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Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 | theworldlink.com |

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Community in mourning over the loss of beloved leader The passing of Joanne Verger, Coos Bay’s first female mayor and former Oregon state senator, shakes the southern coast By SARAH KELLY For Country Media, Inc.

Having spent most of her life in public service, helping to fight for and empower those within her community, 93-year-old Joanne Verger was an inspiration for all. Coos Bay is saddened by the passing of its groundbreaking first female mayor. Her absence within the community will be greatly felt for years to come. Verger blazed a trail no one before her had done in the coastal cities, opening

up the path for other women to more readily enter into politics within her community. Her legacy and years of hard work will live forever on in everyone that knew her as well as the lives she touched even without knowing. She had an unwavering passion and drive to protect her community, both the people residing inside it and the environment all around us. She devoted her life to trying to make our coastal towns clean and safe. She would listen to those affected by situations, striving to

truly understand and help. “I always found it reassuring that when something came up that, then, Senator Verger would reach out and ask those affected their thoughts. She was always so kind and well-spoken,” said Rodger Craddock, who had many interactions with Verger when he worked as city manager. “She was always trying to share the reasons of why she thought something should go in a certain way.” He said for her it was about finding Please see BELOVED Page A12

Joanne R. Verger

It was just such a privilege working under leadership...She could make tough decisions with unpleasant consequences and do it in a way that just exhibited her grace.” — Bill Grile

July 19, 1930 a September 22, 2023

County Continuing the fight to stop suicide Coos students By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

Tears flowed freely Saturday morning as several hundred people gathered at Mingus Park to continue the fight to end suicide. During the Suicide Prevention Walk to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Those who attended did so in memory of a friend or loved one who died from suicide or while thinking of a battle they or a loved one fought. Either way, it was personal as attendees listened and then walked in an effort to save as many lives as they can. Lance Nelson, the Coos County chair for the AFSP, said while things have improved in Coos County, there is still much work to do. “Suicide is a problem,” Nelson said. “It’s certainly a problem in Oregon and a bigger problem is Coos County. In Oregon, suicide

is the ninth leading cause of death. In Oregon, it’s the second leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 14.” Nelson said in 2012, Coos County was the fifth worst county in the state for suicide. In 2017, that improved to 11th worst in the state. “That’s progress,” Nelson said. “We’re heading in the right direction. We’re not going to stop, however. Coos County has double the suicide rate than the rest of the nation.” Nelson said the big problem has also led to a big effort to make improvements. The suicide prevention walk in Coos County has grown into one of the biggest ones in the state. Over the last five years, walkers have raised $161,000. Only Portland and Salem have raised more money. “We try to keep as much as we can in the community,” Nelson said. “We have scheduled activities for all

continue to struggle academically By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

Photo by David Rupkalvis / For The World

Participants hold up honor beads while participating in a ceremony that remembered those who died from suicide and Please see AWARENESS Page A14 honored those who continue to fight.

Crook honored as South Coast’s top teacher By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

regional title, Crook received a $1,000 prize and advanced to be in the running for the state’s teacher of the year. Crook became a teacher nine years ago, but he did not take a traditional path to the classroom. “I actually didn’t plan on being in education at all,” Crook said. “I planned on being an engineer, but I didn’t like sitting at a desk all the time.” When Crook was looking for a new career, he volunteered at Marshfield High School and fell in love with it. So when a position as a manufacturing instructor

Glen Crook, center, received a check for $1,000 from Eli Wolfe, left, and Bob Brandt with the Oregon Lottery after being named South Coast Regional Teacher of the Year.

Glen Crook didn’t grow up wanting to be a teacher, but when he got the chance, he never looked back. Last Friday, Crook’s work in the career and technical education department head and manufacturing teacher at Marshfield High School was recognized when he was named the South Coast Regional Teacher of the Year. Crook was one of 17 regional teachers honored as part of the program hosted by the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Lottery. By winning the

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Photos by David Rupkalvis / For The World

Please see TEACHER Page A12

Coos County schools continue to struggle to make up academic ground lost in the COVID pandemic. Last week, the Oregon Department of Education released data from English/language arts, math and science testing which showed the majority of students are failing to meet state standards. In English/language arts, Bandon schools had 47.5% of all tested students meet the state standard, a slight decrease from the 202122 school year. Two grade levels in Bandon - seventh grade and 11th grade exceeded 50%, with the high school juniors leading the way as two-thirds of students passed the state test. In Coos Bay, only 35.8% of all students passed the state test. High school juniors led the way, with 54.7% of all students passing. The test was given to students in third through eighth-grade and 11th grade. The youngest students in Coos Bay struggled the most, with 27.8% of third graders and 25.9% of fourth graders meeting the state standard. In Coquille, 46.5% of students met the state standard. Three grade levels, fifth grade, eighth Please see TESTS Page A2

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