Tillamook County Wellness
Hometown Heroes
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Headlight Herald
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020
VOL. 133, NO. 24 • $1.00
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
Tllamook County now open under Phase II T
Hilary Dorsey headlightreporter@ countrymedia.net
he Tillamook County Board of Commissioners approved at their board meeting on Wednesday, June 3, the COVID-19 reopening framework Phase II application to send to the governor’s
office. The documentation, submitted to the governor’s office on June 3, demonstrates the county’s readiness to move into Phase II, effective Monday, June 8. Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday, June 4, approval of Tillamook County to move into Phase 2 reopening on Monday, June 8.
“I can’t believe how few requirements there are for us to apply for Phase 2 opening,” Commission Chair David Yamamoto said. Yamamoto said the effective date of June 8, rather than June 5, gives the county better opportunity to get everything in order. Tillamook County was ap-
March on Main
proved to move into Phase I on May 15 and has continued to work with community partners to expand testing efforts and to promote physical distancing and hygiene. As of June 3, the county has no active cases of COVID-19 and no hospitalizations related to the virus. The county continues to work with local first responders and attest
that they have a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand. “Clatsop County to our north is in much worse shape,” Yamamoto said. “We’re still at six cases; Lincoln County I believe is at 11 or 12 cases. Clatsop County is well over 20 cases.” Tillamook County continues
EXCLUSIVE
ORIGINAL
Nestucca celebrates graduation ceremonies N
Attendees gathered at Sue H. Elmore Park in Tillamook and then dispersed to each side of Highway 101 for the hour-long rally deemed a gathering for “justice and equality in tribute to George Floyd.” Photo by Chelsea Yarnell
Tillamook County rally shows support for Black Lives Matter Chelsea Yarnell Guest Contributor
“Racism isn’t an option.” “Black Lives Matter.” “Silence is compliance.” “I can’t breathe.” These were just some of the many signs that more than 200 people displayed in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Tillamook on June 6. Attendees gathered at Sue H. Elmore Park in Tillamook and then dispersed to each side of Highway 101 for the hourlong rally deemed a gathering for “justice and equality in tribute to George Floyd.” South County residents Fred Bassett and Sonya Kazen helped organized the event. “It’s not a problem that is just in big cities,” Bassett said. “The racism and
bigotry in this country has gone on for too long. It’s simply an attitude that simply has not been dealt with. And it won’t be dealt with until we really look in ourselves and examine that.” Bassett is a co-founder of Progressive Action Tillamook that aims to create a safe community for all people to thrive. “The reason we we’re doing this is because we haven’t [fully changed attitudes],” Bassett said. “Education is a great tool, but we also have to educate ourselves and look deep in our own souls. Us in rural Tillamook County…we’re not exposed to a lot of diversity, but it is there and it is there in our world and we need to look at it and start questioning it. Maybe now we can finally start treating the symptoms and not just putting a band-aid on it.”
Kazen estimated that over half of those in attendance were young families. “I was so impressed…with how many people with young kids were there… which was very encouraging to me,” Kazen said. “People want to see a change.” To ensure safety of attendees, Tillamook Police Chief Terry Wright and an additional Tillamook Police officer were present. Also, in attendance were Oregon House of Representatives David Gomberg, Tillamook County Commissioner Elect Erin Skaar, and Oregon House of Representatives’ District 32 candidate Debbie Boothe-Schmidt. Vigils for the Black Lives Matter movement will take place until further notice every Saturday from noon- 1 p.m. at Sue H. Elmore Park in Tillamook.
to train contact tracers, with 28 individuals available if needed, and more individuals having expressed interest in the training process. The county continues to maintain contracts with area lodging and health agencies for isolation or quarantine in order to meet a 20 percent increase in suspected or confirmed cases.
Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer
estucca High School held their senior commencement on Friday, June 5, at Cape Kiwanda. The event was livestreamed through a link on the school district’s website, as only graduates and their immediate family were allowed to attend the ceremony due to social distancing guidelines. Superintendent Misty Wharton said in her message that the graduating class remains successful through the pandemic. She knows this is now how the class envisioned their senior year. “One single person can have a huge impact on the world so please don’t underestimate your impact,” Wharton said. “When you go out in that world and live your truth, and your reality, always remember that other people’s truths and reality is different, but there’s enough room in the world to accept all of that.” Wharton said the group is fun and have always practiced acceptance, always being welcoming and accepting of others. “I’m proud of you,” Wharton said. “You’re going to be the only class that graduates at the Pacific Ocean with Haystack Rock in the background.” A senior slideshow presentation showed various photos of seniors, as well as the parade procession that took place May 15. The Class of 2020 had driven down Hwy 101 with various members of the community standing outside their homes and in town cheering the students on. Veronica Chavarin, class president and valedictorian, spoke about Black Lives Matter in her class welcome. She thanked Susan Smith for helping set up the graduation, as well as the people in the parking lot and those listening at home. Salutatorian Olivia Leslie thanked the teachers at Nestucca High School for preparing the class for what’s to come. She said the class missed having those last few months in class with students and teachers and that the class is composed of some of the best individuals she could have grown up with. “I find it bizarre that in minutes, we will all walk across this stage and receive our diplomas,” Leslie said. “Attending graduations over the years
n See GRADS, Page 3
When the surf’s up, he’s got your six! W
Karl Anderson Guest Contributor
hen your average person thinks of the word “surfman” they picture a guy hitting the beach with a board.
INDEX Classified Ads................... A10-14 Crossword Puzzle.................. A14 Fenceposts........................... B3-4 Letters................................... A4-5 Obituaries............................. A6-7 Opinions............................... A4-5 Sports................................ A13-14
But for Boatswain Mate 1st Class Jimmy Thrall, he plows through the surf behind the wheel of a boat to save people or vessels in distress. Specifically, a 47-foot boat owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. His title: ‘Surfboat Driver’ or ‘Surfman.’ Thrall, a resident of Bay City, began his career with the Coast Guard in 2005 and has been at Station Tillamook Bay for the past five years. “I entered boot camp at Cape May, New Jersey in February of 2005,” Thrall said. “That was for eight weeks, which was followed by cutter duty. “I was on the buoy tender cutter ‘Anthony Petit’ from 2005 through 2006 and then on the cutter ‘Active’ from 2006 through 2008.” Thrall sailed on the ‘Active’ from Port Angeles, Washington down the Pacific Coast all the way to the waters off Colombia and Ecuador on a drug interdiction mission. “We
n See SURF, Page 2
A 47-foot Coast Guard boat plows through the surf. Courtesy Photo