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2022
January 4, 2022
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A look back at the top stories of 2021 We took a look back at our top 10 most clicked on stories of 2021. Number One Jan. 12, 2021 Locals dig up rare find on a Lincoln City beach Strong winter tides on the Oregon Coast often change the landscape of local beaches, and occasionally, bring in a deep sea surprise. That was the case last weekend when local resident Michelle Schuller and her son Riley dug up what they suspected to be a large whale vertebrae on a Lincoln City beach Jan. 9. Michelle said the excavation took around three hours to completely unearth the suspected bone, but some assistance from the tides made the digging a bit easier. Michelle said her and Riley were very sore in the days that followed but were proud to completely dig out the colossal bone. With the ‘King Tides’ taking place up and down the Oregon Coast this week, who knows what treasures will be brought ashore next.
Number Two Nov. 15, 2021 Most Viewed/SNAP: Emergency benefits to increase in November Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in November. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, approximately 398,400 SNAP households will receive approximately $63 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to provide emergency benefits to most SNAP households in Oregon,” said Dan Haun, director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Program. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank for support during this difficult time.”
Number Three
June 2, 2021 SNAP benefits increasing in June Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in June. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every
month since March 2020, to give SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, approximately 521,000 SNAP households will receive $70 million in emergency allotments in addition to their regular SNAP benefits. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to provide emergency benefits available to most SNAP households in Oregon,” Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Self-Sufficiency Program Director Dan Haun said. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we encourage them contact our partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank for support during this difficult time.”
Number Four July 13, 2021 Missing person found deceased On July 1, 2021 deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a subject with dementia that had not been heard from since June 26, 2021. The missing person was Robert Donough out of Dundee, Oregon. The last contact with Robert was by his wife on the phone, and he was in Newport Oregon at the time. On July 5 Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue requested help from canine teams in Lane County, Benton County, Yamhill County and Polk County to assist in the search for Robert Donough. Eight dogs and their handler‘s along with support personnel and ground searchers arrived at the command post set up by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue on Harlan Road at mile post 13.5. Dog teams were strategically deployed into the area to help look for Mr. Donough however were unsuccessful in picking up on a track. On July 10 Lincoln County Search and Rescue redeployed into the area with two dog teams and a handful of searchers to look at some of the areas that were needing extra attention from the previous search. After sending the dogs through the area and having them come up empty, they were released to return home with several searchers remaining in the field looking around at different roads and for any type of activity by wildlife. At approximately 6:30 PM Lincoln County SAR Coordinator Bruce McGuire received a phone call from one of the search and rescue members stating that they had located what they believed to be Robert Donough on an abandoned logging Road just west of the initial search location. Search and Rescue members responded along with two Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
personnel to the scene. A deceased body was located on a logging road in the tall grass. It was confirmed by photo identification as Robert Donough. There were no signs of criminal activity. All indications show Mr. Donough died of natural causes.
Number Five Jan. 11, 2021 Investigators left with no leads following child’s death After a full month, Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives seem to have more questions than answers regarding the remains of a child found in rural north Lincoln County. On Dec. 10, investigators were summoned to the H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor, located near Otis/Rose Lodge, for a death investigation. At this location, investigators found the remains of a female child that the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office estimated to be between 6.5 to 10 years old. She is approximately 3’10” to 4’6” tall, and had long hair that is dark brown or black. The body was found in proximity to the rest area along Highway 18 at the H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor, which sees an estimated 8,000 vehicles per day, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). OSP also said last week that the body was located along the banks of the Salmon River. Due to the heavy winter rains, the Salmon River often expands and shrinks depending on the weather.
See TOP TEN, Page A2
Lincoln County recognizes sheriff, emergency manager HILARY DORSEY Editor Lincoln County recognized some of its employees that were recently honored by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) during a board meeting Wednesday, Dec. 29. Sheriff Curtis Landers was named Sheriff of the Year and Jenny Demaris was named Emergency Manager of the Year at the OSSA Winter Conference earlier in December in Bend. Chair Doug Hunt said the recipient of the Sheriff of the Year award is selected by the OSSA Awards Committee, based on participation and contributions toward OSSA
objectives and efforts in the current year. “The award signifies exemplary service,” Hunt said. “This award is not issued every year if the nominating committee does not believe it is clearly justified.” Landers was selected Sheriff of the Year for elevating the experience for attendees at OSSA events. Landers also received the OSSA President’s Special Recognition Award and was nominated to the vice president seat for OSSA. “I’m very honored,” Landers said.
See AWARDS, Page A2
INDEX Classifieds......................5 Opinion.......................... 6 Obituaries ..................... 6
VOL. 95 NO. 01
Two cases of omicron variant reported in Lincoln County HILARY DORSEY Editor Lincoln County Public Health reported during a board of commissioners meeting Wednesday, Dec. 29, two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant in Lincoln County. Samples taken on Dec. 13 and Dec. 17 returned Dec. 29 as positive for the variant. Health and Human Services Director Jayne Romero said omicron is more transmissible than the delta
variant. “It does appear that the vaccines do prevent the more severe reaction in terms of disease severity, hospitalization and death,” Romero said. “This is even more so the case for those who have the booster.” Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is expecting to see a surge in cases towards the end of January. There is a fear of hospitalizations being overwhelmed.
See COVID, Page A3
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