Parks and Recreation update ... PAGE 3 Police Blotter . . ............................. PAGE 5
February 1, 2022
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Mysterious creatures showing up along Oregon’s shoreline JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
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olks that live and visit the Oregon Coast are discovering sea pickles on the sandy beaches. The Seaside Aquarium reports the sea pickles or sea squirts, known as pyrosomes are washing up all along the Oregon Coast. “We came across one on the beach yesterday, but we have reports of hundreds down on the beach in Florence,” the aquarium’s Facebook post reads. People adding their comments to the aquarium’s post state that they have found the sea pickles at Cannon Beach, Tierra del Mar, Manzanita and Lincoln City. One person wrote, “No doubt from the volcano area off Tonga,” referring to a recent undersea eruption that recently trigger small tsunami waves along the Oregon Coast. The pyrosomes are most commonly found in tropical waters, but stormy ocean conditions are known to bring the mysterious creatures as far north as Alaska. As the ocean currents change with the seasons, beachcombers have been finding an abundance of pyrosomes along the high-tide line. The aquarium states in its post that Pyrosoma atlanticum is the most observed species found along Oregon beaches. They are described as a rigid, bumpy, pinkish-gray tube about the size of a finger. Throughout the world pyrosomes can range in size from a few centimeters to over 30 feet long, but the common Pyrosoma atlanticum reaches a maximum length of two feet. “These totally tubular critters are actually known as a colonial tunicate, a mass of thousands of smaller organisms with a rigid notochord (a simplistic backbone),” the aquarium post reads.
COURTESY PHOTO FROM THE SEASIDE AQUARIUM
The pyrosomes are most commonly found in tropical waters, but stormy ocean conditions are known to bring the mysterious creatures as far north as Alaska.
The Pines Dine offers a variety of food in historic Taft neighborhood
COVID-19 update: Hospitals not able to transfer patients, lack of staffing HILARY DORSEY Editor
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HILARY DORSEY Editor
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he Pines Dine food truck village in Lincoln City’s Taft neighborhood is nearing the finish line. Once completed, there will be 12 food trucks, an enclosed building for a gift shop, beer and wine bar with indoor seating, private bathrooms and a gated outdoor area for guests. While people can order food from the trucks now, a grand opening of the indoor building is scheduled for later this year. The Pines Dine is located at 5040 SE Hwy 101. Free Wi-Fi is available for customers. Public parking is across the street at 9 SE Inlet Ave.
Owners Rachelle and Ross Rehberg said they are finishing up the groundwork and poured concrete this week and are getting utility pedestals for the trucks up and running. The exterior of the building is now completely sided. “Almost all the electrical work is done, outside and inside, which is a huge task,” Rachelle said. “Once we finish that, we actually get to start doing the sheet rocking and finishing the inside of the building.” Rachelle said the hardest part of the project has been supply chain issues. Materials are taking longer to be delivered and are more expensive that usual. Some food trucks are already open,
while others will be coming soon. The trucks are temporarily located on the east side of the property and is to-go. Stoopid Veganz, the first food truck to join the pod, specializes in vegan food with tons of flavor. Bobalastic, founded in 2016, is one of the first leading companies to sell bubble tea and has more than 50 drink and topping combinations. Gyropoulos specializes in a variety of traditional Greek cuisine items and can also be found in Salem. La Wawa offers Puerto Rican and Caribbean inspired food. Fish On A Stick offers genuine dishes like Fish On A Stick and chicken and waffles.
incoln County Public Health reported 1,680 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, Jan. 26. The health department only sees 25 percent of the actual case in Lincoln County, as some of the at-home test kits are not reported or people do not get tested even if they have symptoms. Public Health Director Florence Pourtal reported during the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting Jan. 26 that transmission of the virus is through the roof throughout Lincoln County and across the state. Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) forecast shows cases peaking in the next 7-10 days and hospitalizations peaking around Feb. 1. Public health recommends people receive a booster shot when eligible. Call the call center at 541-265-0621 ext. 6 if you need more information. Those vaccinated with only the primary series are protected against omicron by 35 percent. Receiving a booster shot takes that level up to 75 percent. “We have clinics available throughout the county without an appointment,” Pourtal said. Dr. Lesley Ogden, CEO of Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, said across the state, hospitals are getting close to what was seen with delta and hospitalizations are predicted to be even higher. Ogden said with the hospitals in the county, the concern is not being able to transfer patients to a higher level of care. The hospitals are boarding patients in the emergency rooms. Transport agencies are having difficulty with staffing and finding beds that are available. “We’re going to have to become the answer for ourselves,” Ogden said. “We are becoming rapidly our own islands.” Ogden said it is not because of COVID-19 patients in the county’s hospitals, but because of COVID-19 and every other patient that is overwhelming the system. “We have very few facilities in our region to discharge patients to,” Ogden said. “Especially in a rural area, they struggled with staffing before
See COVID, Page A3
See PINES DINE, Page A2
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This is an optional tax refund-related loan from MetaBank®, N.A.; it is not your tax refund. Loans are offered in amountsINDEX of $250, $500, $750, $1,250 or $3,500. Approval and loan amount based on expected refund amount, eligibility criteria, and underwriting. If approved, funds will be loaded on a prepaid card and the loan amount will be deducted from your tax refund, reducing the amount paid directly to you. Tax returns may be e-filed without applying for this loan. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. Limited Classifieds......................4 WED. TUE. time offer at participating locations. HRB Maine License No. FRA2. OBTP#B13696. ©2021 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
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