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Respiratory viruses surge Hospitalizations continue to

WILL LOHRE JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

he Oregon Health Authority (OHA) advises Oregonians to take precautions against respiratory illnesses in the wake of a flood of hospitalizations.

Oregon health officials said that hospitalization rates have skyrocketed due to the combined impacts of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID variants.

“The combination of surging flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases is pushing hospitals past their current ICU bed capacity, which never happened during the darkest days of our COVID-19 Pandemic in Oregon,” Sidelinger said during a Dec. 8 media briefing.

The panel included the state epidemiologist for OHA, Dr. Dean Sidelinger, and three clinicians who could speak to the severity of the crisis. According to Sidelinger, between Oct. 23

rise, precautions

and Nov. 13, Oregon saw a “fivefold” increase in child hospitalizations. While that number peaked during the week of Nov. 19, the current hospitalization rates remain higher than any previously recorded number.

Safety First

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Wash hands frequently

• Wear a mask if sick

• Get vaccinated

Influenza in Oregon communities doubled weekly for five consecutive weeks from Oct. 18 to Nov. 28. Hospital visits due to the flu have increased rapidly since late October and affect people 65 and over the most.

“This year’s influenza season has begun earlier than it normally does, and we are seeing high levels of influenza nationwide,” Sidelinger said. “We will keep moni-

urged

toring the influenza situation and its effect on hospitalization, but we do expect flu activity to maintain its upward trajectory into the winter, particularly as the holiday season and the gathering with loved ones continues.”

COVID-19 Pandemic

The doctors also stressed that the pandemic is not over. COVID test positivity rates ballooned from 1 percent to 30 percent. Not only have cases risen, but hospitalization because of COVID as well. Patients with COVID in hospitals have risen from 235 to 347 in the past month, a 48 percent increase. ICU hospitalizations have also increased from 27 to 35, a 30 percent raise.

While death rates have remained steady, the statewide forecast from OHSU published Dec. 2 suggests that the surge in respiratory illnesses will keep pressure

Supreme Court’s ruling puts Measure 114 in limbo

JEREMY C. RUARK WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The Oregon Supreme Court has rejected a request from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to “immediately” review a temporary restraining order by Harney County Judge Robert Raschio, which prevents enforcement of Measure 114.

The high court’s action late Dec. 7, means Measure 114 is still in limbo and would not take effect Dec. 8.

Judge Raschio ruling Tuesday, Dec. 6, came just hours after Federal Judge Karin Immergut in Portland allowed the measure to continue, though she put a hold on the

would require a permit to purchase a firearm.

According to court documents, Judge Raschio placed a temporary restraining order on the measure until Dec. 13, when the courts will decide whether a further injunction is necessary.

As the basis for his ruling, Judge Raschio ruled that the measure does not enable Oregonians to exercise their Second Amendment rights to purchase a firearm or bear a magazine capable of holding 10 or more rounds.

“Deprivation of fundamental constitutional rights for any period constitutes irreparable harm,” The judge ruled.

Background

seeks to make sweeping gun control regulations, narrowly passed in Oregon by a 50.7 percent majority.

The measure would require a permitting process to purchase a weapon; ban the sale, manufacturing and transfer of magazines holding more than 10 rounds; and background checks that must be completed before a gun may be sold or transferred. Part of the permit process would require safety training and a demonstration in the presence of a police chief or sheriff.

OSP Statement

Oregon State Police released the following details late Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Rural infrastructure package proposed

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

State Rep. David Gomberg (DCentral Coast) has presented a bipartisan rural infrastructure package proposal that builds off of the successful $100 million package passed this year by the Oregon Legislature, according to a release from Oregon House Majority Office.

The 2023 proposal would help bolster rural entrepreneurial opportunities, expand rural workforce housing capacity and support critical agriculture, natural resources and outdoor recreation ventures.

“Oregon’s small, rural towns have big aspirations,” Gomberg said. “Last session we were tasked with identifying key infrastructure spending opportunities

When rural Oregon prospers, all of Oregon prospers.

— Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane)

throughout the state. With this proposal we’re focused on finding ways to support those very same communities to expand their workforces, bolster their housing supply and become hotspots for private investment and entrepreneurial ventures.”

Over the course of the 2022 interim, a bipartisan group of legislators informally met to develop the proposal, including Rep. Gomberg, Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Southern Jackson County), Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) and Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner).

“This really is the Oregon Way,” Smith said. He is one of the longest serving members of the House.

“I’m optimistic that the 2023 legislative session will continue to represent a renewed commitment to rural Oregon,” Smith said. “This package will serve to uplift our communities and provide more opportunities for them to attract and retain the innovative talent that will truly help them flourish.”

“I’m proud of this proposal and the work we’ve been able to accomplish together,” Marsh said. “It’s important for us that economic prosperity reaches every corner of the state.”

“When rural Oregon prospers, all of Oregon prospers,” Owens said. “It’s bipartisan, people-centered work like this

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Gun sales are surging across the state following the passage of Ballot Measure 114.

COURTESY PHOTO

The rural infrastructure package proposal was during a meeting with the House Interim Committee on Economic Development and Small Business Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Salem.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Oregon health officials said hospitalization rates have skyrocketed due to the combination of impacts of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID variants.

LCPD using grants to beef up DUII patrols

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) now has more funding to beef up DUII Enforcement.

The $2,500 DUII enforcement grant funds will be utilized to put extra patrol officers on patrol during dates and times when higher numbers of impaired drivers are likely to be on the roadways, according to LCPD Lt. Jeff Winn.

“The LCPD plans on using the first of these grant funds during the Christmas / New Year’s holiday season,” he said. “This time period is part of the national High Visibility Enforcement event time period which runs from Decem-

ber 15, 2022 through January 1, 2023”

The national High Visibility Enforcement events are designed to increase the number of patrol officers on the streets nationwide with an emphasis on seeking out drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs and removing them from the roadways.

“DUII’s continues to be a leading cause of motor vehicle crash deaths and injuries

throughout the nation,” Winn said. “The Lincoln City Police Department is pleased to be joining forces with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on impaired drivers.

Our goal is simple, to save lives. Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk; if you drive drunk, you will be arrested.”

The LCPD last used DUII enforcement grant funds during the 2022 Labor Day Weekend time period. Two

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 or concerns about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Lincoln City Police

November 29

12:14 a.m.

Suspicious activity seen on camera in the 1400 block of SE Highway 101. Report taken.

Police were called to the 1700 block of NW 21st Street following a report of problem with two individuals. No Contact Order between them.

One subject was taken into custody on Violation of Order and transported to city jail.

November 30 (No times given)

Police made contact with a juvenile in the 1400 block of NW 14th Street after resident’s report of a female who showed up refusing to give her name or any other information. Juvenile taken into Protective Custody and transported to juvenile shelter. Parents in Salem contacted and the juvenile was transported to meet parents in Dallas. Report taken. Juvenile removed from LEDS.

