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Eating well the takeout edition Page 10

Headlight Herald

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

VOL. 133, NO. 16 • $1.00

TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM

Confirmed COVID-19 cases reach five in county Cody Mann headlightnews@countrymedia.net

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fourth case of COVID-19 coronavirus was reported to Tillamook county officials Wednesday morning, April 8. A fifth case was reported on social media the following Friday. The new case was announced during a teleconference of the Tillamook Board of County Commissioners. Eric Swanson, Adventist Health Tillamook president, said he received an email reporting a fourth positive COVID-19 case involving a person who lives in Tillamook and works in Portland. A social media post from Tillamook County Community Health

Centers later that morning confirmed the fourth positive COVID-19 case, a person between the ages of 35-45. A contact investigation is ongoing. Marlene Putman, Community Health Centers administrator, was not immediately available to comment. During the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners teleconference Wednesday, Emergency Manager Gordon McCraw said he recently received another small shipment of protective equipment, possibly the last for a while. He said the state emergency agency is looking for additional supplies, but on its own. “The word is that was the last of the national stockpile that was issued to Oregon,” McCraw said. “So, it’ll

be a while before we get another shipment.” A fifth case of COVID-19 was reported by Tillamook County Community Health Centers on social media Friday, April 10. The person is between the ages of 65-75 and has been self-isolated at home. A contact investigation was ongoing. A sixth reported case was retracted when it was learned the person had relocated to Washington County. As of Monday, April 13, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reports 151 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Tillamook County. Oregon has tested 31,121 people with 1,584

n See COVID-19, Page 7

They’re back: Outsiders still coming to Tillamook County

Oregon closes recreational hunting, fishing to non-residents T

State, county and city officials say ‘stay home’ Cody Mann headlightnews@countrymedia.net “With this nice weather, we are seeing – unfortunately – more and more people from outside of Tillamook County coming here,” Commissioner David Yamamoto said during a teleconference this past week. Yamamoto said he was bothered by people choosing to ignore the stay at home order put in place by Gov. Kate Brown. He noted the frequency of out-of-state license plates and said local enforcement is limited in what can be done. Yamamoto asked the public to continue reporting activity so that authorities can have a conversation with visitors. “It’s very difficult for us to just close down our borders; it’s not something we can do easily,” Yamamoto said. “I’m hoping that people will understand, but please, if you see things like that going on in the county, please let us know.” Sheriff Jim Horton confirmed numerous sighting of non-Oregon license plates in the south county area, particularly around Pacific City. He pointed out that law enforcement is not authorized to stop vehicles just for having a license plate from another state. Horton said Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office is taking an educational approach, making contact when possible to advise people of the state order and encourage them to return home. “That’s a very slippery slope just to contact citizens for no reason other than that,” Horton said. “Having an out-ofstate license plate, yes we’re concerned about them in our area and in our community, but we do have to respect their constitutional rights as well.” Horton said concerned citizens

n See VISITORS Page 3

INDEX Classified Ads......................11-14 Crossword Puzzle..................... 12 Fenceposts................................. 8 Letters......................................4-5 Obituaries................................... 6 Opinions..................................4-5 Wellness................................... 10

Kirstin Bennett sent us this photo of a sign her kids made while playing outside. They found an old piece of wood in a field by a creek, took some paint and came back with this smile-making sign of the times.

County commissioners announce Tillamook County Heroes Cody Mann headlightnews@countrymedia.net

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ounty commissioners invested in a token of appreciation for those serving on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic – 1,000 buttons displaying “Official County Hero Award” along with the county logo and commissioners’ approval. Tillamook County Commissioners Bill Baertlein, Mary Faith Bell and David Yamamoto paid for the buttons personally. The buttons will be distributed first to healthcare workers

including staff at the Community Health Centers, Adventist Health and the Rinehart Clinic. A second round of buttons are designated for grocery workers

and others serving the community. “We want to recognize those folks because they are the heroes in Tillamook County,” Baertlein said. Yamamoto credited Beartlein for the idea, saying it was important to recognize those who are continuing to serve as COVID-19 spreads. Yamamoto hopes as people see the buttons around the county they will say ‘thank you’ to those wearing them. Bell concurred with the

n See HEROES, Page 7

he state is closing recreational hunting, fishing, crabbing and clamming to non-residents due to concerns about travel to Oregon to participate in these outdoor activities, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Traveling could spread COVID-19 coronavirus and put more of a burden on Oregon’s coastal communities. Tillamook County officials had already discussed concerns that clammers from out of state had intentions to swarm local areas this coming weekend. “I hope this will help dissuade outof-state clammers with the low tides this coming weekend,” Tillamook County Commissioner Mary Faith Bell said. As of Friday 11:59 p.m., non-residents may no longer participate in these activities in Oregon. The ban stands until state coronavirus restrictions are lifted and it is deemed safe to travel into Oregon. This order does not apply to anyone living in Oregon for less than six months who has not yet established residency. Some states including Washington have closed hunting and fishing to limit the spread of the virus. While seasons remain open in Oregon (except for Columbia River salmon/steelhead fishing), resident hunters and anglers should not be traveling to participate. ODFW reported concerns from rural communities about people visiting to hunt and fish and placing additional burdens on these communities’ limited resources. “Rural communities are concerned about the potential impact of COVID-19 on medical and emergency services, search and rescue and their citizens. Some have asked us to close seasons to reduce travel,” said ODFW Director Curt Melcher. “We would like to keep seasons open to give locals an outlet during this difficult time, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to travel to these communities. Stick close to home and fish at your local lake, pond or river and do not go crabbing or clamming unless you live on the coast, and then only to places where access is still open,” Melcher said. ODFW monitoring has shown that while Oregonians are still participating in fisheries, clamming, shed hunting, and

n See CLOSES, Page 7

Thank You So Much!

Kilchis House & Nehalem Bay House would like to thank our Community, Family, & Friends for the generous outpouring of essential supplies, flowers and especially for the lovely cloth masks! Staff is wearing them, we have a policy in place, and everyone is doing well. Thank you for helping us to keep our Residents healthy and happy during this most stressful time.

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