SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
Brookings, Oregon
COVID slowing, but still 'very dangerous and unpredictable' JEREMY C. RUARK The Pilot
Oregon health officials are confirming that the latest modeling shows COVID-19 cases are slowing. "But we can't rest on our laurels," Oregon Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said. "This is not an on-off fix. It's a dimmer fix. We need to be prepared if COVID reemerges. Whether it's the current Delta variant or future variants that may not even
be known yet. They could come back with a vengeance." What's next? Sidelinger, commented during a Tuesday, Sept. 7 news briefing with Gov. Kate Brown, and said while the new modeling offers some encouragement, some people are taking less precautions and he stressed that the unvaccinated need to be vaccinated and wearing face coverings in public buildings and outside when among crowds will be key to slowing the pandemic in the
weeks ahead. "This is a crisis that is largely being driven by people that are not vaccinated against COVID-19," Slidelinger said. "The decisions we make over the next few weeks will determine if we plunge further into this crisis." Brown said because more Oregonians are masking up and continuing to get vaccinated, the projected length of the latest surge has been cut. However, she More COVID, Page A5
Metro Creative Connection
The latest modeling shows COVID-19 cases in Oregon are slowing, but Gov. Kate Brown and state health officials caution that the latest surges are largely among those who are not vaccinated.
Commissioners give housing committee another chance By Julie Akins For The Pilot
Contributed Photo
Despite being paralyzed in an accident nine months ago, Zachary Abblitt has never lost hope or faith. His supporters are hosting a community event, Zac's Hopefest, September 12. Above, Abblitt poses with his brothers and sister in Brookings.
Zac's Hopefest planned September 12 Guest Article for the Pilot Hope. It is what drives all of us. Especially in seasons of great adversity. Nine months ago, Zachary Abblitt was a thriving 18 year old, just having graduated from high school, active with cross country running, biking, surfing, swimming, working out in the gym, playing the piano and bass guitar… until a miscalculated dive into the Brookings harbor ocean on November 20 broke his neck and rendered him paralyzed from the chest down. If anyone was in need of hope, it would have been Zachary. Yet, one week post-accident, he declared from his hospital bed, bound in neck brace, saying, “I’m fully trusting in the Lord. I know this is His will for my life,
and although it may seem confusing at first, I’m excited to see how He is going to use me.” His family created the hashtag #zacsHope to keep friends updated on his progress. His uncle created a web page, www. ZacsHope.com, and a Facebook page, Zachary Abblitt Recovery, which quickly gained over 1,300 followers. Zachary’s hope was polarizing as updates and pictures of Zachary poured in from his mom, Kristi, who began to journal though his journey. “As the classification ‘quadriplegic’ began to be used by doctors about Zac,” Kristi explained, “my heart would just seize up. Yet I would quickly find myself choking out a whisper, ‘But God, You have the Final Word in Zachary’s life.”
Throughout the long, initial month at Mercy Hospital in Redding, Calif., Zachary was often seen laughing with his siblings and friends via video chats as they observed his new weaknesses, such as trying to feed himself. “I believe he laughs because he is living in faith,” his mom, Kristi, observed. “He knows God lives in him and is working His power through his weaknesses. He does not seem afraid of them. But even if he is, more than being whole, he wants God to be glorified in his life.” The momentum of Hope continued a month later, as Zachary was accepted into Craig Hospital for rehab, recognized as one of the top spinal cord rehabilitation centers in the nation. His family cheered him on with a video they created for his
acceptance into Craig. “Zac is a fighter,” his brother Spencer commented, “and he is gonna do everything he can do get back on his feet.” “Everything Zac is, and everything he has been has never come out more than in this current circumstance of watching Zac being physically paralyzed…” his sister Charis explained. “But just as Zac has set his mind to learn the piano, to surf, to be an athlete and a runner… this [rehab] will give him all that he needs to put that same determination in to waking again and running again…” Hope came in many ways at Craig Hospital. His day was packed with therapy session in
missioners with Court Boice asking fellow commissioners what should be done to better protect the public in the wake of 27 new cases in the past week. The total number of documented cases in Curry County is at 1,495 with a reported 16 deaths as a result of the virus. The centers for Disease Control reports a recent spike in the number of cases since late August with roughly 24 cases every seven days. “Can we see what we can do to make a difference and do the right thing? Do we want to create a mask mandate?” asked Boice.
Commissioner John Herzog responded in the negative. “I don’t think it’s our right.” Boice continued by discussing the possibility of discouraging tourism during the virus surge. He asked fellow commissioners if they would support discouraging visitors from coming until infection cases subsided. Herzog maintained his opposition. “I in no way can say don’t come to Curry County unless you don’t feel good. It’s common sense.” Herzog’s position was supported by Commissioner Christopher Paasch. “I don’t
want to mandate anything to risk the right of citizens.” Commissioners also deliberated on protocols for staff and county offices. They opted to leave it up to individual department heads as to closing doors to the public and allowing phone appointments. However, they voted in favor of allocating $100,000 from federal relief dollars to support county employees who are struck by COVID to receive pay while out sick.
More HOPEFEST, Page A12
Commissioners opt to avoid local mandates By Julie Akins For The Pilot
Curry County will be hosting a National Guard Unit to assist it with the latest surge of COVID 19 and the Delta variant, according to information revealed at the Curry County Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday. The exact date has yet to be announced but according to Community Development Director, Connie Hunter, “They’re on the way.” The subject of how to best deal with the coronavirus remains a point of contention among com-
Endangered whales, turtles receive protection Governor announces outdoor mask mandate AT CURRYPILOT.COM
Call us: 541-813-1717 Fax: 541-813-1931
More MANDATES, Page A3
Despite near total agreement that the specially formed Curry County Housing Committee needs to come some distance organizationally, Curry County Commissioners agreed to allow it to continue at their meeting on Wednesday. This in the wake of a call to dissolve it by several members including Mary Rowe who claimed to be “bullied” and have her rights “violated outrageously” through the process of the meeting. Chair person Connie Hunter agreed that the last meeting lacked an agenda and struggled with on line technology but denied any bullying or attempt to silence members while admitting it’s been disorganized which may have led to bad feelings, “I’m sorry for that.” Hunter was aided by Economic Development Coordinator Summer Matteson who promised in future to create the agendas, minutes and to run the meetings technologically. “What I don’t want to do is dissolve it but some things need to be updated and revamped,” Matteson said. Commissioner John Herzog agreed the committee needs a more organized approach. “There was no agenda,” he stated while pointing out minutes were outdated. “It looks irresponsible.” Matteson concurred, describing the August 13 meeting as “a hot mess.” However, she promised to right the ship claiming she would step up. “I’m offering to make this my priority.” The Curry County Housing Committee was formed in the wake of receiving American Rescue Plan funds from the federal government as a result of COVID-19. The funds, according to Finance Director Brad Rueckert, are being allocated by commissioners for a variety of programs with a bulk of the money, roughly $3.3 million available for low income housing. It’s unclear how much commissioners will eventually allocate toward housing but the committee was formed in order to offer recommendations. Currently there is just over $1 million remaining of the last allocation. A little more than $2 million is expected to arrive from the ARP in May of 2022, according to Rueckert. The committee is tasked with determining best locations and partners to create “shovel ready” projects in order to deal with Curry County’s lack of affordable housing. Curry County continues to face a shortage of affordable housing, with median rental costs at $870 — the highest in the Southwest region, according to the Oregon More HOUSING, Page A5
INDEX Crosswords.................................. A3 Crossword Answers................. A9 Classifieds............................... A6
$1.50 Online: www.currypilot.com