Public Health: Getting on the vaccine waitlist MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
The Beat Goes On COURTESY PHOTO/LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lorelei Bretz with blue mask and Layne Phillips dark mask are among the Lincoln County School District band students. MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
The 2020-21 school year has been a year of adjusting and adapting to a worldwide pandemic and subsequent restrictions. However, the Lincoln County School District continues to offer students the programs they deserve, such as band. Throughout the school year, most students have been practicing over Zoom
calls and recently in small in-person groups. At Taft 7-12, music teacher Collin Stegner welcomed the middle school band back to the building this week. Additionally, the jazz band will be in person again one day a week starting soon. “All of the other ensembles and classes are learning virtually and prepping for another virtual showcase of their determination and perseverance to make music happen during virtual learning,” Stegner said. “We also purchased a
new application called SoundTrap. This application allows students to record, produce, and create music all on their own. It has been an excellent addition to allowing kids to make music individually and as a group.” At Taft Elementary, music teacher Karin Teisl said her students have been working on several things both in person
See MUSIC, Page 7
Lincoln County Public Health reported that nearly 23 percent of the county have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is ahead of schedule according to Health Department Director Rebecca Austen. “Sometimes the vaccination process is confusing, and frustrating,” Austen said in the weekly report. “Public Health staff know this and are working to assist as many people as possible through the process. There are many ways to learn of vaccine clinics and sign up.” Some of the ways to get signed up include: LincolnAlerts – This is the emergency notification system. Public Health has been using it to send weekly updates and emails to people on the waitlist. You do not need to sign up for this to get a vaccine, but Public Health encourages it so you can learn not just about the pandemic and vaccines but also about emergencies and natural disaster preparedness. Lincoln County Notification List (Waitlist) – This is where Public Health is gathering names of people who are interested in the vaccine. You also do not have to get on this list to get a vaccine at pharmacies or in other counties, but if you want to learn about public clinics, you want to be sure to sign up. Public Health is also working with local community organizations and businesses to host
See VACCINE, Page 7
NLFR ends merger plans with Depoe Bay Fire MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net Since 2019, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue (NLFR) and Depoe Bay Rural Fire Protection District have been working toward a potential consolidation or merger of the two districts. However, the idea of the proposed nine station fire district with a new Board of Directors and Fire Chief slowly began to fade away over the past year, and has now dissolved completely. On Thursday March 4, members of the NLFR Board of Directors attended an oversight committee meeting with Depoe Bay Fire and Chief Bryan Daniels. The main topic of the meeting was the NLFR bond money that would be included in the consolidation process, NLFR Board of Directors President Alan Lee said at the March 10 NLFR meeting.
Lee said that NLFR officials spoke during the meeting and Depoe Bay Fire asked several questions and raised their own concerns. Eventually, both sides agreed that they needed a firm vote from Depoe Bay Fire on whether or not they would contribute to NLFR bonds. Lee said during Depoe Bay’s meeting last week, they voted not to recognize or contribute to those bonds. After hearing that, NLFR officials decided to vote on whether or not they wanted to dissolve the consolidation agreement completely. North Lincoln Fire Chief Rob Dahlman explained to the Board that without an agreement, North Lincoln would be faced with a larger increase in taxes than Depoe Bay would through the merger. In that situation, Dahlman said he didn’t see the benefit of consolidation for them. “We know that we cannot sell that to our voters, saying ‘hey let’s
use of existing resources, as well as a motion not to pursue any further consolidation. “It’s got to be equal between Depoe Bay and us and I don’t feel that it is,” NLFR board member Danny Curler said. “They want everything and don’t want to give anything.” Upcoming Meeting
COURTESY PHOTO
The NLFR Board of Directors met on March 10 and discussed the merger. consolidate, but we’ll pay more.’ That just doesn’t pencil out,” Chief Dahlman said. A motion was then made to dissolve the ORS 190 agreement
between the two fire districts, an intergovernmental agreement between two or more public agencies that seek to foster efficiency and economy by promoting the
Also during the NLFR meeting, the board completed an agenda of discussion topics planned during a joint meeting with the Lincoln City City Council. Among the topics include the new urban renewal district, the tsunami siren warning system, fire code issues, what services NLFR provides for the City of Lincoln City and vice versa, as well as the updates on the Echo Mountain Complex fire. The meeting is scheduled for April 5 at 6 p.m. and will be available for viewing on
Lincoln City’s largest and most trusted news source.