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Tillamook County Wellness Online

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Headlight Herald

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM

VOL. 134, NO. 37 • $1.50

New life for Tillamook’s Kilchis House: A community asset of Supportive Housing L

ast week, the CARE Board of Directors entered into an agreement with Tillamook Family Counseling Center’s (TFCC) Board of Directors for the sale of the former Kilchis House property in Tillamook, OR. TFCC plans to provide affordable, permanent supportive housing for individuals who struggle with significant behavioral health challenges. This will provide a stable housing option with mental health support services accessible on-site for residents. This program is made possible through an allocation by the Oregon Legislature (House Bill 5202) to the Oregon Health Authority. Using this allocation of state General Funds, OHA’s grant awards to Oregon counties specifically targets and supports the development of local behavioral health housing options. After the sale’s closing and Oregon Housing and Community Services approval the launch of the new program is expected to begin following some minor renovations to the building. “Right now, many people with severe and persistent mental illness struggle to find housing and to stay housed because of their illness,” states Frank HannaWilliams, Executive Director of TFCC, “This new project means that many more people will not face homelessness and will have a place where they can get the support they need.” The new TFCC program at the former Kilchis

Extreme wildfire danger triggers power shutoffs Citizen file photo of Kilchis House prior to closing its doors as an assisted living community. House will include up to 30 units of affordable rental housing for those with significant behavioral health challenges. “We are so excited to be working with TFCC on this project” comments Peter Starkey, CARE’s Executive Director, “CARE and TFCC have a strong partnership and collaboration between our programs, and we are excited to continue working with TFCC on this new endeavor.” After a long and rigorous process of reviewing the financial performance of CARE’s assisted living facilities during the CO-

VID-19 pandemic, the CARE Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the Kilchis House and the Nehalem Bay House earlier this year. “While we have been working to find a new owner for Kilchis House, we have focused on identifying a buyer whose mission and use aligns with CARE’s mission to create more healthy and resilient communities in Tillamook County,” comments Dusti Linnell, Chair of the CARE Board, “TFCC’s plan aligns perfectly with that mission.” CARE continues to explore the

future of the former Nehalem Bay House property. Both properties are restricted to seniors and those with disabilities under the terms of Elderly Bond that originally funded the development of these properties in the mid-1990s. Linnell assures “we will continue our process of maximizing the potential of Nehalem Bay House for the community.” Please like CARE on Facebook @TillamookCARE and @TillamookFamilyCounselingCenter to receive updates and information as this process unfolds.

What September brings to area farmers’ markets on Oregon’s north coast A

few harvests got off to a slower start thanks to rain through June. But since then, the warm sun has encouraged a bountiful harvest. Here’s a short list of what you’ll find available from local farmers now: • Huckleberries (Yes! - and often foraged) • Tomatoes (finally) • Cantaloupes • Onions – yellow • Purple artichokes • Beets (for salads, pickling and canning) • Green beans • Cauliflower and broccoli • Corn • Chiles • Potatoes • Yams • Pumpkins (toward the end of the month) And don’t forget all the other foodie goodies available: jams, coffee, bakery, candies, tea, meats and fish.

Farmers Markets on the North Coast • Astoria Sunday Market – Sundays, 10am to 3pm , May 8 – October 9 • Seaside Farmers Market – Wednesdays, 2-6pm, June 15 September 28 • Cannon Beach Farmers Market – Tuesdays, 1-5pm, June 14 – Sep-

tember 27 • Manzanita Farmers Market – Fridays, 4-7pm, May 27 – October 7 • Garibaldi Night Market – Thursdays, 4-8pm, May 26, June 30, July 21, August 11, September 1 • Tillamook Farmers Market – Saturdays, 9am – 2pm, June 11 –

