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AWOL: Oregon Republican Senators walkout

BEN BOTKIN

Oregon Capital Chronicle

News Guard Guest Article

Oregon Senate Republicans on Tuesday, May 23, declared they’re willing to return to the floor to pass bipartisan legislation and budget bills on June 25, the final day of the session.

Gov. Tina Kotek spent about two hours listening to Republican and Democratic senators in separate closeddoor meetings in the Capitol building Monday, May 22, as the GOP-led walkout that started May 3 continued to

stall the Senate.

Kotek entered the Senate majority office to visit with Democrats at noon, on the heels of a meeting she had with Senate Republicans shortly after 11 a.m. Applause rang out from inside the room.

But Republican senators were less enthusiastic about meeting the Democratic governor. Just one, Dick Anderson of Lincoln City, turned up in person while the others joined through Zoom, a choice that clearly rankled Kotek. “I think that says a lot about who’s interested in

Safety first

Pay attention, be prepared

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

As summer arrives, people are flocking to local waterways and the Pacific Ocean to enjoy Oregon’s incredible boating opportunities.

Regardless of what’s calling you to the water and the type of boat you’re in, be aware of your surroundings, be prepared, and make good decisions, the Oregon Marine Board advises.

Rivers and the Pacific Ocean (even the surf zone) are the most inherently dangerous, according to the Oregon Marine Board.

It’s important to always scout ahead, mind the tide, decide on the safest route and expect the unexpected, the Oregon Marine Board states on its website, adding that most accidents and fatalities are due to falling overboard, collisions, and operator error/ misjudgment, and reckless behavior.

“Inexperience and solo operation continue to be a growing trend of boating fatalities in Oregon,” Oregon Marine Board Boating Safety Program manager Brian Paulsen said. “Planning ahead, boating with others, always keeping a sharp lookout, and wearing a properly fitted life jacket for your boating activity should be at the top of all boaters’ focus.

The Oregon State Marine Board advises boaters to plan ahead and check out the Marine Board’s interactive boating access map. The map displays public boat ramps and local rules for boat operations.

Also, check the weather forecast, water levels, and tides. See if there are any reported obstructions and have the right gear for your boating activity. Boaters can also check the Marine Board’s website to find out what equipment is required based on the size and type of boat.

The Marine Board reminds boaters:

• Boat Sober. Abstain from consuming marijuana, drugs, or alcohol, which impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination and cause dehydration. Boating demands sharp situational awareness.

• All children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket when underway on all boats (motorized and nonmotorized). All boaters on Class III whitewater rivers are required to wear a life jacket.

• Be courteous to other boaters and share the waterway. Stage your gear in the parking lot or staging area regardless of your boat type. This makes launching faster and everyone around you happier.

• In Oregon, all boaters

This walkout must end.

The people of Oregon desire it. Democracy demands it.

resolving the crisis,” Kotek later told the Capital Chronicle and another reporter. “It’s very difficult when the Senate Republicans don’t show up in a room.”

She called their refusal to attend the meeting in person “very disrespectful.”

She said she didn’t talk to the Republicans about whether they’d return on Tuesday,

and didn’t indicate whether she was trying to strike a deal.

“We were just listening today,” Kotek said. “We were not negotiating.”

Ten senators are now ineligible to serve for another term because they have 10 or more unexcused absences.

The only Republican senators on the floor Monday morning were Anderson and Sen. David Brock Smith of Port Orford. The chamber needs 20 senators to do business and 18 were present.

It’s unclear how fruitful any negotiations might be.

Senate President Rob Wag-

ner, D-Lake Oswego, declined to comment after the Senate floor session ended. Wagner and Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, were unavailable for comment after their meetings with Kotek.

Deputy Minority Leader Daniel Bonham of The Dalles told the Capitol Chronicle he doesn’t trust Kotek because of his experiences with her when she was House speaker. As one example, he said, she backed out of a deal to give

DLWID $1.1M budget reveals new projects

RYAN HOOVER

Country Media, Inc.

Fiscal Year 2024 is set to be a big year for Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID). At least that’s what the board’s FY24 budget predicts.

The special district board has approved its FY24 budget that reveals a generous payment from Lincoln City, ambitious plans for Blue Heron Landing facility, and a vegetation management plan that includes grass carp for the first time since the ‘90s.

The budget, which was initially released on April 13 and had a revised version approved by the DLWID budget committee on May 11, is currently awaiting a public hearing on June 8. After the public hearing, the budget will be adopted. Because DLWID is

considered a special district, or a governmental unit separate but related to the City of Lincoln City, the adopted budget will then be sent to the County Clerk for review.

After the initial draft of the budget was released and before the second draft was approved, DLWID terminated its previous lake manager, Josh Brainerd, on April

Courtesy photo

28. Board Chair Tina French said she could not state why Brainerd was terminated. He will be replaced by Boone Marker as the new lake manager as of June 1.

By the numbers

THE FY24 budget for Devils Lake Water Improvement District totaled $1.14

million, down from $1.22 million the previous year. DLWID’s budget is broken down into three separate funds:

• The improvement fund

• General fund

• Transportation fund

DLWID states that its improvement fund is financed through “fund transfers, grants, and other outside funding sources.” These funds are primarily used to support shoreline erosion control, fish habitat enhancement, water quality monitoring, invasive species control, and other environmental restoration efforts. The ending balance of the improvement fund for the FY24 budget was $82, 817.

DLWID’s general fund is financed through working capital, levied taxes, and other

See WATER, Page 13

DLWID names Marker as new lake director

SUBMITTED BY DLWID

The Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) announces the appointment of Boone Marker as its new District Manager.

With an impressive background in community development and a passion for water resource management, Marker brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the role.

Mark -

er’s career is defined by a goal-oriented approach, complemented by exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. His proven

ability to think critically and strategically, coupled with a strong work ethic, has consistently delivered successful outcomes in both team and individual settings. With a focus on program development, planning, and execution, Marker’s strengths align perfectly with the objectives of Devils Lake Water Improvement District. Having served as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, Marker possesses extensive experience in overseeing various programs and activities. This includes budgeting, staff scheduling, grant writing, program development, and social media marketing. His expertise in website design and special

See DIRECTOR, Page 14

Rob Wagner, Senate President

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Marine Board Most accidents and fatalities on Oregon’s waterways are due to falling overboard, collisions, and operator error/misjudgment, and reckless behavior, according to the Oregon Marine Board.

Devils Lake in Lincoln City is a 1/3 of a mile wide and approximately up to 21 feet deep.

Boone Marker

Coast Moment

Wave watching along the Oregon Coast. See more Coast Moments at thenewsguard.com.

Fire agencies urge campfire safety

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

June 3

Free Family Fishing

The US Forest Service will have the Family Fishing Day at Hebo Lake, in Hebo. Fish License and parking fees are waived for this event.

Lincoln City Senior Center Events

Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets at 10 a.m. 1st and 3rd Thursdays.

Tai Chi 8:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. No membership required. Donation to instructor suggested.

Folk Music Circle to begin meeting Thursdays at

5:30 p.m. beginning in April.

Weekly Walk on LCCC track. No charge or membership required. 10:30 a.m.

Mondays. Chair Yoga 11:30 a.m.

Mondays. No membership required. Donation to instructor suggested.

On Going

Central Coast Word

Surfers

Writing group 1 to 3 p.m. every second Saturday of the month. Free. Driftwood Public Library, 801 SE Highway 101 in Lincoln City Lincoln County Genealogical Society Regular meeting first Sat-

urday of each month from 10 a.m. Programs begin at 11 am. We host a kaffeeklatsch before our meeting at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Call 503-302-8892, or visit LCGSOregon.org.