Extra patrols requested in the 140000 block of SW High-

way 101, Caller does not want anyone on property on or in dumpsters.

December 1

11:26 a.m.

Reports of resident physically assaulting another resident in the 1500 block of SE Oar Avenue. One subject was taken into custody by officers and evaluated for a laceration on his head. He was transported to city jail and charged with Assault on a Police Officer. Report taken.

2:37 p.m.

Report of Theft in the 4000 block of NW Highway 101.

Caller reporting male who has stolen gas in the past is currently at location pumping his own gas. Vehicle departed before police arrived. $49 worth of gas stolen. Report taken.

December 2

Parks Department advised ongoing issue with transients illegally parking and leaving trash behind. Subjects cited for Offensive Littering and given 30-Day Exclusion from City Property. Report taken.

7:48 p.m.

Stolen vehicle recovered in the 1000 block of NW 1St Court. Vehicle was stolen out of Lincoln City and discovered parked near location.

Registered owner responded and stayed with vehicle for a private tow.

11:23 a.m.

Hit and Run reported in the 5000 block of SE Jetty. Suspect vehicle is a early 2000

green

3:11 p.m.

Report of a deceased subject in the 4800 block of SE Inlet Avenue. Report taken. Body released to Pacific View Memorial.

7:42 p.m.

Investigation into Firearm Denial at the 800 block of NE Highway 101.

December 3

9:55 a.m.

Report of a Burglary in the 1500 block of NE 11th Street.

Caller reporting his house was broken into within the past couple of weeks. Report taken.

10:46 a.m.

Trespass reported in the 2400 block of NE 9th Street.

Caller reporting second hand information that a female was on her property and was refusing to leave. Police took the female into custody and transported her to city jail. She was charged with Trespass I and Unlawful Entry to a Motor Vehicle. Report taken.

5:21 p.m.

Police responded to the report of a fight in the 1500 block of SE East Devils Lake Road. Caller saw juvenile subject with a black firearm. Area checked and report taken.

See more Police Blotter at thenewsguard.com.

enforcement operations were conducted resulting in two arrests being made for other crimes along with 14 citations being issued for other violations including driving while suspended, driving uninsured and speeding. No DUII arrested were made during these operations; however, the Oregon State Police arrested one driver for DUII after that driver crashed into our patrol car causing minor injury to our officer.

“The members of your Lincoln City Police Department are committed to the safety of our citizens and visitors and these grant funds are a valuable resource that will assist us in improving

the traffic safety in our community,” Winn said. These grant funds were

made

SHERIFF’S TIP OF THE WEEK

Use extra caution during winter travel

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Winter officially begins on Dec. 21st, but the time to start driving with extra caution is now. Our partners at the Oregon Department of Transportation have some excellent tips regarding use of your GPS during our rough and unpredictable weather and we thought it would be good to share them here as well.

When roads are closed and your GPS navigation system directs you onto a detour route, keep in mind that the device you count on for guidance could instead guide you into trouble. Most navigation tools don’t take current road or weather conditions into consideration. They may direct you onto remote roads that are neither maintained nor passable in all weather

conditions.

Navigation systems and similar smart phone apps are great tools, but travelers may need to verify the identified detour route is appropriate given current conditions and the vehicle they are driving. Here are a few tips to consider:

• Be aware that the app on your phone or in your GPS device might not have the latest information – don’t follow it blindly!

• Use TripCheck.com (available on your computer and on your phone) to get the latest on state road conditions or call 511.

• Remember, in winter conditions (or in summer’s fire season), roads can be impassable, so USE COMMON SENSE.

• If you are not familiar with an area and current road conditions, stay on

state roads and don’t attempt detours onto roads you don’t know.

• Alter your travel plans. If you are not sure of the route and road conditions your GPS device directs you to, ask local folks for information and consult a map. It is better to stay the night in town rather than be stuck on a remote road in the middle of nowhere.

What ODOT will do

• Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews work continually to keep state highways safe, but during certain conditions, such as blowing snow and freezing temperatures, you may want to avoid travel altogether.

• ODOT will issue media flash alerts if roads are closed. These will be updated continually on TripCheck. com.

Lincoln City’s largest and most trusted news source

possible through Oregon Impact and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

JEREMY C. RUARK / COUNTRY MEDIA, INC.

The $2,500 DUII enforcement grant funds will be used for extra patrols officers.

Police Blotter

Jeep with black roof rack, unknown plate. Front passenger side damage with gray paint. Report taken.

Janice Faye Crow, 79, died from COPD exacerbation on Mon., Nov. 21, 2022 at North Lincoln Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Jan was born in North Dakota and lived many places before becoming a long time Lincoln City resident. She worked in the service industry at many establishments in town. She was an excellent waitress and an even better bartender. Her last job was at Eleanor’s Undertow Takeout where she loved to give her spiel and take care of the Undertow family and their long-time customers.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Esther Neher. She is survived by her two sisters, Carol and DJ; four children, Ty Rae Risewick (Jim Faulkner), Harvey Crow, Tara Stempel (Bill) and Terrie Olehafen (Nick); five grandchildren, Jennifer Scott, (Pat), Rebekka Berger

William H. Gifford 1945 — 2022

Last month, God called one of his angel’s home.

On Nov. 19, 2022, Bill Gifford went to heaven to join his loved ones that passed before him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends that shared his love and friendship for many years.

William was born in Seattle, Washington in 1945, but grew up mostly in Southern California. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in National City, California in 1963. Bill spent many summers working in North Dakota where he met his future wife, Donna (Wold). They married in July 1967 and would spend the next 56 years together. They had two boys, Billy Gifford and Chris Gifford, and lived in San Diego for about 35 years.

Bill worked to support his family at Convair-General Dynamics and LockheedMartin-Space Systems. He was a master machinist for 35 years, building planes, missiles, nuclear reactors

(Leo Jeffers), Billy Ann Martin (Brock), Jack Stempel (Hudson Weybright) and Madison Olehafen; and three great grandchildren, Violet, Elise and Amelia Faye with whom she shares her middle name.

Jan was a member of the Lincoln City Eagles. Other than her family and friends, Jan’s greatest passion was being involved in the Eagle’s Christmas Basket Project. In lieu of flowers we ask that you make a donation in her name to the Christmas Basket fund.

Jan was going to turn 80 next year and was excited about having a “big party.” Instead of a funeral we are going to honor her wishes and have that party. Please put July 29, 2023 on your calendars and join us in her party/celebration of life.

We will miss her every day until we see her again. Rest in Peace Mama, Momzy, GA, GG, Aunt Jan, Not Mom, Sister, Friend — you deserve it.

