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Lincoln City Cultural Plaza

Community invited to the official groundbreaking

JEREMY C. RUARK

Media, Inc.

Country

It is being called a “momentous and celebratory event,” by supporters of the Lincoln City Cultural Center (LCCC).

Cultural Center friends, supporters, donors, and community members are invited to the official groundbreaking for the Lincoln City Cultural Plaza Feb. 25.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., rain or shine, on the west lawn of the Cultural Center, at 540 NE Highway 101. A reception with coffee and sweets will follow inside the center in Margaret’s Meeting Room.

Five years in the making

“It’s a big day for the Cultural Plaza, which has been nearly five years in the making,” a release from the Cultural Center states.

The Center’s board of directors and the Plaza Campaign Leadership Committee encourage the whole north Lincoln County community to attend and enjoy this celebra-

tion of art, culture, and partnership with them.

Mayor Susan Wahlke, Rep. Dave Gomberg and Sen. Dick Anderson will be turning the ceremonial sod, along with board members and project managers from the City of Lincoln City, Civil West Engineering Services, Shapiro Didway Landscape Architects and Cascade Civil Corp.

“This is going to be a special moment – the launch of a beautiful new resource for Lincoln City and our nonprofit Cultural Center,” LCCC Board President Dorcas Holzapfel said. “It’s happening because our whole community pulled together, the City of Lincoln City supported us, and our legislators championed the cause. Donors, foundations, and fundraisers are making this dream a reality. We hope they will all come and celebrate with us.”

The Plaza construction is scheduled to begin in March.

The project

The project will transform the outdoor space around the historic Delake School building, home to the Lincoln City Cultural Center since 2007. By the end of 2023, the

2.6 acres around the brick schoolhouse will be transformed into a pedestrian friendly outdoor space, filled with dedicated installments of public art, gathering spaces with seating, and sponsored spaces for education and performance, connected by a drive-able meandering pathway.

The Plaza site plan, which was formed with community input in 2018 and 2019, offers a redesigned parking area and traffic flow, along with islands, lighting and other upgrades required by city code.

Although the property belongs to the City of Lincoln City, the $3 million development is a project of the nonprofit Lincoln City Cultural Center.

The center has partnered with the Lincoln City Percent for Art fund, which provided the Plaza’s first installation: Pete Beeman’s “Poppy” on the southwest corner. The Cultural Center is also working with the Lincoln City Rotary Club to provide outsized outdoor musical instruments in the northwest corner and the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City, leading the charge for a playful children’s outdoor arts classroom on the east side.

What is scheduled to happen next

First, according to the latest schedule, will be the removal of trees from the project site. This highly visible work could begin as early as the first week of March. Some of the trees are in the right of way or interfering with power lines, while others are coastal pines that have been over-limbed and are in poor health.

“It will be hard for me to see those old trees go,” LCCC Executive Director Niki Price said. “But I know that we’ll be planting back nearly three times that amount, with a greater variety in deciduous and conifers, all throughout the property. And removing those older pines will allow us to bring in more utilities and access, irrigation so that the future trees will stay healthy, and safer parking options for everyone.”

The Cultural Center is scheduled to remain open, for regular meetings and events, throughout the construction period. Parking may be limited at certain times of the

See CENTER, Page 11

Tolan new LCSD Superintendent

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Lincoln County School District (LCSD) Board of Directors has selected Majalise Tolan as the district’s new superintendent.

Courtesy photo Majalise Tolan receives congratulations following the school board’s announcement that she will be the new LCSD superintendent.

Tolan is currently the LCSD director of secondary education. She accepted the superintendent position Tuesday night, Feb. 14, after the LCSD Board of Directors voted to officially offer her a three-year contract. Tolan en-

tered into an initial agreement for the district’s top education executive after the4 January school board meeting.

“I am just really excited,” Tolan said following the board’s decision. “I didn’t want to be a superintendent. I wanted to be this one.”

Tolan has two decades of education experience and has worked for LCSD for 15 years.

“Having such a selective mid-set where you would want your career to take you and for that to become a re-

ality is really awesome,” she said. “Not a lot of people get that opportunity, so this is really cool.”

Tolan said her dedication and “total believe” in Lincoln County has led her to the new educational opportunity.

“We’ve been here 15 years and we have built our life here, so being able to grow in a profession that I believe in and having a district that works so hard to develop its staff, its teachers, and its administrators, has given me a lot of opportunities to expand

my knowledge and prepare me for this,” she said.

Part of the that growth opportunity came from working with current LCSD Superintendent Dr. Karen Gray.

“Karen is a total-systems thinker,” Tolan said. “She is excellent at building strategic plans and aligning resources and programs and so, I learned a lot from her in that realm of how you have really strong ideas and how to align strong leadership across the county.”

See TOLAN, Page 11

Local man arrested in crimes against minors’ investigation

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

ALincoln City man fac-

es numerous criminal changes following a crimes against minors’ investigation by local police.

According to the Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD), detectives and officers executed a search warrant Lincoln City at the home of 20-year-old Zachary Rasmussen in the 3400 block of SE Harbor Drive in Lincoln

City at approximately 9 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 16.

The investigation began in January after the LCPD received numerous complaints of disturbances and unlawful activity occurring at Rasmussen’s residence.

One of the complaints included the distribution of controlled substances to minors. Based on the information obtained during the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for Rasmussen’s residence. Ras-

mussen was located inside the residence and was arrested without incident during the Feb. 16 search.

Rasmussen was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. He faces the following charges:

• Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 Feet of a School (Taft High School and Taft Elementary School)

• Allowing a Minor to Consume Marijuana

• Sex Abuse in the Third Degree

• Contributing to the Sexual Delinquency of a Minor

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Lincoln City Police Detective Bud Lane at 541-994-3636.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, inc.

Police executed the search warrant and arrest in the 3400 block of SE Harbor Dr. in Lincoln City.

Courtesy from Lincoln City Cultural Center

This conceptual drawing is one of several that illustrates what the Plaza project will look like when completed. See more photos with this story at thenewsguard.com.

Court rules on First Amendment Sanctuary Gun ordinance

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Lincoln City and Lincoln County governments and those across the state cannot declare their jurisdictions Second Amendment sanctuaries and outlaw police from enforcing certain gun laws, according to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

The court ruling, issued Feb. 15, invalidated the Columbia County ordinance that

claims to nullify state and federal gun safety laws within the county.

The ordinance was adopted by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in March of 2021. It had been preceded by two similar voter-enacted measures. After adopting the 2021 ordinance, the county brought a legal proceeding asking the courts to determine whether the ordinance is valid.

The Oregon Department

of Justice (DOJ) appeared in the proceeding, arguing that the ordinance violates state law and is invalid.

“Oregon’s gun safety laws exist to protect all Oregonians. Local ordinances declaring those measures to be unenforceable put people at unnecessary risk and they are illegal! The opinion by the Court of Appeals makes it clear that common sense requirements like safe storage and background checks apply

throughout Oregon,” Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum said. “Hopefully, other counties with similar measures on the books will see the writing on the wall. But we have successfully fought these measures in three counties so far, and we will keep fighting them!”

The trial court ultimately declined to rule on the measure, ruling that Columbia County could not instigate legal proceedings if it did not

intend to defend the legality of its ordinance.

What the ruling means

The Oregon Court of Appeals first decided that the trial court was wrong to dismiss the matter. The purpose of validation proceedings is for state courts to decide whether local ordinances are valid, and a local government does not need to be confident its measure is valid in order to

take advantage of the process. Rosenblum said the Court of Appeals also determined that the Columbia County ordinance violates state law, as DOJ has argued all along.

The county will now decide whether to seek review in the Oregon Supreme Court. But the decision of the Court of Appeals is a statewide appellate decision with ramifications for other similar ordinances in other counties.

SHERIFF’S TIP OF THE WEEK POLICE BLOTTER

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Lincoln City Police

February 4

10:45 a.m.

Report of a Hit and Run in the 3700 block of Spyglass Ridge Drive. Caller reports that a recently installed cyclone fence appears to have been driven through. Report taken.

10:58 a.m.

Caller reports he received a call from a subject that she had been in an accident at NW 26th and NW Keel and it hurt, was exchanging info but asked him to call police. Report taken.

1:51 p.m.

Caller reports a Ruger LC9 pistol taken from his car. Possible suspect information. Report taken.

5:54 p.m.

Caller reports subject pulled into neighbor’s driveway in the 1100 block of SW 13th Street and was yelling at location and taking pictures and videos. Informational report taken.

6:24 p.m.

A traffic crash reported at SW 51st Street and SE Highway 101. Caller reports non-injury collision partially blocking. One vehicle towed by Car Care. Report taken.

February 5

Caller reported he wanted to kill himself and that he had already cut himself. Caller reported he was in parked white Jeep at the D River Wayside. Pacific West Ambulance and North Lincoln Fire and Rescue responded. Caller was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. Report taken.

February 6

2:45 a.m.

Officer initiated traffic stop in the 1500 block of NW 40th Place. Driver was taken into custody on charge of DUII. He was also issued citations for PCS-Cocaine, Driving Uninsured and DWS. Driver was transported to LCPD where he was later cited and released.

12:54 p.m.

Caller reported finding a phone on the beach in the 1500 block of SE East Devils Lake Road. Report taken.

7:43 p.m.

Caller reported suspicious activity in the 1500 block of SE 3rd Street. Juveniles have taken unknown type of drug. Informational report taken.

February 7

7:37 a.m.

Caller reporting subject who has previously been trespassed had returned and just left. Subject was cited and released for Trespass II. Report taken.

10:24 a.m. Burglary reported in the 2000 block of SW Bard Road. Caller reporting location had been broken into, sinks clogged, and faucets were turned on. Report taken.

1:38 p.m.

Caller reported an elderly male taking other people’s laundry in the 2100 block of NE Highway 101. One subject was taken into custody and transported to jail charged with Harassment, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, and Theft.

1:44 p.m.

Caller reports suspicious activity in the 2000 block of SE East Devils Lake Road. Apple Air Tag was found in her vehicle. Report taken.

3:52 p.m.

Employee in the 1700 block of NW 21st Street reported that a female who has been trespassed from the hotel stayed in a room last night. Subject was arrested for Burg 1, Criminal Mischief among Theft of Services.

Beware of Internet scams

6:42 p.m.

Report of a traffic crash in the 2900 block of NE Highway 101. One driver was cited for Improper Positioning on a Highway. Report taken.

Oregon State Police

February 6

10:04 p.m.

Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation i the 5900 block of Highway 101 at Lincoln City. The driver of the vehicle was suspended without insurance. The vehicle had switched license plates on it. Driver was in possession of a non-criminal about of Methamphetamine. Driver cited for DWS, no insurance and switched plates. Driver also cited for violation level PCS Meth. Meth Seized and logged into evidence. Vehicle was towed by Menefee’s towing.

February 8

1:31 p.m.

A blue Hyundai Sonata was broken into with identification, credit cards an approximately $1,500 of property stolen. Potential suspects have been identified. The case is open pending further investigation. (Specific event location not disclosed.)

1:33 p.m.