Free Meal For Veterans

Homemade soup and sandwiches every third Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln City B.P.O Elks #1886 at 1350 SE Oar Avenue in Lincoln City

If you have a community event coming up, send brief details with the date, time, location and contact phone/ email to jruark@countrymedia.net.

Metro Creative Connection

The majority of forest fires are started by humans who leave their fires unattended, according to fire officials.

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

During Wildfire Awareness Month, Clatsop County is partnering with Clatsop County Fire Defense Board and local and state fire prevention agencies in reminding people to safely maintain and put out campfires.

“People come from across the world to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and our county,” Clatsop County Emergency Management Director. Justin Gibbs said. “To protect people’s lives and this beautiful space, we encourage

people to use an abundance of caution before building a campfire during wildfire season.”

State agencies involved in the Wildfire Awareness Month campaign are the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Parks and the Oregon Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and State Lands.

The Clatsop County Fire Defense Board and local fire services recommend seven campfire safety tips to help you reduce the risk of starting a wildfire:

• Know before you go.

• Check out current condition.

• Clear around the campfire site and circle the pit with rocks

• Keep your campfire small

• Attend your fire at all times

• Burn wood only

• Always have water and a shovel on site

• Before calling it a night or leaving for home, make sure it’s DEAD out

Find out about campfire restrictions at stateparks.oregon.gov.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

LCPD promotes Tolzman, hires new 911 dispatcher

Country Media, Inc.

The Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) announces a promotion and a new dispatcher.

LCDP Sgt. Hayden Tolzman has been promoted to command staff at the agency. Tolzman was selected for the promotion following an extensive assessment process, according to a release from LCPD.

Tolzman joined the agency in 2016, after working for a year as a reserve officer with Redmond Police Department.

POLICE

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

Lincoln City Police

May 18

2:30 p.m.

During his tenure with LCPD, he has served in the capacity of Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Street Crimes Officer, and Taser Instructor. He also received several recognitions for his accomplishments with our agency, including an OPOA Medal of Valor in 2017, Patrol Officer of the Year in 2018, and DUII Officer of the Year in 2019. Tolzman said he is honored to have been chosen for the position and hopes to lead by example and promote growth in our officers’ skills, while continuing to ensure that Lincoln City is a safe

place to live and visit.

New dispatcher

the public in a law enforcement environment and looks forward to exploring the challenges the position will offer.

Ketchum said she is excited to share the knowledge from her previous experience, assist our officers, and contribute to the sense of community and service that the LCPD provides to citizens.

Caller reports possible intoxicated male in wheelchair has been sitting at location in the 1000 block of SE Oar Avenue for an hour, not waking up, but breathing. Subject was taken into custody for a misdemeanor warrant for larceny out of Klamath Falls and transported to jail.

May 19

10:19 a.m.

Report of a two-vehicle non-injury crash in the 700 block of NW Highway 101. One driver cited. Car Care towed one of the vehicles.

4:16 p.m.

A subject was taken into custody at the 15th Street beach access and transported to jail charged with Online Sexual Corruption of a Child, Luring a Minor, Attempted Rape III, Attempted Sodomy III, and Attempted Sex Abuse II.

No entries for May 20

May 21

12:49 a.m.

Caller reports that a female will not leave his home in the 1500 Block of NE 12th Street. Female cited and released for Trespass.

2:04 a.m.

Counterfeit $100 bilk reported in the business at 17776 NW 44th Street.

3:01 a.m.

Report that a male transient set fire in alcove in the 4100 block of NW Logan Road. Employees extinguished the blaze. Officers were unable to locate the transient.

6:52 p.m.

Caller reports she had been in a verbal argument with her grandfather earlier and that he had taken her phone and broke it.

May 22 12 a.m.

A female driver was cited and released for DUII and Reckless Driving in the 1700 block of NE 6th Street. The vehicle was impounded.

Extra patrols requested in the 2100 block of SE Lee Avenue due to ongoing issues with transients accessing utilities on the property.

Extra patrols requested in the SE 3rd Street area follow-

Amy Ketchum has joined the LCPD as a dispatcher. She previously worked at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter for the past eight years. When asked what prompted her to become a Dispatcher with LCPD, she responded that she enjoys working with

Amy Ketchum

Courtesy photo from LCPD Sgt. Hayden Tolzman gets a handshake congratulation from LCPD Chief Dave Broderick.

BLOTTER SHERIFF’S TIPS OF THE WEEK

ing ongoing issues with drug activity and suspicious persons casing the area.

Oregon State Police

May 5

5:49 p.m.

A vehicle was the subject of multiple driving complaints on Highway 18 at milepost 12. The vehicle was located and stopped. The driver exhibited multiple signs of impairment and admitted to consuming alcohol. The driver consented to performing field sobriety tests and performed poorly. The driver was arrested and transported to Lincoln City Police Department, where he provided a breath sample of .22% BAC. The driver was then lodged in Lincoln County Jail after being medically cleared at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. The vehicle was towed by Car Care Tow.

7:31 p.m.

A blue Toyota Rav4 was northbound on Highway 101 near milepost 105. The Toyota was attempting to turn on to N Fraser Rd. A black Subaru Crosstrek was north bound behind the Toyota. The driver of the Subaru tried to pass the Toyota as it made its turn. The Subaru crashed into the Toyota. Both vehicles were towed by Menefee towing. Driver of the Subaru was cited for unsafe passing on the left.

11:52 p.m.

A trooper was on patrol near mile post 136 on highway 101. The trooper ran the plate on a white Nissan SUV. The vehicle returned stolen. Another trooper joined the first trooper and stopped the vehicle and detained the two vehicle occupants without incident. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the

driver for UUMV and Contempt of Court for violating the terms of a no contact release agreement. Passenger was released at the scene and the driver was lodged at LCJ. Vehicle was towed for safe keeping.

May 7

3:17 p.m.

A gray Toyota Camry was stopped for registration sticker expired at milepost 121 on Highway 101. The driver was found to be DWS and uninsured. The driver was issued a citation for registration sticker expired, DWS, and driving uninsured. The vehicle was towed by Car Care Tow Pro.

May 8

1:15 p.m.

A green Jeep Cherokee was stopped for speeding on Highway 101 and the driver was found to be DWS. The driver was issued warnings for speeding and registration sticker expired and a citation for DWS. The vehicle was towed by Coast Towing.

1:55 p.m.

Oregon State Police conducted a traffic stop on a white Ford F-150 for speed on Highway 101 at milepost 105. The driver showed signs of impairment, consented to SFSTs, and was arrested for DUII. The driver was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where there provided a breath sample of .23% BAC. The driver was lodged for DUII and Reckless Driving. The truck was towed by Care Car Towing

2:35 p.m.

A vehicle was towed to impound by Rowley’s Towing subsequent to a traffic stop on Highway 101 at milepost 157, wherein the driver was found to be driving while suspended and driving uninsured.

Safety tips for runners

The Newport Marathon is just around the corner, so we can expect to see local and guest runners hitting the road on June 3.

Motorists should use extra caution, not only during special events like this, but throughout the year. Whether you are a well-seasoned runner or just beginning your running activities, there are some things you should consider to keep yourself safe while running.

The time of day and weather impact not only how you feel on your run but can also be more dangerous depending on the situation. Before heading out on your next run, consider these tips.

Before the Run

• Run with another person or a group.

• Let someone know when and where you are running and when you will return.

• Carry ID and a cell phone. Consider adding a small card with an emergency contact and any allergies or known medical conditions.

• Take a whistle with you.

• Dress for the weather and running conditions. Wear layers and sturdy shoes.

• Wear reflective clothing or gear regardless of the time of day.

• Don’t wear headphones or anything that distracts you. This will help keep you aware of cars passing by and animals you may encounter

on your route.

• Vary the route and the time of day that you run.

• If you must run at night, remember to wear a headlamp and a flashing red light on your back. Consider additional reflective gear.

