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Children being impacted by Delta variant By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
As the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to make its way through Coos County, a segment of the population that has been mostly spared previously is facing a greater threat. On Thursday, Coos Health & Wellness reported 105 people un-
der age 19 have been diagnosed with COVID in August alone. Contact tracing has revealed most of the cases are likely due to community spread. The news came 10 days before in-person school is scheduled to begin across the county. Dr. Eric Gleason, assistant director of Coos Health & Wellness, said despite the debate about masking
children, the numbers show that masks in schools are needed. “If we open our schools and our kids are not wearing masks, our schools will close,” Gleason said. “We can’t afford to let our children be a party to how we feel as adults. I really hope we get through this, and this doesn’t impact our kids.” Gleason, who also sits on the
school board in North Bend, briefly discussed the district’s plan to discuss mask mandates Thursday night. “I think there is a split in our community when it comes to the mask mandate,” Gleason said. “If you don’t like masks, it’s an OK opinion to have, but it doesn’t make it less important for us to wear masks.”
As the Delta variant has moved across the county, it has led to more cases, hospitalizations and deaths than at any other time during the pandemic. As of Thursday, Coos County had 511 active cases, the most at any time in the pandemic. There were 23 people hospitalized, with all Please see DELTA, Page A2
North Bend School District delays mask, CRT vote By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Cutlines: By David Rupkalvis/The World
Congressman Peter DeFazio talks with members of the Coast Guard while touring the Coos Bay North Jetty.
DeFazio gets close look at jetty project By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Just month after he successfully got money in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund released, Congressman Peter DeFazio toured the Coos Bay North Jetty to get a close look at what the funding will do. DeFazio visited Coos Bay on Thursday and members of the Coos Bay Coast Guard station
took DeFazio out to the jetty, which has lost more than 900 feet of rocks to erosion since it was built in 1899. The congressman listened as local experts explained what work needed to be done to repair the jetty, which is used to keep boats coming into and out of the Port of Coos Bay safe. Mike Dunning, who works for the Port of Coos Bay, said the $32 million repair will add
between 130 and 170 feet to the jetty and will stabilize the structure so it will protect the port and boaters for decades to come. The work will be done in two phases. Phase one will increase the length of the head of the jetty while also stabilizing it to prevent future erosion. Dunning explained as waves pound into the rocks on the jetty year after year, it slowly erodes the rocks and weakens the jetty.
“It continues to break apart,” Dunning said. “They will come in and re-armor it. They’ll put big rocks to re-armor it. We’re losing 15 to 20 feet a year.” The second phase of the project will be on the root or the backside of the jetty, which is mostly gone due to erosion over the years. That work will protect the beaches in the area while also Please see JETTY, Page A3
Metro Creative Connections
The median taxpayer can expect to receive a credit of $420, while the average is estimated to be $850, according to the latest state revenue forecast summary.
Oregon taxpayers to receive $1.9 billion in kicker credit By JEREMY C. RUARK The World
Oregon taxpayers are in line to get a $1.9 billion kicker refund credit in the coming months. The kicker occurs if actual state revenues exceed forecasted revenues by 2 percent or more over the two-year budget cycle. The excess, including the 2 percent trigger amount, is returned to taxpayers through a credit on their following year’s tax return, according to the
Oregon Revenue Department. The following is the summary of the Oregon Revenue Forecast presented to state lawmakers today. The economic outlook remains bright. Strong household incomes, boosted considerably by federal aid during the pandemic, are the underlying driver. Consumers have no shortage of firepower if they want to and feel safe enough to spend.
The key to the outlook remains translating this firepower into actual consumer spending, particularly in the hard-hit service industries. Firms today are trying to staff up as quickly as possible to meet this increasing demand. The actual number of jobs created this year will be the largest on record in Oregon. The state’s labor market is now expected to regain all of its lost jobs by next summer, or one quarter sooner
Photo gallery: Sights and sounds at county fair Photo gallery: Bandon Museum open again AT THEWORLDLINK.COM D • Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 • A Country Media Newspaper • Copyright 2020 Follow us online:
than in the previous forecast. While these dynamics remain intact, the risks are weighted toward the downside. Growth in a supply-constrained economy is challenging. Firms are struggling with supply chains and a tight labor market. Wages are rising quickly to attract and retain workers. Prices are increasing as demand continues to outstrip supply.
The North Bend School Board waded into two hot-button political issues Thursday and quickly waded right back out – at least for now. After hearing from around a dozen members of the public, the board decided to wait before making a decision on opposing mask mandates in schools and banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory. The mask mandate issue was delayed so the board could discuss it in a work session, while the board voted to table discussion of Critical Race Theory at the beginning of the meeting. The two issues are in the middle of political debates nationwide as right-wing politicians have taken issue with both. In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown issued a mandate that all teachers, staff and students at K-12 schools wear masks when school opens next week. That has led to some outcry from parents, some who have pulled their children from schools in favor of online schooling. There has been no mandate regarding Critical Race Theory, and it is currently not taught in North Bend Schools, board chair Jim Jordan said. A large crowd attended the meeting at North Bend Middle School and almost everyone who spoke was opposed to board action on either issue. Christina Geierman, president of the North Bend Education Association, said if the district wants to change policy, their first move should be to include teachers in the discussion. She said the association opposed both resolutions. “Your teachers did not create the pandemic or the policies around it,” Geierman said. “None of my colleagues are excited about wearing masks again. But we’re willing to do it if it means we can keep your children safe.” As far as teaching Critical Race Theory, Geierman said it’s pretty much a non-issue. “Nobody in the North Bend School District has been teaching Critical Race Theory,” she said. “Your resolution to ban Critical Race Theory makes many of our teachers wonder why you don’t trust them. We seek to educate your children, not indoctrinate them. Please trust us to do our jobs” Critical Race Theory Dustin Hood, a U.S. history teacher at North Bend High School, was the first member
Please see KICKER, Page A11
CALENDAR A2 OPINION A5 OBITUARIES A6
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Community Calendar of Events
A2 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
The World
Don't Miss
Editor’s Note: Due to rising COVID-19 cases, several community events have been cancelled. In the last week, the Blackberry Arts Festival, Cranberry Festival and Bay Area Fun Festival have all be cancelled. We are doing our best to keep only active events in these listings, but in a time when things are changing fast, events could be cancelled at the last minute.
What: Community Yoga with Kelli When: 6 p.m., September 8 Where: Virtually via Zoom. Register at https://is.gd/bNva2A You Should Know: Coos Bay Public Library, in partnership with yoga instructor, Kelli Bosak, will cohost Community Yoga. Kelli has been practicing yoga and mindfulness for over 15 years. She has taught as a yoga Instructor in community health centers, schools and jails for adults and families with all levels of experience and abilities over the last 7 years.
What: Coos Bay Farmers Market When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday Where: Central Avenue, downtown Coos Bay You Should Know: Dozens of vendors will sell a variety of wares ranging from fresh produce and plants to homemade soaps and clothes. Food trucks and other food items will also be available. The farmers market runs through October 27. What: Storytime at Mingus Park When: 11 a.m. each Wednesday Where: Mingus Park Amphitheater You Should Know: Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, parents and caregivers can enjoy rhymes, songs, movement and stories at an all ages interactive storytime. The program is part of the Coos Bay Library’s efforts to support early literacy throughout the community. Masks are required for anyone over the age of 5 and social distancing is required consistent with current statewide COVID guidelines. What: Introduction to crabbing When: 9-11 a.m., September 1 Where: Meet at Charleston Visitors Center You Should Know: Visitors are invited to learn about the amazing life cycle of crabs, their importance to the local economy and discover the various techniques for capturing this delectable crustacean. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. Registered participants will meet at the Charleston Visitors Center. Registration is required, and the event is limited to six participants. Information: Visit www. southsloughestuary.org What: Spanglish with library When: Noon to 1 p.m., September
Prefontaine Memorial Run
When: September 18 Where: Corner of 4th and Anderson in downtown Coos Bay You Should Know: The 41st annual run will kick off with a high school cross country team competition at 9:45 followed by a 10K run at 10:05 a.m. Entry fee is $35 if registered by September 15, $45 after that date. Children under 18 can register for $15. Information: To register, visit www.prefontainerun.com 1 Where: Virtual meeting via Zoom. Register at https://is.gd/QCvWD8 You Should Know: Spanglish is for those who wish to practice their Spanish conversational skills and help other learners in a friendly setting. Attendees will have the opportunity to converse in Spanish as a group for one hour in a casual, informal environment. This is not a class, but there will be ideas for conversational topics. Beginners are welcome. What: City of Reedsport surplus sale When: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. September 3 Where: Compton Yard, 350 Riverfront Way You Should Know: The city will have a variety of surplus items for sale.
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local hospitals being forced to change visitation rules and several ending elective procedures due to limited space and staffing. “It’s definitely not where we want to be,” Gleason said. Gleason said 98% of the new cases in the state
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COOS HEAD FOOD CO-OP Fresh. LocaL. community-owned.