Samaritan Evergreen Hospice team achieves fourth level in veterans’ program

The coastal office of Samaritan Evergreen Hospice has achieved level four in the nationwide program called We Honor Veterans, once again demonstrating its commitment to providing quality end-of-life care to military veterans, according to a release from Samaritan Health Services.

“We know how important it is for veterans to receive compassionate care that is responsive to their unique needs,” said, interim director of Samaritan Evergreen Hospice Interim Director and RN Theresa Karlik, RN said.

“This program sets guidelines and expectations that help us to achieve best care practices for our patients who are veterans.”

Because military veterans have unique physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs that can impact their end-of-life care, the We Honor Veterans program provides educational tools and resources to hospice organizations at no charge.

Based in Newport, Samaritan’s coastal team has provided hospice care as a nonprofit serving patients throughout Lincoln County and into Tillamook County since 1987.

To obtain level four status, the team had to move through the previous three levels, taking steps related to staff and volunteer education and programs; community education; organizational policies and procedures; and hospice/veteran partnerships. Finally, in level four, the hospice team demonstrated that it has increased access and improved quality of care for veterans in the community.

The Samaritan Evergreen

Hospice program in the valley – which is based in Albany to serve patients in Benton, Linn, Marion and Polk counties – has already achieved level four status.

Samaritan Evergreen Hospice partners with the Samaritan Veterans Outreach program to develop strong connections between Samaritan and veterans’ organizations throughout the region and state, furthering the goal of providing exceptional care to patients who are veterans.

We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The program empowers hospice professionals by teaching respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment in providing end-of-life care. Learn more at wehonorveterans.org.

For more information visit samhealth.org/Hospice.

Hospice hosts free, in person ‘Grief and the Holidays” workshop

Samaritan Evergreen Hospice is hosting a free workshop, Grief and the Holidays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Center for Health Education in Newport. This is a free workshop for adults looking for ways to cope with grief during

the holidays. Whether the loss was recent or long ago, whether your loved one was on hospice or not, this workshop can help. It is led by two trained medical social workers who will share ways to help cope with grief and the holidays.

and many other government projects. He loved traveling with his family and fishing and hunting. When he was younger he enjoyed working on cars, building engines and scuba diving. Later on his hobbies were motorcycles, gardening and planting trees.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Donna; brother, Rodney Gifford; son, Chris Gifford and wife Melissa; grandchildren, Raven, Jody, Logan and Bayley; and greatgrandson, Rayden.

William was preceded in death by his parents; son, Billy Gifford; brother, Robert Gifford; and sister, Constance Erickson.

Services were previously held at South Beach Church in Newport, Oregon.

born on June 18, 1952 and passed away on Nov. 30, 2022.

June 18, 1952 - Nov. 30, 2022

A viewing was held from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2022 at Bateman Funeral Home, 915 NE Yaquina Heights Dr. in Newport, Oregon 97365. A viewing was also held from 11 a.m. – noon on Dec. 10, 2022 at the Siletz Tribal Center, 402 Government Hill Rd., Siletz, Oregon 97380. A funeral followed at noon with a potluck after.

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has commissioned a disparity study to assess whether any barriers exist for small businesses, veteran-owned businesses, person of color (POC)-owned businesses, or woman-owned businesses that make it more difficult for them to compete for or perform state work.

The disparity study will:

• Measure the participation of those businesses in State work

• Estimate the availability of those businesses for State work

• Assess whether any

disparities exist between utilization and participation

• Assess marketplace conditions for those businesses

Be engaged

There will be many opportunities for the public to participate directly in the study. Look for information about how you can participate in the following ways:

• Attend a community stakeholder session (December 2022)

• Participate in a business survey (December 2022 –April 2023)

• Participate in an in-depth interview (December 2022 –March 2023)

• Participate in a focus group (April 2023)

Questions?

Call 541-574-1811 for more information and to register.

Participants will learn how to navigate holiday rituals, receive ideas on holiday memorial activities and get advice on ways to plan ahead for holiday gatherings. The Center for Health Education is located at 740 SW Ninth St., directly west of Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital.

Oregon State Administrative Services commissions new disparity study

• Submit written comments or questions (throughout)

• Attend a final presentation (September 2023)

To learn more, visit: https://oregon.gov/das/

pages/disparity-study.aspx or contact Oregondisparity@ bbcresearch.com

The DAS has commissioned BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) to conduct the study.

COURTESY

The coastal hospice office is based in Newport.

Janice Faye Crow

July 29, 1943 — Nov. 21, 2022

Tad Spencer Mason

Tad Spencer Mason was

Holiday season brings cheer, fraud warnings

BY UMPQUA BANK

The holiday season can be joyous, but can also be a time for fraud.

Umpqua Bank makes the following consumer protection recommendations to help you avoid financial losses.

Tips on how to avoid popular scams

As the holiday season swings into full gear, shoppers need to maintain their vigilance in guarding against fraud. While consumers navigate the tighter budgets this year due to higher inflation, fraudsters are likely doing the same and will be extra desperate – and motivated – to take advantage of the seasonal rush.

Holiday fraud is a big business and criminals stand to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit gains during the shopping season. Combined retail sales for November and December could top $960 billion, according to a forecast by the National Retail Federation (NRF), an industry trade group. Fraudsters will be tapping into this volume.

Just for card payments alone fraud rates in recent years have hovered around 7 cents per $100 of volume worldwide, according to the Nilson Report. By that measure, for every $100 billion in card volume during the holidays, thieves will siphon off $70 million.

The gap between self-perception and reality

Consumer gullibility turbocharges the payday for fraudsters. Nearly half (48 percent) of consumers globally are confident they can recognize a scam, according to a 2022 fraud report by

Visa Inc. Yet almost three in four (73 percent) typically respond to terms or phrases scammers commonly use in emails and text messages, such as “Win online gift card” and “Act now.”

The vulnerability of the general population is still high: 63 percent incorrectly believe or are unsure that online retailers such as Amazon and eBay will request login information to provide customer support, according to a November report by AARP. And 53 percent incorrectly believe or are unsure that payment apps such as Cash App, Zelle or Venmo have the same consumer protections as credit cards. About four in 10 said they believe (incorrectly) that ads for merchandise on social media online are trustworthy.

“Fraudsters are always working to outsmart consumers, but during the holidays, their fervor is especially acute,” Umpqua Bank Executive Vice President and Head of Global Payments and Deposits Kathryn Albright said. “Criminals exploit this time of year to prey on busy individuals who are pressed for time, luring them into traps and robbing them of their hard-earned money. But taking some simple precautions will help thwart these schemes.”

