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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Brookings, Oregon

Ofﬁcer-Involved Shooting

Leaves Surf Apartments Resident Dead BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Late Monday afternoon, an officer involved shooting occurred at the Surf Apartments, in Crescent City. Details remain sketchy due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, according to Police Chief Richard Griffin. The decedent has been identified as John Spencer, 67 of Gasquet and Crescent City. Here’s what The Triplicate has learned: Del Norte Sheriff/Coroner Garrett Scott reports on February 17, 2025 at 1630 hours (4:30PM), the DNSD assisted the Crescent City Police Dept. (CCPD) at the Surf Apartments regarding a man with a gun. During the response a law enforcement officer discharged his weapon. An adult male was confirmed deceased at the scene by a DNSO deputy Coroner. Further details cannot be released due to the sensitivity and

thoroughness of the investigation. A team from the Sacramento area California Highway Patrol (CHP) was requested by both the CCPD and DNSO.

The Sheriff’s Ofﬁce states it will do all that it can to release further details of the incident once the Ofﬁce is certain the information will not jeopardize

a complete investigation by the CHP team. Lt. Commander James Richards of the local CHP Ofﬁce in Crescent City stated was

scheduled to arrive at about 2300 hours (11:00PM), Monday night and the CHP Ofﬁce will release additional information when appropriate.

Brookings City Council

Considers Pool Season Expansion highlighting the pool's beneﬁts at the last council meeting. Phoebe Skinner, a former competitive swimmer and swim instructor, emphasized the pool's importance for water safety education, physical activity and community engagement. “I believe the pool plays a vital role in water safety education for our children. It also provides an opportunity for real life engagement encouraging kids to spend time away from screens and participate in physical activities that build community connections,” said Skinner. “Swimming is an essential part Please see POOL Page 8

BY LINDA LEE

Curry Coastal Pilot

The Brookings City Council meeting saw a wave of public support for expanding the municipal pool season, with residents emphasizing the pool's vital role in community health, recreation and safety. The council also discussed the South Coast Community Aquatics (SCCA) proposal for managing the pool and the potential for securing grant funding for future improvements. The public voiced strong support for year-round pool access with numerous residents

Swimmers’ Delight: Avid swimmers take advantage of extended hours to get some laps in.

Oregon sea urchins regulations change “I’m very pleased with the action taken by the Fish and Wildlife Commission today,” ODFW Shellﬁsh Program Leader Steve Rumrill said. “I appreciate their commitment to conservation of Oregon’s valuable marine resources. The particular actions they took today will help ensure conservation of bull kelp.”

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted changes to ODFW regulations for Oregon sea urchins. The Commission heard testimony from staff during its Feb. 14 meeting, to consider a set of changes to accommodate public interest in three activities: • Recreational harvest of purple sea urchins for personal use. • Commercial harvest of purple sea urchins for the retail seafood market. • Culling of sea urchins to assist with the conservation of seaweeds and kelp. The Commission voted unanimously to revise the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the Marine Zone to allow a daily catch limit of 35 purple sea urchins per person per day. The Commission did not approve a proposal to establish 24 new commercial take permits or establish a new commercial purple sea urchin permit system, voting to maintain status quo. The Commission voted to revise regulations to allow the department to issue a Letter of Authorization for controlled culling of red and purple sea urchins within three priority sites.

CRAB FISHERMAN CONCERNS During public forum, the Commission heard testimony from a number of crab ﬁsherman expressing safety concerns with the current regulations around crab season opening and two speakers expressing concern with the Winchester Dam. Two speakers requested the Commission to review its regulations related to barbless hooks in the Columbia. In the ‘Other Business’ portion of the agenda, the Commission voted to ask the department to review the pros and cons of the existing regulations related to barbless hooks at a future meeting. The Commission also voted to reject a settlement agreement from Douglas County. OTHER BUSIENSS The Private Forest Accord OAR revision agenda item was postponed. Department ofﬁcials said they are taking the necessary

INDEX

time to ensure a robust process and expanded engagement with all interested parties. Given time constraints, the Commission also carried over its work session on governance best practices until their March meeting. As part of the morning Director’s report, Commissioners were updated on ODFW’s Hatchery Resiliency Project. Staff presented results from a third-party assessment of state-owned hatcheries and provided an overview of the public engagement process. WORKSHOP SESSION The Commission’s workshop Feb. 13, featured presentations on the risks of road surface runoff to ﬁsh and aquatic ecosystems caused by 6PPD-q, a chemical used to prevent tire degradation. A roundtable discussion included ODFW staff, members of the Oregon 6PPD-q Working Group, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Geological Survey, Mt. Hood Community College, City of Gresham, and Multnomah County. The Commission workshop also included a session on urban conservation, community engagement, and Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund

Two large red sea urchins with a small purple sea urchin in front, kelp in background. (OCRF) case studies from the Portland Metro area. A roundtable discussion with the Commission included members of the OCRF Advisory Committee and OCRF grantees.

“I learned a great deal from the workshop conversations especially how important OCRF has been in helping us connect to a broader set of communities,” Chair Mary Wahl said.

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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