“Specializing in Bulk Foods, Local Goods, and Grab & Go Deli”
353 S. 2nd St., Coos Bay • Open Daily • 541-756-7264
Some items included are office furniture (desks, chairs and partitions), a variety of electronic equipment, bicycles and other miscellaneous items. Items will not be available for previewing. What: First Tuesday Talks When: 6:30 p.m., September 7 Where: Coos History Museum You Should Know: Eric Clough will discuss Bicycle Power: Past, Present and Future. Join Clough as he explores the history of the bicycle, the present condition of bicycle culture here in the Coos, and advocacy for the possibilities of a deeper reliance on pedal power locally. The miraculous invention of the bicycle goes back to early 19th century and local historical records can be found from the early 20th century. are linked to the Delta variant, which is much more contagious and dangerous than previous versions of COVID. “Delta is a whole different animal,” Gleason said. “It’s not going to discriminate.” With nine death over the last week and a half, Gleason said taking precautions is vital right now. The top ways to be safe from COVID remain getting vaccinated and wearing masks, he said. Gleason said new people are getting vaccinated daily, but the numbers remain low. He admitted health workers will not be able to convince everyone. “There is a portion of the population that is very
What: Birding at the Millicoma Marsh Trail When: 10 a.m.-noon, September 8 Where: Participants will meet in the parking lot directly behind Millicoma Middle School on 4th Avenue in Coos Bay. You Should Know: The public is invited to enjoy great views of the bay and one of the best birding spots in Coos County. Interpreter and binoculars provided. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. The event is free; however, registration is required, and the event is limited to six participants. Information: Visit www. southsloughestuary.org What: Unlimited Book Club When: 6 p.m., September 9 Where: Virtually via Zoom. Register at https://is.gd/dzviPh You Should Know: The Unlimited Book Club is a joint venture of Coos History Museum, Coos Bay Public Library and North Bend Public Library. It was formed to encourage awareness and foster community discussions on equity, diversity and inclusion through reading and thoughtful conversation. The club meets every second Thursday of the month. What: Rods N Rhodies Car Show When: September 10-11 Where: Old-town Florence You Should Know: Rods N Rhodies’ main event takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Bay Street. The event also includes a classic Saturday night cruise in and around Old Town.
against masks and vaccines,” he said. “They’ve made themselves known in the community. They are also a group of people I don’t think we’re going to be able to reach.” After previously offering 10 awards of $10,000 each as an incentive to get vaccinated, Gleason said there are currently no plans for a similar offer. “Incentives have been a touchy subject locally,” he said. “We don’t have any plans of significant incentives right now. Right now, we’re trying to figure out what vaccine clinics we’re going to look at for boosters.” The federal government recently approved booster shots for certain people
with compromised immune systems and announced people who have waited eight months since their vaccines can get boosters in September. “Mass vaccine clinics are going to be an option for the booster shots,” Gleason said. “The best way to get your vaccine scheduled is to go to the Coos Health & Wellness website.” Gleason said the county had three booster shots given Wednesday. He expects that number to grow. “Those individuals who are eligible right now, they can start calling their providers,” Gleason said. “Then September 20, is when the eight-month-out booster is supposed to start.”
Unity World Day of Prayer, September 9 “All is Well With My Soul” Unity By The Bay will participate in this year’s Unity World Day of Prayer with a special prayer service on Thursday, September 9, at 6 p.m. led the by Rev. Karen Lowe. Vaccination and masks are required to attend in-person. Thousands of people will join Silent Unity® — an international, transdenominational, 24/7 prayer ministry — and Unity churches and centers around the world for the 28th anniversary of this day of prayer. The theme of the 24-hour prayer event is “All is Well With My Soul.” This year’s affirmation is: No matter the circumstances, all is well with my soul.” “World Day of Prayer gives us an opportunity to come together in celebration of our oneness with God, each other, and our world. Through prayer we unite in
celebration and intention,” said Lowe. Unity invites people of all faiths to join in this sacred prayer activity. Names can be submitted for prayer at the service or online at worlddayofprayer.org. Unity will also symbolize the power of our united prayers by asking people everywhere to light a virtual candle at worlddayofprayer.org. The candles will be displayed as points of light on a global map. Unity was founded in 1889 and helps people of all faiths apply positive spiritual principles in their daily lives. It can be found on the internet at www.unity.org. Unity publishes Daily Word, a monthly magazine of inspirational messages that is distributed to about 3 million people in 113 countries. Unity By The Bay is located at 2100 Union Street in North Bend. For information, call 541-751-1633.
Space is Limited
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OPEN DAILY FROM 11 AM-10 PM CLOSED TUESDAYS
September 3 Doors open at 4:30 pm • Bingo Starts at 6:00 pm September 4 Doors open at Noon • Bingo Starts at 1:00 pm September 8 Doors open at 4:30 pm • Bingo Starts at 6:00 pm • NEW: Wednesday evening session added each week with same buy-in and payouts as the Friday evening session. • Wednesday and Friday sessions have NBSC Progressive Blackout game; current prize is $900 in 52 numbers or less. Prize increases by $50 each week until reaches $1,000 and then freezes. Week after reaching $1,000, numbers to win increase by one each week. BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, A LUCKY PLAYER WILL WIN $1,000 Food not available at any sessions at this time. Bring your own food. • Bingo session will be cancelled if fewer than 30 players for that session [applies to Wednesday, Friday and Saturday] • Masks mandated for all, per Oregon COVID restrictions.
North Bend Senior Center 1470 Airport Lane, North Bend OR northbendseniorcenter.weebly.com
18 and over Credit Cards Accepted
At the North Bend Senior Center all are welcome because it is all about connecting, sharing and enjoying each other and life on the Oregon coast!
Lunch Daily Monday – Thursday
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 | A3
The World
Jetty From A1
keeping boaters safe. “It just helps reduce some of the impact of the current and waves,” Dunning said. Dunning said with the funding freed up, the Corps of Engineers is taking bids on the work. He expects a bid to be chosen in the coming months with repairs beginning in the spring. DeFazio has been working on getting the funding for close to 25 years. During that time, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund was collecting money that sat unspent in the U.S. Treasury. Last year, DeFazio received bipartisan support on a bill to release the funding, which had grown to $10 billion, in the House. The House voted unanimously to approve the bill, but the Senate, then controlled by Republicans, refused to take it up. “Every Republican in my committee, every Republican in the House voted for it,” DeFazio said. “We’ve been collecting the money since the Reagan era. The Corps has a backlog of projects, but they didn’t have the money.” When the Senate refused to act, DeFazio looked for another way to get the funding released. After negotiating with Senate Republicans, he was able to get a bill approved in the budget cycle that allowed the $10 billion to be spent over 10 years. One of the largest projects in year one is fixing the jetty in Coos Bay. “We’re losing a lot of the jetty every year,” DeFazio said. “That entry becomes more and more dangerous.
These things deteriorate at an accumulating rate. I got this one on the list with the Corps a few years ago, and they kept saying, ‘I don’t have the money.’ Well, now they have the money.” In addition to the repairs on the North Jetty in Coos Bay, DeFazio also got funding for a wastewater plant at the Port in Brookings. The plant will enable Pacific Seafood, one of the top employers in the region, to keep its Brookings plant open. “They’ll have to close on January 1 if they don’t have a plan for a wastewater plant,” DeFazio said. “For that community, it’s a huge deal. They’ll lose their fleet and their processor if they don’t get it.” DeFazio secured $3.5 million to fund the construction of the new wastewater treatment plant owned and operated by the Port of Brookings. Getting the wastewater plant will save jobs and the fishing fleet, which supports 70 families, DaFazio said. “Pacific Seafood is proud to be a part of the Brookings community and proud to partner with the local fishing fleet to produce locally-sourced, sustainably harvested seafood,” said Tony Dal Ponte, director of government affairs for Pacific Seafood. “Working waterfronts require infrastructure, and we thank Congressman DeFazio for his leadership in directing federal dollars to the Port for this new project. We look forward to continuing to work with him in the coming months to secure this funding and support continued economic development here in Brookings.”
By David Rupkalvis/The World
Top:TheCoosBayNorthJettyhasrecededmorethan900feetdue toerosion.Worktorepairthejettyisexpectedtobeginnextspring. Left:CongressmanPeterDeFaziotalkstomembersoftheCoastGuard whilevisitingtheCharlestonstation.Right:WhilevisitingCoosBayon Thursday,CongressmanPeterDeFaziotookaridetolookattheCoos Bay North Jetty.
Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area and North Spit Boat Ramp to close for repairs The Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area and North Spit Boat Ramp will be closed for several days in September while the Bureau of Land Management completes pavement resurfacing and painting at the sites. The North Spit Boat Ramp will be closed Sept. 1, Sept. 2, Sept. 3, and Sept. 10. All facilities at the site, including the restrooms, parking lot and boat ramp will be unavailable to allow the resurfacing and painting work to occur. Pavement work will occur at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area on Sept. 7, Sept. 8, Sept. 9, and Sept. 16. During construction, the BLM will close portions of the viewing area each day, which may make
the road, restrooms and viewing platforms inaccessible at certain times. The viewing turnouts located along Highway 38 will remain open. “We appreciate everyone’s patience while we complete this needed maintenance work,” said Steve Lydick, Coos Bay district manager. “We recognize it is inconvenient to have these sites closed, but we are eager to make these repairs and get the sites in better shape for visitors.” The projects are funded through the Bureau of Land Management’s deferred maintenance program, which allocates money each year for high-priority maintenance projects at facilities on public lands.