• Remember to stretch! Stretching before running and regular flexibility and strength training help prevent future injuries.

During the Run

• Run against traffic so that you can observe the approach of automobiles.

• When possible, run on sidewalks or designated trails/pedestrian paths.

• Remember to hydrate. Runner’s belts and vests make it easier to carry water and snacks.

• Keep an eye on the temperature and how your body feels. If you start to overheat, feel dizzy, or otherwise unwell, take a break in the shade and drink water.

• Stay alert. When in doubt, follow your intuition. If something seems suspicious, do not panic, but run in a different direction.

• Do not approach a car to give directions. If you feel you must respond, do it while moving.

• Run in familiar areas. Note the location of neighbors or open businesses along the route.

• When in doubt call for help. For an emergency, call 911. Non-emergency dispatch can be reached at 541265-0777 or call a friend and keep them on the phone until you feel safe again.

For more information and tips, visit www.lincolncountysheriff.net

Safety

Continued from Page 1 must take a boating safety course and carry a boating safety education card when operating a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower. Paddlers of non-motorized boats 10’ and longer are required to purchase a waterway access permit.

The Marine Board also offers a free, online Paddling Course for boaters new to the activity.

The Oregon State Marine Board contracts with 32 county sheriff’s offices and the Oregon State Police to enforce boating laws and help patrol Oregon’s waterways. The Marine Board provides state-ofthe-art, hands-on training for marine law enforcement and provides equipment, gear, and funding for patrol boats.

For more information about safe boating in Oregon, visit Boat.Oregon.gov.

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Confirmation challenges teens

Madeline Del Perez

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Twenty-five children from. St. Augustine Catholic Church in Lincoln City were among those confirmed at the church on May 11. Eight children from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newport were confirmed at the same time. Typically, children taking part in this ceremony range in age from thirteen to fifteen.

“It is a very important part of the religious education of these children,” St.

Augustine Church Father Joseph Sebasty said. That sentiment is echoed by Madeline Del Valle Perez, one of the children confirmed.

“Being confirmed means a lot to me,” she said. “It helps me and the other kids to feel closer to God.”

Adds her mother, Eulalia Del Valle: “As one of the seven sacraments of the church, confirmation is very important for my daughter and all the children.”

The confirmation, one of the seven sacraments of the

church, was presided over by Peter Smith, vicar general and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Portland.

Each year the church conducts the confirmations. Two neighboring coastal parishes, Lincoln City and Newport,

joined together for the May 11 event at the Lincoln City church.

“This is one time of the year when they get to see the bishops because confirmations like this are confirmed by the bishops,” Smith said.

“It is one of the seven sacraments that we have as a Catholics. So, this is the completion of the full initiation as Catholics. It is an opportunity to challenge young people to open their lives to God, to the Holy Spirit, in a new way. I

love doing these things. It’s an opportunity to challenge these kids to open their hearts to God.”

to this story.

Siletz Tribe Surpasses $21M in donations to nonprofits

SUBMITTED

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund distributed $157,562.85 to 36 organizations as it continues its quarterly donations to nonprofit groups. The Siletz Tribe has made contributions through employment, monetary do-

nations and cooperative measures to the Siletz community, Lincoln County and the state of Oregon. The seven-member charitable fund advisory board has distributed more than $16.6 million since its inception in 2001.

Overall, the Tribe has honored its tradition of sharing within the community by

distributing more than $21 million through the charitable fund and other Tribal resources. Chinook Winds has donated more than $6.5 million in cash and fund-raising items since it opened in 1995. The casino also provides inkind donations of convention space for various fund-raisers as well as technical sup-

port, advertising and manpower for many events.

The latest funding contributions were conducted May 5. The next deadline to submit applications is June 1. Eligibility for money from the charitable fund is limited to two categories: Entities and activities located in the Siletz Tribe’s

11-county service area (Lincoln, Tillamook, Linn, Lane, Benton, Polk, Yamhill, Marion, Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties)

Applications and requirements can be obtained at ctsi.nsn.us/charitable-contribution-fund; by calling 800-922-1399, ext. 1227, or 541-444-8227; or by mail-

ing Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549. Applications can be submitted via e-mail at stccf@live. com.

For a full list of recipients and the story go to thenewsguard.com.

Gleneden Beach resident Ron Lovell contributed

Being confirmed means a lot to me. It helps me and the other kids feel closer to God.

Jeremy C. Ruark/Country Media, Inc

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News & Views

Grow up, show up

It is past time for Republican Senators to return to work and finish the people’s business.

Throughout the state, and in Senator Suzanne Weber’s 16th District, Oregonians are sick and tired of Republican politicians shutting down the government every time there is proposed legislation with which they don’t agree.

Regarding HB 2002 and the reason for their walkout, the majority of Oregonians want freedom for reproductive health care choices. They want freedom for gender affirming health care. These are the values of the majority of the people in this state, and we have elected a majority of representatives who agree with these values.

Further, Oregonians of all political stripes want Republicans to show up for work, which is why we overwhelmingly passed Measure 113 last November, which penalizes legislators for walking off the job. Democracy does not work when the minority shuts down the democratic process. Whether it’s denying election results, or holding the nation’s economy hostage over the debt ceiling, or not showing up to keep government running, Republican politicians have to stop kicking over the sandcastle like petulant children every time their ideas are not accepted.

It is time for the Republican Senators in Oregon to grow up, show up, and take responsibility for running the government of this state.

Eric Halperin Gearhart

Having a tantrum

The government should show up to work or not be paid.

Just like the rest of us. And having a tantrum instead of their job does not say they showed up. Work is what they are supposed to do. Together.

Peggy Simmons Aumsville

Call 811 before digging

JAKE GILBERTSON

News Guard Guest Column

If you’ve ever been digging a fence post hole or installing an in-ground sprinkler line and hit something solid, chances are it’s something more than a pesky rock. In fact, there could be a major injury – or even worse –lurking beneath what looks like harmless soil. With an early summer upon us, many Northwest homeowners and contractors are getting a head start on projects that involve outdoor digging or excavation.

That’s why NW Natural is emphasizing the importance of calling 811 to locate underground utility lines at least two business days ahead of starting any project that involves digging more than 12 inches deep. It’s the law, it’s free, and it’s the only way to know for sure where underground utilities lie on a property. This is especially important when considering natural gas lines, which can be installed no more than 18 inches deep.

In 2022, we responded to 13 incidents in Lincoln County where natural gas lines were damaged. This was among a total of 591 damages in NW Natural’s Oregon and Southwest Washington territory, including more than 442 that involved broken lines with escaping natural gas. You may recall earlier in the year when an electric line toppled and the power arc hit one of NW Natural’s underground lines. Our hope is to continue to reduce the number of dam-

Oregon AG sues Avid Telecom over illegal robocalls

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

You may have received them late at night or while at work, robocalls have become a consistent issue in Lincoln County, across the state and the nation.

Now, Oregon is taking action against one company that Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said initiated billions of illegal robocalls.

Robo calls are annoying, intrusive — and they are also downright dangerous.

Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon Attorney General

here.

ages in Lincoln County and the entire Pacific Northwest.

Nearly half of the damage-causing incidents to our utility lines happened because a homeowner or contractor didn’t call 811. That can be a costly decision; if someone is found liable for damaging a utility line, they may face a hefty bill for repairs and fines.

The good news is that damage to underground utility lines is preventable if you follow the right steps. Along with calling 811, the Online Locate Request tool is right at your fingertips. This is a free service available for homeowners and contractors from the Oregon Utility Notification Center, a state agency responsible for protecting excavators, the public, and underground utilities from damages, and is available at: https://digsafelyoregon.com/ resources/locate-requests/.