The black 2007 Chevrolet Malibu was parked along the shoulder near milepost 125 on US-101 as the vehicle had broken down. The owner of the Chevrolet reported to the Oregon State Police when he returned on 2/8/2023 around 12:52 p.m. a window had been broken and items had been stolen. Associated Washington plates for when it had been previously registered out of WA have been flagged as stolen.

10:07 p.m.

A vehicle was stopped for expired registration. The driver was found to be driving while suspended and driving uninsured. The vehicle was towed by Rowley’s Towing for SB780 impound. The driver was cited for multiple traffic violations.

Samaritan implements new visitor policy

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

As hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses continue to decline in the region, Samaritan Health Services has archived pandemic visitor restrictions and implemented a new visitor policy for hospital and mental health inpatients.

Medical-grade face masks are still required at all Samaritan hospitals, patient care departments and clinics, per Oregon Health Authority requirements.

Meanwhile, the visitor policy has relaxed to allow each inpatient to designate two visitors and one or more support people, with one support person allowed at a time. This means there can generally be up to three people with a patient at a time — up to two visitors and one support person.

The policy covers Samaritan’s hospitals in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Lincoln City and Newport, as well as the mental health inpatient facility in Corvallis.

Other provisions of the policy include: Patients at the end of life may have more visitors, with the number of visitors decided in consultation with the care team.

Clergy may visit at any time with patient/family consent and does not count towards the visitor and support-person limit.

Visitors may be asked to temporarily leave a care area at the discretion of the care team for patient care or safety reasons.

Share the love this month, not your data.

Unfortunately, every year thousands of Oregonians fall victim to online criminals who disguise themselves as established organizations or businesses.

Internet scams continue to evolve and become harder to recognize. This term generally refers to someone using internet services or software to take advantage of victims. Cyber-criminals and other scammers have become quite savvy in getting you to provide your personal information in a variety of ways.

Some scammers are selling “official merchandise” while others ask you to pay fees urgently to avoid serious (but false) consequences.

Another popular scam is the click-bait link or file attachment that collects your data by inviting you to open it from a message such as “I think you know this person that was in this car accident” or “Your account has been suspended, click here to reset your password”. But of course when you click these links you get viruses or are directed to give your personal information to “reset your account” or login.

When in doubt don’t open the link, instead open a new browser and pull up the organization’s official website or

call their official number.

Here are a few tips to keep you safer from scams and cybercrimes:

• Use caution, especially with those you are not familiar with.

• When you receive uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it’s over the phone, by mail, email, in person, or on social media, always consider the possibility that the interaction may be a scam.

• Remember to call or log on to the organization’s real website to verify the information you’ve been given is accurate.

• Protect your passwords and personal information.

• Always use password protection.

• Don’t share access with others.

• Update security software

and back up content regularly.

• Protect your Wi-Fi network with a password.

• Avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.

• Ignore unfamiliar attachments or links.

• Don’t click on links, open attachments, attempt to unsubscribe, or call any telephone number listed in suspicious messages.

• Do not give any money, credit card info, or other personal details.

• When in doubt, look up the organization’s website or phone number and contact them directly.

If you have information about or have fallen victim to a scam, please contact the Oregon Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-877877-9392 or online at www. oregonconsumer.gov

Respiratory virus hospitalizations declining

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Recent declines in community spread of influenza and RSV are expected to continue into spring, and while state health officials monitor a recent uptick in COVID-19 activity, respiratory virus hospitalizations should keep dropping over the coming weeks, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Reason for optimism

OHA officials said there’s ‘reason for optimism,’ which may mean eventually lifting mask requirement for health care settings.

OHA Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger said RSV activity has dropped significantly since its peak in late November, and the state is close to the end of RSV season.

Influenza activity is expected to decline following a slight and short-lived increase in influenza B cases. And Centers for Disease Control and Prevention modeling predicts that COVID-19 hospitalizations are likely to

new year, with spring rapidly approaching, and I’m happy to report there’s reason for optimism in the months ahead,” Sidelinger said speaking during the OHA’s monthly COVID-19 media briefing Feb. 9. The improving conditions, if they continue, could allow OHA to eventually lift the state rule requiring workers in health care settings to wear masks, Sidelinger said. But any change to the rule must be made carefully, in consultation with health care and local public health partners, and agency health advisors and leaders.

“As we move through this new phase of the pandemic, we are reexamining all pandemic-related policies in place, including masking in health care settings, and we’ll be sharing additional information as it becomes available,” Sidelinger said.

Operating under an emergency

The state is still operating under an emergency because of high hospitalizations of patients with respiratory dis

“Members of our health care workforce have been on the front lines of Oregon’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout this public health emergency,” he said. “They have weathered Delta and Omicron surges. They, and people in their care, needed the added protection of masks,” State public health officials are “keeping an eye” on a recent uptick in COVID-19 activity – an increase in test positivity in the last two weeks – that is likely caused by the now-predominant XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant. They also are staying alert to a possible second influenza wave driven by influenza B, which often fills the void left by plummeting influenza A activity late in the flu season.

COVID-19

But as the state closes in on the end of flu and RSV seasons and ramps down its pandemic response with the rest of the country, state officials are seeing “more positive changes that speak to the normalization – and manageability – of COVID-19 in our

For example, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has removed a requirement

Metro Creative Connection

Metro Creative Connection

The state is still operating under an emergency because of high hospitalizations of patients with respiratory diseases, That emergency gives the state’s health care system additional flexibility to care for patients.

that patients must test positive for COVID-19 to be prescribed antiviral medicines, according to the OHA. And public health officials are emphasizing the importance of preparing for COVID-19 exposure and infection – especially those at high risk for severe outcomes – by knowing their risks, making a plan for when they get sick, and taking action if they test positive to protect themselves and

those around them.

“And give yourself a leg up on reducing your risk of infection by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster,” Sidelinger said.

Mpox outbreak status

number of mpox cases each month, which is expected to continue as the state settles into an endemic phase of the outbreak. “We are working closely with local public health, health care and community partners to get the word out about the importance and availability of the Jynneos vaccine, and to promote vaccination events as they become available,” he said.

Underage tobacco sales concerning

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

The Oregon Health Authority OHA) reports that following the first year of the Oregon Tobacco Retail License Program inspections of more than 500 businesses around the state, 25% of them illegally sold tobacco products to underage buyers.

The Oregon Tobacco Retail License Program was established Jan. 1, 2022, designed to improve retailer compliance with the state’s tobacco retail sales laws, including making sure retailers aren’t selling commercial tobacco to people younger than 21.

The licensing program was created to increase retailer knowledge of, and compliance with, federal and state laws regulating the sale of commercial tobacco and vaping products. It allows Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to watch for trends in compliance and provide education to local businesses, so stores are healthier places for everyone to shop. OHA offers retailers online training, phone consultation and education during compliance checks.

In a release, the OHA said it wants all retailers to know about available tools to lower the rate of sales to youth or

young adults younger than 21.

“Getting a license is the first step to ensuring that retailers are getting connected to the resources they need to fully comply with all commercial tobacco sales laws,” OHA’s Public Health Director Rachael Banks said.

Retailers also need to check that products are displayed and sold according to the law and that customers’ identifications are always correctly checked so that sales to those younger than 21 do not happen, according to Banks.

“Our hope is not to find any stores in violation of these laws or have to hand out any fines,” she said. “Our goal is to help retailers follow all commercial tobacco sales laws so we can keep commercial tobacco out of the hands of Oregon’s youth and young adults younger than 21, which is one small step toward healthier communities.

To verify if a store is properly checking identification of customers, the state works with young adult inspectors who are 18, 19 and 20 years old. These inspectors use their real state or federally issued identification cards to attempt a purchase of commercial tobacco products. If a store employee asks how old they are, the inspector answers honestly, according to a release from

the OHA.

If a store employee fails this inspection by not asking for ID, a compliance specialist enters the store immediately after the inspector leaves and informs the employee who made the illegal sale that they have failed the inspection. The store license holder will then receive a letter with the results, along with instructions if they’d like to appeal. A first-time violation brings a penalty of $1,000.

Resources are available to retailers that sell tobacco products to help them stay in compliance with all commercial tobacco laws. Visit OHA’s website for commercial tobacco retailers to access a retailer training manual, fact sheets, compliance checklists and other educational resources.

For questions about OHA compliance inspections and enforcement, or to request help, visit healthoregon.org/ tobaccoretailsales, email Tobacco.Inspections@dhsoha. state.or.us, or call: 971-6732283.

Retailers with questions about how to apply for a license should visit the Department of Revenue’s Statewide Tobacco Retail License website, email trl.help@dor. oregon.gov, or call 503-9458120.

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined a multistate coalition to defend and protect safe access to medication abortion nationwide. In an amicus brief filed in Alliance of Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the coalition of 22 attorneys general ask the court to reject a challenge brought by anti-abortion groups seeking to revoke the FDA’s approval of the medication abortion drug, mifepristone. The brief warns that withdrawing federal approval for mifepristone would drastically reduce access to safe abortion care and miscarriage management for millions of people across the country, including in Oregon. A ban on mifepristone would affect all states, including those where abortion is legal. The coalition is urging the court to reject this baseless attempt to undermine the FDA’s authority, upend decades of medical practice, and trample the rule of law.

“Abortion access throughout our country is already in

crisis after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” Rosenblum said. If the court revokes the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, the consequences will be catastrophic. Even here in Oregon where abortion remains legal, people would lose the freedom to make their own decisions about their body. As Attorney General, I will fight to keep abortion, — including this medicine — safe, legal, and accessible to everyone in Oregon.”

In 2000, the FDA approved mifepristone as a single-dose oral medication used for early-term abortions. Since its approval, mifepristone has been safely used by approximately five million persons to terminate a pregnancy and is used in more than half of all abortions today. Decades of clinical research and studies have confirmed mifepristone’s safety and efficacy.

If the district court orders the FDA to withdraw or suspend approval for mifepristone, the medication would be removed from the market nationwide. In their brief, the coalition argues that requiring the FDA to withdraw or suspend its approval of mifepristone, despite the overwhelming clinical data demonstrating its safety and

efficacy, risks undermining the integrity of the FDA-approval process for other drugs, not just the abortion pill.

The availability of the abortion pill has been particularly critical in providing access to abortion in low-income, underserved, and rural communities. The coalition also asserts that revoking the FDA approval of mifepristone would force millions to seek more invasive and expensive procedural abortion, which would disproportionately harm vulnerable, low-income, and underserved communities.

Without access to mifepristone, demand for procedural abortions would significantly increase, leading to overburdened clinics, longer wait times, later and more risky procedures, and more complicated and costly logistics for many patients, especially those in low-income and rural communities.

According to 2020 data, 89 percent of U.S. counties have no abortion clinic, and 38 percent of women of reproductive age reside in counties with no clinics. Moreover, lack of access to safe abortion care leads to worsened health outcomes and higher mortality, especially for Black women.

The program inspected more than 500 businesses around the state and found that 25% of them illegally sold tobacco products to underage buyers.

State effort to defend, protect access to medication abortion

State reopening homeowner funding assistance

STAFF REPORT

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Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will resume accepting new applications for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program on March 8.

The agency estimates there are enough funds to support about 700 additional eligible homeowners.