Merkley, Wyden announce over $22 million to protect senior living facilities from COVID-19 Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden recently announced that over $22 million has been allocated to the state of Oregon in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 through senior living facilities and fund other protective measures against the virus. The grant will assist in providing medical shelter to residents who test positive for COVID-19 in order to reduce the number of affected individuals in nursing home communities, ensure that infected residents are able to safely isolate away from
other vulnerable seniors and provide targeted care to those who need it. “While the pandemic continues to impact the lives of so many across the country, every step must be taken to ensure the health and safety of Oregonians in every corner of the state,” Merkley said. “This grant will help prevent the spread of the virus through our nursing homes and protect our elderly, who continue to be the most vulnerable to COVID-19. I look forward to seeing the results of this grant and I will continue
to push for every resource available to help get Oregon through this crisis.” The funding is being administered by the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and will go directly to the Oregon Department of Human Services.
A04 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
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The World
www.thewor ldlink.com/classifieds • 541-266-6047
Announcements Snickers & Lime Chiffon are the cheesecakes this week at The Fleet Deli! Try our new extra-large Wasabi Tuna sandwich. Your choice of hazelnut, sourdough, cracked wheat or dark rye. More tuna, more Wasabi fabulous flavor. We will be open Wed - Sat, 11 - 5. Located next to the cheese factory in Bandon. 541- 290-7030.
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Employment Opps Due to not enough submissions to create an interview pool we are continuing to accept applications for the position of Water Worker I. The position will remain open until filled. A complete job description and required City application is available at Reedsport City Hall or online at www.cityofreedsport.org. The salary range for this position is $2,735.13 - $3,621.43 per month with a full competitive benefits package. This position is covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement. Please mail or hand deliver completed applications and materials to Kim Clardy, Public Works Director at 451 Winchester Ave., Reedsport, Oregon 97467. The City of Reedsport provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law. -----------------------------------------Part-time head housekeeper and housekeepers wanted. Starting wage $15+ hrly. Apply at the Bandon Beach Motel. References required. 541-347-9451.
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Recreational Vehicles 1986 Minnie Winnie. 20ft 5.7L engine, sleep 6, 81746 miles. Asking $1,850. Info at dannyor@mailrnc.com, (541)398-4810
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Import Autos '18 Subaru Forester. Pearl white. 23k. Very good condition. $27,000. 541-751-8235.
702
Garage Sales Combining 2 Household Garage Sale. Furniture & much, much more. Sept. 3rd, 4th, & 5th Labor Day weekend 9-5. 358 Periwinkle Ct. off Sea Crest, Bandon -----------------------------------------Garage Sale! Fri. 9/3 - Mon. 9/6 9am-5pm. Unique ceramics, plants including trees, collectables, electronics, kitchenware galore! $2 - $50. Cord-plus of dry Locust $150. 91512 Grinnell Ln & Penny, Empire. -----------------------------------------Too much stuff in your closet? Sell it with the Classifieds! 541-266-6047
736 Pets
ANIMAL CREMATORY The Bay Area’s only pet crematory with COOS BAY CHAPEL. 541-267-3131 coosbayareafunerals.com
808
Houses Unfurnished Bandon House for Rent Beautifully Furnished 3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms Near the Ocean. Quiet Street $2,350 Monthly / 9 Month Lease Call Cindy at 541-373-1374
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Real Estate/Trade Two rental homes for sale. One with bay view in North Bend. One closer to the bay in Coos Bay. Both with space to add. Call for more info 541-267-3704 For Sale! 4 acre ranch, garden spot, fruit trees, lg pole barn, nice neighborhood, 3 bdrm 2 bath house, short distance from Coos Bay. $495,000. 541-808-0093 or 541-291-5885.
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Legal Notices IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR COOS COUNTY Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of CHRISTIAN ANDREW ANDREASEN, Deceased. Case No. 21PB01417 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS GIVEN that Jeannine Anne Odell Brummett has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the personal representative c/o Robert Cole Tozer, Attorney at Law, 975 Oak St., Suite 615, Eugene, OR 97401, (541)345-0795, within four months of the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the personal representative’s attorney, Robert Cole Tozer. Dated and first published August 24, 2021. Personal Representative /s/ Jeannine Anne Odell Brummett Published: August 24, August 31 and September 7, 2021 The World & ONPA (ID:323775)
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Legal Notices LEGAL NOTICE The Fortress Self Storage 1503 Ocean Blvd NW Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-888-5521 The following units will be sold at Public Auction on September 15, 2021 at 11:00am for nonpayment of rent and other fees. Auction to be pursuant to auction rules and procedures for Truax Holdings III. Rules are available upon inquiry. Bidder registration day of auction required. Unit #107 Tyler Arkless Unit #303 Deanna Mason Published: August 31 and September 3, 2021 The World & ONPA (ID:324154) -----------------------------------------NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kimberly Sperling Fitzgerald has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of DENA DELORES SPERLING, deceased, Coos County Circuit Court Case No. 21PB05319. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them within four months from the date of the first publication of this Notice to the Personal Representative at Willamette NW Law Firm, LLC, 735 W. 7th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402, or they may be barred. Any person whose rights may be affected by these proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative or from the Personal Representative’s attorney. DATED and first published: 08/31/2021 /s/Kimberly Sperling Fitzgerald, Personal Representative Published: August 31, September 7 and September 14, 2021 The World & ONPA (ID:324261)
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Legal Notices NATIONAL FOREST TIMBER FOR SALE ROGUE RIVER- SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST The Delta DxP Sale is located within T.32S., R.11W. Sections: 5, 10, 16, 20, 21 and 29, Willamette Meridian, Surveyed, Coos County, Oregon. The Forest Service will receive Sealed bids at Powers Ranger Station before or at the time of public bid opening at 12:00 PM local time on 09/28/2021 for an estimated volume of 27157 ton of Douglas-fir & other Coniferous Species sawtimber marked or otherwise designated for cutting. In addition, there is within the sale area an unestimated volume of miscellaneous non-saw that the bidder may agree to remove at a fixed rate. Sale contains specified roads with an estimated public works construction cost of $113,531.10. Bidders qualifying as small business concerns under the Small Business Act may, when submitting a bid, elect for the Forest Service to build permanent roads. Additional information concerning this option is in the prospectus. The Forest Service reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Interested parties may obtain a prospectus from the office listed below. A prospectus, bid form, and complete information concerning the timber, the conditions of sale, and submission of bids is available to the public from the https://- www.fs.usda. gov/resources/roguesiskiyou/landmanagement/resourcemanagement. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Published: August 31, 2021 The World & ONPA (ID:324349)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION Notice is hereby given that the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay will conduct a public auction at 4:00 p.m. on September 9, 2021. Sealed bids for the auction items will be received until 4:00 p.m. at the Charleston Marina office, at which time the sealed bids will be opened and publicly awarded to the highest bidder in order to satisfy moorage and/or storage charges for which the Port has possessory chattel lien under the provisions of ORS 87.152 through 87.212. All reasonable bids will be considered. The description of the items, the name of the owners or reputed owners of such items, and amounts due on the liens are as follows: Rayburn Guerin Hi-Ho/250064 $1,014.74 Sealed bids will be stamped in date order and must have the bid numbers clearly marked on the envelope. All items can be viewed by contacting the Charleston Marina office, 541888- 2548. The purchasers will be required to remove the purchased items from Port property within five (5) working days. Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Charleston Marina PO Box 5409 Charleston, OR 97420 Telephone: (541) 888-2548 Published: August 27 and August 31, 2021 The World & ONPA (ID:323147)
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Legal Notices
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 | A5
The World
Opinion A Country Media Newspaper 350 Commercial Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420 news@theworldlink.com | theworldlink.com/news/opinion
GUEST COLUMNS
A shot in the arm for small business Advertising would boost local economies By Brett Wesner A little-noticed initiative by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR and five other senators would boost local jobs, accelerate sales and improve economies. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act, S. 2434, is designed to help local news media support their newsgathering missions. One provision goes far beyond offering aid to community newspapers, local news websites and other news-gatherers. It would help small businesses to dig out of the economic doldrums by supporting their advertising costs in local news outlets, which in turn will help publishers and broadcasters to hire journalists. This provision would permit small businesses to claim a tax credit for a portion of their advertising purchases up to $5,000 a year. Credits would remain, but in declining amounts, for five years. The legislation, originally introduced in similar form by Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-AZ, and Dan Newhouse, R- WA, would also help subscribers by providing them with a refundable tax credit up to $250 a year. It provides financial support for hiring as well, assisting news organizations with journalists’ salaries. It is the advertising tax credit that is the unsung hero of this legislation. Like a pebble tossed into the pond of local economies, it will show the ripple effect of benefits in local jobs, enhanced spending, revenues to run local governments and a boost to get American small businesses back in the game after a very tough couple of years. Every dollar of advertis-
ing spending generates $8.77 in sales, according to a 2010 study by IHS Global Insight, a firm that periodically measures advertising’s impact on economies. Advertising is directly responsible for about 20 percent of the American economy by directly generating jobs in media sales, creation of materials and collateral work but it does far more by juicing activity in other businesses. No surprise to anyone on Main Street: after the 2008 recession small businesses cut way back on their advertising campaigns, dropping from their normal 3-5 percent annual increases to a stunning 6 percent cut in 2009. It is too soon to know what the COVID-19 pandemic has done to this spending, but it would be no great revelation to learn that the cuts equaled or exceeded those following the Great Recession. Expense cuts are what businesses do to stay afloat. But when they are ready to climb back into the cockpit for a new takeoff, the spending needs to accelerate rapidly. Cashstrapped businesses may be in no position to fuel their journey though. That is why a little boost in the form of the Cantwell tax credit would be so timely. If the economy behaves as it usually does after economic retraction, the new spending will generate more sales and the public coffers will refill. The bill’s benefits end after five years but the growth it generates will pay off for decades. Brett Wesner is the chair of the National Newspaper Association, a community newspaper organization , and president of Wesner Publications, Cordell, OK.