September 24 • Pacific City Farmers Market – Sundays, 10-am – 1pm, June – September (exact dates pending) • Neskowin Farmers Market – Saturdays, 9am – 1pm, May 21 – October 1 The North Coast Food Trail is

in its fifth year, and includes 80 members who offer locally sourced menus and locally crafted foods and beverages. In 2019, Sunset Magazine editors named it the best food trail in their annual Travel Awards issue. For more information, visit https://northcoastfoodtrail.com

Garibaldi households get ‘smart’ water meters H

ousehold residents of Garibaldi have begun receiving new “smart” water meters. Blue flags and utility paint now identify the locations. Crews from the Portland-based company, Correct Equipment, will replace the existing meters and install Kamstrup units as part of the City’s

new Advance Metering Infrastructure system. The smart meters – based on the newest ultrasonic technology – will significantly reduce the time and manpower the City has used to perform this utility data collection. City Administrative staff will now receive accurate water use data from each individual house and building directly from a Public Works employee who drives by the meters whereby the data is automatically uploaded into a handheld device and relayed to an office computer for billing. The meters can also detect water leaks. Mayor Tim Hall and former City

Manager Juliet Hyams worked directly with State Representative Suzanne Weber and her staff to present two non-construction projects that were eligible for funding. During the Oregon Legislature’s short session, Weber called for the funding of the smart meters and a Wastewater Facilities Master Plan for a total grant of $361,000. “Representative Weber’s dedication to ensure that Garibaldi was not the only city in Oregon to fail to receive grants was truly outstanding,” said Hall. “This was a big help to move our city another step

forward.” Garibaldi was not eligible for an earlier anticipated $300,000 grant as, despite claims, it had no “shovelready” projects with engineered plans. The past unreported $800,000 of backlogged water system repairs remains an issue. Mayor Hall said that once the City’s finances are put in good order, he expects more grant opportunities will open up for Garibaldi. He added he does not want residents to shoulder the financial burden when there are State and federal funds available if you qualify.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

E

lectrical power has been restored to the Lincoln County and other areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) within the Pacific Power district. On Thursday, PSPS announced shutoffs could affect some customers in South Tillamook County, near Neskowin, but Tillamook PUD assured customers that planned shutoffs scheduled by PSPS would not affect those customers. PUD did respond to an outage in that part of the county, but it was reported as high winds knocking branches off trees and downing power lines as the issue. Pacific Power estimates that 1,700 customers north of Lincoln City in Otis and the Rose Lodge area were impacted by the (PSPS) Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10 Pacific Power’s weather team had been tracking the wind event for several days, providing updates daily that indicated where the most need would be for crews to be staging, given the combination of low humidity, high winds and dry conditions, Pacific Power Public Relations Representative Drew Hanson said. Before the event, Pacific Power worked closely with local emergency management planners at cities and counties in the utility’s districts with table-top exercises for best preparation. The utility also planned to bring in additional crews and equipment to Lincoln City late Friday as a proactive effort to be ready to respond to any weatherrelated event. “It’s the normal equipment, such as polls, wires, trucks and professional line persons that we have readily available,” Hanson said. “They will be out there inspecting, so it will be an active time as the crews work to make a quick and safe restoration of service.” He added that such events are another reminder for local residents to be prepared for power disruptions, no matter what the season. After the winds decreased Decreased wildfire weather conditions early Saturday allowed the utility’s personnel to begin patrolling lines to perform safety checks. Vegetation debris was cleared in some spots and minor wind damage repair was required in other areas. Step restorations, such as turning on power section by section, then took place with customers re-energized by Saturday afternoon, according to Pacific Power Vice President of Operations Allen Berreth. “Community safety and reducing wildfire risk are top priorities for us,” Berreth said. “We thank our customers for their patience and understanding through this event. I also acknowledge the all-hands-on-deck approach from Pacific Power personnel. Our team emphasized safety for our customers, communities and co-workers. We thank the crews patrolling and repairing lines, the staff monitoring conditions and volunteers at the community resource centers.”

Governor’s caution

n See DANGER, Page 3


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