The program offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief intended to support homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic. It provides funding for past-due mortgages and other housing expenses, as well as ongoing payment assistance, to a limited number of homeowners with low to moderate incomes.

The pause that began on Nov. 30, 2022, allowed OHCS to assess current applications in its queue, complete minor system maintenance

and upgrades, and better project the amount of HAF funds remaining for homeowners.

As an exception during the pause, the program has continued serving the most atrisk homeowners.

OHCS is accepting new applications submitted by housing counselors on behalf of homeowners who are in a judicial action or have a verified foreclosure sale date.

“Keeping families in their homes has been a collaborative effort with Oregon’s housing counseling agencies, which provide advice and advocacy for struggling homeowners across the state,” Homeowner Assistance Programs Assistant Director Ryan Vanden Brink said. “If you are a homeowner falling behind, don’t delay, reach out to a state approved homeownership center right away.”

HAF will reopen with a focus on homeowners in active foreclosure and those traditionally underserved by

mortgage markets. Homeowners can learn more about eligibility requirements and, if eligible, apply online starting March 8, at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.

Limited funds

HAF funding is limited. The state is prioritizing Oregon households that are at the highest risk of foreclosure. Once the $72 million of funding available for homeowners is gone, the program will close. Even if homeowners are eligible, there is no guarantee their application will be funded. Other loss mitigation options depend on a homeowner’s mortgage and their servicer. Homeowners should evaluate all their options.

Free help is available

Homeowners can get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about budgeting tools

and evaluation of options to keep their homes, such as modifications, adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage, or HAF. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers. Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county. Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer to respond due to remote working policies.

In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact their mortgage servicers and lenders to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to

figure out their options.

Avoiding fraud

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor.

There are a number of common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can file a report with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General. To verify a lender’s li-

More Details

To learn more and to appply, visit oregonhomeownerasssistance.org

cense, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.

Oregon’s beach protection law celebrates 110 years

BOB ATIYEH

News Guard Guest Article

Oregonians consider their public beaches to be sacred; and everyone who enjoys Oregon’s public beaches can thank the determination of two charismatic, visionary Oregon governors.

Many know the story of Governor Tom McCall and his signing of the “Beach Bill” in 1967. Fewer know the story of Governor Oswald West, who in 1913 convinced the Oregon legislature to designate all Oregon beaches a public highway. Who was Oswald West, and why was he so concerned about protecting Oregon’s beaches?

Early Life

Born in Ontario, Canada in 1873, Oswald West moved to Oregon with his family when he was 4. Growing up in Salem, West had just 8 years of formal education, which was common at the time.

Intelligent and hardworking, a prominent Salem banker took notice of the young West; offering him a job as a messenger at his bank and becoming his mentor, encouraging him to read and learn the banking business. Promoted to bank teller 3 years later, one day a man cashed a forged check with West for $2,750, a small fortune in those days.

West discovered the forgery, pursued him with his

6-shooter and caught up with him just before he boarded a train. Tough and fearless, West backed the man into a nearby saloon and recovered the money. After several years in the banking business, West needed a break and spent a summer herding sheep near Spokane, Washington.

Heading north in 1899 during Yukon’s Klondike Gold Rush, West narrowly escaped being killed in a boundary dispute with a neighboring prospector.

In 1901, West moved to Astoria to work at the First National Bank, and in 1903 accepted the job of Oregon’s Land Agent, where he helped recover almost 900,000 acres of State School Land that had been stolen through fraud and corruption. West was later appointed to the Oregon Railroad Commission, where he helped pursue legal action against millionaire Edward Henry Harriman, president of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads.

West runs for Governor

In 1910, a month after passing the state bar exam and becoming an attorney, and never having run for political office, West decided to run for Oregon governor as a Democrat.

By current political standards, early 20th century Oregon would have been considered a deep red state, with registered Republicans outnumbering Democrats

3:1. Running on a progressive platform, riding a wave of progressive and populist sentiment that was stripping power from the wealthy and giving it back to the people,

and promising four years of clean government, West won the governors race against the incumbent Republican governor. At age 37, West became

the youngest person to be elected Oregon’s governor.

Years later, in 1958, Mark Hatfield would be elected governor at age 36.

Making beaches a public highway

West faced a challenge in getting his progressive agenda enacted; of the 30 Senate seats, 28 were held by Republicans, along with 54 of the 60 House seats. Having earlier witnessed the theft and destruction of Oregon’s forestlands by corrupt timber barons, West feared the same fate awaited the pristine Oregon coast from land speculators.

The problem was that the Republican legislature would never support the idea of making Oregon’s beaches public. West had an idea one day while riding his horse from Elk Creek in Cannon Beach, over Neakahnie Mountain to Nehalem; he would present the idea of making all of Oregon’s beaches a public highway.

The simple text of his bill stated that “the shore of the Pacific Ocean, between the ordinary high tide and extreme low tide, and from the Columbia River on the north, to the Oregon and California state line on the south, is hereby declared a public highway and shall forever remain open as such to the public.” West “pointed out that thus we would come into miles and miles of highway without cost to the taxpayer…the legislature took the bait - hook,

line, and sinker.

Thus, came public ownership to our beaches.” The bill was overwhelmingly passed by the legislature, and on February 13th, 1913, Governor Oswald West signed his bill into law.

Oswald West declined to run for a second term as Governor, preferring to go back to his law practice. West retired from practicing law after suffering a heart attack in 1945 and died in Portland in 1960.

Oswald West State Park, south of Cannon Beach, was named in honor of the person who protected Oregon’s beaches. In 1912, Oswald West and his wife purchased an acre of land on a small knoll in Cannon Beach that overlooked the ocean and Haystack Rock.

Their 2,000 square foot log cabin was completed in the summer of 1913, sold in 1926, and sold again in 1936 to Dr. Harry Bouvy, whose descendants still own the home. The house was destroyed by a young arsonist in 1991, painstakingly restored by 1995, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The house sits below Hemlock Street at the north end of the “S” curves in Cannon Beach. The best place to view the house once owned by Governor Oswald West is from the beach just south of Haystack Rock.

Bob Atiyeh is a County Media correspondent.

State issues consumer protection advisory concerning Buy Now, Pay Later

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Across the country, including Oregon, more retailers are offering options to purchase items now and pay later. This may sound like using a credit card, but it is different, according to the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) which has issue a consumer protection advisory

about the benefits and risks that come with it.

How it works

Buy now, pay later is basically an installment loan that is set up over several weeks or months with a set payment amount – think of it like a car loan or other personal loan. If a payment is missed or late, there is often a fee associated.

Things to consider before using buy now, pay later

Buy now, pay later loans often lack consumer protections

While lenders that provide an open line of credit must obtain a license from DFR, companies that only make installment loans do not need to be licensed in Oregon as long as

the loan is for the purchase of a specific product. Also, these loans do not offer the same protections as credit cards if there is a problem with what you purchased. There may

be difficulties with returning products, and, unlike credit cards, there are not typically investigations conducted should fraud occur regarding your purchases.

The debit or credit card used will be set up for auto pay.

See PAY, Page 10

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Historical Society West’s slogan, “The Man Who Delivers the Goods,” reinforces the reputation he’d forged as an energetic man who gets things done.

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POSTMASTER:

Housing, housing and more housing

DICK ANDERSON News Guard Guest Column

It seems as though all the discussion right now in Salem is centered around creating more housing in Oregon, at all levels and all different types of housing around the state.

If you live in Senate District 5, and quite frankly anywhere in Oregon, you know this to be true. We need workforce housing, starter homes, apartments, duplexes, and step-up homes. If you can live in it, we need more of it.

The Governor has an ambitious goal of increasing the current number of homes built in Oregon (20,000) to well over 36,000 a year. In the vein of making that happen, I was recently appointed to the Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council. We have included the press release below in the newsletter. The goal is a huge jump and will be a big challenge to find ways to accomplish that goal.

Because of my experience in the housing industry, I have also authored bills and testified on other bills, gaining traction in the Legislature: SB 534 – is a pilot program that is intended to assist with development funding for middle income multi-family housing by creating a revolving low interest loan fund. This would be a way of boosting developer interest in building in this particular range of middle-income rental housing.

SB 632 – Utilizes modular construction on a larger scale

that results in housing that costs a lower amount per unit. This means that housing can be built in coastal, rural, and urban communities, which can then be rented or sold for rates affordable to the working class.

Our communities face several impediments to developing housing that’s affordable to local workers. Chief among these are the cost of multifamily and single-family housing; the“standard” development practices of the last 50 years have made it impossible to build housing at a cost that allows for modest rents.

These two bills help address this challenge by encouraging more innovation. Something we don’t hear enough about in the housing

Planes passing during the night

RICK OSBORN News Guard Guest Column

Oregon’s coastal seafood economy is leaking $252 million each year, according to estimates by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.

While Oregon is a prolific producer of high-quality seafood, most of it is exported to other markets around the nation and globe. In the meantime, Oregon Coast visitors are spending $840 million on food stores and services annually.

world. Along with these bills we are working on many more aimed at cutting red tape and getting dollars moving into the community to start the building process. Democrats and Republicans are seeing the value in this, and we are hoping to keep them moving through the process I will say, I am enjoying session without all the COVID rules! Great to see constituents, friends, lobbyist, and to be in actual committee hearings. I was even able to testify on multiple other bills in House Committee’s.

Sen. Dick Anderson serves District 5. He may be reached by email at sen.dickanderson@oregonlegislature.gov, or phone at 503-986-1705.

VOICES IN THE COMMUNITY

Social Security and bond measure concerns

As people age, many rely solely on Social Security.

In many cases, property tax can be more than an entire month’s worth of their Social Security. I spoke with an elderly woman who is living solely on her Social Security income, as her husband has passed away. Her home is paid off, but her property tax is well over her complete Social Security check for two months. If she can’t afford to pay it she could lose her home.

So, what causes property tax to go up? One factor

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is bonds. When a bond is approved for a college or a school district for example, it requires everyone to pay for the project through property taxes. Essentially, the entire county pays the mortgage on a building that the school or college wants to build. While it may be a great idea to have a new building, voting for bonds increases property taxes for everyone, including an 80-year-old woman on Social Security.

It’s crucial to think about the impact of voting for bonds

on the community as a whole, especially on those with fixed incomes. Bonds force everyone to pay for well-intended projects or services regardless of their income or ability to pay, so it’s important to ask yourself if you are willing to force everyone to donate to the project despite their circumstances today or in the future. If the answer is no, then it’s best to vote no on the bond measure.

Misty Lambrecht Siletz

Shockingly, a study recently commissioned by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association found that about 90 percent of the seafood sold and served on the Oregon Coast didn’t even originate near the Oregon Coast.

The 2022 study – “Oregon Coast Synthesized Seafood Distribution Chain Model Project” by Hans Radtke and Shannon Davis – calls out unique opportunities to increase value-added local seafood in Oregon and also create more living-wage jobs and reduce the carbon footprint of our food by increasing local sea fare in coastal markets and restaurants.

“It’s crazy that people are coming to Oregon and consuming seafood in our restaurants that came from some other part of the world,” Oregon Coast Visitors Association Executive Director Marcus Hinz said. “In the meantime the product harvest mere miles from our premier restaurants is sold as a raw product globally for less money than could be captured in our local economies if more of that sea fare came from Oregon boats, was processed right her in Oregon and served on restaurant plates in our state.”