Letters to the Editor It’s time for change Where is the news? A doctor is killed. End of story. A bad wreck near Fred Myers not even in the news. What has happened to public interest? Even TV news is repeat, repeat, nothing new. Well it’s only a few who run this area. Like Ferry Road Park. Nature doesn’t matter anymore. If the who’s who wants disk golf in what was a beautiful peaceful nature area, that’s what will happen. So many have complained, but
it won’t matter what the citizens want. This area is going downhill. I can’t brag to my family in the east about our natural state here. Sad to say I don’t enjoy the area anymore because of this attitude of only a few can decide what happens to our parks. Taxpayers don’t matter. We need different people on the council in North Bend. Karen Wilson North Bend
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS U.S. SENATORS Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) 107 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997 Website: merkley.senate.gov/contact
Sen. Ron Wyden (D) 223 Dirkson Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-0001 Phone: 202-224-5244 Fax: 202-228-2717 Website: wyden.senate.gov/contact
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4 Sen. Peter DeFazio (D) 2134 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0001 Phone: 202-225-6416 Fax: 202-225-0032 Website: house.gov/formdefazio/contact
Write to us and the community with a Letter to the Editor This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 350 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations or personal attacks on any individual will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to 1 published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc. To make a submission to the editor, fill out a submission form at www.theworldlink. com, email worldeditor@countrymedia.net or call 541-269-1222 ext. 235.
GUEST COLUMNS
Antibiotic development: subscribing to new ideas By Francesca Tomasi, Kevin Ma and Megan McCurry With multiple highly effective vaccines against COVID-19, we have begun to round a corner on the current pandemic. But another crisis looms. Bacteria and fungi are mutating to resist our current antibiotics. Soon, the world may have no effective antibiotics left to fight certain infections. Already, strains of totally drug resistant tuberculosis and gonorrhea have been isolated from patients. The continued emergence and spread of such strains could result in a deadly pandemic of drug-resistant superbugs, which could kill millions of people a year by 2050. To win the race against superbugs, we need more interventions, including antibiotics. However, accomplishing this in a lab is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. And because of their relatively short shelf life compared to drugs used to treat chronic illnesses, many drug companies have opted out of antibiotic research. A proposal currently working its way through Congress offers a bold new solution. An estimated 160,000 Americans die from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections annually. As PhD student-researchers studying antibiotic resistance in a variety of bacteria, we know this number will rise as antibiotics grow ever-less effective. In our labs, we work to develop new ways to treat infections. But even if we invented the prototype for a wildly effective antibiotic tomorrow, it may never reach pharmacy shelves. That’s because Medicare, Medicaid, the VA and private insurers all encourage doctors to prescribe inexpensive, older antibiotics - even though many types of bacteria and fungi are largely resistant to them. And since the typical cost of bringing a new drug to market ranges from $314 million to $2.8 billion, it would be extremely financially risky for most companies to invest in an experimental antibiotic that wouldn’t be widely sold, even if it secures FDA approval.
The federal government and non-profit organizations have tried to combat this problem through increased funding for creative research initiatives. Still, most major drug manufacturers have closed their antibiotic research divisions, because the economics simply don’t make sense. But by changing how companies are reimbursed for antibiotics, the federal government may help generate a sustainable antibiotic development pipeline. One option is for the government to pay for the right to access an unlimited amount of antibiotics, rather than paying for individual doses. It’s essentially a Netflix subscription, but for life-saving drugs. By providing drug makers a steady stream of income from their antibiotics, a subscription system would incentivize antibiotics R&D while reducing the overuse of current drugs that fuel antibiotic resistance. A new bipartisan bill in Congress has adopted this approach. If the legislation, known as the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance Act, passes, the federal government would contract with drug makers to develop and supply new antibiotics. Any beneficiary of a federal insurance program - including Americans covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA - would be able to access these drugs as needed. While we work to defeat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in the lab, we can’t do it alone. It’s time for Congress to act on the superbug crisis. There’s not a moment to waste. Francesca Tomasi and Kevin Ma are PhD students in the Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Megan McCurry is a PhD student in the Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology Department at Harvard Medical School. All three help lead Harvard Antimicrobial Resistance (HAMR; harvardamr.com). The opinions in this article are those of the individual authors and do not represent the views of their departments or institutions. This piece originally ran in Roll Call.
Letters to the Editor Irresponsible behavior Along with the privilege and benefits of living in a free society comes an enormous responsibility to behave in a way that is respectful and considerate of the rights and welfare of those around you. As of this writing Coos County has lost 50 souls to COVID and reached record numbers of infections. Absent from the rationales presented by Commissioner Bob Main and Sheriff Craig Zanni in their political stance against mask and vaccine mandates is any recognition of responsibility toward fellow citizens. Neither Main nor Zanni is taking a brave stance for anything, much less freedom. Many professions, including medicine and the military, have for decades required masks and vaccines as a condition of employment. Everyone already has the freedom to ignore best health safety practices and be as careless as they want with their own health. That freedom ends, however, when their choices put the rest of us at risk of being infected by their irresponsible behavior.
Main and Zanni should take their “freedom” ideology, resign and self-isolate. Mary Geddry Coquille
Thanks, President Joe Jason Dempsey is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and served as an adviser to Afghan forces in 2012. Those forces utterly collapsed in recent weeks faster than almost anyone expected. Dempsey has argued that for decades, that “we built an Afghan National Army for a nation that simply doesn’t exist. The U.S. tried to build the Afghan military in its own image without understanding all the things that make the U.S. military what it is: “That’s functioning bureaucracies. It’s a lack of corruption. It’s a lack of sectarian conflict. It’s a great educational system. It’s access to technology and proficiency with those weapons. We wanted to put all that on the Afghan military to make it effective
instead of working with them as they were. What we needed to do was work with local powerbrokers and figure out how to build an army that worked for those who wanted to fight against the Taliban.” We didn’t do it. It also mirrors what we didn’t do in Vietnam. We fought an American war, not a Vietnamese war. In Afghanistan we fought an American war again, not an Afghanistan war. Vietnam vets are now leaders in our armed forces. Why did they repeat the same mistake? The answer is simple. At the beginning Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush refused to let the CIA capture Ben Laden. Rumsfeld wanted regular military forces to do it in the old-fashioned way. Failure. The Afghan War continued for 20 years through Bush, Obama and Trump. No president except Joe Biden was willing to take the responsibility for getting out of Afghanistan and actually do it. Thanks, President Joe. Ralph W. Mohr Coos Bay
Have an opinion you want to share across Coos County? Send letters to the editor to worldeditor@countrymedia.net
A6 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
The World
OBITUARIES
Jack Gordon Thomas
Karen Baird
July 19, 1922 – August 24, 2021
Jack Gordon Thomas, 99, North Bend, Oregon, died August 24, 2021 at Pete Moore Hospice House, Eugene, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Thomas, in December of 2010. He will be laid to rest beside his wife at Myrtle Crest Memorial Gardens in Coquille, Oregon. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Jack G. Thomas, Jr. and Siri Cole of Dickinson, North Dakota; Robert G. Thomas and Vicky Thomas of Dallas, Oregon. He doted on his family and derived great pleasure from his six grandchildren, Christopher, Joey, Rachel, Brigitte, Meghan and Ian. In addition, he was blessed with five great grandchildren, Seth, Sam,
Sean, Abby and Cassiel. Jack was a Veteran of World War II (1942 - 1946 T4 U S Army) serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After his military service he attended Chico State University and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. Jack married Louise Graham on March 31, 1947, raising their two children in Myrtle Point, Oregon. He was a wonderful family provider and chose a career in the timber industry priding himself on his skill at falling and bucking trees. He was a Past Master and Life Member of the Masonic Lodge, in later years, serving on the Myrtle Lodge Scholarship Awards Committee for graduating seniors at
Myrtle Point High School. Jack enjoyed birding, fishing, hunting, gardening and travel. He loved his family, friends and community beyond measure and was often offering assistance to those in need. A few of the charities that he supported are Relay for Life, South Coast Food Share, South Coast Hospice and the local women’s shelter. Jack will be greatly missed by family and friends. Online remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www. westrumfuneralservice.com Arrangements are under the direction of Amling/ Schroeder Funeral Service – Coquille Chapel, 541-396-3846
Memorial for Chief Don Ivy is postponed Because of the surge of COVID-19, the family of Chief Don Ivy has postponed his memorial service. Chief Ivy passed away in July at age 70. He had served the Coquille Tribe as
its chief since 2014. A memorial service initially was scheduled for Sept. 25. It has been delayed indefinitely, pending future pandemic developments.
