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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 | theworldlink.com |

Sticker Shock!

Gasoline prices jump over $5 in Oregon, again JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media

You may have noticed prices at local gasoline stations increased significantly over the past several days. In some areas, the prices rose between 25 cents to 50 cents per gallon. This is occurring at a time when the price of gasoline usually declines because of less summer travel. After 14 weeks of declines, gas prices are on the rise, soaring on the West Coast and in the Midwest with more moderate

increases in other parts of the country, according to the latest American Automobile Association (AAA) Price survey. For the week, the average price per gallon in Oregon rockets up 50 cents to $5.14. The national average for regular adds seven cents to $3.75 a gallon. The Oregon average is the largest weekly jump in the nation. “Multiple refineries in the Los Angeles area and a refinery in Washington State are experiencing either planned or unplanned refinery work which could last several more days," Oregon/Ida-

ho AAA Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds said. This has put a significant crimp in supplies and sent pump prices soaring in this region. In addition, the Olympic pipeline in Washington is due for maintenance, perhaps as early as this week.” Hurricane Ian also has the potential to cause problems, Dodds said, depending on the storm’s track, by disrupting oil production, refining and transportation in the Gulf of Mexico. Until this week, the national

turnaround and is now used as a trainer horse at the rescue. "She's honestly amazing," Lillie said. "She's my best kid horse. She can be led around by little kids, she can be led around by adults. It took us six weeks from when we got her to where she could be part of the lessons program. She just needed guidance. I think was just pretty happy to get the attention. Just how different she was when we first got her to now. She's my easiest horse. I can take her anywhere and anyone can ride her." Lillies of the Field also rescued three stallions from a breeder in Idaho. "The three stallions were the last. Nobody wanted them, absolutely nobody," Lillie said. "I told them, 'we will come get the last of the pickings that nobody wants because those are the ones at greatest risk for slaughter.'" The oldest stallion, a 20-yearold, was very aggressive and also had physical issues. After getting his physical ailments fixed and with consistent training, that horse is also a model. "He's a totally different horse," Lillie said. "He's super sweet. He will follow me around. He's not a crazy stallion at all. It's crazy how a different environment really helps them." Lillie said seeing the difference in the animals, often in just a couple of months, shows that in the right hands even the toughest horses are redeemable. "Seeing where we got them from and how much better they

are, and just how happy they are, that's why we do it," she said. Rescuing horses is a key component of the work done at Lillies of the Field, but it's not the only one. "Another part of our mission is educate the public," Lillie said. "A lot of people want to rescue horses, but they have no idea what to do. Education to the public is a big thing, because, to be honest, it's the humans that create the reason horses have to be rescued." Lillie said she offers lessons for those new to horses to educate them and prepare them to be owners. "I cater to the people who have never really been around horses before," she said. "Some of my lessons are because people need confidence boosters. They haven't been around horses for a while or they had an accident. I teach everything horse. I don't just teach you how to ride. I teach you how to care for the horse, how to lead the horse, how to be safe around horses." The lessons are offered for all ages, with many children coming to learn how to ride and how to lead horses. While the lessons are valuable for people, they are also good for the horses, all that come with some "baggage." "I would say it's going good," Lillie said. "It's good for my horses to get out and have other people ride them. It's good for me to be able to articulate my lessons."

Please see GAS PRICES, Page A2

Metro Creative Connection

Gasoline prices in Oregon rocketed up 50 cents a gallon, pushing the average to over $5.

Lillies of the Field leaves no horse behind

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Shania Lillie grew up loving horses and always had a soft spot in her heart for horses others struggled to care for. So it made perfect sense when Lillie and her family moved to Coos County that they would open a horse rescue. "I grew up with horses and unofficially have been rescuing horses my entire life," she said. "It's just something I always wanted to do. When I got out of the military, I had all the VA benefits, so I said 'I guess I can start the rescue because that's what I wanted to do.'" So Lillie did just that, opening Lillies of the Field Equine Rescue. The rescue originally started in Langlois before moving to a larger location outside of Myrtle Point. The rescue currently has seven horses, one Lillie rescued in Virginia while serving in the military and a second her husband rescued. The remaining five were rescued after Lillies of the Field officially opened earlier this year. "The mare we got in February, the owner had her her entire life," Lillie said. "She had good training, but her manners were really violent. She really didn't need any riding training, she just needed interaction training." Lillie said the horse would bite its owner and was really aggressive toward food. After just a few weeks of training at Lillies of the Field, the horse made a complete

Please see LILLIE, Page A11

Walkers bring suicide out of the darkness By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Skateboarder raising money for suicide awareness Eugene man travels through Coos, Curry counties on skateboarding mission to San Francisco

The names were everywhere Saturday as hundreds of people gathered to bring suicide out of the darkness. Vance, Tucker, Mike, Ryan, Kay Lynn, Ian, Rudy and on and on. Every name was someone remembered by a loved one after they took their own life. And during Suicide Prevention Month, those left behind along came together to remember their loved one and to work to stop suicides in the future. The Our of the Darkness Walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was an effort to shine the light on a major problem in Oregon, one of the worst states in the nation for suicides. It was also an opportunity to raise money for the AFSP, almost all that will be kept in Coos County to continue suicide prevention efforts at home. "We work to save lives and to bring hope," said Erin Weldon, the Oregon area director for the AFSP. "We work to create a culture and a community where it's safe to talk about mental health

By Breeana Laughlin The World

Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World

Above: During a bead ceremony, people came to the stage to represent friends and loved ones who died by suicide. Below:Representatives from Waterfall Clinic lead the Out of the Darkness Walk as the top fundraising team for the walk.

Please see SUICIDE, Page A2

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Contributed photo

Shania Lillie works with troubled horses with the goal of getting them to the point children, including her own, can spend time with the horses.

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Mike Crespino is a man on a mission to honor the lives of two teen men from his community. Crispino passed through Coos and Curry counties in September on his mission skateboard 831 miles from his hometown in Eugene, Ore. to San Francisco, Cali. to bring awareness to suicide and struggles with mental health. Crispino is also being joined by Brookings resident Ethan Hall, who has been with him since start of the journey by offering support if he should need it in a vehicle. Crispino lost two of his friends, Ben Moody and Silas Strimple, as a result of suicide and untreated mental health issues. “Both were loved, colorful and respected members of the Eugene skateboarding community and their loss has had a lasting effect on their families and on the young community in Eugene,” Crispino said. “I chose to take the 101 route because as I’ve come to know

and witness for myself that coastal communities and Curry County specifically have higher numbers of suicide and difficulty with barriers and access to proper care,” he said. In Crispino’s opinion, “We have a state of emergency on our hands.” Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds in Oregon, and suicide rates in Oregon have been higher than U.S. rates over the past 10 years, according to Oregon Suicide Prevention. “It is difficult to pin down the root cause – but I have high hopes during my travels that what I’m wishing to accomplish locally in Eugene will also inspire others,” Crispino said. Crispino said he has already made lasting connections along his journey – includingsome in Coos and Curry counties. “While I was briefly in Curry County, anyone that noticed me skateboarding and every person Please see SKATER, Page A2

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