Simply losing all of those opportunities throughout the supply chain from the saltwater to the shore’s best restaurants is contributing to $252 million that is lost to Oregon’s coastal economy. Maximizing local consumption of Oregon-landed seafood would create more living-wage jobs and provide entrepreneurs access to the seafood resources they need to create new value-added products. Increasing consumption by just 10 percent could contribute an additional $90 million to coastal communities. In 2021 alone, Oregon imported $105 million worth of seafood.

Most emerging entrepreneurs currently are robbed of the opportunity to experiment in emerging markets with local products because

of a false scarcity. Oregon knows how to sell its seafood all over the world. If more small local producers could get access, more economic value could be generated in coastal communities. There is a supply of product, but economies of scale make it difficult for many smaller operations to obtain it off the boats.

“It’s really not anybody’s fault that it works this way,” Hinz said. “It’s simply economics. Fisher folks go out and catch fish. They don’t want to deal with multiple buyers – and it’s often difficult from a regulatory perspective to do that anyway – when they can simply sell everything they have to one large buyer and then go home, rest up, and go out fishing again. It’s our responsibility as a coastal business association to find ways to maximize the economic benefits to these communities.”

In response to these issues, OCVA has launched the call to action – the Keeping Local Seafood Local campaign – which is organized by the Ocean Cluster Initiative to find ways of capturing more of the economic benefit from the Oregon Coast’s signature products. Some initiatives could include developing opportunities for smaller buyers to pool purchasing capacities, such as buyer’s clubs, co-ops and other models. It also can include supporting efforts to create cold storage and smaller scale seafood butchery infrastructure.

“It’s an awakening of the entrepreneurial spirit as it pertains to seafood and other products of the ocean,” said OCVA Deputy Director Arica Sears. “There is an opportunity to create good-paying jobs and see new businesses emerge in the seafood sector. We would love to see more of the economic value of our local harvests captured here on the Oregon Coast than being shipped out on a plane, which literally passes another plane that is importing more seafood that is farmed or could potentially be tied to global environmental and human rights violations. It’s an environmental and humanitarian movement. It will be much better for coastal pocket books, but it’s more than just economics.” For more information about the program visit www.oregonseafare.com/ economic-development.

Rick Osborn is with the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. He may be reached at 541-908-6384.

Community Calendar

February 24 Rally For

Peace

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Rally for Peace at the D River Wayside in Lincoln City and along Highway 101 in Yachats. For more information, contact Georgia Roelof at 914-330-6251.

February 26 Genealogy Workshop

5 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3565 NE West Devils Lake Road in Lincoln City. If you have ever wondered about your

family history, we have experts available to teach those who are beginners to those who have been doing genealogy research for years. Come join us. Refreshments provided. For more information, call 541-786-0774.

February 28 State of the City Address State of the City Address to be delivered by Mayor Susan Wahlke from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Highway 101 in Lincoln City.

Courtesy Photo

Sen. Dick Anderson testifying during a state legislative committee hearing.

Right to Fish, Hunt, Harvest and Gather resolution

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

An amendment to the Oregon Constitution to protect the right of the people to fish, hunt, harvest and gather has been introduced at the Oregon Legislature by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Sen. David Brock Smith (District 1- Port Orford).

If passed by the legislature, HJR 5 would be referred to voters to consider on the 2024 November ballot. If voters approve the proposal, it would make Oregon the 24th state to have a Right to Hunt and Fish constitutional amendment.

“Oregonians, who have

long prioritized a strong connection with their food sources, should have the ability to vote this type of protection into the state constitution” Sen. Brock Smith said. “The ability of Oregonians to supplement their diets with wild and foraged foods is an integral part of our self-reliant heritage.”

“The Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) represents the interests of Oregon’s 940,000 sportsmen and women from all parts of the state,” Oregon Hunters Association Policy Director Amy Patrick said. “Our members regularly utilize fishing, hunting, harvesting, and gathering to supplement their food sources and provide natural, healthy

Coast Guard rescues

3 stranded surfers

JEREMY C. RUARK

Country Media, Inc.

The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued three surfers in distress near Agate Beach.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received a report just before 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, of two male surfers in distress who were being pushed up against rocks near Agate Beach. Watchstanders diverted a 47foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay and directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport to assist the people.

The boat crew arrived on scene at approximately 2:15 p.m. and located one surfer on

the rocks and one in the water.

The aircrew deployed a rescue swimmer, hoisted two people to the helicopter and transported them to shore.

The helicopter returned on scene and hoisted the third person from the rocks and transported him to shore. A rescue crew from the Newport Fire Department was waiting to aid the rescued surfers.

First responders continue to urge anyone recreating in the ocean to be aware of the dangers, including changing weather and rapid moving currents.

Agate Beach is located just north of Newport along Highway 101.

Identities and conditions of the rescued surfers had not been released by press time.

OBITUARY

John William McKevitt, 71, left this world suddenly for his heavenly home on Jan. 19, 2023, in an automobile accident. He was born the younger of two boys on Sept. 26, 1951, in Portland, Oregon, to Robert Allen McKevitt Sr. and Lillian Yvonne “Tiny” Jonsrud McKevitt. John grew up in Lincoln City (Oceanlake), Oregon, where his family operated theatres from Lincoln City to Newport. When John was old enough to work in the theatres, he worked at the Lakeside Theatre (now Bijou) in Lincoln City and their drive-in theatre.

John attended elementary/junior high schools of DeLake, Taft and Oceanlake, graduating in 1969 from Taft High School. He began his college education at Oregon College of Education where he majored in art education with a music minor. He then refocused his attention to safe drinking water and pursued courses at Lane Community College and Linn-Benton Community College where he earned his Associate of Science Degree in Environmental Technology. John had a long successful career of over 40 years in freshwater technology and management, commissioning and operating surface water treatment plants. He worked for the City of Lincoln City in several water management and development capacities and as the Public Works Director. He also worked for and managed freshwater systems in Lake Oswego, Seaside, Portland Water Bureau, Coos Bay North Bend Water Board, Clackamas River Water, and also worked on a research project for Intel.

Lincoln City’s largest and most trusted news source

tion Pacific States Manager Keely Hopkins said. “HJR 5 is an important counterpoint to those efforts by provid

tions, Oregon State Shooting Association, Oregon Associations of Ranges, Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation, Fur Takers of America, HOWL for Wildlife, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Oregon Trappers Association, and the Oregon Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, amongst others, have all unified in support of the resolution, according to mittee on Rules held a public

To follow this proposed legislation and other bills at the Oregon Legislature, visit

Oregon Coast Aquarium members assist in saving stranded seal

BY THE OREGON COAST AQUARIUM

A field excursion led by Seattle Aquarium researchers along the Olympic Peninsula, that included two members of the Oregon Coast Aquarium from Newport, quickly turned into a life-saving mission. Seattle Aquarium’s Senior Conservation Research Manager Shawn Larson was leading a sea otter observation excursion alongside with Research Scientist for Clean Seas Program Veronica Padula.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s (OCAq) Curator of Marine Mammals Brittany Blades and Senior Mammologist Ashley Griffin-Stence were participating in the field work when they heard distressed cries nearby. Just up the beach was a young northern fur seal with material wrapped tightly around its neck.

John served on numerous boards and commissions, and achieved numerous certifications, as he was always looking for ways to improve water treatment. He passionately loved his work since it involved a combination of microbiology, chemistry, physics and electricity. John was an excellent teacher, instructing many seminar courses in water technology. In his early years, he even drove log truck, as his grandpa had done—and he loved it.

John was incredibly industrious from a young age, rebuilding bicycles, cars and anything else he could improve with hard work. He cleared his wooded property and, by himself, built his beautiful log home with a sauna suspended over the creek, a sand volleyball court and a very large greenhouse— all while working full time.

John’s first few years of life were in the Holmes Road neighborhood—an idyllic neighborhood where the moms would get together and create parades for all the children to participate in. Af-

Caught on the beach

“In my 22 years of doing this work, I’ve never seen a northern fur seal pup on the beach,” Larson said. “You could tell that something was wrong with it,” Padula said. “It looked like it was struggling somehow.”

The team immediately jumped into action, following standard protocol and contacting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Typically, when a marine mammal is reported stranded or injured, a Network partner responds to assess the animal and determine the best course of action. However, this was an atypical situation. The team was in a remote location on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, and Network responders would take many hours to arrive on scene.

Larson said the remote-

ter that, John grew up on the water, living in the house his father built on Devils Lake, where he participated in all sorts of water sports, including skiing and sailing. This was a favorite gathering place for everyone. John’s love of sailing his Hobie Cat led him to enter many races—where he usually ended up winning first or second place. He loved hiking, walking on the beach, and just adventuring in the outdoors with all its beauty. Even though John did not fly airplanes, he loved them. So he and his much-loved wife Christy traveled last summer to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the airplane adventure of a lifetime called AirVenture where there were 10,000 planes to pique his interests for an entire week! That trip included a whirlwind of adventuring that included Craters of the Moon, Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Yellowstone, and the Tetons.

Beginning in sixth grade, John and his friends formed a band they named “The Sinisters”—“because it sounded cool”—with John playing

ness of the area wasn’t lost on her.

“This time of year, no one goes down there,” she said. “No one else would have known what to do in that situation.”

Next move

The team of marine mammal experts received authorization from NOAA officials to assist the fur seal. Larson used a pair of scissors from a first-aid kit to cut the restriction from around the fur seal’s neck, while Blades restrained its head and Griffin-Stence restrained its body.

The culprit was an elastic piece of cloth, similar to the wrist opening of a garden glove. Once the fur seal was released, it quickly made its way towards the water.

“It was that Northern fur seal’s lucky day,” Blades said, “to strand behind four marine mammal biologists specifically experienced with

keyboard. John would go on to play throughout his elementary, junior high, high school and college years and beyond in other bands: Union House, Bishop and Cascade Ridge Band. They even won a “Battle of the Bands” contest playing at MacArthur Court in Eugene. Two of his bandmates were like “brothers from another mother,” Scott Booth and Kenny Hughes, and they are missing their friend deeply. John’s main instruments were keyboards—especially a Hammond B3—French horn and guitar, but he could play most any instrument. He loved to sing and sang with the Central Coast Chorale and then played his French horn in the orchestra when they performed Handel’s Messiah. John also loved to dance and took dance lessons of all kinds. One of his instructors even enlisted him as her dance partner to help her teach classes!

John’s love for art included stone carving, metal sculpting, stained glass and, his favorite, water color. He loved

handling and rehabilitating entangled fur seals.” Northern fur seals are found along the north Pacific Ocean. This species spends a majority of its time at sea, coming to land just for the summer breeding season, or if they are injured or ill. The northern fur seal is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

What to do

If you see a marine mammal that needs help contact the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries marine mammal stranding network at 866767-6114. Do not approach a marine mammal or allow your pet to go near it. Besides the risk of spreading diseases, you could unintentionally hurt an animal’s chances of being able to recover and return to its habitat.

to visit art galleries, museums and historical sites and loved to delve into the culture of whatever city or region he was exploring. He also loved photography and would see beauty everywhere he looked. John was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Tiny; brother Robert Allen McKevitt Jr., and his son Keith William McKevitt.