NW Natural has a team dedicated to educating contractors and residents about what they can do to prevent damage. As always, if you’re digging and smell natural gas, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and NW Natural (800-882-3377) to report the leak. And remember, no damage is too small to report, including gouges, scrapes and dents. Let’s all do our part and garden, build and dig safely this year.

For more information, visit https://www.nwnatural. com/safety/call-before-youdig.

Jake Gilbertson is the Damage Prevention Specialist for NW Natural.

Rosenblum has sued Michael D. Lansky, LLC, which does business under the name Avid Telecom, its owner Michael Lansky, and its vice president Stacey S. Reeves, for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of illegal robocalls to millions of people and violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and other federal and state telemarketing and consumer laws.

What the lawsuit claims Avid Telecom sent or transmitted more than 7.5 billion calls to telephone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, according to a release from Rosenblum.

“Robocalls are annoying, intrusive — and they are also downright dangerous,” Rosenblum said. “We are glad to be part of this lawsuit as this issue affects every one of us— particularly older Oregonians who are more likely to be preyed upon by scammers and predatory businesses that engage in robo-calling.”

The legal action arises from the bipartisan nationwide Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force of 51 attorneys general. The task force is investigating and taking legal action against those responsible for routing significant volumes of illegal robo-

call traffic into and across the United States. The Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General provided investigative assistance in this matter.

Avid Telecom is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider that sells data, phone numbers, dialing software, and/or expertise to help its customers make mass robocalls. It also serves as an intermediate provider and allegedly facilitated or helped route illegal robocalls across the country.

Between December 2018 and January 2023, Avid sent or attempted to transmit more than 24.5 billion calls. More than 90 percent of those calls lasted less than just 15 seconds, which indicates they were likely robocalls. Further, Avid helped make hundreds of millions of calls using spoofed or invalid caller ID numbers, including more than 8.4 million calls that appeared to be coming from government and law enforcement agencies, as well as private companies.

Avid Telecom allegedly sent or transmitted scam calls about Social Security Administration scams, Medicare scams, auto warranty scams, Amazon scams, DirecTV scams, credit card interest rate reduction scams, and employment scams. Examples of some of these scam calls are available to listen to here and

New legislation

This suit is not the only action to crack down on robo-callers being taken by Attorney General Rosenblum’s office. The Oregon Department of Justice is supporting legislation sponsored by Representative Paul Holvey (D-Eugene) to help combat illegal robocalls that originate outside the United States. The Attorney General is urging the Oregon Senate to pass House Bill 2759, which the Oregon House passed in April. HB 2759 will amend Oregon’s anti-robocall statutes so that telemarketing companies who carry traffic they know (or consciously avoid knowing) is illegal are liable for those calls to the same extent as if they originated the call themselves.

“Currently it is illegal under Oregon law to call someone on the do-not-call list or to make scam robocalls,” Rosenblum said. “But because so many of these calls come from overseas it can be nearly impossible to hold the call originators accountable under Oregon’s current statute. HB 2759 will help close that legal gap.”

To learn more about how to report robocalls and what you can do about them, check out the Oregon DOJ’s new information sheet, “Tired of Robocalls?”

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NG23-474 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE T.S. No.: OR-23-954376-BB Reference is made to that certain deed made by, RITA KARTALYAN, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, AND ARI KARTALYAN, AN UNMARRIED MAN as Grantor to WESTERN TITLE & ESCROW COMPANY, as trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR EVERGREEN MONEYSOURCE MORTGAGE COMPANY ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, as Beneficiary, dated 4/1/2019, recorded 4/2/2019, in official records of LINCOLN County, Oregon as fee/file/instrument/ microfilm/reception number 2019-02924 and subsequently assigned or transferred by operation of law to MIDFIRST BANK covering the following described real property situated in said County, and State. APN: R257929 11-11-05-DA03303-00 LOT 4 AND THE SOUTH 10 FEET OF LOT 5, BLOCK 10, BAKER’S ADDITION TO NEWPORT, IN THE CITY OF NEWPORT, LINCOLN COUNTY, OREGON, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED JULY 26, 1887 IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE 5, PLAT RECORDS. Commonly known as: 1038 NE FOGARTY ST, NEWPORT, OR

97365-2609 The undersigned hereby certifies that based upon business records there are no known written assignments of the trust deed by the trustee or by the beneficiary, except as recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the above described real property is situated. Further, no action has been instituted to recover the debt, or any part thereof, now remaining secured by the trust deed, or, if such action has been instituted, such action has been dismissed except as permitted by ORS 86.752(7). Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. There is a default by grantor or other person owing an obligation, performance of which is secured by the trust deed, or by the successor in interest, with respect to provisions therein which authorize sale in the event of such provision. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sum: TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE: $71,400.40 TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $288,756.48 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-to-day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay. By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by the trust deed immediately due and payable, those sums being the following, to-wit: The installments of principal and interest which became due on 5/1/2020, and all subsequent installments of principal and interest through the date of this Notice, plus amounts that are due for late charges, delinquent property taxes, insurance premiums, advances made on senior liens, taxes and/or insurance, trustee’s fees, and any attorney fees and court costs arising from or associated with the beneficiaries efforts to protect and preserve its security, all of which must be paid as a condition of reinstatement, including all sums that shall accrue through reinstatement or pay-off. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a waiver of any fees owing to the Beneficiary under the Deed of Trust pursuant to the terms of the loan documents. Whereof, notice hereby is given that QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION F/K/A QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON, the undersigned trustee will on 9/6/2023 at the hour of 9:00 AM, Standard of Time, as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, At the Public Entrance of the Lincoln County Courthouse, located at 225 West Olive Street,

Newport, OR 97365 County of LINCOLN, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Other than as shown of record, neither the beneficiary nor the trustee has any actual notice of any person having or claiming to have any lien upon or interest in the real property hereinabove described subsequent to the interest of the trustee in the trust deed, or of any successor in interest to grantor or of any lessee or other person in possession of or occupying the property, except:

Name and Last Known Address and Nature of Right, Lien or Interest RITA KARTALYAN 1038 NE FOGARTY ST NEWPORT, OR 97365-2609 Original Borrower ARI KARTALYAN 1038 NE FOGARTY ST NEWPORT, OR 973652609 Original Borrower For Sale Information Call: 800280-2832 or Login to: www. auction.com In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION F/K/A QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trus-

tor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS THAT SETS FORTH SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO A TENANT OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIRMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS 86.771. TS No: OR-23954376-BB Dated: 4/25/2023 Quality Loan Service Corporation f/k/a Quality Loan Service Corporation of Washington, as Trustee Signature By: Jeff Stenman, President Trustee’s Mailing Address: QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION F/K/A QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON 108 1 st Ave South, Suite 450, Seattle, WA 98104 Toll Free: (866) 925-0241 Trustee’s Physical Address: Quality Loan Service Corporation f/k/a Quality Loan Service Corporation of Washington 2763 Camino