Individuals need to be especially aware of common holiday tricks used by thieves, such as:

Gift card payment scams

Gift cards are a preferred method of choice for criminals who convince consumers to pay a bogus financial obligation by purchasing gift cards and handing over the numbers to the fraudsters. Criminals also scam retailers

What to do if compromised

•

•

by returning stolen merchandise to stores and receiving gift cards since they don’t have a receipt. They then sell those cards online at a discount. For the 12 months ended June 30, 74 percent of retailers reported this practice, according to the NRF.

Charity scams

Fake charities use the holidays to lure victims to donate to bogus enterprises. They mimic real charities and often use terms such as “federal” or “national.”

Criminals sometimes pose as religious leaders, preying on the generosity of others by telling a story about people in need.

Non-delivery and non-payment crimes

In non-delivery scams, buyers pay for goods and services online, but never receive the items. For non-payment scams, it’s the merchants who are the victims, with goods and items shipped but are never paid. Losses for these two types of fraud amounted to $337 million in 2021, according to the Internet Crime and Complaint Center (IC3), a division of the FBI.

Reduce Fraud

Review your account activity regularly. Everyone should review personal financial accounts often for activity to make sure there aren’t any suspicious transactions. Consumers also should carry fewer cards in their wallets when they shop

and store the others in a safe place at home.

Don’t click on email links. Fraudsters are getting better at impersonating retailers. But even when it seems real, it’s better just to go to the website via a browser. Bad links take consumers to fake portals which typically ask for credit card information.

Don’t give out sensitive information

When you receive a call, email, or text from someone claiming to represent your bank or another company, do not give them your user ID or password. No legitimate company will ever ask you for this information.

Watch for key fraud terms

Consumers fall for a variety of phrases, according to a report by Visa, including “Win online gift card,” “Exclusive deal,” “Act now,” “Click here,” “Limited time offer,” “Urgent,” “Action needed” and “Free/giveaway.” Be on the lookout and steer clear of any correspondence containing this messaging.

Stay on top of deliveries

Almost three in 10 (27 percent) of consumers reported having a package stolen outside their door, according to a November fraud report by AARP. Consumers should track various items for delivery. When consumers won’t be at home they should call the retailer or delivery service and try to delay the shipment or arrange to have it sent to an office or designated receiving location such as Amazon Hub Locker.

Avoid clicking on ads

Malvertising is malicious advertising that often takes the form of pop-up ads.

Similar to erroneous email links, these ads can lead you to sites that ask for personal information and credit card numbers. They can also infect your device with malware and make the season anything but merry.

Don’t shop on public Wi-Fi networks

If you’re shopping online, do it at home using your own private, secure network. Cybercriminals can easily tap into public Wi-Fi, so you don’t want to input passwords and visit your bank account when browsing on these networks.

Use fraud alerts

Fraud alerts can be very helpful to consumers in staying on top of any suspicious activity regarding their accounts. Alerts can be tailored to transaction size and are delivered via phone (voice), text and email. Update any new contact information to keep accounts secure.

Use cards rather than payment apps

Those using major brands offer $0 liability for unauthorized charges. Peer-topeer apps such as Venmo, Zelle and CashApp process payments immediately just like cash. These transactions cannot be reversed.

Use caution when buying gift cards

Don’t buy gift cards outside of retailers and established companies. Look to make sure the protective stickers on the card are not tampered with. Also check to see that the PIN number on the back isn’t showing. Keep your receipt, which will help identify the card in case it is stolen.

$70M holiday gift will benefit 426,000 Oregon SNAP clients

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Most Lincoln County clients and other Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in December.

About 426,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $70 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.

The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.

Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for December, Oregon will also be able to issue them in January 2023. However, the emergency benefits are expected to end when the federal public health emergency ends.

“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,”

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), SelfSufficiency Programs Interim Director Jana McLellan said.

“The holiday season can also bring additional stress and worry for many Oregonians who are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this diffi-

cult time.”

Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on Dec. 13.

Emergency allotments will be issued Dec. 30 or Jan. 4, 2023 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.

SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards.

More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/ FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/ Emergency-Allotments.aspx.

Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-6999075.

If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your

household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-todate information.

You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways: Online at: Oregon.gov

By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309

By fax at: 503-378-5628

By phone at: 1-800-6999075 or TTY 711

Find a food pantry: ore gonfoodbank.org

Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or adrcoforegon.org.

Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, 211info.org

Find local resources and

support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: caporegon.org/findservices/ Oregon Department of

Human Services COVID-19 help center

Learn more at www.oregon.gov/dhs/benefits/Pages/ index.aspx.

Lincoln City’s largest and most trusted news source

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Combined retail sales for November and December could top $960 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to about 1 million eligible people in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities.

Call the merchant and credit card bank to report the issue.

Notify regulators and police.

USPS 388-100

Published Weekly by Country Media Inc. 1818 NE 21st Street Lincoln City, Oregon 97367-0848

Phone: (541) 994-2178 Fax: (541) 994-7613 www.thenewsguard.com

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David Thornberry Publisher

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Robyn Smith General Manager and Marketing Consultant

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Understanding the impact of sleep on diabetes

KAM ATWAL News Guard Guest Column

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects more than 30 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Most of us know how important weight control, exercise, and nutrition are in controlling blood sugars. What impact does sleep have?

Body maintenance Sleep is extremely important in maintaining our body’s performance, not only physically and mentally, but also down to the body’s chemical balances. Diabetes, whether type 1 or 2, comes down to an imbalance of the insulin and blood sugar relationship.

The right amount of sleep is needed to keep the endocrine system working well so insulin and blood sugar stays balanced. Studies have shown that too little sleep (less than 6 hours) or too much sleep (greater than 9 hours) can increase the risk for developing diabetes and make pre-existing diabetes more difficult to control.

Some research suggests a 40 percent increase in the risk of developing diabetes if sleeping less than four hours per night. The human body is very complicated, and it needs just the right amount of sleep to work properly. The recommendation of about 7 to 8 hours a night comes from years of research to evaluate the amount sleep needed for our bodies to function at their best.

Even if your body is getting

the right amount of sleep, the sleep needs to be quality sleep. Quality sleep is needed to make sure your body is truly rested with good oxygen levels, few awakenings, and can achieve deep sleep. If the sleep quality is poor, blood sugars will rise and the insulin produced will be less effective, leading to prediabetic conditions or making diabetes difficult to control.

Common sleep disorders

The most common sleep disorders affecting diabetes are Sleep Apnea and Restless Leg Syndrome. Sleep apnea is when the back of your throat keeps collapsing during sleep and oxygen lev-

els fall, leading to disturbed sleep and lack of deep sleep. Restless Leg Syndrome is a when the legs are moving around a lot during sleep because of pain or tingling and numbness leading to disturbed sleep and lack of deep sleep.

Both these conditions cause a rise in blood sugars, increased insulin resistance, increase in stress hormones such as cortisol and the hunger hormone, ghrelin, all which contribute to diabetes.