He is survived by his loving wife Christy, with whom he prayed daily;his beloved daughters, Christine Marie “Krissy” McKevitt-James and Tiana Irene McKevitt Bosma; grandsons, Jesse Adam James and Wyatt William Bosma; nieces, Jennifer Lynn McKevitt and Jill April McKevitt Perks; great niece Aja Lillian Perks; great nephew Kai Perks; and many cousins, friends and coworkers who loved John.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 18, 2023 at HOPE Church, 2817 Santiam Highway SE, Albany, Oregon. Online condolences may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.

John William McKevitt Sept. 26, 1951 - Jan. 19, 2023

Courtesy from the U.S. Coast Guard

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport rescues one of three surfers who were pushed against the rocks near Agate Beach, Oregon, Feb. 12.

Courtesy from the Oregon Coast Aquarium

The seal heads to the open ocean after being freed by the research team.

Wanted 502

Bilingual Certified Peer Support/Recovery Mentor (English/Spanish)

Position

Tillamook Family Counseling Center is currently looking to add a bilingual peer specialist to our Prime+ program. The mission of the Prime+ program is to prevent acute life-threatening outcomes of substance use which include reducing overdose morbidity and mortality by providing harm reduction centered overdose prevention education and facilitating access to Naloxone. We also strive to reduce injection-related infections by providing harm reduction centered infection prevention education and facilitating access to safer use supplies. The Prime+ program supports linkage to care, diagnosis and treatment of substance use related conditions and substance us related infections.

This position includes training that leads to state certification according to OAR 410-180-0305 (12) and (13).

As a certified Peer Specialist, you will be a living example and role model of recovery life. As a peer you will be a provider of the life wisdom gained through your own lived experience of recovery as well as a change agent for hope.

Benefits:

Dental Vision and Medical-prescription coverage. HSA and FSA plans. 9 paid holidays a year, paid sick leave and vacation time. Vacation starts out at 8 hours a month with increases over time. Generous retirement program: non-contributory 403(b), we put in 9% of your salary and you are vested after 6 months.

To see our complete job description and to apply go to http://tfcc.bamboohr.com/jobs. Be sure to submit an online application and upload your resume. Any questions, please visit us online at http://tfcc.org or contact us at jobs@tfcc.org

Public Notices 999

NG23-440 INVITATION TO BIDS CITY OF LINCOLN CITY WWTP Shop Building

HVAC Upgrade Bids Due: 2:00 PM, March 16, 2023

WORK -The general nature of work, described in detail in this Contract and in the basis of payment, includes furnishing all labor, equipment, and materials necessary for the construction of the project. Primary items of work include: Remove and Install new 10-ton Packaged Heat Pump. BID

SUBMITTAL - Sealed bid proposals will be received by Public Works Department, PO Box 50, 801 SW Hwy 101 - City Hall, Lincoln City, OR 97367 until 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on the 16th day of March, 2023. Late bids will not be accepted. Within two working hours of the bid closing time, bidders must submit the First-Tier Subcontractor Disclosure Form. Submittal of bid proposals shall be in a sealed envelope with identification plainly marked on the outside including project name, bid date, and time, “Bid Proposal, Bid Bond and Certificate of Residency” and bidder’s name. Bid proposals shall be publicly opened and read aloud immediate-

ly thereafter. Each bid proposal must be submitted on the forms prescribed by the City and accompanied by a Proposal Guaranty (certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond) in an amount equal to ten (10) percent of the total amount bid. The ten percent Proposal Guaranty shall be forfeited to the City if the bidder fails to enter into a contract with the City of Lincoln City within fifteen (15) days after the date of the Notice of Award. The successful bidder will be required to furnish a bond equal to one hundred percent of the amount bid for faithful performance of the Contract. BID DOCUMENTS - Bidders are to contact the Kevin Mattias (kmattias@lincolncity.or- g ) to obtain Bid Documents. The official Planholder’s list will be kept by the City and any addenda will issued by the City. PRE-BID MEETING - There will not be a pre- bid meeting or site visit conducted by the City. Bidders are required to conduct a field review of the project area on their own to acquaint themselves with pertinent conditions prior to preparing and submitting their bid proposal. QUESTIONS -All questions or requests for clarification shall be directed in writing to the Dan Christian, via email: dchristian@lincolncity.org,

NG23-437 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APP 2023-01

or by regular mail to Lincoln City, PO Box 50, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367. All written questions must be received by the Dan Christian by 5 PM PST on March 7, 2023, 9 calendar days prior to the Bid Due date. The City will determine appropriate responses, if any, and if necessary an Addendum will be issued to all plan holders of record at least 5 calendar days prior to the Bid Due date. Any verbal response(s) obtained from any source by bidders will be considered informational and shall not be relied upon by bidders. The Contractor must comply with the provisions required by ORS 279C.800 to ORS 279C.870 (PREVAILING WAGE RATE). City may cancel this procurement or reject any bid that does not comply with all prescribed public bidding procedures and requirements, including the requirement to demonstrate the bidder’s responsibility under ORS 279C.375 (3) (b) and that City may reject for good cause all bids after finding that doing so is in the public interest.

NG23-438 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN In the Matter of the Estate of: SYLVIA ANN VALE, Deceased. Case No. 23PB01169 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JACK WILLIAM HAYDEN has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Personal Representative, JACK WILLIAM HAYDEN, at the address below, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative. ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL

REPRESENTATIVE: c/-o

Attorney David V. Cramer, OSB #992479 Zantello Law Group, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. DATED and first published: February 21, 2023. David V. Cramer, Attorney for Personal Representative.

The Lincoln City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider APP 2023-01 on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 801 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, Oregon. Persons who may be affected are invited to participate in the hearing and present written and/or oral testimony concerning the project. The hearings will be televised live on Channel 4. For additional rebroadcast times, please consult the Channel 4 guide on the hour. Citizens requesting to give testimony via Zoom or telephone must email planning@lincolncity.org no later than noon on the hearing day. The request must include the person’s name and the screen name the person intends to use for the meeting. Instructions will be sent to the person requesting prior to the meeting.

give testimony via Zoom will need to leave the microphone muted and camera off until the public comment portion of the meeting. The Lincoln City Planning and Community Development Department received an application for an appeal of Directors Interpretation DI 2022- 02, which was a request to define the required minimum setback for a twostory structure. The subject property is addressed as 2864 NE Lake Dr, and is identified as Assessor’s Map 07-11- 11-AB-0070000. The applicant is Randy Trout and the property owners are Jennifer L. Fowler and Keith L. Fowler. The applicable criteria governing this review are: Lincoln City Municipal Code (LCMC) Section 17.08.010

Definitions, Chapter 17.16

Single-Unit Residential (R-1- 7.5) Zone, Section 17.77.080 Director’s Interpretation, and Section 17.77.030 Appeal. A copy of the staff report will be available for inspection at no cost at least seven days prior to the hearing and will be provided at reasonable cost to individuals who request it. The complete file may be reviewed online at www. lincolncity.org by going to Departments in the top bar, then Planning & Community Development, then Land Use Cases, then Appeal, and then APP 2023-01. The application, all documents and evidence submitted by or on behalf of the applicant, and applicable criteria are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost upon request at Lincoln City Planning and Community Development, 801 SW Hwy 101. For additional information, please contact Anne Marie Skinner, Director, at askinner@lincolncity. or- g or 541.996.1228. Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing in person, or by letter/- email, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the Planning Commission and/or City Council an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). Please email your comments to askinner@lincolncity.org or mail to Lincoln City Planning and Community Development, PO Box 50, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter or the hearing impaired, for a hearing-impaired device, or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities, should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. To request information in an alternate format or other ADA assistance, please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Kevin Mattias, at 541996-1013 or kmattias@lincolncity.org. Visit the ADA Accessibility|City of Lincoln City, OR webpage to view how the City continues to

remain in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding City programs, services, processes, and facilities.

NG23-436 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN In the Matter of the Estate of: AGNES CLAIRE FERGUSON, Deceased. Case No. 23PB00749 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DAVID FERGUSON and TAWNI FERGUSON have been appointed co-personal representatives. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Co- Personal Representatives, DAVID FERGUSON and TAWNI FERGUSON, at the address below, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the copersonal representatives, or the attorneys for the copersonal representatives.

ADDRESS FOR CO- PERSONAL REPRESENTA-

TIVES: c/o Attorney David V. Cramer, OSB #992479 Zantello Law Group, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. DATED and first published: February 14, 2023. David V. Cramer, Attorney for Personal Representative.

NG23-435 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN

In the Matter of the Estate of: DONNA M. EDWARDS, Deceased. Case No. 23PB00696 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JUDITH A. BOWMAN- KREITMEYER has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Personal Representative, JUDITH A. BOWMAN- KREITMEYER, at the address below, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative. AD-

DRESS FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: c/-o Attorney David V. Cramer, OSB #992479 Zantello Law Group, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. DATED and first published: February 14, 2023. David V. Cramer, Attorney for Personal Representative.

NG23-433 TS No. OR08000119-22-1 APN R507334 || R440633 TO No 220427949-OR- MSO TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, CHRIS MCKINNEY AND MARIA MCKINNEY, HUSBAND AND WIFE as Grantor to CASCADE TITLE as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for FIRST FRANKLIN A DIVISION OF NATIONAL CITY BANK, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of October 6, 2006 and recorded on October 11, 2006 as Instrument No. 200615502 and the beneficial interest was assigned to U.S. BANK N.A, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK N.A. TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF18 and recorded July 2, 2013 as Instrument Number 201306499 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Lincoln County, Oregon to-wit: APN: R507334 || R440633 Beginning at a point on the North line of Section 4, Township 11 South, Range 10 West of the Willamette Meridian, in Lincoln County, Oregon, that is North 89 deg. 37’ 04” West, 290.0 feet from the North quarter corner of said Section 4; thence North 89 deg. 37’ 04” West, 615 feet; thence South 1320 feet; thence South 89 deg. 37’ 04” East, 219 feet; thence North 1270 feet to the center line of an easement road shown on C.S. 13,617; thence Southeasterly along the center line of said road to a point that is 120 feet South of the point of beginning; thence North 120 feet to the point of beginning. TOGETHER WITH an easement for ingress and egress as created by instrument recorded January 14, 1992 in Book 239 Page 162, Microfilm Records of Lincoln County, Oregon and modified by instrument recorded April 23, 1996 in Book 316 Page 1809, Microfilm Records of Lincoln County, Oregon. Commonly known as: 153 HAPPY VALLEY RD, TOLEDO, OR 97391 Both the Beneficiary, U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee in trust for registered Holders of First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-FF18, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3)

of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 11

Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2022 to 01/31/2023 at $1,621.51 Late Charge(s): Late Charge(s) 0.00 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $244,387.43 together with interest thereon at the rate of 4.37500% per annum from February 1, 2022 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on June 14, 2023 at the hour of 10:00 AM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the Olive Street entrance to the Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 W Olive, Newport, OR 97365 County of Lincoln, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes

Lincoln City’s largest and most trusted news source.

the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any.