ASSIGNS, as Beneficiary, dated 7/17/2002, recorded 7/23/2002, in official records of LINCOLN County, Oregon in book/reel/volume No. in Book 454 Page 0885 and modified as per Modification Agreement recorded 8/16/2017 as Instrument No. 2017-07909 and subsequently assigned or transferred by operation of law to MIDFIRST BANK covering the following described real property situated in said County, and State. APN: R299680 07-11-14-CC- 0190000 BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 7 SOUTH, RANGE 11 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, IN LINCOLN COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEG. 39 ‘ EAST, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 14, A DISTANCE OF 417 FEET; THENCE NORTH ALONG THE CENTER OF A ROAD, 50 FEET IN WIDTH, A DISTANCE OF 210 FEET TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING OF THE TRACT HEREIN DESCRIBED, TO-WIT; THENCE NORTH 100 FEET ALONG THE CENTER OF SAID 50 FOOT ROAD; THENCE WEST 125 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 100 FEET; THENCE EAST 125 FEET TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPTING THEREFROM A STRIP OF LAND ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED TRACT, 25 FEET WIDE AND 100 FEET IN LENGTH, USED FOR ROAD PURPOSES. Commonly known as: 1219 SE OAR AVE, LINCOLN CITY, OR 97367-2444 The undersigned hereby certifies that based upon business records there are no known written assignments of the trust deed by the trustee or by the beneficiary, except as recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the above described real property is situated. Further, no action has been instituted to recover the debt, or any part thereof, now remaining secured by the trust deed, or, if such action has been instituted, such action has been dismissed except as permitted by ORS 86.752(7). Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. There is a default by grantor or other person owing an obligation, performance of which is secured by the trust deed, or by the successor in interest, with respect to provisions therein which authorize sale in the event of such provision. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sum: TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE: $13,457.50 TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $74,117.58 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-to-day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay. By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by the trust deed immediately due and payable, those sums being the following, to-wit: The installments of principal

and interest which became due on 11/1/2021, and all subsequent installments of principal and interest through the date of this Notice, plus amounts that are due for late charges, delinquent property taxes, insurance premiums, advances made on senior liens, taxes and/or insurance, trustee’s fees, and any attorney fees and court costs arising from or associated with the beneficiaries efforts to protect and preserve its security, all of which must be paid as a condition of reinstatement, including all sums that shall accrue through reinstatement or pay-off. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a waiver of any fees owing to the Beneficiary under the Deed of Trust pursuant to the terms of the loan documents. Whereof, notice hereby is given that QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION

F/K/A QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORA-

TION OF WASHINGTON, the undersigned trustee will on 9/6/2023 at the hour of 9:00 AM, Standard of Time, as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, At the Public Entrance of the Lincoln County Courthouse, located at 225 West Olive Street, Newport, OR 97365 County of LINCOLN, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Other than as shown of record, neither the beneficiary nor the trustee has any actual notice of any person having or claiming to have any lien upon or interest in the real property hereinabove described subsequent to the interest of the trustee in the trust deed, or of any successor in interest to grantor or of any lessee or other person in possession of or occupying the property, except:

the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION

F/K/A QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS THAT SETS FORTH SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO A TENANT OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIRMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS 86.771. TS No: OR-22-944011-BB

Dated: 4/27/2023 Quality Loan Service Corporation f/k/a Quality Loan Service Corporation of Washington, as Trustee Signature By: Jeff Stenman, President Trustee’s Mailing Address:

QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION F/K/A

QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON 108 1 st Ave South, Suite 450, Seattle, WA 98104 Toll Free: (866) 925- 0241 Trustee’s Physical Address: Quality Loan Service Corporation f/k/a Quality Loan Service Corporation of Washington 2763 Camino Del Rio South San Diego, CA 92108 Toll

Free: (866) 925-0241 IDSPub #0185598 5/30/2023 6/6/2023 6/13/2023

6/20/2023

NG23-487 Lincoln City Storage, 3796 SE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, Or. 97367, 541-996-3555. The following unit will be sold at Public Auction. Starting 6/13/2023 at 9:00am. Ending 6/20/2023 at 9:00am for non-payment of rent and other fees. Auction to be pursuant to Auction Rules and Procedures for Truax Holdings. Rules are available at the facility office. All bidding will take place ONLINE at bid13.com. Unit#B237 Brett Wheeler, Unit#LB74 Landon Benfit.

NG23-483 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN SHANNON GRACE MCKIBBEN, Plaintiff, v. SHELBY SCOTT MCKIBBEN; REGINA MCKIBBEN; NICHOLAS MCKIBBEN; COLBY MCKIBBEN; KEVIN SPENCE, personal representative for the estate of BERT EDMOND MCKIBBEN; and ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS asserting a claim or interest in real property commonly known as 12836 SE Elderberry Dr, South Beach OR 97366, whether as an interested person of the Estate of Wayne Alan McKibben, deceased, the Estate of Ronald Dwayne McKibben, deceased, or otherwise, Defendants. Case No. 23CV11110 SUMMONS TO: ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS asserting a claim or interest in real property commonly known as 12836 SE Elderberry Dr, South Beach OR 97366, whether as an interested person of the Estate of Wayne Alan McKibben, deceased, the Estate of Ronald Dwayne McKibben, deceased, or otherwise YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED to appear and defend the Complaint filed against you in the above entitled action within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this summons upon you, and in case of your failure to do so, for want thereof, Plaintiff(s)

will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the Complaint. SUMMARY STATEMENT

The object of the Complaint in this cause of action is to quiet title to property commonly known as 12836 SE Elderberry Dr, South Beach OR 97366, more particularly described as Lot 17, Block 6, LOST CREEK PARK NO. 2, in Lincoln County, Oregon, for declaratory relief that the plaintiff is fee title owner to the property and all others are foreclosed. The complaint additionally seeks plaintiff’s costs and such other relief as the court may grant. NOTICE TO THE RESPONDENT

READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY! You must “appear” in this case or the other side will automatically win. To “appear” you must file with the Court a legal document called a “motion” or a “answer”. The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or court administrator within 30 days of the date of first publication specified herein along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the Plaintiff’s attorney or, if the Plaintiff does not have a lawyer, proof of service on the Plaintiff. If you have any questions, you should see a lawyer immediately. If you need help in finding a lawyer, you may call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at (503) 6843763 or toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-7636. Dated and first published: May 23, 2023. DAVID V. CRAMER, OSB #992479. Of Attorneys for Plaintiff Zantello Law Group, LLC, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367, Phone: (541) 994-7350, Fax: (541) 9947836, E-mail: david@zantellolawgroup.com.

NG23-485 Please take notice of ORS 87.685. Vickie and Dennis Regen intend to sell and/or dispose of all items located within unit “M” of the building located at 305 SW 3rd St., Lincoln City, OR 97367, presumed abandoned property of Kirk and Candy Erickson. Certain terms and conditions

apply. Sale will be scheduled after the expiration of this notice.

NG23-482 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN ALLY BANK, Plaintiff, vs. LISA MARIE GRENZ Defendants. No. 22CV44091 CIVIL SUMMONS FIRST DATE OF PUBLICATION: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 TO THE DEFENDANTS: Lisa Marie Grenz NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY! A lawsuit has been started against you in the aboveentitled Court by Ally Bank, Plaintiff. Plaintiff’s claim is stated in the written Complaint, a copy of which is on file at the Lincoln County Courthouse. You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer.” The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the plaintiff’s attorney or, if the plaintiff does not have an attorney, proof of service on the plaintiff. The “motion” or “answer” (or “reply”) must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days of the date of first publication specified herein along with the required filing fee. The date of first publication of the summons is May 16, 2023. If you have questions, you should see an attorney immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may contact the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service online at www.oregonstatebar.org or by calling (503) 6843763 (in the Portland metropolitan area) or toll-free elsewhere in Oregon at (800) 452-7636. Attorneys for Plaintiff, JANEWAY LAW FIRM, LLC. James A. Craft #090146 [jcraft@ janewaylaw.com] 1499 SE Tech Center Place, Suite 255, Vancouver, WA 98683 (360) 260-2253; Fax (360) 260-2285.

State to pause its Homeowner Assistance Program

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will pause accepting new applications for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program at 4 p.m. May 31.

This pause will allow OHCS to process current applications in its queue and better project the amount of federal HAF funds remaining for homeowners. The state previously paused at the end of 2022 for the same reasons and has been reopened to accepting applications since March.

“HAF is pausing again to make sure there are enough funds for qualifying homeowners who’ve already applied,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “The program will likely reopen once we process additional applications already in the queue. If you are a homeowner falling behind,

we encourage you to reach out to a state-approved homeownership center right away.”