Treatment of these sleep disorders will help balance these hormones and help manage and decrease the risk of diabetes.

Not only does poor sleep affect your blood sugars at night, but in the daytime your energy levels will be low leading to poor blood sugar metabolism, lack of exercise, and weight gain over time. In short, poor sleep will affect night and daytime blood sugars and insulin effectiveness.

Complex relationship

The relationship between sleep and diabetes is complex. Not only do you need good quantity and quality of sleep for better diabetes control and decrease risk of diabetes, but if you have poorly controlled diabetes it will affect your sleep. This stresses the fact that the

approach to diabetic management is a multi-approach program including good sleep, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, and medication as directed by your physician.

Making your sleep health a priority will not only help you cut down your diabetes risk or better manage your diabetes, it will help with your overall well-being, including managing other chronic

Steps to healthy sleep

• Have a regular sleep and

• Bedtime routine: wind down, read, no TV, keep bedroom dark, cool, quiet

• Avoid eating 2-3 hours

• Avoid nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine close to bedtime

• In the daytime avoid napping less than 45 minutes, stay active, and exercise

Think of healthy sleep as priority in your health management as it can help you avoid unnecessary medications and health complications. Healthy sleep equals a healthy body.

If you have wellness questions, email them to info@ tillamookcountywellness.org.

For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.

Kam Atwal is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Pulmonary / Critical Care / Sleep Medicine at Adventist Health Tillamook.

Community Calendar

December 14 Public Arts Committee

The Public Arts Committee regular monthly meeting at 4 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the meeting at the Lincoln City Cultural Center (following social distancing guidelines). Please note that the public may observe, but there is no public comment in this committee meeting. Here’s the posting on the public meeting calendar on the City’s website: lincolncityor.iqm2.com/citizens/calendar.aspx?view=calendar

December 22 Parks & Rec Meeting

The Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Board will meet at 2:30pm at the Lincoln City Community Center, 2150 NE Oar Place. The public is invited to attend and listen to this meeting at the Community Center. The agenda and packet for the meeting is available on the city website

at www.lincolncity.org under “Agenda, Packets and Video.”

Lincoln City Senior Center Events

Weekly walk on LCCC track. No charge or membership required. 10:30 a.m. Mondays.

Tai Chi 9 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. No membership required. Donation to instructor suggested.

Chair Yoga 11:30 a.m. Mondays. No membership required. Donation to instructor suggested.

Ahead in 2023

January 14,15 Coastal Carvers Artistry in Wood Show and Sale

Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Chinook Winds Casino Resort Convention Center, 1777 N.W. 44th Street in Lincoln City.

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METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Sleep is extremely important in maintaining our body’s performance, not only physically and mentally, but also down to the body’s chemical balances.

terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on April 4, 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 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: November 17,2022 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 949-2528300 Order Number 87430, Pub Dates: 12/6/2022, 12/3/2022, 12/20/2022, 12/27/2022, THE NEWS GUARD

NG22-381 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN CASE NO. 22PB10460

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JO ANN ERICKSON, deceased NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Chris Hickey has been appointed as the personal representative of the above estate. All persons having a claim against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned attorney for the personal representative at: 121 SW Morrison St., Suite 600, Portland, OR 97204, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All those persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published on: December 6, 2022. Chris Hickey, Personal Representative. Margot D. Seitz, OSB #075982, Melissa E. Chapman, OSB #092857 FARLEIGH WADA WITT Attorneys for Personal Representative, 121 SW Morrison St., Suite 600, Portland, OR 97204. Phone: (503) 2286044 Fax: (503) 228-1741 Email: mseitz@fwwlaw. com, mchapman@fwwlaw. com.

NG22-372 TS No. OR08000037-16-2

APN R129066 TO No OR08000037-16-2 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, DEWEY GOODELL, JR., A SINGLE MAN as Grantor to WESTERN TITLE & ESCROW COMPANY as Trustee, in favor of COUNTRYPLACE MORTGAGE, LTD as Beneficiary dated as of February 12, 2007 and recorded on February 16, 2007 as Instrument No. 200702640 and that said Deed of Trust was modified by Modification Agreement and recorded February 8, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-01196 and the beneficial interest was assigned to U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and recorded June 25, 2009 as Instrument Number 2009-07448 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Lincoln County, Oregon towit: APN: R129066 A tract of land lying in the South-

east quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 33, Township 9 South, Range 10 West of the Willamette Meridian, in Lincoln County, Oregon, more particularly described as:Beginning at a 5/8 inch iron rod which is located 403.09 feet North and 388.28 feet West of the Southeast corner of said Section 33, said point being the Southeast corner of the Jess E. Melvin, et ux tract described in Warranty Deed recorded July 18, 2003 as Document No. 200311359; thence West, 175.67 feet to an iron rod; thence South 65° 17’ 59” West, 87.56 feet; thence South 58° 46’ 52” West, 98.83 feet to the County road; said point being the Southwesterly corner of the Jess Melvin tract described in Bargain and Sale Deed recorded October 18, 2005 as Document 200516649, Film Records;thence following said County Road South 36° 54’ 56” East, 72.16 feet; thence along a 5699.58 foot radius curve to the left (the long chord of which bears South 39° 15’ 43” East, 276.87 feet) to an iron rod; thence North 89° 11’ 20” East, 119.15 feet; thence North 60° 00’ 00” East, 52.32 feet; thence North 7° 36’ 19” West, 334.24 feet to the point of beginning.

TOGETHER WITH a well easement as disclosed in instrument recorded November 2, 2004, in Document No. 200416732, Lincoln County Film Records. More commonly known of record as:A tract of land lying in the Southeast quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 33, Township 9 South, Range 10 West of the Willamette Meridian, in Lincoln County, Oregon, more particularly described as:Beginning at a 5/8 inch iron rod which is located 403.09 feet North and 388.28 feet West of the Southeast corner of said Section 33, said point being the Southeast corner of the Jess E. Melvin, et ux tract described in Warranty Deed recorded July 18, 2003 as Document No. 200311359; thence West, 175.67 feet to an iron rod; thence South 65° 17’ 59” West, 87.56 feet; thence South 58° 46’ 52” West, 98.83 feet to the County road; said point being the Southwesterly corner of the Jess Melvin tract described in Bargain and Sale Deed recorded October 18, 2005 as Document 200516649, Film Records;thence following said County Road South 36° 54’ 56” East, 72.16 feet; thence along a 5699.58 foot radius curve to the left (the long chord of which bears South 39° 15’ 43” East, 276.87 feet) to an iron rod; thence North 89° 11’ 20” East, 119.15 feet; thence North 60° 00’ 00” East, 52.32 feet; thence North 7°