Dated: 2/2/23

By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Order Number 89187, Pub Dates: 2/14/2023, 2/21/2023, 2/28/2023, 3/7/2023, THE NEWS GUARD

NG23-432 Public Auction at Anchor Storage 628 Painter Lane, Depoe Bay OR 97341. Contact number is 541-921-9878. The following unit(s) will be sold at Public Auction on February 24th, 2023 Beginning at 11:30am for non-payment of rent and other fees. Unit #B37 Tonya Shriver, Unit #A56 Michael Hutcheson, Unit #A15 Zach Cromwell, Unit #B43 Christian Enriquez.

NG23-431 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of: JOAN MARLENE CHRISTOPHER, Deceased. No. 23PB00624

NOTICE TO INTEREST-

ED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present their claims, with proper vouchers, within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice, to the Personal Representative at the address below, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the attorney for the Personal Representative. DATED and first published: February 14, 2023. KATHY A. KEEFER, Personal Representative c/o KULLA, RONNAU, SCHAUB & CHAMBERS, P.C. SCOTT J. SCHAUB, OSB #893572, 2210 NE 22nd St., Lincoln City, OR 97367. ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: KULLA, RONNAU, SCHAUB & CHAMBERS, P.C. SCOTT J. SCHAUB, OSB #893572, 2210 NE 22nd St., Lincoln City, OR 97367. Phone: (541) 9962195, Fax: (541) 996-2770, E-mail: krsc@embarqmail. com.

NG23-429 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN In the Matter of the Estate of: JANICE KAY BIGGS, Deceased. Case No. 23PB00647 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that EARL RUSSELL BIGGS, IV has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Personal Representative, EARL RUSSELL BIGGS, IV, at the address below, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative. ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: c/-o Attorney David V. Cramer, OSB #992479, Zantello Law Group, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. DATED and first published: February 7, 2023. David V. Cramer, OSB #992479. Attorney for Personal Representative.

NG23-428 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of: ROLANDS CHRISTOPHER GOOD, Deceased. No. 23PB00625 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present their claims, with proper vouchers, within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice, to the Personal Representative at the address below, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the attorney for the Personal Representative. DATED and first published: February 7, 2023. DONNA WALBORN, Personal Representative c/o KULLA, RONNAU, SCHAUB & CHAMBERS, P.C. SCOTT J. SCHAUB, OSB #893572, 2210 NE 22nd St., Lincoln City, OR 97367. ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: KULLA, RONNAU, SCHAUB & CHAMBERS, P.C., SCOTT J. SCHAUB, OSB #893572, 2210 NE 22nd St., Lincoln City, OR 97367, Phone: (541) 9962195, Fax: (541) 996-2770, E-mail: krsc@embarqmail. com.

It’s a wrap: Dreistadt retiring as ELC Director

JEREMY C. RUARK

Country Media, Inc.

Explore Lincoln City Director Ed Dreistadt has announced his retirement, effective May 1.

Dreistadt has been instrumental in positioning the city in effective efforts to capture tourism revenue. In the following conversation with The News Guard, he shares insight into what has been accomplished and what is ahead for both him and the city.

The News Guard: When did you first start work at the city of Lincoln City and what was your role?

Ed Dreistadt: I started work at Lincoln City on May 1, 2016, as the Director of the Lincoln City Visitors & Convention Bureau.

The News Guard: Why are you retiring now?

Dreistadt: I turn 69 in April and, frankly, it’s just my time. Knock on wood, I’m in great health and want to have some fun and enjoy retirement for as long as I’m able.

The News Guard: What are your plans for retirement?

Dreistadt: I’ll be staying here in Lincoln City. This is a great town that welcomed me with open arms when I arrived here eight years ago. I’ve made a lot of friends, enjoy being part of Kiwanis and even have a place to play my banjo down at the Eagles Lodge.

For the first couple of months, the plan is to just decompress. I’ll of course be helping my wife, Shellie Stuart in her roles as the Executive Director of the Siletz Bay Music Festival and the Bay Area Merchants Association (BAMA). BAMA puts on the Haunted Taft ghost tour. You’ll still see me on Saturday nights roaming 51st Street as either Bigfoot or the ghost of DB Cooper starting in May or June.

One of my best friends from my Busch Garden days is Doug Minerd, former Entertainment Director for several of the Busch Entertainment parks. He will be advising me on doing a little consulting work now and again. His rule is to only accept projects that are fun and to not accept too many of those.

The News Guard: What do you see as the most important transitions Lincoln City has made to capture tourism revenue and why?

Dreistadt: As you well know from all the plate-of-spaghetti line graphs I’ve given to you over the years, making data-driven decisions at Explore Lincoln City is key. We haven’t been afraid to try new programs, but also admit when something isn’t working and redirecting resources once that becomes evident. In spite of the rumor that ELC has unlimited funding, we only get

28% of the Transient Room Tax. The other 72% goes to Parks, Police, Public Works and Facility Improvements. This places a lot of responsibility on ELC to maintain and enhance that revenue stream. Tourism is also, by far, the biggest industry in Lincoln City. We owe it to our stakeholders, especially those in the lodging industry, to be good stewards of the tax money they provide.

The transition to a unified City brand, formal media planning and placement, a professional public relations effort have all combined to put Lincoln City in a good place. Things like Fodor’s recognizing Lincoln City as one of the best beaches in the country and NBC News flying a crew here from New York with a producer from Chicago to do a piece on Finders Keepers are the start of a national voice for Lincoln City. We are building a widespread recognition of our town being a wonderful place.

The News Guard: What do you see as the most important steps the city should take in the future to expand that revenue capturing effort?

Dreistadt: First is to keep demand for visiting Lincoln City high. The idea of “too many tourists” is a bit of a false one. We have finite capacity to house guests here. We only have but so many hotel rooms and vacation rentals. What we’ve seen consistently year over year, though, is that demand results in not more tourists during peak times, but higher rates for our hotels. Building an understanding of everything Lincoln City has to offer also begins to shift our visitors’ consideration set.

We’ve traditionally been seen as a weekend getaway, good for a two-day visit, but not a week-long vacation. With our brand positioning as

the Unexpected, where guests find wonderful surprises around every turn of our seven-and-a-half- mile long town, people are beginning to realize that it takes more than two days to see and do it all. We’re seeing most of our growth Sunday through Thursday. Not necessarily more people, but people who stay here longer.

Anything we can do to surprise and delight people also helps. Back in my theme park days, only about 30% of the guests coming through the gate had never been there before. 70% were repeat customers. I’ve yet to find hard numbers on that for Lincoln City, but I’m convinced it’s about the same. 70% of our guests visit because they fell in love with the City. And, judging from most of the people I’ve met here, a lot of them come to the conclusion that visiting isn’t enough. They move here and become residents.

The News Guard: You and your staff developed the current city branding. It began with a bit of controversy. How has that worked over the years to give the city a positive edge?

Dreistadt: To be honest with you, I was happy to see some controversy. We could have developed a City brand that appealed to the lowest common denominator and offended the sensibilities of no one, but that would have been something bland. Success happens when you come up with a look that gets notice and polarizes people a bit. You want to see that some people love it and some people hate it. That’s the sweet spot.

Also, people gravitate to the familiar. Anything new is jarring at first and I think

we saw some of that with the City’s logo. However, now that it’s been in place for more than a few years, I think it’s being seen for what it is: playful, fun and inviting. Also, the brand is more than just the logo. It’s a color palette, it’s consistent use of type, it’s a brand promise, it’s a set of rules that you use to judge everything ELC does. It provides discipline that gives the most impact to everything we do. Everything becomes instantly recognizable as Lincoln City. And, true to being a major tourism destination, we always look welcoming and fun.

I enjoy giving out my business card at tourism conferences. People from other destinations literally marvel at it and say things like, “Wow. How did you pull that off? I wish we could do something like that.”

The News Guard: What have been the challenges and what have been the rewards in your role as director of Explore Lincoln City?

Dreistadt: The COVID-19 pandemic was the biggest challenge I’ve ever been through. When the County declared an emergency in March 2020, all of our lodging properties were shut down. ELC was declared a “non-essential department.” Our advertising budgets were frozen and we were told not to invite anyone to town. We took it upon ourselves to find an important role to play. The Portland market was a huge concern. We had spent a lot of time and effort to build awareness of Lincoln City there and were about to see that decay and start to go away. It’s a long, slow build to get something to become top of mind and a quick decline when you stop

promoting.

The solution was to feed good news stories up to Portland media. Curbside popcorn sales at the Bijou Theatre, Kellie Howard giving a glass float to every Taft High senior in 2020 to make up for the lack of an in-person graduation, ZuhG virtual concerts and on and on. We were on Portland television multiple times every week with stories on how innovative, kind and caring our people and businesses are. We also worked to create pandemic-friendly events.

Working with Lincoln City Parks and Recreation, plus the Bijou Theatre, we created a drive-in movie where neighbors got to see each other for the first time in months. Keith and Betsy Altomare took that ball and ran with it, creating a drive-in movie series at the Cultural Center. We allowed the Devils Lake Homeowners Association to repurpose an ELC grant for a bigger and better (and then canceled) 3rd of July fireworks show to create boat-in concerts with bands performing on their fireworks barge.

The children of Lincoln City were going to lose Halloween because trick or treating wasn’t feasible during a pandemic. Kiwanis had received an ELC grant for Pixiefest, which had been canceled. We worked with them, Majalise Tolan from the school district and Sharyn Jasmer at Lincoln City Outlets to create Spooky Spectacular, a COVID-safe drive-thru trick or treat experience in the lower level of the Lincoln City Outlets parking garage.

Halloween was saved, movies came back, people could gather for music again and all of it was eaten up by Portland television. Lincoln City was shown to be a resilient, amazing town over and over again.

Rewarding? You bet. As scary as the pandemic era was, I feel pretty good about how we got through it.

The News Guard: Feel free to add any other comments you might have.

Dreistadt: After eight years here, I could probably write a novel about a million other things during my watch. I got to enjoy things like Deck The Dock being established, then expanding to encompass the whole town with the help courtesy of Lincoln City Parks & Recreation. The electrical work done at Regatta Park this year is the foundation of a drivethrough holiday lights experience that will start next year and then grow. The new entry monuments and City Hall sign are being fabricated now. A comprehensive wayfinding system has been designed and will start going into place soon. Watching Poppy, the first major Lincoln City public art installation to happen in decades, being installed was a great thing to see.

Grant money ELC provided renovated the Bijou Theatre and got their neon sign working again. Kiwanis Pixiefest was a major effort but ended up on hold…maybe permanently…for lack of a good outdoor venue, but working with Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, Taft Park will be designed to accommodate events. The research we did on Pixie Kitchen and Pixieland provided the materials for a documentary that so far has gotten over a million views. Kiwanis still trots out the Pixiefest games at all major Lincoln City events.

I’m sorry that I won’t be in the saddle when the D River Welcome Center is built, but it’s been fun to be part of the process so far.

Also, please note that I haven’t single-handedly done much of anything during my time at ELC.

When Lila Bradley was the Public Works Director, she helped with a ton of support from her department. Stephanie Reid is now doing the same. Entry monuments, wayfinding, electrical service for events, engineering & footers for public art installations, negotiations with ODOT and a ton of other things wouldn’t happen without Public Works.

