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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024

Brookings, Oregon

Jet boat racers compete on South Coast rivers in the world driving these boats – without question,” said race ofﬁcial and Sweep Boat Captain The best jet boat racers in the Robbie Pierce, during the ﬁnal world gathered on the South day of competition. Coast in hopes of claiming Jet Boat racers from all the 2024 World Jet Boat over the world took part in the Championship title. competition – including the The world-class competition United States, Canada, Mexico took place from May 4 to 11 set and New Zealand. South Coast against the stunning backdrop of local Tim Harding also competed the Rogue and Coquille Rivers on in the world-class races. Oregon’s South Coast, as well as The series of races, coined the the Klamath River in Calif. “These are the best of the best Please see JET BOATS, Page 8

BY BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media Inc.

New business giving free beach accessibility rentals to veterans this Memorial Day opening, and commemorate the Memorial Day holiday, AccessAble Adventures will be providing A new business is opening in beach walkers and wheelchairs to the Brookings on Memorial Day Gold Star families, free of charge. Weekend that aims to provide This initiative is of personal accessibility options for those with signiﬁcance to owner and opermobility issues, so they can enjoy ator, Dallas Ott, who grew up in Brookings’ lovely beaches. AccMedford, Oregon. essAble Adventures rents beach “I am a disabled combat vet, ready walkers and wheelchairs to so veterans have a special place anyone who may have trouble on in my heart. I have probably had the sand. similar experiences in a lot of To celebrate the business’ ways. I think honoring Gold Star

BY NATE SCHWARTZ Curry Coastal Pilot

families is just another way of showing respect to the folks who have served and protected our country,” said Ott, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War herself. This idea of giving back is intrinsic to AccessAble Adventures’ mission and vision statements. Seeing themselves as a ‘social enterprise’, the goal of the business is not only to generate revenue, but to have positive social impact Please see MOBILITY, Page 2

Oregon adds 4,900 jobs in April STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,900 jobs in April, following a revised gain of 2,600 jobs in March. April’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+1,700 jobs); construction (+1,500); and manufacturing (+900). Monthly declines were largest in professional and business services (-1,100 jobs). Over the past two years, health care and social assistance continued to add jobs at a rapid, consistent pace. The sector grew by 16,600 jobs, or 5.9%, since April 2023 following a gain of 13,900 jobs, or 5.2%, between April 2022 and April 2023. Within the broader sector, social assistance accelerated its expansion in recent months, as it added 4,800 jobs during the past ﬁve months. The three component industries within health care each expanded rapidly over the past 12 months: nursing and residential care facilities(+3,300jobs); hospitals(+2,900);and

ambulatory healthcare services(+2,800). Government, which added 9,400 jobs, or 3.1%, since April 2023, was the only other major sector growing quickly in the past 12 months. Each of its three components grew rapidly during that time: local government (+6,100 jobs, or 2.7%); state government (+2,100 jobs, or 4.6%); and federal government (+1,200 jobs, or 4.2%). Meanwhile, more than half of the major industries reduced employment over the past 12 months, with manufacturing (-3,700 jobs, or -1.9%) and retail trade (-2,300 jobs, or -1.1%) cutting the most. Furthermore, professional and business services (-1,600 jobs); information (-1,100); and construction (-1,000), each shed at least 1,000 jobs. Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in April, the same as in February and March. Since October 2021, Oregon’s unemployment rate has stayed between3.4% and4.2%, averaging 3.9%. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9% in April and 3.8% in March.

Housing Summit focuses on the South Coast Coast Regional Housing Group and took place on Monday, May 13, at the Mill Casino in North The Southern Oregon Coast Bend. Housing Summit featured Senator Speakers at the event discussed Dick Anderson, along with several the challenges and potential other government representatives solutions to providing housing and housing professionals from in rural areas along the Southern throughout the State of Oregon. Oregon Coast. They shared Those who attended the event concerns and celebrated wins. had the opportunity to hear Participants were also encouraged about legislative updates, and to network with other problem watch presentations on all things solvers who want to create new housing-related – from clean partnerships and housing in the energy solutions, to affordable and region. workforce housing, and busting In the afternoon, panelists at the myths about homelessness. Southern Oregon Coast Housing The Housing Summit was Summit discussed their efforts to organized by the Southern Oregon create and maintain shelters, along

BY BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media Inc.

INDEX

with a continuum of services through a Supportive Housing Panel. Later, representatives from North Bend, Reedsport and Curry County shared their efforts to provide workforce housing during a South Coast Workforce Housing Challenges, Solutions and Successes Panel. Senator Dick Anderson made closing remarks to the audience at the housing summit. He applauded everyone attending the event for their dedication to housing issues, but said there is a long ways to go to address the housing crisis. “I hate to be a downer, because

we’ve heard such great programs today … Oregon is still in a housing crisis,” he said. Senator Anderson serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Housing and Development committee. He said Oregon needs more housing at all levels – and he is “the guy that keeps pounding housing production.” Senator Anderson said there was a goal set by the governor to create 36,000 units of new housing in Oregon each year. “Right now we produce at a state level of 20,000 on a good year. So, we’ve got a lot of room to grow,” he said. Anderson gave updates on

legislation that could streamline the process to create more housing in Oregon. He said he was committed to keep housing issues at the forefront of the legislative process. “We can’t let up on housing. We need to continue with funding levels, but also with policy and cleaning it up so that we can move ahead in a quicker way,” Senator Anderson said. The senator encouraged audience members “who are on the ground working, and see it every day,” to send him a note and share their ideas with him. “Thank you all for what you are doing,” he said.

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

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