36’ 19” West, 334.24 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly known as: 1542 NORTHEAST OLD RIVER ROAD, SILETZ, OR 97380

Both the Beneficiary, U.S. Bank National Association, 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): 2 Monthly Payment(s) from 01/01/2020 to 02/01/2020 at $1,467.40 12 Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2020 to 02/01/2021 at $1,484.82 12 Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2021 to 02/01/2022 at $1,506.94 8 Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2022 to 10/31/2022 at $1,488.41 Late Charge(s): 218.52 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 $261,368.88 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.75000% per annum from December 1, 2019 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 March 22, 2023 at the hour of 09:00 AM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Public Entrance, Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 West Olive Street, 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 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: 11/3/22 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 949-2528300 Order Number 87058, Pub Dates: 11/22/2022, 11/29/2022, 12/6/2022, 12/13/2022, THE NEWS GUARD

NG22-378 SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION Case No.: 22CV29538 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF MORTGAGE ASSET MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF ROBERT D BEAVER AKA ROBERT DENTEN BEAVER AKA ROBERT BEAVER; ROBERT BEAVER JR.; NANCY BEAVER; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; OCCUPANTS OF THE PROPERTY, Defendants. To: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF ROBERT D BEAVER AKA ROBERT DENTEN BEAVER AKA ROBERT BEAVER; ROBERT BEAVER JR.; NANCY BEAVER; OCCUPANTS OF THE PROPERTY. You are hereby required to ap-

pear and defend the Complaint filed against you in the above entitled cause within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this summons upon you, and in case of your failure to do so, for want thereof, Plaintiff will apply to the court for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY! You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer.” The “motion” or “answer” (or “reply”) must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days of the date of first publication specified herein along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the plaintiff’s attorney or, if the plaintiff does not have an attorney, proof of service on the plaintiff. If you have questions, you should see an attorney immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at (503) 684-3763 or toll- free in Oregon at (800) 452-7636. If you are a veteran of the armed forces, assistance may be available from a county veterans’ service officer or community action agency. Contact information for a local county veterans’ service officer and community action agency may be obtained by calling the 2-1-1 information service. Additionally, contact information for a service officer appointed under ORS 408.410 for the county in which you live and contact information for a community action agency that serves your area can be found by visiting the following link: https://www. oregon.gov/odva/services/ pages/county-services. aspx and selecting your county. You can also access a list of Veterans Services for all Oregon counties by visiting the following link: https://www.oregon. gov/odva/Services/Pages/ All-Services-Statewide. aspx. The relief sought in the Complaint is the foreclosure of the property located at 43 BEAVER TREE LANE, LINCOLN CITY, OR 97367. Date of First Publication: 11/22/2022 McCarthy & Holthus, LLP s/Grace Chu _ John Thomas OSB No. 024691 _ Grace Chu OSB No. 220848 _ Michael Scott OSB No. 973947 920 SW 3rd Ave, 1st Floor Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (971) 201-3200 Fax: (971) 201-3202 gchu@mccarthyholthus.com Of Attorneys for Plaintiff IDSPub #0182283 11/22/2022 11/29/2022 12/6/2022 12/13/2022.

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The Respect for Marriage Act is a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), require the U.S. federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial marriages in the United States, and to protect religious liberty.

Respect for Marriage Art sent to President Biden

Oregon U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) reports that she has helped the House pass the Respect for Marriage Act, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“Everyone should be able to marry who they love,” Bonamici said. “The Respect for Marriage Act enshrines this fundamental principle into federal law so same-sex and interracial marriages are protected and honored. Congress must continue to pass legislation to protect our hard-won freedoms and privacy, especially with the willingness of this extremist Supreme Court to erode longstanding precedent.”

The Respect for Marriage Act originally passed the House with Bonamici’s support on July 19, 2022. It

came back to the House after Senate passage on November 29, 2022 because of changes in the bill’s language.

The Respect for Marriage Act is a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), require the U.S. federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial marriages in the United States.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici is a Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and Chair of its LGBTQ+ Aging Issues Task Force. As Chair of the Education Committee’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, Bonamici said she has also been a leader in efforts to pass legislation to protect the LGBTQ community against discrimination in housing, access to credit, and other services.

OSU research finds care for life-threatening ectopic pregnancy condition

STEVE LUNDEBERG News Guard Guest Article

Oregon State University (OSU) scientists have produced a proof of concept for a new and better way of caring for women facing the life-threatening situation of ectopic pregnancy which occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the lining of the uterus.

Olena Taratula of the OSU College of Pharmacy and Leslie Myatt of Oregon Health & Science University led a team of researchers that used pregnant mice to develop a novel nanomedicine technique for diagnosing and ending ectopic pregnancies which are non-viable and the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester.

The study is important because 2 percent of all pregnancies in the United States, and between 1- 2 percent worldwide, are ectopic, the authors note. In the U.S. alone that translates to approximately 100,000 ectopic pregnancies annually.

About 98 percent of ectopic implantations happen in the fallopian tubes, putting women at risk of hemorrhage and death. Complicating matters are a high misdiagnosis frequency – ultrasound yields an incorrect diagnosis 40 percent of the time –combined with a 10 percent failure rate of the primary drug, methotrexate, used to end an ectopic pregnancy.

“Current strategies include attempted diagnosis with transvaginal ultrasound, treatment with methotrexate and surgery if necessary,” she said. “The strategies are associated with the risk of tubal rupture, reduced fertility and increased risk of another ectopic pregnancy – a woman who has had one ectopic pregnancy is 10 percent more likely to have a second one.”

And even when methotrexate – a drug that ends ectopic pregnancy by causing embryonic cells to stop dividing – is effective, it comes with a range of potential side effects including nausea, vomiting, diar-

rhea, elevated liver enzymes, kidney damage and lung disease, Taratula said

To meet the challenges associated with diagnosing and treating ectopic pregnancies, Olena Taratula and Oleh Taratula of the OSU College of Pharmacy, as well as Myatt and Maureen Baldwin of OHSU, spearheaded a collaboration that developed a new type of light-sensitive nanoparticle. Nanoparticles are tiny pieces of matter, as small as one-billionth of a meter.

Administered intravenously, the new nanoparticles accumulate in the placenta which nourishes and maintains the fetus through the umbilical cord. In a healthy pregnancy the placenta forms inside the uterus, and in an ectopic pregnancy, it does not.

“Effective detection of the growing placenta would drastically improve the accurate and timely identification of ectopic pregnancy,” Olena Taratula

said.

Once the nanoparticles are concentrated in the placenta, the organ can be seen through fluorescent and photoacoustic imaging, and it quickly becomes clear whether the placenta is where it’s supposed to be. If it is, the patient would know she did not have an ectopic pregnancy, and the embryo is unaffected by the particles as they do not cross the placental barrier.

