

pecialized training for police dogs is part of the regular routine for the Brookings Police K9 units. Such training was scheduled for March 31 at Azalea Park. K9 Officers Patrick Smith with K9 Duke and Jason Barrigar with K9 Nova were set to conduct training for a “suspect search” and a property search, which involves the retrieval of a handcuff key lost in the bushes. “The highly trained dogs save lives and are incredibly successful in mitigating stressful criminal activity and community protective events, like finding lost folks,” Smith said. Brookings Police Chief Kelby McCrae told The Pilot that the Brookings Police Department has had K-9 teams for more than 25 years. “These teams of dogs and officers are a great asset to our greater community because they enhance our ability to find and apprehend criminal suspects more safely, find lost people, as well as locate illegal narcotics,” he said. McCrae added that currently, BPD has two K-9 teams that offer such specialties, which allow officers to be better prepared for all ranges of calls.

“Our K-9 teams are also active as ambassadors for our department,” he said. “They can be seen at community events and frequently visit our schools to build relationships with students and staff, not for enforcement. We are fortunate and thankful for the generosity the Brookings and Harbor communities have shown in supporting this donorfunded program.” Training to be a K9

be a hunting dog, but ill health forced him to give up bird hunting. K9 Nova lives with Barrigar and interacts like any other dog at home. On the streets, she’s not exactly off-limits like other service dogs can be. “She’s super friendly. There are no issues with people coming up, as long as they don’t blindside her - unless we’re in the middle of a search or something like that,” Barrigar said in the Pilot’s 2019 published report. “We always advocate with kids that they ask permission first when we do our demonstrations or when we are around,” McKinney added. Nova cost the department approximately $13,000, which included her medical background and five weeks of training for both the dog and handler. The K9 units are not funded from the police department’s budget, but from donations

K9 Nova joined the force in 2019 following extensive training as a narcotics detecting dog. The training starts with a good foundation of toy drive and reinforcement, with baby steps in getting the K9 to recognize an odor and beginning to build on that, John McKinney, a retired reserve K9 handler with the police department, told The Pilot in a published interview in 2019. “A basic bare-bones concept of training for a dope dog is that you have a dog that learns an odor, and when they smell that odor, they get their toy,” McKinney said. “It’s that simple, and not any more complicated than that.” See OFFICER, Page 6 K9 Nova is a 3-year-old yellow Labrador that came from the County Media, Inc central coast of California. Her Right: Brookings Police K9 Nova. previous owner obtained her to

Brooking’s City Manager issues public apology

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ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

communities trust and I am fully committed to earning that trust back. I take my role as City Manager very I am sorry for the impact my personal seriously and I hope we matters have had on the residents of can turn the page today Brookings and city employees. on working together to improve this great place we call home.” Janell Howard, Upon her apology Brookings City Manager statement, about one-half of the audience walked out of the chamber. Several in that unidentified group step down from her city who would advocate for were observed muttering, position. small businesses and be a “It (her apology) doesn’t A few speakers strong supporter of public matter. It’s too late.” expressed disappointment safety, fire protection and Prior to Howard’s with the council for re- law enforcement, City statement, eight members hiring Howard after her No Councilor Andy Martin of the public addressed Contest plea to Theft 3, a said at the conclusion of the councilors during the violation after shoplifting public meeting. “Looking council’s public comments from the Fred Meyer store, back at that decision the period. Seven of those who July 4, 2022. council made, I realize it spoke opposed the City “I ran for City has caused the council to Manager’s reappointment. Council because I wanted lose the support and trust Some asked Howard to someone on the council of public safety employees

Brookings City Manager Janell Howard has proffered an apology for her theft violation, last December. In a barely audible voice, Howard delivered her act of contrition before a standing-room only audience at the Brookings City Council meeting, Monday evening, March 27. “I am sorry for the impact my personal matters have had on the residents of Brookings and city employees,” Howard stated. “Unfortunately, these matters have significantly disrupted important city business. I know this has eroded the

because they do not have confidence or trust in the city manager. There have been numerous claims that are not accurate, but it is obvious the community and public safety employees have no confidence in the city manager or the city council. I told Janell she should resign, and if she doesn’t, the council should consider its own action.” Council President Ed Schreiber spoke for the Brookings City Council. Schreiber offered an apology for the delay in addressing the issues surrounding Howard and the public concerns expressed at previous city council meetings. “We should have communicated with city employees and the public,”

he said. “We are sorry. We understood our decision to reinstate would not come without question and some criticism.” Schreiber spoke about the arduous process of evaluating what was best for city residents and employees and the multiple options advised by the city’s legal counsel. Schreiber said three key factors in reinstating Janell Howard were considered: Howard has the right skills for her job. Howard has as an admirable history of budget and resource management. Howard has a proven track record of success and under her tenure has worked tirelessly to enact See APOLOGY, Page 6

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Oregon will distribute $170M in food benefits STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Seguin said. “We encourage anyone who is struggling to meet their basic needs to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency.”

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) was to begin issuing $170 million in Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits to 434,000 students and young children in Oregon beginning this week. A P-EBT card containing $391 in food benefits, which is different from a regular electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, will be sent by mail to each eligible child. Cards are being sent in batches from late March to the end of May 2023. “We are grateful to be able to provide these food benefits to eligible students and families with young children in Oregon,” ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs Interim Director Claire

Who is eligible for P-EBT food benefits Children are eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT if they: • Were eligible to receive free or reduced-price National School Lunch Program meals during school year 2021-2022 or attended a Community Eligibility Provision school. • Were under the age of 6 and enrolled in SNAP during the summer 2022 months. Between March and May 2023, each eligible child will receive two pieces of mail ad-

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dressed to them: • A letter notifying them they are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits. • A separate envelope with their P-EBT card that has $391 of food benefits on it. Households with multiple eligible children will receive individual letters and cards for each eligible child. Households will start receiving notification letters at the end of March and P-EBT cards will begin arriving in April. These additional food benefits are part of the P-EBT program, a temporary COVID-19 response program meant to provide additional food support for children whose access to food received through school programs may have been impacted by COVID-19.

Visit pebt.oregon.gov for more information about the P-EBT program. Families with specific questions about their child’s eligibility or P-EBT card can contact the P-EBT Call Center at (844) ORE-PEBT or (844) 673-7328. The P-EBT Call Center is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somalian, Mandarin and Cantonese. P-EBT does not replace any child nutrition program already offered and families are encouraged to continue to participate in meal programs in their schools and communities. P-EBT food benefits are issued in addition to regular SNAP benefits. P-EBT benefits are not considered in a public charge test.

Resources to help meet needs

• Find food resources: needfood.oregon.gov • Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org • Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www. adrcoforegon.org • Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info. org • Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/ • Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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