Karen Baird was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, an excellent artist and cook. She died in Wenatchee, Washington, on August 16, 2021, at the age of 78, after a brief illness. The daughter of an orchardist, Karen grew up amongst the apple trees in Oroville, Washington, before attending Eastern Washington University. After graduation, she moved to Port Orford, Oregon. Working as a middle school teacher, she bravely taught classrooms full of raucous teenage boys the finer points of cooking and home economics. She
fell in love with a fellow teacher, Jim Baird, who had recently moved there from South Dakota. They were soon married. A year later, they moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, where Karen taught at North Bay Junior High and they raised their two children. Their love blossomed into a passionate, playful, and loving marriage of fifty-five years. When Jim retired in 2000, the couple moved back to live alongside the lake in Oroville. Karen loved to paint, primarily with oil and water colors. She would always send her children and grandchildren elaborate, beautiful birthday cards each year as well as frequent care packages full of delectable cookies. Her artistic style was informed by the tole painting she did early on in her career. She was highly skilled in a variety of different crafts, including tatting, which she learned from Jim’s mother. Karen loved flowers: painting them, arranging them and growing them in her
garden. In her later years, Karen resumed playing the piano, a practice that brought her great joy. She was also an active and skilled water skier and ice skater, well into her seventies. Karen maintained a deep and sustained love for her husband through the years. Their true love and devotion to each other was an inspiration and a shining example for the whole family. Karen is survived by her husband, Jim, of Oroville, WA; daughter, son and their spouses, Allison Baird (Nels Carlson) of Portland, OR, and Jeff Baird (Reged Ahmad) of London, England; four grandchildren, Dane Carlson, Birgitta Carlson, Annika Carlson, and Kjel Carlson. A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Pine Slope Cemetery, 511 6th Ave, Belle Fourche, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Cancer Care of North Central Washington at https://www. cancercarencw.com/Donate
Recruiting and retention in a tight labor market GAIL KRUMENAUER Oregon’s economy is continuing to recover and change rapidly. At 16 months past the initial pandemic recession downturn, Oregon regained nearly two out of three jobs lost in spring 2020. In the first six months of 2021, Oregon employers added about the same number of jobs as in the 22 months leading up to the pandemic. For reference- at 16 months into the Great Recession, there had been no recovery at all. The job losses were still mounting. The speed and shape of this economic recovery looks different and has been happening much faster than what we’ve seen in the past. While many businesses have done a lot of hiring, many others have reported difficulty adding as many workers as they’d like so far in 2021. Their difficulty is made up of two general parts: competition with
other employers due to widespread hiring, and a relatively low supply of available workers. Both Oregon and the U.S. saw a record level of job openings in recent months. In Oregon, private businesses reported 98,000 job vacancies at any given time between April and June. That’s nearly 50% higher than ever reported in the eight-year history of the Oregon Job Vacancy Survey. Spring 2021 hiring demand was reported in all sectors of Oregon’s economy, and across more than 240 different types of occupations. That record hiring demand also comes at a time when there’s a relatively low available workforce. Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.6% in June. That’s relatively low by historical standards; the longrun unemployment rate has been 6.8% in Oregon. There are also still many people, not counted among the unemployed, with barriers keeping them
Metro Creative Connection
Intightlabormarkets,employerstendtolayerhelpwantedsignswithothereffortssuchasreferral incentives,signingbonuses,postingwithonlinejobboards,andworkingwithrecruitersoutsideoftheir immediate geographical area. from going back to work or taking a job. There were 32,500 Oregonians between April and June who indicated a COVID-related issue prevented them from looking for work. That could include people with
DEAR ABBY By Abigail Van Buren FRIEND’S CONSTANT ADVICE ON ALL THINGS BEGINS TO GRATE
DEAR ABBY: I have a friend from college I’m really close to, but they have begun an annoying habit I need help addressing. We live more than 1,000 miles apart, and over the past six months, I’ve noticed that my friend has been giving me unsolicited advice on daily tasks that don’t concern them. At first it didn’t bother me. Now it’s happening three or four times a week. I think they mean well, but the “friendly” reminders are beginning to come across as condescending. Some examples: If I mention what I’m making for dinner, I’ll be reminded to make sure the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature. I have a vacation planned, and I was just reminded that in order to go I need to have flights booked. I’m afraid I may be overreacting, which is why I haven’t said anything. However, these constant reminders are frustrating and leave me with the impression that my friend thinks I’m stupid or incapable of taking care of myself. What’s your advice on how to handle this? -- NOT A KID AND NOT STUPID DEAR NOT: A way to handle it would be to ask your friend why the advice was being offered. If you say you’re making chicken for dinner and you are advised to be sure it’s cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, calmly ask why the person felt it was necessary to say it. The same goes for your travel plans and any other unsolicited advice you receive. If you ask the question, you may find that your old friend isn’t questioning your intelligence, but
simply trying to be helpful. DEAR ABBY: My niece is getting married. This has been a very stressful time for her family. My sister calls me in tears every night because of the hurtful things her daughter has said to her. Until now, they had a good relationship. I know weddings can be a nightmare for families, even those who are close, because the bride can turn into a “bridezilla.” It is HER wedding, although my sister is paying for everything. Her daughter and the fiance are in their 30s and have well-paying jobs but are very happy to have my sister foot the bill. Sometimes I want to shake my niece and tell her to grow up and show some respect. Is there anything I can do to help my sister other than listen and be there for her? I’m getting worried about her health because of the stress, and she refuses to take care of herself. -FEELING HELPLESS IN THE EAST DEAR FEELING HELPLESS: I am sure you are aware that most couples in their 30s who have well-paying jobs foot the bill for their own weddings. Your sister has created this monster with her checkbook. At this point, the most helpful thing you can do for her is what you have been doing -- letting her vent so she doesn’t blow a gasket from the pressure. --------------------------------------------------Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
their own underlying health conditions, or those parents without child care options or unable to work until fully in-person school returns. While this trend improved from about 65,800 in fall 2020, the recent rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant creates ongoing concerns. Taken together, the strong hiring, relatively low unemployment, and barriers keeping some workers on the sidelines has created a tight labor market. Employers have responded to tight labor market conditions in a number of ways. Wages For one, employers have raised wages. Real
(or inflation-adjusted) average starting wages rose by more than 2% in Oregon over the past year. Businesses have raised their wages for existing workers too. Real average hourly earnings for all workers also rose by more than 2% compared to the pre-recession level in February 2020. Benefits and Perks Not every employer can raise wages. Some have found other ways to recruit and retain talent. The labor market was also tight prior to the pandemic. In 2018, the Employment Department surveyed private employers to ask about the benefits they offered
employees. Three out of five offered health benefits, and half offered retirement benefits. One out of 10 of employers offering health insurance, and one out of five offering retirement benefits, cited worker hiring and retention advantages related to those offerings. Half of Oregon’s private firms offered paid holidays, and half offered paid vacation days. One-third offered at least one of the following: flexible work schedules, production or performance bonuses, paid professional development training, and life insurance. Relaxing Experience Requirements When the labor market has been tight in recent years, some employers have loosened their previous work experience requirements. In spring 2021, about half (53%) of all job vacancies required previous work experience. Nearly 19,000 of the 98,000 job openings this spring required less than one year of prior experience. The largest number of these job openings requiring less than one year of experience were for restaurant servers, retail sales staff, nursing assistants, restaurant cooks, and food prep workers. When it doesn’t pose a safety risk, and employers are able to, loosening previous experience requirements can increase the number of people who qualify for their job openings. Recruitment Intensity In tight labor markets, employers tend to layer help wanted signs with other efforts such as referral incentives, signing bonuses, posting with online job boards, and working with recruiters outside of their immediate geographical area. This includes listing job openings with WorkSource Oregon, where tens of thousands of workers have been registering in the job matching system. Any layering employers can do with their hiring and retention strategies can help them find and keep more workers in a tight labor market. Gail Krumenauer is an economist with the Oregon Employment Department. She may be reached at 800-262-3912 ext 71268, or at gail.k.krumenauer@ oregon.gov.
DEATH NOTICES Michael Don Lane, 72, of Bandon,died August 14, 2021. Arrangements are under the direction of Amling Schroeder Funeral Service, Bandon.
SPORTS TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 | theworldlink.com
OSAA offers options in redistricting process The World The committee plotting the Oregon high school sports landscape for the next four years offered two proposals as a starting point for input from the schools around the state. The Oregon School Activities Association’s Classification and Districting committee offered both a proposal with six classifications, as has been the format for the past 15 years, and one with five classifications after its meeting last week. Now the committee is seeking feedback before its next meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sept. 13.