If the placenta is in a fallopian tube or other incorrect location the pregnancy could be ended by exposure to near-infrared light which causes the nanoparticles to rise in temperature above 43 degrees Celsius and irreparably disrupt placental function via heat.

“Our main goal in this study was to evaluate our nanoparticle’s ability to identify and visualize the developing placenta and demonstrate its photothermal capabilities,” Taratula said. “Our experimental results are promising and the next

ectopic pregnancies which are responsible for 10 percent of all pregnancy-related deaths.

step is to validate it in other animal models to further advance the application of this technology.”

Abraham Moses, Leena Kadam, Anna St. Lorenz, Terry Morgan, Jessica Hebert, Youngrong Park, Hyelim Lee, Ananiya Demessie, Tetiana Korzun, Babak Mamnoon and Adam Alani of Oregon State also took part in the research which was supported by the College of Pharmacy, the OHSU Department of Ob-

stetrics and Gynecology, the National Institutes of Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The research findings are published in the journal Small.

Steve Lundeberg is a researcher and writer for Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. He may be reached at steve. lundeberg@oregonstate.edu

OSU researchers develop sensor system testing to empower epilepsy patients

STEVE LUNDEBERG Guest Article

Researchers in the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Engineering have taken a key step toward improving the lives of patients with epilepsy.

The researchers have developed a sensor system for quickly testing the patient’s saliva to see if they have the correct level of anti-epileptic medicine in their system.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the Journal

of Applied Electrochemistry, is important because roughly 3.5 million people in the United States have epilepsy, including nearly half a million children, the authors said.

“With further development our system could be used to empower epilepsy patients by letting them monitor their anti-seizure drug levels from home,” OSU postdoctoral researcher Lael Wentland said.

“From the data our sensor can generate, a personalized drug dosage can be determined, reducing the chances of toxic side effects from toohigh doses and seizures from ineffective low doses.”

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by muscle spasms, convulsions and loss of consciousness in addition to seizures, and its negative impacts to physical and mental health are numerous including a suicide risk that’s much greater than that of the general population.

Elaine Fu is an associate professor of bioengineering who co-led the research with Wentland.

“It’s exciting to be making progress toward a medical tool that people with epilepsy can use to improve their therapy and quality of life,” Fu said.

Hand-held system

Fu, Wentland and fellow Oregon State researchers Stephen Ramsey, Matthew Johnston, Jacob Cook and Jade Minzlaff built and demonstrated a hand-held, microfluidic-based system that can detect a seizure-preventing drug from saliva without the saliva first being subjected to a lengthy pretreatment process.

Microfluidics refers to how fluids behave as they travel through or are confined in microminiaturized devices equipped with channels and chambers.

Anti-epileptic drugs, or AEDs, have been available for more than a century but

the optimal dose – high enough to control seizures and low enough not to create other problems – varies widely from patient to patient, Wentland said.

“As one example, the often-prescribed drug carbamazepine, or CBZ, interacts strongly with other AEDs and also with antibiotics,” Wentland said. “Also, the way it moves through the body varies a great deal from one person to the next, and above a very narrow therapeutic range it’s toxic to the point of causing poor muscle control, disorientation, hallucinations and even coma.”

The standard way of measuring how much of a drug is in a patient’s system is with a blood test conducted in a laboratory, but the long lag –it can be as much as several days from the time blood is drawn until the results are in – greatly limits the test’s usefulness for people on AEDs, the researchers point out.

Aiming to drastically shorten the turnaround time, the researchers looked instead to saliva.

“Saliva, which is easily and non-invasively accessed, has terrific potential for health monitoring and it’s already been shown that the concentration of CBZ in saliva correlates with the concentration of the drug in the bloodstream,” Fu said. “But saliva also presents a challenge for the electrochemical detection of the drug because saliva has a complex composition that can result in signal interference.”

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METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Taft High basketball opens new season with high hopes

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Taft Tigers are looking to carry good off-season momentum into the new season.

Taft Boys Basketball is officially underway and this season the Tigers are hoping to carry the momentum of their offseason onto the court. Battling the flu, a shorthanded Tigers squad dropped their first game of the season to Willamina, but Head Coach Rodney Duncan is excited to get the season rolling.

excited about the program’s progress. Since he took over the basketball team, he’s seen participation grow each year.

“This summer we made some huge strides; we played about 30 games in 30 days,” Duncan said. “[We] played a lot of tournaments over the weekends in June, won a significant amount of games, I think we won like 17 or 18 ballgames. So compared to last season, we only won three; that was the big thing; just getting these kids to believe in themselves.”

Duncan also noted that he

getting that mentality. I hope that carries over into basketball as well.”

Duncan wants his team to get out in transition and play fast-break basketball; he believes they have the athletes to play an up-tempo

style. As a team, Duncan has a holistic squad approach to coaching where every teammate supports each other, regardless of their spot on the depth chart.

“I want everyone involved, and that’s what I’m striving for,” Duncan said. “It’s team first, family first. You’re putting the team before yourself mentality, cheering on everybody, one through the last guy on the bench.”

The move to the PacWest will bring on some challenges, though. Taft will compete with some tough teams in their new league.

Dayton High School had a 14-8 record last year and a solid history with the state tournament at the 3 A level.

They will also face Santiam Christian High School twice in the season, a team that finished with an overall 14-5

record and 6-0 within the PacWest.

Before their league games in January, Taft will have eight non-league games in December and a tournament in New Port to prepare for their league competitions.

While Duncan wants the team to do well, he’s also focused on ensuring the players grow as people. Though there may be some bumps along the way, this team is about much more than wins and losses.

“I think the main thing I want to pass on is not a sense of just basketball but life,” Duncan said. “You have adversities that hit you, but you have people around you, and that’s your family, whether that’s your teammates, your coach, your parents. There are people that believe in you, and nobody can do it by

Taft swim team starts 2022 season, many new athletes compete

LISSA PARKER News Guard Guest Article

The Taft swimmers competed in their first invitational swim meet on Saturday December 3, in Astoria.

Eight teams were represented including Astoria, Newport, Rainier, Taft, Toledo, Rainier, Scappoose, Seaside and Valley Catholic. With scoring to six places the Taft boys came in third and the Taft girls were in fourth place with only one point behind Valley Catholic.

Junior Noah Serrato won the 200 and 500 Freestyle and senior Lesley Lagunes Rodrigues won the 200 Free as well and she was second in the 500 Free. Junior Erick Moreno got second in the 500 Free and freshman Yireth Fuentes got second in the 100 Butterfly.

Several swimmers dropped time, such as sophomore Isaiah Wilson in the 100 Breaststroke (almost 10 seconds) and his twin brother Brenden Wilson had significant time drops in the 200 and 100 Free. Freshman Ileyana Moreno Islas took off over 11 seconds in her 100 Free. Sophomore Allison Lua also dropped almost seven seconds in her 200 Free. Returning senior Logan Meyer posted almost five seconds off in his 100 Butterfly.

