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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026

Brookings, Oregon

Ofﬁcer Sophia Lucero

Named City of Brookings 2025 Employee of the Year FROM THE CITY OF BROOKINGS

es, the Social Security Administration, the Veteran’s Administration, Oregon Coast Community Action, Adapt, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, the Brookings Food Bank, and Brookings CORE Response. She also serves as a resource to patrol officers when they encounter individuals in need of support services. Brookings Police Chief Kelby McCrae said Lucero’s work reflects the department’s commitment to community-focused policing. He shares, “Her calm demeanor, professionalism, and genuine compassion have made a meaningful difference—not only for the individuals she works with, but for the community as a whole.” Lucero holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching, maintains Intermediate Certification with the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), and serves as both a Field Training Officer and Defensive Tactics Instructor. Her background has helped shape an approach that balances accountability with empathy. City Manager Tim Rundel said Lucero’s impact extends beyond her specific assignment. “Sophia represents the very best of City employees,” Rundel said. “She leads with empathy, builds strong partnerships, and works every day to improve quality of life for our residents.” Employee of the Year nomination ballots echoed those sentiments, highlighting Lucero’s calm and respectful demeanor, her fairness, and her ability to build trust with individuals facing complex challenges. Several comments noted the respect she

When Officer Sophia Lucero steps into her role as a Brookings Police Department’s Community Resource Officer, her focus is simple: meet people where they are, listen, and help them take the next step forward. That approach is one of the reasons Lucero has been named the City of Brookings’ 2025 Employee of the Year. Lucero joined the Brookings Police Department in September 2021 as a Patrol Officer, bringing experience from the Del Norte Sheriff’s Office, the Yurok Tribal Police Department, and Del Norte Probation. In October 2022, she transitioned into the role of Community Resource Officer (CRO), a position centered on outreach, collaboration, and connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with services and support. The mission of the CRO program is to engage community stakeholders to address homelessness, reduce its impacts on individuals and families, and lessen the effects on the broader community. The position is designed to be outreach-driven rather than enforcement-driven, with an emphasis on trust-building, problem-solving, and coordination with partner agencies. As CRO, Lucero works directly with individuals who are chronically homeless and, for those willing to accept assistance, helps connect them with housing and appropriate resources. She collaborates with organizations including Curry Community Health, the Oregon Department of Human Resourc-

has earned through consistency and compassion. “Sophia has made an incredible impact in our community,” Public Works Director Anthony Baron said. “Her presence and outreach efforts have helped address ongoing challenges in our parks and public open spaces in a way that is respectful, effective, and supportive of both staff and community members.” For Lucero, the work is about connection and long-term progress. “I enjoy being able to interact with people from all walks of life in a manner other than traditional law enforcement,” she said. “I understand everyone’s situation is unique, and being able to understand those differences is vital to building trust and helping people access the services they need.” She focuses on helping individuals set short- and longterm attainable goals, providing mentorship and support where gaps exist. “It’s challenging work,” Lucero said, “but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. Seeing collaborative efforts lead to lasting improvements in someone’s quality of life makes it all worthwhile.” City officials say Lucero’s recognition as Employee of the Year reflects the City of Brookings’ values of service, collaboration, and community care. The City congratulates Officer Sophia Lucero on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for her continued dedication to the Brookings community.

Connected Senior Program

Launches in Brookings to Support Digital Literacy for Older Adults

BROOKINGS, OR – Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative and its broadband subsidiary, Beacon Broadband, are pleased to announce the launch of the Connected Senior Program in Brookings beginning Wednesday. February 18, 2026, at 1:00 pm for eight consecutive weeks. The program will be offered at no cost to participants in partnership with Southwestern Oregon Community College and hosted at the college’s Brookings campus. The Connected Senior Program is designed to help older adults build conﬁdence using technology that supports everyday needs such as accessing healthcare services, communicating with family, managing ﬁnances online, and navigating essential digital tools. The Brookings program builds on the success of earlier Connected Senior classes held elsewhere along the south coast, expanding access to digital literacy education for seniors throughout the region. “This program is about more than learning how to use devices or the internet, it’s about helping seniors stay connected, informed,

and independent,” said Keith Buchhalter, Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Member Services and Marketing Manager. “By partnering with Southwestern Oregon Community College, we’re able to bring these resources directly into the Brookings community in a familiar and supportive setting.” Classes will take place at the Southwestern Oregon Community College Brookings campus and will offer hands-on instruction in a welcoming, small-group environment. Participants will receive guided support tailored to their individual skill levels, with a focus on practical, real-world applications. “Reliable broadband is only part of the equation,” said Bill Gerski, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Beacon Broadband. “Digital literacy is essential to ensuring our communities can fully beneﬁt from connectivity. The Connected Senior Program helps bridge that gap and reﬂects our commitment to serving all members of our communities.” The Brookings program

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represents another step forward in addressing the digital divide along Oregon’s south coast, particularly in rural and aging communities where access to technology training can be limited. Through continued collabora-

tion with local partners, Beacon Broadband and Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative are committed to expanding digital inclusion efforts across their service territory.

How to Sign Up For your free registration, please call Southwestern Oregon Community College at (541) 813-1667 or email CurryFirstStop@socc.edu

Phone Number: 707-460-8655 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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