SWOCC soccer teams go 1-1 in NWAC Friendlies
The proposals were the first since the OSAA Executive Board approved changes to calculate the enrollment of schools for the reclassification process, including counting just enrollment for grades 9 through 11 and including the students who live in the school district and attend schools that are not full OSAA members, such as Winter Lakes High School in Coquille. In the six-classification proposal, major changes from the current high school landscape include that Coquille moves back up to Class 3A, as part of the Far West League, while Siuslaw drops down to Class 3A (though
in the Mountain Valley Conference Coquille was in for four years before the current four-year time block that expires at the end of the 2021-22 school year) and Myrtle Point drops from Class 2A to Class 1A as part of the same league as Pacific and Powers. Under the new formula, Myrtle Point’s calculated enrollment is 70, the upper limit proposed for Class 1A. North Bend would remain part of the Class 5A Midwestern League and Marshfield would still be in the Class 4A Sky-Em League in the six-classification proposal. Cottage Grove moves up to Class 5A in the proposal,
one of two schools in the classification smaller than North Bend, the other being Molalla. There are three schools in Class 4A bigger than Marshfield (Cascade, The Dalles and La Salle Prep). The proposal with five classifications puts North Bend and Marshfield in the same league in Class 4A, while Coquille is in Class 3A, Bandon and Reedsport in Class 2A and Myrtle Point in Class 1A. Because of the compressed timeline for this year’s classification committee to come to its final proposal to the executive board, the committee is seeking feedback on the two proposals as
soon as possible. Written suggestions on proposals can be emailed directly to either Brad Garrett (bradg@osaa. org) or Kyle Stanfield (kyles@ osaa.org) and will be shared with the rest of the committee. The committee is allowing people to participate in meetings either in person or through a webinar. The public portions of the meetings also are streamed live on OSAA’s YouTube channel. The complete proposals can be seen at www.osaa.org under the Governance tab — find the committees link and go to the Classification and Districting Committee.
Pre Run for Kids set September 19
The World
The Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s and women’s soccer teams each went 1-1 during the NWAC Friendlies event in Washington last week. The men beat Treasure Valley 5-1 and lost to Edmonds 3-1. The Lakers scored the first five goals against Treasure Valley, including a hat trick by Toby Balaam. Duncan Blackman and Bryan Oliveira also scored for the Lakers and Aiden Sewall had an assist. Balaam also scored the goal against Edmonds, tying the score early in the second half before the Tritons pulled away for the victory. The SWOCC women beat Shoreline 3-1 in their opener. Giaan Langford, Niamh Taylor-Hughes and Lexis Canyete-Asato all scored goals for the Lakers. Katherine Davis had a pair of assists. VOLLEYBALL The Lakers lost all four matches at the NWAC Showcase, coming closest in a three sets to two setback to Everett on Saturday. The Lakers fell to Skagit Valley 26-24, 25-17, 26-17 in the opener on Friday. Dianna Jorgenson had eight kills, Lauren Klapper seven and Madison Hinkley six. Emma Yazzie had 13 assists and Halen Riness 10. Emily Collie had 15 digs. In the second match, SWOCC fell to Shoreline 25-13, 24-26, 25-21, 25-21. Hinkley had nine kills and Riness eight. Yazzie had 21 assists and Collie 18 digs. Riness had eight kills, 15 digs and 15 assists. In the first match Saturday, SWOCC fell to Whatcom 25-8, 28-26, 25-23. Hinkley and Haley Loftis had five kills each, Yazzie nine assists and Gabriela Corrales 11 digs. Details of the match against Everett were not available.
Contributed Photo
Runners line up for a previous edition of the Pre Run for Kids. This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 19.
Boys & Girls Club hosting run, summer sale The World The Boys & Girls Club is planning for the annual Pre Run for Kids, which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19. Check-in for the run will start at noon on Second Street and the race will begin at 1:30 p.m. All boys and girls in first through eighth grade are welcome to enter and there is no
participation fee. As long as supplies last, runners will receive a shirt with their race number. Preregistration is highly recommended to ensure a shirt. Registration is available at the Boys & Girls Club office, located at 3333 Walnut Ave. in Coos Bay, or online at www.great-futures.org. Volunteers are needed to serve
as road guards along the 3-mile race route the day of the event. Anyone interested can reach out to Garrett Stout by phone at 541267-6573 or email at gstout@ great-futures.org. Summer sale The Boys & Girls Club of Southwestern Oregon will have a summer sale on Sept. 10 and 11. The sale will be held in the
William J. Sweet Memorial Tennis Center at the club, located at 3333 Walnut Avenue in Coos Bay. Items will include home décor, seasonal decorations, sports equipment, crafts and more. The sale runs from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11. For more information, call 541-267-3635.
Sunset Bay Trail Run scheduled this Sunday The annual Sunset Bay Trail Run is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 5, starting and ending at Sunset Bay State Park near Charleston. Events for the run include a half-marathon, a 1-mile fun run on the beach, a 4-mile race and a
15-kilometer run. The longer runs utilize trails linking Sunset Bay with Shore Acres and Cape Arago state parks. The half-marathon and 15K races both include a steep pack trail, with the longest race going
over the pack trail twice. The half-marathon starts at 9:30 a.m., with the fun run at 9:50 and the 4-mile and 15-kilometer events starting at 10 a.m. The cost for members of the South Coast Running Club is $15 for those who sign up early and
$20 on the day of the race. The cost for non-members is $25 in advance and $30 on race day. To join the South Coast Running Club or sign up for the run, or for more information, visit www.southcoastrunningclub.org.
The World The high school football season officially kicks into action Thursday with a pair of South Coast teams playing road games. Reedsport visits Monroe and Myrtle Point is at Waldport in a pair of games that start at 7 p.m. On Friday, Marshfield hosts defending Class 4A champion Mazama at 7 p.m. at Pete Susick Stadium. Coquille hosts Oakland and Bandon visits Sheridan in two other 7 p.m. games. The first game of the day is at 4 p.m., when Powers hosts
the combined Prospect/Butte Falls team in the Cruisers’ return as their own six-player team. Powers has had a cooperative agreement with North Bend and Myrtle Point the past two school years while waiting for more boys to enter the high school so it could field its own squad again. The final game of the opening week for the South Coast is Saturday afternoon, when North Bend opens its league play with a game against Crater at Pete Susick Stadium. The Bulldogs will be borrowing Marshfield’s stadium for their opening home
game as they wait for the new turf to be installed at Vic Adams Field, a project delayed because new drains didn’t arrive in time. Local Sports Schedule Tuesday, Aug. 31 High School Volleyball — Midwestern League: North Bend at Churchill, 6:45 p.m. Skyline League: Powers at Glendale, 6 p.m.; Riddle at Pacific, 6 p.m. Nonleague: Reedsport at Creswell, 6 p.m.; Coquille at Central Linn, 6 p.m. High School Boys Soccer — North Bend at Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1
High School Girls Soccer — Marshfield vs. North Bend at SWOCC, 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 High School Football — Reedsport at Monroe, 7 p.m.; Myrtle Point at Waldport, 7 p.m. High School Volleyball — Midwestern League: North Bend at Eagle Point, 6:45 p.m. Skyline League: Powers vs. North Douglas at Camas Valley, 7 p.m.; Powers at Camas Valley, 8 p.m.; Pacific at Umpqua Valley Christian, 4 p.m. Nonleague: Brookings-Harbor at Marshfield, 5 p.m.; South Umpqua at Marshfield, 6:30 p.m.
in the big-school classification, but she will do it in the Portland Interscholastic League, widely regarded as the state’s top league. “It was a very, very hard decision,” Heather said. “We really like YC. The twins’ really good friends are there. But it came down to the chance for the boys to play against top quality competition and probably the best league in the state, night in and night out. “They’d like to play at the next level, so we thought that playing in the PIL would prepare them better for that level. It will give them more exposure and also show what they can do.”
Moroni, a 6-foot-6 point forward, averaged 29.3 points and 12.4 rebounds in being named the 3A player of the year last season. Malachi, a 6-7 point guard, averaged 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists and was named to the 3A first team. “It’s going to be a good challenge because we’re used to 3A,” Moroni said. “The competition is still good at 3A, but 6A is obviously bigger schools, bigger kids, better competition. Us being in the PIL, it’s just the best league. It’s going to be harder, which I think will help us down the road. During AAU, we play
against those types of kids all the time.” The Cardinals finished 2-15 last season under first-year coach Joel Lincoln. He resigned following the season. “I’m very excited about the challenge to go into a program and kind of see what we can do,” Heather said. “I like building. That’s what I think I’m pretty good at.” Heather went 265-175 as the girls coach at Ashland (19962001), Lakeridge (2001-06), Canby (2006-12) and Sprague (2013-14) before spending four seasons as the women’s coach at NCAA Division III Southern
Virginia University. She coached Yamhill-Carlton’s boys the last three seasons, going 4-21, 16-11 and 13-4. She said coaching a boys team “isn’t something I think about anymore,” but realizes that by jumping to 6A – and in particular, the PIL – she is walking into a spotlight. “I wanted to make sure I was going to be somewhere with a chance to be successful, because I don’t want to go and fall on my face, being the first woman there,” she said. “I think there’s a little bit of extra responsibility with that. So I am mindful of that.”
