Our Time • 2015 Our Time Spring 2023 •• 1 1
www.TillamookHeadlightHerald.com
Our Time
Local Swimmer Making Waves
55+ Our Time Section
2023 See inside:
Cultural and regional events coming up this spring
Inside
Christine Coiteux, owner of Likely Finds Antique Boutique
West Elliott Boutique
Page 2
Headlight Herald
Headlight Herald
Citizen North Coast
Kristy Lombard Pottery
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
County leaders approve contracts, hear solid waste update
Celebrating Charity
T
Will Chappell Headlight Reporter
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
illamook County Commissioners approved a slew of contracts and contract updates at their meeting on February 22. They also received an update on the solid waste program from the program’s director David McCall. McCall said that the program has been running strong, highlighting the county’s hazardous waste and asbestos disposal. He also was enthusiastic about improvements being made to the transfer stations in Manzanita and Pacific City. Commissioners then approved an agreement with Juliette’s House in McMinnville to help interview and support victims of child abuse and assault. Those cases require a special certification and Tillamook’s sheriff’s office does not have anyone on staff with those credentials currently. Commissioners approved a contract with Community Action Team to provide medical and dental services to kids in the county. They also signed off on a professional services agreement with Environmental Science Associates to begin design for the replacement of a culvert on Reneke Creek. The board extended the time frame for the Memaloose Boat Ramp dredging project, which will now be completed by March 30, after transportation complications delayed the project’s start. Commissioners also approved a contract with NetMotion Software for dispatch and communications technology. Finally, they approved a grant application to Business Oregon for work on the Shilo Levee. Tillamook County Chief of Staff Rachel Hagerty said that the project had been a priority for the county for years and that while this grant would not pay for all the work, it was a good opportunity to start building a funding package. Please send any comments to headlightreporter@countrymedia. net.
Grand Jury indicts Tillamook man O
VOL. 135, NO. 9 • $1.50
n Tuesday, February 7, a Tillamook County Grand Jury indicted Miguel Velez, 32, of Tillamook, on four counts of Using Child in display of sexual explicit conduct (ORS 163.670), and 30 counts of Encouraging child sex abuse 2 (ORS 163.686). “This investigation involves the sending of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) between two digital devices,” said Detective Chase Ross. “Mr. Velez was arrested on January 27th following the execution of a search warrant at his residence.” The case has been referred to the Tillamook County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Bonamici focused on education, housing as new term begins C
(Top left to right) Seniors Riley Fleming and Ryan Mizee, Juniors Naomi Travis and Henry Thenell. (Bottom left to right) Sophomores Stella Hurliman and Allen Ramirez Castillo and Freshmen Chantale Kahaleau and Lakota Navarre. Photos by Brett Hurliman
Students celebrate Charity Drive success T
Will Chappell Headlight Reporter
illamook High School students raised $187,959.91 during this year’s Charity Drive from February 10 to 20. The high school community celebrated the achievement at the annual alumni basketball game on February 22, while naming the Charity Drive court. Half of the proceeds after expenses, totaling $86,193.45, was donated to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. The other half will go towards scholarships for the senior class and a grant for a local organization, to be chosen later in the spring. This marked the 70th year of the Tillamook High tradition and the total amount raised in all those years is $4,173,139.06.
The freshman class raised the most money as an individual class this year, bringing in $49,283.24, while the sophomore and senior classes each raised over $47,000 and the juniors over $44,000. Students participated in a wide array of fundraising activities, from restaurant takeovers to carwashes to coop poop bingo. The Charity Drive court consisted of Seniors Riley Fleming and Ryan Mizee, Juniors Naomi Travis and Henry Thenell, Sophomores Stella Hurliman and Allen Ramirez Castillo and Freshmen Chantale Kahaleau and Lakota Navarre. Look for further details on the drive in next week’s Herald. Please send any comments to headlightreporter@ countrymedia.net.
Will Chappell Headlight Reporter
ongresswoman Suzanne Bonamici remains focused on education, affordable housing and climate issues as she begins a new term in Washington. After redistricting in 2020, Bonamici’s district now encompasses Tillamook County and she is excited to be representing a larger portion of the Oregon coast. “I’m honored to have Tillamook County joining the first congressional district,” Bonamici said in a recent interview with the Herald. She has represented Clatsop County as part of her district since she was first elected to congress in 2010. She said that that experience gave her an appreciation for issues facing her coastal constituents. A large area of focus for Bonamici is affordable and workforce housing for areas across her district. Recently, Bonamici has been working to encourage and incentivize development of mass timber, prefabricated housing. “It’s a win-win-win because crosslaminator mass timber is really good for our rural economies,” she said, “it helps revitalize our forest land but it’s also going to be creating sustainable, affordable housing.” Education is another issue which will be a priority for Bonamici, as it has been since before she was elected to public office. Bonamici began her career in Washington fighting to repeal the No Child Left Behind Act and move away from an overemphasis on testing in public schools. Bonamici recently introduced legislation to bolster mental health supports available to teachers and other school staff and is interested in expanding supports available to students. She also mentioned that she has been investigating different methods, such as private tutoring, to help students catch up after falling behind during the pandemic. “I want to make sure that all students have access to a well-rounded education that prepares them for life no matter what path they take,” Bonamici said. She said that she was wary of the recent school choice movement trying to divert public education dollars to private schools that had selective admissions practices. Protecting the ocean was another of Bonamici’s points of focus, as she is the Chairwoman of the House Oceans Caucus and serves on the environmental subcommittee of the House Committee on Space, Science and Technology. She pointed to ocean acidification and marine debris as two of her primary concerns and said that she was working with agency officials to
n See FOCUSED, Page A3