Homeowners who are most at risk of foreclosure and housing displacement, socially disadvantaged individuals (as defined by U.S. Treasury), or otherwise meet one of the additional eligibility criteria listed at oregonhomeownerassistance.org are encouraged to apply for HAF assistance before 4 p.m. PST May 31.

If a person has previously applied or begun an application, the pause will not impact them. Those who started their applications will still be able to access and complete them, and those applications that were previously submitted will still be processed. Applicants can continue to log on to the HAF portal to check the status of their application or scheduled payments. They can opt in to email alerts as their application advances. To serve the most at-risk homeowners, as an exception to this pause, OHCS

will continue to accept new applications submitted by housing counselors on behalf of homeowners who are in a judicial foreclosure or forfeiture action or have a verified foreclosure sale date. If a person is in a judicial action or in a nonjudicial foreclosure and can provide documentation of a pending foreclosure sale date, they should apply before the pause or work with a free housing counselor to submit their application.

OHCS planned its HAF program to operate as a safety net for the most at-risk eligible homeowners who have no viable workout options, and it will continue to operate HAF this way during the pause. As of May 12, 2023, OHCS approved 1,027 applications, totaling over $30 million of the $72 million budgeted for homeowners. In addition, 1,301 applications are currently being reviewed and 1,320 applications have been started but not completed for processing. At least 219 of the

Heighten fire danger triggers burning bans in Lincoln County

SUBMITTED

With increased temperatures, decreased precipitation, and in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, fire agencies in Lincoln County has begun implementing bans on yard debris burning.

This ban is specific to yard debris burning and does not include recreational campfires, portable propane/patio fireplaces, or charcoal BBQ grills. Please check with your local fire agency for details specific to each jurisdiction.

Agencies and Effective

Dates:

Forestry -May 26 at dusk

Reminder: Carelessness is the largest cause of wildfire. Escaped fires of any kind resulting in property damage requiring efforts from a fire agency or multiple fire agencies, may result in fines and individual financial responsibility for damages caused and for fire response recovery, per Oregon Revised Statue; 476.920 - Billing owner of property for the cost of extinguishing fire.

See additional resource links with this story at thenewsguard.com.

submitted HAF applications were or are in active foreclosure. The average award disbursed is nearly $30,000 per application.

Free help is available

During this pause, homeowners who have fallen behind or are at risk of missing a payment on their mortgage can continue to get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about budgeting tools and evaluation of options to keep their homes, such as modifications, adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage, or HAF. HAF may not be the best option for everyone, and it may prevent homeowners from servicer options available for different types of loans. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers. Search the full list of free

certified housing counselors by county. Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer to respond due to the holidays and remote working policies.

In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact their mortgage servicers and lenders to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to figure out their options.

Avoiding fraud

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal

information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor. There are a number of common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can report it to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General. To verify a lender’s license, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.

Courtesy photo

Heightened fire danger has promoted debris burning bans in Lincoln County.

OSU-led construction of new U.S. oceanographic research vessels

MICHELLE KLAMPE

News Guard Guest Article

The first of three new oceanographic research vessels dedicated to advancing marine science along U.S. coasts has been successfully launched.

The ship, R/V Taani, is being constructed as part of a project, led by Oregon State University and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, to provide scientists with valuable new tools to study critical issues such as rapidly changing ocean conditions and human impacts on the marine environment.

The Regional Class Research Vessel project, supported by more than $390 million in grants, is charged with delivering three nearly identical ships to the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The ships are being built by Bollinger Shipyards in Houma, Louisiana with construction staggered about six months between each vessel. Taani will be operated by Oregon State University and based in Newport on the Oregon Coast.

“Seeing Taani in the water is a very special moment and signifies the promise of many scientific advances to come in the years ahead,” said Tuba Özkan-Haller, dean of OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, which is overseeing the effort for the university. “We are grateful that the National Science Foundation has entrusted us to lead this project.”

The launch was led by Bollinger, which worked with LaShip, a subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore. With a small crowd of eager onlookers on shore and more watching a web camera online, Taani was floated for the first time on May 18 using a drydock.

Once the ship’s hull was submerged five feet, teams of inspectors closely examined the interior for any leaks before completing the launch. The vessel, which is not yet under its own power, was then towed by a pair of tugboats back to where it was assembled at Bollinger Shipyards. It will remain docked there while construction and outfitting are completed.

The launch essentially concludes the major exterior construction on the vessel. The shipbuilders will now complete wiring and finish installing equipment and other construction tasks; carry out weeks of operational testing; and conduct sea trials to ensure the vessel is ready for its mission.

“It has taken tremendous dedication and an extraordinary team of designers, shipbuilders, scientists, inspectors, technicians and project and contract managers to bring Taani to life, but there is still much work to be done before the vessel is operational,” said Clare Reimers, Distinguished Professor of Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry at OSU, who is the RCRV project scientist and co-principal investigator.

The name Taani, a word used by the Siletz people meaning offshore, was chosen to recognize Oregon’s Indigenous peoples and continues a university tradition of tying names of research vessels to regional Tribes and languages.

The second vessel, the R/V Narragansett Dawn, will be operated by the East Coast Oceanographic Consortium

led by the University of Rhode Island. The third vessel, the R/V Gilbert R. Mason, will be based in the Gulf of Mexico. It will be managed by the Gulf-Caribbean Oceanographic Consortium, led by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and the University of Southern Mississippi.

The 200-foot ships are unique, with new technologies and other features to enhance operational capabilities, improve safety and expand ocean-based research.

Each ship is designed to operate with 13 crew and up to 20 scientists for missions extending up to three weeks at sea.

“These are very technically advanced vessels and getting the many systems that scientists use to all fit within the available internal space has been challenging,” said Demian Bailey, OSU’s principal investigator and project manager for the RCRV program. “Opportunities to build a ship like this don’t come along often, and we want to make sure the ocean science community is well equipped for the next couple of decades.”

Construction of Taani is expected to be completed in 2024. After that, the ship and its new OSU-based crew will

spend several months learning to operate the vessel, training on safety protocols and conducting trials of the scientific tools, sensors and equipment in the Gulf of Mexico before bringing the vessel through the Panama Canal and to its home port in Newport. The first research expeditions aboard Taani are expected in 2025 under current timelines.

“The launch of the first

RCRV, R/V Taani, is an exciting moment for the oceanographic research enterprise,” said Jim McManus, division director for the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences. “It is fantastic to see this elegant new ship in the water, and we are eager to see the ground-breaking science that will be forthcoming.” Oregon State University

Fast Fact

The name Taani, a word used by the Siletz people meaning offshore, was chosen to recognize Oregon’s Indigenous peoples and continues a university tradition of tying names of research vessels to regional Tribes and languages.

was first awarded a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation to complete the RCRV design in 2013 and grants to build the three ships followed. The project was initially expected to take about 10 years but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; multiple Gulf Coast hurricanes, including the category 4 storm Ida in 2021 that caused extensive damage at the shipyard and across Houma; and other challenges.

While the vessels are under construction in Louisiana, there is also a significant effort underway in Oregon to support the project. At an OSU warehouse in Corvallis, a “transition to operations” team is developing and testing scientific sensors and instrumentation; setting up the ships’ cyber infrastructure and ordering tools, equipment and supplies that will be needed to operate the vessels– everything from spare propellers to galley equipment and more.

At Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, a $13 million project is in progress to renovate and upgrade the dock and improve the causeway to accommodate Taani. The original portion of the dock, constructed in the early 1960s, is being replaced with a wider trestle and the power system on the dock will be upgraded as well.

“With a new ship and a new pier, and the hiring of several new ocean-going scientists, we will be ready to get to work once Taani arrives in Newport,” Reimers said. “We have a lot of people who are excited to use this ship. Taani and her crews will shape the future of ocean science and education.”