Football season kicks off Thursday
Seely-Roberts jumps to Class 6A at Lincoln BY JERRY ULMER OSAAtoday
The Seely-Roberts clan is ready to take its game up a few notches. Heather Seely-Roberts, who coached Yamhill-Carlton’s boys basketball team to the title of the Class 3A culminating week tournament this year, has accepted the job at Class 6A Lincoln. And she will bring along her twin sons, Moroni and Malachi Seely-Roberts, the driving forces behind the Tigers as sophomores last season. Heather not only will be the first woman to coach a boys team
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 | A8
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TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY DILBERT
CLASSIC PEANUTS
FRANK AND ERNEST
DILBERT
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A9 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
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FRIDAY DILBERT
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A10 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
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Vote for your favorites in The World’s...
2021 BEST Results will be published in a special “Best of the South Coast” edition on November 19th in The World. FOOD & DRINK
SHOPPING
LIVING
1. Asian Food
35. Art Gallery
69. Antique Store
2. Bakery
36. Barber Shop
70. Appliance Store
3. Bar/Pub/Lounge
37. Golf Course
71. Auto Parts Store
4. Breakfast
38. Health & Fitness Club
5. Burger
39. Hotel/Lodging
6. Chowder
40. Manicure/Pedicure
7. Coffee
41. Massage Therapist
8. Deli
42. Salon/Spa
9. Dinner
43. Tattoo
78. Gift Shop
10. Dessert
44. Theater
79. Hardware Store
11. Fish & Chips
45. Employer
80. Jeweler
73. Boat Sales/Supply 74. Dispensary 75. Flooring 76 Flower Shop 77. Furniture Store/Mattress Store
SERVICES
12. Food Store
72. Bait and Tackle Shop
13. Italian Food
46. Accounting Office
14. Lunch
47. Attorney/Law Firm
81. Lumber Store 82. New Car/Truck Dealer 83. Nursery/Garden Center 84. Pet Supply Store
15. Mexican Food
48. Auto Repair
16. Pizza
49. Computer Service/Repair
17. Produce
50. Contractor
18. Restaurant
51. Customer Service
88. Used Car/Truck Dealer
19. Steak
52. Electrical Repair Shop
89. Women’s Boutique
20. Catering
53. Bank
21. Food Truck
54. Fishing Charter Service 55. Funeral Home/Mortuary
HEALTHCARE 22. Chiropractor 23. Clinic 24. Dentist 25. Pediatric Dentist 26. Doctor 27. Optometry Center 28. Hearing Aid Center 29. Hospital
56. Heating & Air Conditioning Shop (HVAC Only)
85. Resale/Thrift 86. RV Dealer 87. Tire Shop
BEST IN TOWN 90. Bandon 91. Charlestown 92. Coos Bay
57. Insurance
93. Coquille
58. Pharmacy
94. Myrtle Point
59. Photographer 60. Personnel/Employment Agency 61. Pet Groomer 62. Plumber 63. Real Estate Company
95. North Bend 96. Reedsport 97. Lakeside
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE - COVID 98. Drive Thru 99. Curbside Pick up/Delivery
30. Orthopedic Care
64. Realtor/Broker
31. Pediatric Care
65. Roofer
32. Physical Therapy
66. Service Club
102. Outdoor/Social Distance Dining
33. Podiatrist
67. Transmission Shop
103. Cleanliness/Sanitized
34. Retirement/Assisted Living
68. Veterinarian
104. Indoor/Social Distance Dining
100. Home Delivery 101. Vaccine Center/Location
Name Signature Zip
Ballot must be received by September 7, 2021 at 5:00pm. 350 Commercial Ave., P.O. Box 1840, Coos Bay, OR 97420. This is your ballot. Write in your choice. One ballot per voter. Ballot must be completely filled out to be considered valid. Enter one person/business per category.
Businesses can only be voted for services they provide.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021 | A11
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Bay Area Fun Festival canceled due to COVID regulations
A sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases has forced the Coos Bay Downtown Association to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Bay Area Fun Festival in downtown Coos Bay. State and local health authorities continue to report large increases of cases under monitoring, primarily in Coos and nearby counties. Out of concern for the health and well-being for the community, vendors, volunteers and festival staff, the decision was made to move forward with cancelling this year’s event. Executive Director Holly Boardman said, the event helps support many member businesses, nonprofit organizations and the Coos Bay Downtown Association
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On top of this the current delta wave of the pandemic complicates the immediate term outlook. What matters most economically are shutdowns. A modest pullback in consumer spending in a few categories will not lead to mass layoffs. If anything, any slowing in spending today will likely turn into stronger gains in coming quarters. This cycle is different. The current recovery will be faster, more complete, and more inclusive than recent experiences coming out of the tech and housing bubbles. As some of the pandemic-specific challenges fade, the underlying economy is
financially. So, we share in the disappointment of this important decision. But the overall safety and health of the community led us to this point. The Bay Area Fun Festival, known to many as the last celebration of the summer season, was scheduled to take place September 18 and 19 in downtown Coos Bay. It has a mall market, parade, Cruz the Coos vintage car cruise and show n shine, Prefontaine 10K Run and Pre-Run for kids drawing thousands to the downtown core of Coos Bay. The board’s decision affects the mall market and parade. Rotary officials have also canceled the Cruz the Coos events. Decisions regarding the Prefontaine Memorial Run and Kids Pre will be made by those organizations. At this time, the promotions
on solid footing due to the strength of corporate and household balance sheets. In September of odd-numbered years, the revenue forecast closes out the biennium than ended on June 30th. At this time, the Close of Session forecast is calculated by folding any tax law changes made during the legislative session into the May 2021 outlook. This sets the bar for Oregon’s balanced budget requirement and its unique kicker law. Changes to tax law were relatively small in the 2021 session, with a net revenue impact of -$3.6 million to General Fund resources in the 2021-23 budget period. The September forecast also reveals where revenues landed in the prior
committee will continue to work on ways to safely bring foot traffic to downtown. The CBDA will also continue the weekly Farmers Market, which operates as an essential service, providing farm to table food from local and regional farmers. Additional safety protocols for a safe market are already in place. The market will see additional measures in September based on government mandates. The Farmers Market takes place Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October. An official announcement on the safety protocols for a continued market is anticipated soon. For information, contact Holly Boardman at (541) 266-9706 or follow the Coos Bay Downtown Association on Facebook. Information can also be found online, coosbaydowntown.org
budget period. In a typical year, there are few surprises, since tax collections are relatively small during the early summer. This year was different. Due to a delayed tax filing deadline, much uncertainty remained following the May forecast. When the forecast was developed, the peak tax season had just begun. By the end of the fiscal year, the 2021 tax season turned out to be a very big one. Collections of personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, lottery sales and the new Corporate Activity Tax all surged. Recent withholdings of personal income taxes are up 17% relative to last year. Payments during the tax season were strong as well, led by collections from high-income taxpay-
ers. A $1.9 billion personal income tax kicker credit is slated for tax year 2021. The median taxpayer can expect to receive a credit of $420, while the average is estimated to be $850. The strong revenue growth seen during the 2019-21 biennium put a cap on a decade of unprecedented expansion in Oregon’s General Fund revenues. Over the past decade, General Fund revenues have almost doubled from around $12 billion per year to around $24 billion. Over the decade as a whole, kicker payments amounted to $2.6 billion, reducing cumulative General Fund resources by 2.6 percent. Last biennium, kicker payments took away half of the General Fund growth.
Prefontaine Memorial Run still scheduled With the recent cancellation of the Bay Area Fun Festival, the Prefontaine Memorial Run Committee affirms that the 41st annual Prefontaine Memorial Run is going forward as scheduled, on September 18, with a stand-alone high school 5K cross-country team competition starting at 9:45 a.m., followed by the 10,000-meter road run at 10:05 a.m. The 2021 Prefontaine Memorial Run has been designated as the Road Runners Club of America National Championship 10K race. Due to the recent rise in COVID infection rates, the Prefontaine Run will be taking precautionary measures to minimize potential exposure, including a mask re-
quirement for all volunteers and participants, except when runners are competing on the race course. Registration and packet pickup will be held at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, in the courtyard adjacent to the Fellowship Hall, making the Prefontaine Run an entirely outdoor event. The event starts on the corner of 4th and Anderson in downtown Coos Bay and finishes at the Marshfield High School stadium. The Prefontaine Run is moving toward online registration-only for future events. Participants are encouraged to register online to minimize exposure to other participants and speed up the registration process.