Several Taft swimmers did their first swim meet after only starting up on Nov. 14. These included seniors Cooper Fitch, Eli Jones and Makaia Kessinger. Junior Nozomi Umenishi and sophomores Alexa Hernandez, Angel Sakran and Katelynne Schwab did their first swim meet ever. Freshman

Elijah Fingerson, who had some age group experience, performed well. Returning swimmer junior Brandon Murphy rounded out the boys’ relays.

Jacki Cortes- Jimenez, Edgar Mateo and Danny Vasquez — not ready yet for competition — spent the entirety of the swim meet volunteering and timing. Unable to attend were Anthony Collins and Isai Fuentes.

The next competition for the Taft High School Tiger swimmers was scheduled at Newport Saturday Dec. 10, with nine schools participating. For complete results visit the Lincoln City Swim Club website and click on the Taft High Swimming link. This can be found at:www. angelfire.com/on/lcscswim/. index.html

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

Follow Taft Middle/High School sports results at osaa.com

Continued from Page 1

on Oregon’s hospitals. They project that RSV cases will decline while hospitalization from the flu will increase. The forecast projected COVID-19 hospitalizations to peak Dec. 12 with about 408 patients. However, this peak may extend if more subvariants are more transmissible, avoid previous immunity or cause more severe illness.

Executive order

The Dec. 7 executive order from Oregon governor Kate Brown will seek to provide additional flexibility to Oregon hospitals and help address the critical workforce shortages.

“Our health care workers — our nurses, doctors and hospital staff — are being pushed to their limits by this year’s combination of flu, RSV and COVID-19 hospi-

talizations,” Brown said. “As they do everything they can to keep Oregonians healthy and safe, we must all do our part to help them. Our health care workers are working around the clock to protect the people most vulnerable to severe respiratory illnesses ––including our young children and seniors.

“I am asking Oregonians to come together to help our health care heroes this holiday season. Stay home if you are sick, stay up to date on your vaccinations and consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor situations — especially if you are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV, the flu or COVID-19.”

$25M to address nursing OHA expects more than 100 contract nurses and respiratory therapists to be in place next week. OHA is also

pursuing up to $25 million in additional state funding for supplemental staffing contracts.

While the clinicians discussed what the state and hospitals are working towards, they also discussed what Oregonians could do to mitigate the effects of these respiratory illnesses.

“Consider changing or postponing gatherings if your family includes young children, older adults or individuals with underlying conditions. Stay home and limit contact with others if you are sick,” Dr. Sidelinger said. “Cover your coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow, or do that into a tissue that you throw away. And wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. “

People wearing masks when in crowded indoor

environments was a point of emphasis from Dr. Sidelinger. Sidelinger and the other doctors advised that masks help slow illness spread and keep hospitalization rates low. They also recommended limiting contact with people who are sick, no matter the levels of their symptoms. Finally, they reemphasized the effectiveness of both COVID vaccines and boosters and flu shots.

State health experts at the Oregon Health Authority encourage all individuals, particularly those at increased risk of severe disease (and their caregivers), to take steps to prevent RSV and other respiratory infections this flu season.

Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. (There is not currently a vaccine for RSV.)

Stay home and avoid

holiday gatherings and events when sick and keep your child home when your child is sick, if possible.

Cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and regularly wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

Consider wearing a mask indoors, especially during crowded indoor gatherings and events, particularly if you or a friend or family member are at risk for getting severely ill from RSV and other respiratory infections.

School issues

Lincoln County School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Gray told The News Guard that the district schools are seeing an increase in illnesses.

“If there are a certain percent of students gone due to illness, we need to tell the

county health department, she said. “I think it is 30 percent. But we won’t close schools unless there are no staff to teach them. If you recall, that’s why the Governor closed us for COVID in March 2020. We didn’t have staff to keep the kids safe. At this point we do.”

Gray said the schools plan to stay open to winter break.

“Then hopefully we have time to get well and also double down on our cleaning.”

Gray also recommended steps parents should take.

“Keep kids home if ill, wash hands often, don’t go to crowded places, wear a mask when appropriate, get a shot for flu and for COVID and eat well and drink water, etc.,” she said.

Follow this story at thenewsguard.com and in the Tuesday’s print editions of The News Guard.

Ruling Proposal

Continued from Page 1

“An injunction has delayed the implementation of Ballot Measure 114. With that new information, we wanted to give you an update on what it means here at the Oregon State Police.

The OSP’s Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) unit will continue to work to process and resolve the pended/delayed FICS transactions. This delay of implementation will allow firearm sales to continue being processed under the current law.

OSP continues to work with our partners to set up the Oregon Permit to Purchase program with our partners at the Oregon State Sheriff’s

Association (OSSA) and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). OSSA and OACP are still working through the training requirement portion of the application process.

At this time, Permit Agents are not able to accept or start processing Permit to Purchase applications. On Dec. 8, OSP launched a “Permit to Purchase” webpage with preliminary information such as the Permit to Purchase Application, a description of the steps for acquiring a permit as well as other information including answers to questions that we are anticipating.”

Gun sales surging Firearm sales are skyrocketing at the Electronic Super

Store in Lincoln City.

“This makes the pandemic look like a walk in the park,” Store operator Bruce Polvi said. “It is crazier than we have ever seen it.”

Polvi said public concern over Ballot Measure 114 is driving the sales. Firearm permit approval requests through the state system have also skyrocketed since the measure passed, according to Polvi.

According to Polvi, people aren’t just purchasing one firearm.

“Usually people were purchasing one firearm, but now we are seeing people buy 12 to 24 firearms at a time,” he said. “A lot of them are thinking that this is shutting it off and so it is a panic

situation.”

Polvi said he is hearing from gun and sporting good stores from around the start.

“We’ve been contacted by multiple gun and sporting good stores that are closing, or that have closed, and they are trying to get rid of their inventory, so that are asking us to buy their inventory because they didn’t what to get stuck with merchandise they couldn’t sell,” Polvi said. “They’ve been told that as of Dec. 7 at 10 p.m. the system that processes background checks is going to close down.”

Follow this story at thenewsguard.com and in the Tuesday print editions of The News Guard.

that gives me confidence about the Continued from Front Page future of this great state.”

Components of the proposal include: Funds for rural workforce housing infrastructure, industrial land development and investments in Oregon’s Small Business Development Centers.

Rural venue and county

fair support, investments in local food systems infrastructure and investments in Oregon’s outdoor recreation economy.

The rural infrastructure package proposal was during a meeting with the House Interim Committee on Economic Development and Small Business Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Salem.

The proposal will be presented to the Oregon

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