Michelle Klampe is a writer-news researcher at Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. She may be reached at michelle. klampe@oregonstate.edu or at 541-737-0784.

Courtesy photo from OSU

This is one of the three new oceanographic research vessels led by Oregon State University.

Continued from Page 1 sources – including a $2,000 Siletz Tribal donation and $40,000 payment from Lincoln City. These funds cover personnel, materials, and debt service, among other things. The ending balance for the general fund was $1,038,580.

Board Chair Tina French said the $40,000 payment from Lincoln City was the second part of a $50,000 payment to clean out the city’s first and third street canals.

“They gave us $50,000 to clean out the first and third street canals,” French said. “There’s a huge problem with flooding back there. Those canals used to be navigable but other the years they haven’t been maintained at all.

Lincoln City said, ‘hey we’d love it if you could go in there and clean it out for us to help mitigate the flooding.’”

DLWID’s transportation fund is financed primarily through working capital and, according to the district, is used to “maintain and improve access to Devils Lake.”

The FY24 budget stated that the fund grew in previous years anticipating the purchase of a new boat, and a $20,000 requirement for the boat was included in the budget. The ending balance for the transportation fund was $29,169.

Blue Heron Landing property

The FY24 budget also

detailed the district’s recent purchase of the Blue Heron Landing property on NE W Devils Lake Road, which they originally announced in May 2021. The district purchased the Blue Heron property with promissory note for $615,000 at 4% interest and a $10,000 down payment.

French said the district’s decision to purchase the property was actually born out of COVID, when they were not able to access the lake for water testing.

“The Blue Heron [purchase] was born out of Covid, for lack of a better term,” French said. “Between the city, county, and the state, they locked all access to the lake, so we were unable to get onto the lake to

do our water testing or anything else. I don’t think any of us ever dreamed that that would happen. So, we decided we needed to find a way to guarantee we could get onto the lake. There are only two commercial properties on Devils Lake. Blue Heron being one, and then Vivian’s Restaurant. Unfortunately, because of the sand coming in from the ocean, Vivian’s doesn’t really have any lake access anymore. It’s too shallow for boat access. Blue Heron ended up coming up for sale and we negotiated the terms for that. The selling is carrying a note for 5 years so that bought us some time to come up with permanent funding, most likely through grants.”

Some immediate funding will come through boat slip rentals for open spaces on the dock, which the district plans to implement in June. The FY24 budget predicts $7,125 in revenue from rentals for 11 spaces during the year.

French said that the boat slip rentals were a DLWID priority from day one, although not everyone agreed.

“The boat slip rentals are something that we wanted done from day one. Unfortunately, the manager at that time just kept pushing back on that and had a thousand different excuses for why he couldn’t get it done,” French said. “The boat slip rentals will start around the first of June. Since it’s the first time we’re going to be renting the slips, we said they were only going to be rented June, July, and August. And then we took of the average of our monthly, weekly, and daily rates.”

When asked if charging for boat slip rentals departed from DLWID’s mission to restore, maintain, and enhance Devil’s Lake, French said it didn’t because it aligned with DWLID’s other mission to provide lake access.

“No, because one of the main mission statements of the lake is to provide the community with lake access and recreational activity,” French said. “That is one of the only points on Devil’s Lake that if you don’t live on the lake, you can get on the lake. Now that Blue Heron is gone, that went away. We want to restore that.”

French said that DLWID has big plans for the Blue Heron property. She shared an ambitious draft with the News Guard that listed plans for a brand-new facility. The two-story facility included a district office space, visitor center, water-testing lab, community room with an outdoor balcony, and concessions for both watercrafts and food. The plan also discussed a potential fueling station and winter boat storage.

“We have a master plan for that property that we are developing,” French said. “Once that plan is done, we can actively go out and seek funding.”

Grass carp project

Another project outlined in the FY24 budget included the purchase of 5,000 grass carp for vegetation management in Devils Lake. Because the fish are a controlled species in the state of Oregon, DLWID had to secure a special permit from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“If you put carp in Devils Lake and Devils Lake was connected to a river they could travel up, they could decimate a good ecology in that waterway,” Tina French said. “So, carp can only be put in private ponds, irrigation ponds, or places they can’t escape. Devils Lake happens to meet all those requirements except that it’s a public body of water. So that’s why they changed the rule just for us. The rule change that they did will change it only for Devils Lake.”

The carp will be used as part of DLWID’s vegetation management plan by eating up as much elodea as possible. Elodea canadensis, an invasive aquatic plant that grows in fresh water, has sprung up all throughout Devils Lake over the past year, French said.

“We knew we were going to have a vegetation issue, that’s why we came up with a vegetation management plan,” French said. “We did not know it was going to go from zero to one hundred like it did. On May first last year, we were like what is this stuff and where did it come from.

By Mid-August it was in every corner of the lake. It started at the Devils Lake Park and Boat Launch, so we’re assuming it came in on a boat from out of the area. Elodea is an issue all over the West Coast, not just a Devils Lake issue.”

French said the carp will be delivered on June 7, but that 5,000 just isn’t enough to handle all the vegetation overgrowth.

“The carp are being delivered on June 7,” French said. “We get 5,000 carp, which is not enough in my opinion. We probably need 15- to 20,000 carp, but that’s the most that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife would give us.”

Grass carp’s long history in the state of Oregon may help explain why Devils Lake will be one of the only public bodies of water in the state of Oregon to have them – and possibly why the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are hesitant to release more. Originally, the fish were used to combat invasive waterweeds like elodea all throughout the U.S. In the mid-90s, the species was found to be invasive, disrupting native ecosystems, devastating smaller aquatic species, and sometimes consuming all the vegetation in closed bodies of water. This led to the carp being placed on controlled species lists, and other methods for vegetation management have been utilized since then.

French said that at one point Devils Lake had somewhere around 30- to 40,000 grass carp in its waters, which left the lake clear of elodea for a long time. She said they hope to restore the lake with significantly less grass carp to achieve a balance of 25% vegetation.

“There were somewhere around 35,000 carp put into lake in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and that decimated all of the vegetation in Devils Lake, pretty much until last year,” French said. “And so that’s way too many fish. That’s why we think if we hit half that number, we’d have a nice balance of about 25% vegetation to have a healthy ecology in the lake.”

Among other strategies for dealing with the thick green waterweed are harvesting the weeds using a harvesting machine, improving aeration, and herbicides. While DLWID has decided that herbicides are not an effective method for their vegetation management plan, they have been using a harvesting machine as a temporary method. French said that the harvesting machine hauled over 10 tons of weeds on its first day of operation last week.

“We started harvesting yesterday and we’ve already hauled over 10 tons of weeds out of the lake since then!” French said. “Right now, we’re cutting all the new growth and other weeds that have floated to the surface. We’ll just keep harvesting all summer long, and then into the fall once those stems start releasing. You’re looking to get as many weeds out of the lake as you can as fast as you can.”

DLWID Background

Devils Lake is a 3-milelong body of water Northeast of Lincoln City. While Devil’s Lake is not an active water source for Lincoln County, DLWID serves and manages the lake. Among its many functions, DLWID states that its mission is to “improve and maintain the water quality of Devils Lake; improve the environment for fish, wildlife, humans; increase recreational opportunities, improve and maintain safe and efficient navigation; increase public access to Devils Lake; improve the economy of North Lincoln County through the restoration and maintenance of Devils Lake; and increase public awareness and public education of Devils Lake.”

To carry out these functions, DLWID has five directors on its board, who are all volunteers. Tina French serves as the Board Chair. French said DLWID has one full-time employee – the lake manager – and two contractors – an IT professional and an administrative assistant –who all help run DLWID’s daily operations. French also said much of the work for DLWID’s committees and various projects is completed by volunteers.