Looking forward, the current $1.9 billion kicker reduces 2021-23 revenues as well. Reaction Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement today on the state’s revenue forecast: “Today’s revenue forecast is another sign that Oregon’s economy is healthy, strong, and on the path for a rapid recovery. This is welcome news at a time that Oregonians continue to face immense challenges: from wildfire recovery to extreme drought to our worst surge of cases and hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. “And we must never lose sight of the fact that, because of historic, structural inequities, the impacts of the pandemic and the natural disasters of the past year and a half have disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Tribal communities the hardest. “My priority will be to continue to address the challenges facing Oregon families, including the disparities resulting from systemic racism, with a particular focus on ensuring our hospitals and
health care workers havethe resources they need to continue to provide patients with life-saving care.” Senate President Peter Courtney issued the following statement after the release of the September 2021 quarterly economic and revenue forecast: “Oregon’s economy remains strong. We have more money to invest in pandemic relief, childcare and housing. We’re still in a crisis. The Legislature will help out Oregonians who’ve hurt the most. I look forward to doing this as fast as we can.” Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek issued the following statement today after the release of the latest quarterly state economic and revenue forecast: “The stable outlook of today’s revenue forecast is welcome news coming off a legislative session where we invested strongly in programs to help Oregonians impacted by the pandemic, wildfires, the housing crisis and other challenges. We need to maintain this momentum to build a better future for everyone. “Today is also a reminder that our economic recovery is linked to our ability to control the virus. Our hospital systems are on the verge of collapse in this moment. With 1,000 Oregonians hospitalized due to COVID-19, there is still too much suffering across the state. We will maintain our economic recovery if we all commit to protecting each other from the Delta variant.” Oregon Senate Republicans statement Today, the Office of Economic Analysis presented the quarterly revenue forecast. It confirmed that Oregon taxpayers will receive a $1.9 billion Kicker. The corporate Kicker will send an additional $850 million to K-12 schools. The state budget will also have an ending fund balance of $699 million. “It’s clear that Democrats raided $15 million from the Kicker for no good reason. Unprecedented deficit stimulus spending by the federal government and Oregonians stepping up to support businesses during the Governor’s shutdowns has given the state excess money. “The legislature now has money to invest in COVID and wildfire response and recovery and preparing for upcoming unknown expenses in the next biennium. Most importantly, our kids need to be in school full-time to get caught up after a year of learning loss. This money can help our kids recover.” Background The Oregon Economic Forecast provides information to planners and policy makers in state agencies and private organizations for use in their decision making processes. The Oregon Revenue Forecast opens the revenue forecasting process to public review. It is the basis for much of the budgeting in state government. The forecast reports are issued four times a year: March, June, September, and December.
A12 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2021
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to stand up and speak. “I’ve been in this district 20 years as a teacher of United States history, and I do have some problems with the document being presented,” Hood said. “Using the Declaration of Independence saying all men are created equal seems a little disingenuous, because it wasn’t meaning all people.” Hood said the CRT ban could put history teachers like himself in hot water simply for doing their jobs. “If I were to ask students to think about ‘We the people’ and ‘All people are created equal,’ I fear I might be reprimanded if this resolution passes. My job is to teach American history, and racism does come up. I’ve been asked if I teach Critical Race Theory in my class, and I do not. “This policy is a solution is search of a problem. I’d have to say we as a school district and a community are better than that.” Violette Davis, who said she recently graduated from North Bend High School, said her experience shows maybe teaching CRT could be a good thing. “I feel like there’s a misconception that Critical Race Theory is put in place to make people ashamed,” she said. “I feel if schools do not teach about it, life will. There was quite a lot of racism in the school,
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whether people want to believe it or not. We need to understand racism to overcome it. Racism was intended to divide people, and you’d be privileged to think it doesn’t divide people today.” Martha Gregor, a teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, also spoke against the proposal, telling the board any move to change curriculum should include teachers. “This resolution is a Molotov cocktail for our community,” she said. “It’s a mash-up of conservative talking points.” Only one speaker spoke in favor of the ban, saying CRT is designed to separate people by making one group the oppressed and the other the oppressor. Mask Mandate There was more of a mix during public comment with speakers voicing their views in favor and against opposing the state mask ban. Julie Kane opened her public comment by reciting the Lord’s Prayer, before voicing her opposition to masks in schools. “We need God back,” she said. “There is too much division. There is too much hatred and it’s affecting our kids. I pulled my kids. They are now going online because of these masks.” Former school board member Anthony Collins said the board should vote down the resolution opposing the mandates. “What I’d like to see
you do tonight is vote down Resolution 21-10,” Collins said. “The biggest resource in this district is the children and parents. Coronavirus sucks. I got it. I’m there with you. You can’t make our classroom staff do what they’re not supposed to do. You can’t make changes in something that is not governed by this group.” Board member Julie Thies said she supported a vote against the mask mandate. “Our schools belong to our community, to our parents and not the state,” Thies said. “I have been placed in my position by the community, and I intend to stand firm in my beliefs.” As soon as the issue was brought up during the meeting, Thies made a motion to approve the resolution opposing the mask mandates and asking for local control. That motion died for a lack of a second. “We are going to follow the state regulations that are in place,” Jordan said. “This resolution is not against masks, it is against the loss of local control.” After the motion by Thies failed, Kristina Simpson made a motion to discuss the issue in a work session. That motion received a second. Board member Eric Gleason suggested the board could lead the way in the state by coming up with a detailed plan that uses numbers, data and science to ask for
local control. He said if the district had a plan, it might sway the governor. “Wanting local control and utilizing local control are totally different things,” Gleason said. “If we want local control, we come together and we define what local control is. If we come at it with an approach that this is how we’re going to do it, it has something.” The vote to have a work session on mask mandates passed unanimously. A date for the work session is still being determined.
the equipment needed to continue bass removals available to us, and we are working together in an intensive removal effort over the next several weeks. We are collaborating on actions to secure the full brood stock needed this year and communicating on a daily basis. If these small steps indicate a willingness by the state to work together with the Coquille Tribe as a partner, and with urgency, the salmon in the Coquille River just might have a chance.” A particular concern is Ferry Creek, a Coquille River tributary where ODFW collects returning adult salmon for its hatchery program. “We need to protect adult salmon from sea lions and
ensure that the existing brood stock trap works effectively,” Meade said. “We are pressing for a plan to collect brood stock in other areas of the basin if the Ferry Creek trap doesn’t collect all the adults needed this year so we can have a full hatchery release. We are urging ODFW to advance actions that help the salmon that it has been considering for a while, and also to work with us creatively, applying good science and not letting aging management plans or the status quo hamstring our joint efforts to get more of our salmon coming home now. And the Coquille Tribe is going to be there as a partner to help.” A plan released by ODFW in May calls for installation of a sea lion excluder at
Ferry Creek. The excluder is basically a steel fence that blocks the predatory mammals from pursuing the salmon upstream. The tribe has been assured that the device is nearly ready to be deployed, but speed is crucial. “That fence needs to be in place now,” Meade said. State and tribal staff members also plan to meet in the next few days to discuss maximizing the Ferry Creek fish trap’s performance.
By David Rupkalvis/The World
Top:VioletteDavis,whoattended NorthBendHighSchool,speaks against a proposal to ban the teachingofCriticalRaceTheoryin schools.Left:Asignsomeoneleft ontheircarurgestheNorthBend SchoolDistricttokeepamask mandateinplace.Right:Anthony CollinsspeakstotheNorthBend School District board, urging boardmemberstosupportamask mandate issued by the state.
Coquille Tribe partners with state on salmon rescue State and tribal officials will collaborate on emergency action to rescue Coquille River fall Chinook salmon, the Coquille Indian Tribe announced recently. “We’re looking at a brief window of time and a tiny breeding stock returning to the river,” said tribal Chairman Brenda Meade. “We need to act now and give these fish a future.” Meade reported successful discussions between the tribe and Curt Melcher, director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, on immediate steps to maximize this fall’s salmon breeding cycle. “Director Melcher has agreed with me that we must ensure a successful brood stock collection this year,” Meade said. “The last few years, ODFW has released less than half of the juvenile Chinook salmon from the hatchery that their plan requires. The reason is that with so few adults returning over the last several years, it has been difficult to gather enough adults to secure the eggs needed to meet the hatchery plan objectives. We have agreed to meet and develop specific plans to collect the eggs needed to meet our goals.” The number of adult fall Chinook returning to the river each year has collapsed in the past decade – falling from more than 30,000 in 2010 to just a few hundred by 2019. Those returning fish provide the brood stock to begin a new life cycle of juvenile salmon – fish that will mature at sea before coming home to spawn. In conversations over the past few weeks, the tribe urged ODFW to prioritize two key goals: First, ensure that enough returning adult chinook salmon are collected as brood stock this fall to ensure a full hatchery fish release next year. And second, reduce the Coquille River’s infestation of smallmouth bass, an invasive species that devours young salmon before they can reach the ocean. The tribe approached ODFW Director Melcher and Gov. Kate Brown and her staff in recent weeks, offering to partner with the state on those immediate goals as well as other Coquille River salmon and watershed problems. The initial reactions have been promising. “Director Melcher and his staff have made
Along with improved hatchery production, the tribe asked the state to step up electrofishing activities to reduce bass numbers. Electrofishing uses a special boat to stun fish and collect them in dip nets. The state deployed its boat recently for a bass population study, but the tribe asked the state to do more, and it has. “We agreed that we are going to transition from gathering data about the bass, which we agree are
a big problem, to actually removing as many of them as we can right now, with Coquille Tribal staff or joint ODFW/Coquille Tribe crews,” Meade said. Though these initial steps are small, Meade said the tribe is pleased to have made progress toward cooperative management of the resource. Meade called on sportsmen and the area’s tourism industry to contact Brown to express support for saving the river’s fall Chinook run.