Jeanne Sprague at Lincoln City Parks & Recreation makes her maintenance people available for everything from stringing holiday lights to maintaining public art. They also help with creating hikes and nature-related experience for our Exploriances program, executing the Mobi-Mat program and a bunch of other things that give us stories to share with Portland television stations.

Alison Robertson brings funding and expertise for things like the wayfinding system. And then there is my staff, who help craft everything ELC does and then makes it happen. I can’t think of a single program that can be attributed to any one person. None of them can be attributed to just me.

It’s been an incredible run here and I have to admit to being a bit sad that it’s ending. My big hope is that whoever comes in after me finds that a lot of the heavy lifting has been done and that there is a foundation in place from which to do some amazing things.

Next step

A recruitment for the Director of Explore Lincoln City was expected to be open this week. The position will be posted on the city’s website and various local government and industry-specific job boards. A tentative first look at applications will be the week of March 13.

The currently adopted salary range for department heads is $98,000 - $125,000 annually.

“We do not have a deadline to hire a new director, but hope for some overlap as leadership changes hands,” Lincoln City City Manager Daphnee Legarza said. “We are optimistic that this is a possibility.”

Community Conversa-

tions is a frequent feature of The News Guard designed to provide in-depth insight about a community member or a community event or issue.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

Explore Lincoln City Director Ed Dreistadt stands in the front of his office at Lincoln City Hall. Above him is the city’s iconic signature logo developed under his watch.

It’s been an incredible run here and I have to admit to being a bit sad that it’s ending.

Ed Dreistadt, Explore Lincoln City Director

ODA celebrates National Children’s Dental Month

JEREMY C. RUARK

Country Media, Inc.

National Children’s Dental Month is celebrated each February, encouraged by the American Dental Association, to promote the benefits of good oral health to children

The News Guard has reached out to the Oregon Dental Association’s (ODA)

Executive Director Dr. Barry Taylor and Dr. Cyrus Javadi, a dentist at SandCreek Dental in Tillamook and a State Representative, for insight into the effort to raise awareness about children’s dental health.

The News Guard: The Oregon Dental Association wants to raise awareness about children’s access to dental care. Why is that important now?

Dr. Barry Taylor: Many families deferred dental care early in the COVID pandemic, and so it’s now even more critical to instill good hygiene habits and early preventive care for children.

Parents and other caregivers can help children avoid oral diseases by establishing a dental hygiene routine when they’re young, which will continue to serve them throughout their entire life.

In addition, while policies such as Cover All Kids have helped to ensure the youngest Oregonians have basic dental care coverage, children still may not receive the care they need. The Oregon Dental Association is part of a coalition working to provide dental services to children where they are at: in schools. Along with the Oregon Community Foundation, Children First for Oregon, Oregon Latino Health Coalition, Coalition of Communities of Color and other organizations, the Oregon Dental Association supports Healthy Teeth, Bright Futures, which is building on more than five years of work to provide services to children through school-based oral health programs.

The ODA’s charitable arm, the Dental Foundation of Oregon (DFO) was founded in 1982 and is dedicated to advancing oral health education, providing charitable care, and coordinating resources for Oregon’s children and vulnerable communities. The DFO’s flagship program, the Tooth Taxi, has traveled all over the state to provide millions of dollars in free dental care and education to Oregon’s children.

The News Guard: What is the Association’s message

Continued from Page 4

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Buy now, pay later loans carry late fees

Most of the companies

to parents about helping navigate their children through dental visits and regular teeth care?

Taylor: The Association strongly encourages parents to find a “dental home” so that children receive proper preventive care and education about dental care. This preventive care will help children avoid painful tooth aches that contribute to lost days at school and trips to the dentist, and preventive care is less expensive than treating diseased teeth in children.

Dr. Cyrus Javadi: We try to ensure parents understand the importance of regular dental checkups, good oral hygiene habits, a healthy diet, managing dental anxiety, and preventive care for their children’s oral health.

Parents should schedule regular dental checkups, teach good oral hygiene practices, encourage a healthy diet, address children’s fears about visiting the dentist, and emphasize the importance of preventive care to maintain their children’s healthy teeth and gums. The goal is to provide practical advice and resources to help parents ensure their children have good oral health.

Access to dental care is important for children for a number of reasons. Good oral health is essential for overall health and well-being, and it can impact a child’s ability to eat, speak, and socialize effectively. Neglecting dental care in childhood can lead to serious dental problems later in life, such as tooth decay and gum disease. It can also affect a child’s self-esteem and academic performance.

The News Guard: What are the most common children’s teeth issues that the Association members are seeing today, and why those issues?

Taylor: Dental caries, or tooth decay, are the most common issue that dentists see in children. This is a preventable disease with good home care, a healthy diet, and screenings by a dental care provider.

Javadi: The most common children’s dental issues we are seeing today are tooth decay, early childhood caries, orthodontic problems, teeth grinding, and dental anxiety. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and can be caused by factors such as a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, poor oral hygiene habits, and a lack of access to dental care.

Early childhood caries,

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Buy now, pay later loans can affect your credit score

Buy now, pay later companies generally do not report your payment history to credit bureaus, so if you are hoping to do this to build your credit, that will not happen. However, it could hurt your credit if the company performs a credit check be-

also known as baby bottle tooth decay, is caused by prolonged exposure of a child’s teeth to sugary liquids.

Orthodontic problems, such as overcrowding, crossbites, overbites, and underbites, can affect a child’s bite, speech, and self-esteem. Teeth grinding is a common issue among children, especially during times of stress, and can lead to tooth damage and jaw pain. Dental anxiety is a concern for some children, which can prevent them from receiving the dental care they need.

The News Guard: How can parents help guide their child’s diet to help avoid cavities?

Taylor: Eating a healthy diet is a critical element of preventive dental care. Avoiding sugary drinks is important, and so parents and caregivers should make sure they know the sugar content of juices, sport drinks, and other flavored waters. It is important when serving children sweets and sugary drinks that it is done at a mealtime; the greater risk is the consumption of sugary food items between meals.

Water fluoridation is widely considered one of the most equitable, economical and efficient ways to prevent tooth decay for entire communities. Optimally fluoridated water (where the amount of fluoride, which is naturally occurring in water, is adjusted to a level that protects against tooth decay) is proven to reduce tooth decay in children by 18 percent to 40 percent. But fewer than 22 percent of Oregonians have

access to optimally fluoridated water, and the city of Portland is the largest urban area in the country without fluoridated water.

In case a list form is helpful:

1. Limit sugary drinks and snacks: Encourage your child to drink water instead of sugary drinks, such as soda or fruit juice, and limit snacks that are high in sugar, such as candy, cookies, and cake.

2. Encourage a balanced diet: Make sure your child eats a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as these foods are good for their overall health and can help keep their teeth healthy as well.

3. Reduce frequency of sugary foods: It’s not just the amount of sugar your child consumes, but also the frequency. Encourage your child to eat sugary foods only at mealtimes, as eating sugary foods throughout the day increases the risk of cavities.

4. Promote healthy snacks: Encourage your child to snack on foods that are healthy for their teeth, such as cheese, nuts, and raw fruits and vegetables.

5. Avoid snacking before bed: Encourage your child to brush their teeth before bed and avoid snacking before they go to sleep, as this can increase the risk of cavities while they sleep. By guiding your child’s diet and promoting healthy eating habits, you can help reduce the risk of cavities

and support their overall oral health.

The News Guard: What should parents look for in helping to catch their child’s teeth issues before they become extreme?

Dr. Javadi: Parents should look for tooth pain or sensitivity, changes in the way the teeth look or fit together, changes in their child’s bite, changes in their speech, and grinding or clenching of teeth as signs of potential dental issues.

The News Guard: For many, budgeting for children’s teeth issues can be challenging. What is the Association’s recommendation about how to take on such costs?

Taylor: Preventive care is always less expensive than treating dental disease such as a cavity. The Oregon Dental Association strongly supports school-based programs, which have proven to increase the access to oral health care for children. Dental screenings and preventive care are the best way to keep the costs of dental care low.

Dr. Javadi: Parents should take advantage of dental insurance, discuss payment options with their dentist, prioritize preventive care, look into community resources, and maintain good oral hygiene habits in order to manage the cost of children’s dental care. By being proactive and seeking professional dental care, families can ensure that their children have healthy teeth and gums and reduce the need for more costly procedures in the future.

ing now and paying later can be a tempting option because it seems easy to get an item today without having to pay full price.

Metro

The News Guard: Briefly, what advances in technology have we seen over the past several years that are helping with children dentistry.

Taylor: There are more options for imaging in the child’s mouth. Many of the materials now used in children’s oral care are odorless and easier to apply in the mouth, making the dental visit a more pleasant experience.

Dr. Javadi: Advances in behavioral guidance techniques have greatly improved the comfort of pediatric dental appointments. Techniques like the use of special chairs, blankets, toys, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) have been introduced to help children feel more relaxed and comfortable during their visits to the dentist.

By making children feel at ease, these techniques can help reduce anxiety and fear associated with dental appointments, making the experience more positive for both the child and the parents.

About the ODA

The ODA is comprised of 16 local dental societies throughout Oregon that provide continuing education and service programs in their local communities. The association is dedicated to advancing the dental profession and promoting the highest standard of oral health and oral healthcare.

To reach the Oregon Dental Association, call 800452-5628.

cause these inquiries typically reduce your credit score for a short period. In addition, if you are late or missed a payment, the company will likely report the poor payment history to the credit bureaus, harming your credit history.

How you can protect yourself

It is important to do your research if you are going to use a buy now, pay later option. Know what the payment schedule is and make sure you can afford it. Buy-

“As with anything regarding financial decisions, we encourage people to do their homework,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “Know what your payments will be, what you can afford, and make sure you are able to make those payments if you’re going to use a buy now, pay later opportunity.”

Resources

If you believe you have been misled or treated unfair-

ly, the division has advocates ready to help at 1-888-8774894 (toll-free). The DFR website also has references available for you to file a complaint, check for licenses, and much more.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has information on its website regarding buy now, pay later loans.

The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Creative Connection

The Tooth Taxi is part of the Oregon Dental Association’s effort to provide free children’s dental care and education about the importance of proper dental health.

As with anything regarding financial decisions, we encourage people to do their homework.

TK Keen, DFR Administrator

“ “

$1.8M for habitat restoration and conservation

STAFF REPORTS Country Media, Inc

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) will be receiving $1,818,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for habitat restoration and conservation through the National Estuary Program.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the fund

ing Feb. 13. “Climate chaos and human actions are threatening to lead to the permanent loss of plants and animals that have defined Oregon, including salmon and steelhead,” said Senator Merkley, who, as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, wrote the legislation funding the EPA. “These EPA funds will help the Columbia River Estuary become more

resilient to climate chaos, and at the same time provide opportunities for Oregonians of all ages to access, enjoy, and learn about what makes the Columbia River special.”

“A healthy, resilient Columbia River Estuary protects our state’s natural treasures, such as our iconic salmon and steelhead populations as well as other essential drivers of our state’s economy and quality of life,” Wyden said.

“These restoration resources now flowing into our state add up to a greener and healthier future for the Columbia River Estuary and the surrounding communities.”