Follow developments at thenewsguard.com and in the Tuesday print editions of The News Guard.

Sun sets on Taft High School softball

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

After making the playoffs on the back of their top 20 ranking, the Taft High School Tigers bowed out in the first round of the 2023 OSAA / OnPoint Community Credit Union 3A Softball State Championship after a 9-16 away loss to Vale High School.

Saying goodbye

The ending of the season was emotional for Head Coach Sandy Stuart as the program bids farewell to four seniors who were big pieces in leading the squad this year.

“It was an emotional ending for sure,” Stuart said. “We were also grateful that we were able to experience the State playoffs together and have one last trip together to be a family. All season we have called our team a family, and it definitely felt that way as we gathered one last time post-game to reflect. We are happy about all the growth we had, and even though it is hard to say goodbye, we are looking forward to next season with all of our returning players.”

The seniors leaving will leave “big shoes to fill,” according to Stuart. Pitcher Hailey Weaver, catcher Nat Gates, first baseman Ally Hall, and centerfielder and shortstop Bridgett Marsh will all be leaving the program. While they were great leaders in the locker room, they were also the team’s most recognized talents.

Gates received second-team all-league catcher; Weaver was awarded as sec-

ond-team all-league pitcher; Marsh received second-team all-league outfield honors, and Hall was an honorable mention for all-league first base.

“For me, this is a bit of an emotional goodbye. All of these girls I have coached in travel ball and other sports since they were much younger, so I have known them a long time,” Stuart said. “Beyond that, they are our leaders. They know exactly what needs to be done daily and keep things organized. Next years’ seniors have some big shoes to fill there. I am confident they will be up to the task.”

Stuart also said that these seniors have been key in instilling a love of softball in Stuart’s daughter. The personal connection will make it all the more difficult when they aren’t with the program next season.

“They were freshmen when she was just a baby, sophomores when she was learning to walk on the field, juniors when she started to pick up a ball and run with them, and now seniors when she gets out there daily to stretch with them or shag balls,” Stuart said. “She is incredibly attached to them, and it’s going to be hard to not have them there next year.”

Season highlights

While the end of the season has been difficult, the season had more than its fair share of highlights. For Stuart, making state off the strength of their ranking, despite tough league losses, was a big accomplishment. Taft competes in the toughest 3 A league in

the state, according to Stuart, and pushing Scio and Yamhill-Carlton (the first and second-ranked 3 A schools in the state) to seven innings was another highlight.

Some of her other highlights involved watching her team and players succeed. She also took joy in pushing her athletes to go the extra mile and getting them to achieve feats they might not have thought themselves capable of.

“Getting to watch Hailey Weaver hit her first and second home runs and watching her expression as she ran the bases will always stick in my mind. Watching Laney Lee dive and catch a ball and make a double play in her first-ever game in the outfield was a great memory,” Stuart said.

“Our dugout energy all year was a huge highlight. The girls were always up supporting their teammates no matter the score on the board. We stayed up the whole time.”

Looking to the future

For Stuart’s team, one of the biggest takeaways of the season is never to give up. A lot can happen in a seven-inning game, and Stuart stressed that the team is learning to keep pushing until the final out. Stuart commended her team’s adaptability and communication as they learned new positions.

Stuart also wants to keep pushing the team while also making sure that each player gets the attention they need.

“We worked a lot at the end on pushing ourselves to the limit in practice to know our full abilities,” Stuart said. “As a coaching staff, we en-

couraged them to go a little harder, run a little faster and reach a little further to see what they can do. Not to give up or pull up short and play it safe. I hope that is something we can continue to build on going in next year.”

Stuart is also excited about the young players that will be stepping into bigger roles, whether they are underclassmen, prospects from JV, or coming through the city league. With a season’s worth of experience, Stuart is expecting the player to make big strides next year.

One thing that Stuart hopes the team will improve next season is their poise when it comes down to game time.

“One of our struggles was just with confidence and keeping up with the competition level once games started,” Stuart said. “We had some flawless practices, and our athletes were comfortable and making plays, but the game pressure was a lot for them, and I could tell they were playing nervous and tense instead of loose.”

Going into next year, Stuart feels optimistic about the lessons the team learned from this season and their ability to turn them into success on the field next season.

“We are in the toughest 3A league in the state, and we like to play a competitive pre-season, so I am hopeful that with this experience and learning from the seniors this year, we can come back strong next year,” Stuart said.

Follow Taft High School sports at osaa.org. See feature coverage at thenewsguard. com and in the Tuesday print editions of the News Guard.

Continued from Page 1

Republicans an equal voice in the 2020 redistricting plans. That move is partly why he joined the meeting via Zoom instead of in person, he said.

“She has burned me one too many times,” Bonham said. “I’m not going to let the governor have the potential to change her mind on utilizing the state troopers or whatever to pull us back into the building.”

Kotek has said she doesn’t want to use state troopers to round up absentee senators.

Missing Director

Continued from Page 1 events coordination will be invaluable assets in enhancing community engagement and promoting the district’s initiatives effectively.

Marker’s dedication to fostering athletic excellence is evident from his previous role as an Athletic Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion, & Polk Counties. Managing youth sports programs for grades K-12, including basketball, flag football, tackle football, and volleyball, they successfully collaborated with city officials and school districts to secure public spaces for activities.

Collaborating with the Salem-Keizer School District and community part-

But she hasn’t entirely ruled it out, either.

Bonham also noted that the timing of the meeting –shortly after 11 a.m. – would have put senators in the Capitol building around the same time as the Senate floor session. The proximity of those two events necessitated “an abundance of caution” for senators, Bonham said.

Republicans started the walkout initially over the failure of the Legislature to pass bills with summaries that comply with a state law that requires them to be written at an eighth grade read-

ners, Marker successfully implemented initiatives that supported the growth and well-being of youth. His exceptional leadership skills and dedication to safety will ensure that the Devils Lake Water Improvement District maintains the highest standards of service and care.

Marker’s educational achievements include a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Oregon University, and an Associates of Arts Transfer Degree from Chemeketa Community College. These academic credentials, combined with his practical experience, equip him with a well-rounded skill set to address the complex challenges of water resource

ing level. Republicans also have criticized and identified bills they want to see set aside, including House Bill 2002, which would expand abortion rights and shore up transgender health care.

Bonham said he got the impression from the meeting that Kotek isn’t willing to kill House Bill 2002 to get the Senate back in session, but said he was speaking only for himself.

The session is required to end by June 25. If the Senate Republicans don’t return, bills that impact a range of issues including housing,

management effectively.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Marker is deeply committed to community service. Currently serving on the Board of Directors for Family Promise of Lincoln County and having held the position of President for the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City, his involvement highlights his dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Additionally, Marker’s current CPR/First Aid certification underscores his commitment to safety and well-being.

The Devils Lake Water Improvement District is confident that Boone Marker’s appointment as District Manager will lead to new levels of success and progress in managing and preserving the lake and its surrounding commu-

long-term care and public education will die.

“I will say loud and clear Republicans have an interest in passing bipartisan bills and bipartisan budgets,” Bonham said.

This walkout must end,” Senator President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said. The People of Oregon deserve it. Democracy demands it.”

Follow new developments at thenewsguard.com and in the Tuesday print editions of The News Guard.

nity. Marker’s appointment is a significant step forward in the district’s mission to protect Devils Lake for future generations.

About the DLWID

The Devils Lake Water Improvement District is a special taxing district that is responsible for the management and protection of Devils Lake. The district was established in 1984 and is governed by a five-member board of directors. DLWID provides a variety of services to the community, including water quality monitoring, watershed management, and recreation programming.

The district is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for the residents of Lincoln City and

Courtesy photo

The Taft High School Softball Team.