City moves forward with polystyrene container ban
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MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
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Ann Trakulsomboon is the owner of 88 Grains Asian Fusion Bar in the Taft District. The resturant offers a unique collection of Asian inspired dishes. MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
If you’re looking for a fresh take on Asian cuisine perhaps Lincoln City’s newest restaurant, 88 Grains Asian Fusion Bar, is the place for you. Restaurant owner Ann Trakulsomboon opened 88 grains just over one month ago in the Taft District between the south Chevron and US Food Mart. The unique menu includes dishes like
Chicken Satay Sliders, Catfish Tacos, Boran Noodles, Shellsta (an Asian style macaroni) and much more. “I always want to serve a good quality, tasty food to my customers,” Trakulsomboon said. “Whatever I consume myself is the same that I serve to my customers.” Originally from Southern California, Trakulsomboon had lived in the golden state her entire life and owned and operated a restaurant in Orange County
called HabiThai that was just a few miles from Disneyland. After taking a trip to Oregon for the first time in 2019, Trakulsomboon said she fell in love with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and immediately started making plans to move north. “I went back and tried to move here right away,” she said. “I waited a little
See 88 GRAINS, Page A9
The City of Lincoln City approved a ban on polystyrene (styrofoam) containers in early 2020 but chose to postpone the ban until April 2021 due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. With the ban date quickly approaching, and no end in sight to the pandemic, Lincoln City city council discussed a potential delay of the ban this week. During the regularly scheduled city council meeting on Jan. 25, the city heard a recommendation from the Sustainability Committee that involved the ban. The Sustainability Committee met Dec. 15, 2020, and approved a motion to make a recommendation to city council to use Transient Room Tax (TRT) funds to purchase branded to-go paper boxed containers for restaurants making the switch from polystyrene. The idea from the committee was that the to-go containers would soften the financial burden of transitioning from polystyrene and that it provided the city a marketing opportunity. Separate from the recommendation, Dave Price, chair of the commit-
See BAN, Page A8
Lincoln County wraps up Phase 1A of vaccinations MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
Lincoln County Public Health partnered with several local agencies to successfully vaccinate almost all residents in Phase 1A and educators last week. The county announced they will next move to vaccinating ages 75 and older. The efficient collaboration of local agencies put Lincoln County ahead of the State’s vaccination schedule. Oregon has stated ages 80 and over will not begin until February 8, and ages 75 and older beginning February 16. However, Public Health learned the ftate will be giving more vaccine to counties still needing to complete their Phase 1A
vaccinations. This means that Lincoln County will see little to no additional vaccine being distributed over the next two weeks. “Lincoln County has been efficient in providing vaccinations for those people in the 1A category and moving quickly to vaccinate teachers and more of the elderly. However, the Governor has allocated additional vaccines to Portland, away from such counties as Lincoln County, instead of equitably distributing those vaccines throughout Oregon,” said State Senator Dick Anderson. “I am disappointed to hear that the coast has once again been penalized in favor of Portland.” While this development slows down the county’s rate of vaccination, it will
allow an equitable distribution of vaccine across the state. During this lull, county officials will be working to set up additional vaccination sites and plan for targeted distribution of vaccines to those who cannot attend a vaccination clinic. This delay will not affect booster (second dose) appointments. “Those who signed up on a prior waitlist will be contacted first when the next batches of vaccine arrive,” said Rebecca Austen, health department director. “Those who want a vaccine but are not on a waitlist, or who missed their chance to be vaccinated during Phase 1A, are encouraged to provide their information at our new registration portal. The portal can be found
at https://www.co.lincoln. or.us/hhs/page/lincolncounty-covid-19-vaccination-schedule. If you do not have a computer, you may call 541-265-0621 or email LincolnCoCallCenter@ co.lincoln.or.us to get help in registering. The call center is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Public Health also urges residents to reach out to family, friends and neighbors who may need help registering. COURTESY PHOTO
Firefighter/paramedic Brian Nordyke administers a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to a Lakeview Senior Living resident in Lincoln City. Over 130 doses were administered at Lakeview.
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