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May 17, 2022
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Change is in the wind
Science Pub introduces offshore wind energy HILARY DORSEY Editor
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erspectives and complexities of responsible wind energy generation off the Oregon Coast was the topic of Oregon’s State University’s Science Pub meeting Monday, May 9. Flaxen Conway, director of OSU’s marine resource management graduate program and an Oregon Sea Grant Extension specialist, presented the issue. In her roles at OSU, she works with coastal communities, families and other groups. She works with multiple partners to provide coastal and statewide outreach and engagement. “My work focuses on collaborative learning,” Conway said. “How to build connections, how to build solutions together, how to build resilience.” Conway said this talk is just an introduction to renewable energy. All the renewable energy solutions have their positives and negatives, as they continue to evolve. “Energy, the ocean and offshore wind can look different depending on one’s perspective,” Conway said. “There’s lots of viewpoints.” Marine renewable energy is just
one solution. We need as many potential solutions as possible, Conway added. Research shows there is no one silver bullet. “Finding lasting solutions also takes creativity, it takes imagination, it takes careful consideration, recognizing what other challenges exist,” Conway said. Wind energy began at OSU and in Oregon in the early 2000s with a lot of research. There was some outreach and engagement during this decade. “This decade was kind of viewed as the first marine renewable energy gold rush,” Conway said. “In the 2010s, we had more research and development going on. We have a lot more collaborations happening.” In the 2010s, there was also the Pacific Marine Energy Center. There was 20 years of working collaboratively with many partners. “PacWave’s kind of a big deal,” Conway said. “PacWave North has an autonomous device testing.” PacWave South is the newest thing to come on board. It is the development of a test facility in Newport for
See WAVE ENERGY, Page A3
PHOTO BY NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
Wind energy began at OSU and in Oregon in the early 2000s with a lot of research.
Lincoln City Parks & Recreation to receive $1M from State of Oregon
Lincoln County proclaims May as Treatment Court Month
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incoln City Parks & Recreation (LCP&R) is honored to receive $1 million from the State of Oregon for the continued development of a new community park in the historic Taft District. This recent funding was granted by the state during the regular legislative session. LCP&R was one of several agencies in Lincoln County who will receive funding from the legislative “short” session that concluded in early March. The $1 million will go towards funding of the first community park built in Lincoln City in close to two decades and will also be the first community park in the historic Taft District (southern area of Lincoln City) alone. The current vision of the park includes new open-to-the-public outdoor soccer fields and multi-sport courts (basketball/ pickleball/ tennis) in Lincoln City. Also included in the park conceptual plans is a large covered outdoor special event area, which can convert to multi-sport courts. Since 2008, Lincoln City began talks with the Lincoln County School District (LCSD) to acquire the 6.71 acres, where the former Taft Elementary once stood, to build a community park. In anticipation of the park, the Lincoln City Urban Renewal Agency built a public parking lot with 61 spaces directly to the west of the park area. In December 2020, Lincoln City was able to purchase the land from LCSD. This $1 million in state funding comes in the wake of land surveys at the park land being completed by Lincoln City, so that landscape design may soon begin. Public open houses on the park design are being planned to start this fall, offering the public an opportunity to voice their needs in park amenities. Jeanne Sprague, LCP&R director, comments on the recent new funding: “We are excited by this funding, and greatly appreciative of the support by Rep. Gomberg, the State of Oregon, and our Parks & Recreation Advisory Board,” said Sprague.
“This funding is a result of true community action and advocacy. The voices in our community have asked to have this park built, we’re listening and we’re moving towards the goal line. The building of this community park in LC is needed, public sports fields and public sports courts are needed. With that, funding is needed to make this park happen. We thank Rep. Gomberg for his support of the health and wellness of Lincoln City and County.” David Gomberg, who represents District 10 in the Oregon Legislature, worked collaboratively with district staff, the Lincoln City Parks & Rec Board, and Sen. Anderson to champion funding for LCP&R. During the short session early in 2022, Gomberg helped plead the city’s case for funding that will go towards the new community park development. Rep. Gomberg comments on the recent funding allocation to LCP&R: “I’m convinced Taft Community Park will become a staple of this community, providing much-needed recreational space, opportunities for our kids, and new business opportunities for the Central Coast,” said Gomberg. “This is a visionary use of the space and we’ll see the results for decades to come.” For continued updates on the new community park development in Lincoln City, see https://www.lincolncity.org/ departments/parks-recreation/new-community-park-taft.
VOL. 95 NO. 20
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incoln County proclaimed May 2022 as Treatment Court Month during a board of commissioners meeting Wednesday, May 11. Treatment courts have been restoring lives and families for more than three decades. There are nearly 4,000 treatment courts nationwide and five in Lincoln County alone. They are the cornerstone for justice, the proclamation added. The proclamation states treatment courts serve 1.5 million people nationwide and 472 in Lincoln County alone. They are the cornerstone of justice reform and are now recognized as the most successful justice system intervention in our nation’s history. “Treatment courts significantly improve substance use disorder treatment outcomes,” the proclamation states. Judge Sheryl Bachart said an event will be held at 9 a.m. on May 24 at the Newport Performing Arts Center to
honor members of the treatment court community. There are so many participants in treatment court that the event had to be moved from the courthouse to a larger location. The treatment court has not been able to host this event for three years and has a lot of awards and recognition to give out. “In Courtroom 305, we have stars to represent each person that has graduated from one of our treatment courts,” treatment court coordinator Megan Bostwick-Terry said. “Since 2006, we’ve been having graduates. There’s 244 stars I believe.” The display is up now in the courtroom. Bostwick-Terry said it is amazing to see how many lives are impacted by treatment court. “I wouldn’t do this job if I didn’t think people could change,” Bachart said. “What treatment court does is give you an opportunity as a judge to connect with people.” Bachart said it is a huge time investment and is important work. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
thenewsguard.com
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INDEX Classifieds..................... 5 Opinion ......................... 4 Obituaries .................... 9
HILARY DORSEY Editor
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