The EPA’s National Estuary Program (NEP) funds projects to restore water quality and ecological integrity across 28 estuaries of national significance and received funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NEPs

have also been at the forefront of addressing climate impacts and environmental justice disparities in their watersheds and is part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to underserved communities.

The award to LCEP is for habitat restoration projects of varying size and complexi-

ty, water trail non-motorized boat access and infrastructure projects that are focused on education and stewardship, stormwater and green infrastructure projects intended to improve water quality and reduce contaminates to the Lower Columbia River study area, and assessment and monitoring projects intended to provide data on the status and trends of ecosystem conditions in the estuary.

Continued from Page 1 summer, however. Staff and board will continue to work with Cascade Civil Corp., as well as its neighbors and adjoining properties, to ensure access through October.

Funding

The total estimated cost of the plaza project is $3 million.

State Rep. David Gomberg was instrumental in securing a $1.5 million lot-

Tolan

Contined from Page 1

Tolan described her vision for the district as continuing the trajectory of the board’s strategic plan and finding the opportunities for positive change.

Priorities

Implementing the district’s strategic plan is a main priority, according to Tolan.

“That is really first on my mind,” she said. “So, we are not looking to the next great thing, but we are really getting solid on the systems and programs we already have in place, and just digging deeper into those. We just really need to stay the course and follow through with that.”

Tolan has already set her first-year course.

“In my first year, I want

tery bond allocation for the Lincoln City Cultural Plaza project through the State of Oregon budget process in 2019. The LCCC Board announced in June 2020 that efforts to raise $250,000 through the Inspiration Capital Campaign Goal was successful. A large thermometer sign had been installed on the front lawn at the Cultural Center to illustrate donations and sales of commemorative bricks for the plaza project.

to continue to build partnerships across the county as I get to know more about the strengths and opportunities in all of our areas.,” she said. ‘I believe in our staff, students, families, and communities and look forward to collaborating as we continue to prepare our students for their future.”

The challenges ahead, including student health and safety, are all about a well-rounded education, according to Tolan.

“Being able to expand elective and engagement opportunities and also having counselors at each school and having partners at Lincoln County Mental Health and really leveraging all of the parts that we have around us that wrap around our children is a really big priority,” Tolan said.

According to the release, generous funders for the Lincoln City Cultural Plaza project include:

• The State of Oregon, through the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds

• The Roundhouse Foundation

• The Marcia H. Randall Foundation

• The City of Lincoln City

• Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund

• Oregon Community Foundation

When asked what she believes students what for their education future in the LCSD, Tolan said the students want an education that prepares them for the future. She said the district continues to offer engagement opportunities for the students to best align classes and other learning efforts.

To address the ongoing teacher shortage, Tolan is hopeful the district will find solutions to the ongoing teacher shortage by working collectively with the current teacher staff.

The district is also facing a student population decline, down this year by approximately 400 students. That decline will reflect a reduction of state education funding.

“We do have declining enrollment,” she said. “It dropped after COVID. We are

• Oregon Cultural Trust

• The Lincoln County Economic Development Fund

• The Autzen Foundation

• The Oneatta Fund of the OCF

• Ronni Lacroute

• The Family of Dorinda Brush

• The late Lloyd and Marlene Ankeny

• Greg and Rosanne Berton

• Rocky Blumhagen and Richard Royse

And more than 350 other

kind of stable now. But the decline does come with financial implications. So, that is definitely one thing we will have to look at as we go into our budget development. The teacher shortage, substitute shortage, bus driver shortage, all of those are stressors and we will have to continue to work on them and be able to support and retain the staff that we have.”

Reaction

Following the board meeting, LCSD board chair Liz Martin said the board is excited to hire an established, knowledgeable educator from within the district.

“It is an amazing opportunity,” Martin said. “Majalise will continue our mission of increasing student achievement and the other goals in

Courtesy from Lincoln City Cultural Center

donors who have contributed to the Invest in Inspiration Campaign (2019-present).

The Cultural Center board continues to raise funds toward the completion of this important project. To learn more about legacy gifts and other Plaza opportunities, call Niki Price, 541-994-9994.

The competitive bidding process for the Plaza opened in November and was led by Civil West Engineering Services of Newport. The lowest of the qualified bidders was Cascade Civil Corp., a heavy

our strategic plan. Her enthusiasm and passion for learning will benefit our students, staff, families and communities in the upcoming years.”

School board vice chair

Peter Vince said Tolan is ready to address every initiative, every issue, every concern with directness, empathy, and energy. “She has a very agile mind, able to jump from one topic to another with competency and inquiry,” Vince said. “She brings people and resources together to develop proposals and partnerships, giving them the best chance for success.”

Current LCSD Superintendent Dr. Karen Gray said during the past five years, she has worked closely with Tolan and has observed her growth and development as an outstanding educational leader.

civil construction firm based in Redmond, Ore. The firm’s president, Paul MacClanahan, has been working with Civil West, Shapiro Didway and the LCCC’s project liaison, Alan Holzapfel, to prepare for a March-September construction timeline.

The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Highway 101 in Lincoln City. For information, visit our website at lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call at 541-994-9994.

“Majalise is knowledgeable, instinctually intelligent, kind, compassionate, and is one of the most hard-working administrators in the district. She walks her talk,” Gray said. “Majalise is an equity champion for all kids and the individual assets each, with their unique cultures and backgrounds, brings to the school district. I now can retire knowing that our precious LCSD is in the best hands to keep us moving forward for kids and families.”

Gray announced her retirement in December after five years as the LCSD Superintendent. Her final day with LCSD is June 30. Tolan takes office July 1. Salary for the position is under negotiation. According to Gray, the pay with benefits could be in the range of $165,000 to $175,000.

These are illustrations of the Cultural Center Plaza project. See more photos with this story at thenewsguard.com.

That’s a wrap

Taft High School winter sports ending

Country Media, Inc.

Taft High School winter sports are ending, and successful seasons for cheer, wrestling, and basketball are wrapping up.

Athletic Director Zach Lillebo said he is happy about how the year has gone.

“Taft has a lot to celebrate this winter, from students qualifying for state down to our community coming together and supporting tournament play for our middle school sports teams,” Lillebo said. “This winter was our first-time bringing tournaments back into our community. As we started small, we are looking forward in creating additional opportunities for our student-athletes. This winter, we partnered with Kiwanis, IGA, Chesters, Franz, and other small businesses within our community in order to provide a positive experience for our kids.”

With COVID not playing a significant role this year, the community and Taft sports have had more normalcy. Participation numbers have remained steady throughout the season, according to Lillebo.

Basketball roundup

There have been many positives for the basketball teams this season, and for the boys team, this season marked significant improvement. After a 3-19 record in the 2021-2022 season, the Tigers finished their season 7-17 this year. Though they did not qualify for the state playoffs, this season seems to be another step in the right direction as the team continues to improve.

This season has proved fruitful for the girls basketball team coached by Jake Tolan. After finishing their regular season with an 11-11 record in the 3-A3 PacWest League, the team won its first-round matchup of the League Playoff. They beat Sheridan 41-35 in their matchup on Feb. 16. Their second matchup is a battle with Jefferson on Feb. 18. It should be a hotly con-

Every season has challenges which is part of the reason athletes and coaches choose to participate. With challenges comes growth, and with growth comes learning opportunities for our athletes that can be translated into adulthood.

tested game. Taft beat Jefferson in their first game on Jan. 19 by a score of 56-40. Jefferson got revenge in their second league matchup, beating Taft 43-27. With the score margins in both those games equal, this third matchup promises to be a good game. They will play Saturday, Feb. 18, at Central High School in Monmouth.

Swimming wrap up

For Head Coach Lissa Parker’s boys and girls swim programs, districts over the weekend of February 11th and 12th marked the end of the season for most of her swimmers. However, junior Noah Serrato qualified for states in the 200 Freestyle event in a barn burner of a race.

“The highlight of our day was Noah Serrato in the 200 Free,” Parker said. “He had a very close race at Districts and got second by less than one second.”

Swimming in the prelims at the state championships on Friday, Feb. 17, Serrato did not qualify for the finals on Saturday. The top six in the prelims qualified for the finals, and Serrato finished 9th in the prelim round with a time of 2:01.86.

According to Parker, the boys could have had a shot to have more representation at states with their relay teams but were hit by bad luck.

“Our boys were very impacted by three unfortunate events- these guys would have bumped us up in the rankings by all making final swims, and prevented our relay from qualifying for State,” Parker said. “Erick Zamorano Moreno dislocated his knee in a long-time injury

before Districts, Elijah Fingerson grew ill on Friday and had to go home, and Logan Meyer became ill Saturday morning and had to drop out. Logan’s Breastroke 100 could have made it into State and he is a senior so that was most unfortunate, and he was on both our 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays, which made a difference in finals time.”

If Taft had had their full complement of swimmers, Serrato would likely have had more of his teammates joining him at the state competition.

The girls swam well and only narrowly missed state berths for some of their strongest individuals.

“The girls did an awesome job scoring and outscored the boys with only 4 of the 8 girls making it to finals on Saturday,” Parker said. “It was a good boost for them as they usually trail the boys.”

Freshman Yireth Fuentes swam impressively, finished 3rd in the 100 Fly, and dropped time in the 200 IM. Senior Lesley Lagunes ended her high school swimming career on a high note and shaved time off in the 200 and 500 events.

Parker lauded the performances of the first-year swimmers on the team as well. Seniors Cooper Fitch, Elijah Jones, Makaia Kessinger, junior Nozomi Umenishi, sophomores Katelynne Schwabe, Angel Sakran, and Alexa Hernandez were all new to the program. For others, they learned to swim just this season.

“Jacki Cortez-Jimenez made the biggest gains as well as Edgar Mateo Perez and Danny Vasquez,” Parker said.

Freshman Ileyana Islas,

sophomore Allison Lua, and sophomore Isaiah Wilson all have experience with Lincoln City Swim Club and “excelled” in relays this season. For a program with many novice swimmers, and some even learning how to swim this year, there is a springboard from which to dive into next season.

Challenges and accomplishments

As with any sports season, this year brought a variety of highs and lows. For Taft, responding to challenges is just as important as successful moments.

“Every season has challenges which is part of the reason athletes and coaches choose to participate,” Lillebo said. “With challenges comes growth, and with growth comes learning opportunities for our athletes that can be translated into adulthood.”

Some of the accomplishments that the program had, revolve around the community and bringing more opportunities to the students of Taft High School. Lillebo highlighted what he believes are the biggest achievements:

• Bringing tournaments back into the community.

• Creating partnerships with community businesses to establish positive experiences for the students.

• Providing high school athletes opportunities to work with youth (ref, mentorship, etc.).

“Our community has been attending athletic, drama, and music events throughout the winter. It has been evident that our community is here to support our students in all aspects of extracurricular events we provide,” Lillebo said. “This does not stop at just the high school levels but all the way down to our middle school sports and into our youth programs Lincoln City Parks and Rec provide.”

The News Guard will have a follow up article about the Taft wrestlers in a future edition. Follow Taft sports at osaa.org.

Courtesy from Taft High School Facebook

Zach Lillebo, Taft High School Athletic Director