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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025

Brookings, Oregon

Nation Prepares to

Honor Old Glory on Flag Day

coming the official United States flag on June 14, 1777, during the throes of the Revolutionary War. Prior to this, colonial troops fought under a myriad of diverse flags, each bearing distinct symbols and slogans, reflecting the varied identities of the colonies. The need for a unified national emblem became clear following the Declaration of Independence. While not a federal holiday, meaning most businesses and

BY LINDA LEE

Curry Coastal Pilot

Americans across the nation are preparing to celebrate Flag Day on Saturday, June 14th, an annual observance dedicated to honoring the United States ﬂag and commemorating its pivotal adoption by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. Flag Day marks the anniversary of the Stars and Stripes be-

government ofﬁces will remain open, Flag Day holds deep historical and symbolic signiﬁcance for many. Pennsylvania stands out as the only state to recognize it as a state holiday. The concept of Flag Day emerged from various local celebrations in the late 19th century, championed by individuals like Wisconsin schoolteacher Bernard J. Cigrand and William T. Kerr, who tirelessly advocated for its

recognition. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916, ofﬁcially establishing June 14th as Flag Day, a move solidiﬁed in 1949 when President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress formally designating it as National Flag Day. Congress further requested that the President annually declare the week encompassing June 14th as National Flag Week, urging

citizens to display the flag. The iconic flag, with its thirteen red and white stripes representing the original colonies and fifty white stars on a blue field symbolizing the current states, is a potent emblem of American unity, freedom, and democracy. The colors themselves, while not officially designated by the Continental Congress, were later attributed meanings when Please see FLAG DAY Page 9

Local Manufacturing Veteran Launches Academy to Reinvigorate Curry County's Workforce BY LINDA LEE

Curry Coastal Pilot

Community Support: Court Boice shows his support for Lage’s CNC idea

After a lifetime immersed in the global manufacturing industry, Gold Beach resident Jeff Lage is embarking on a new mission: to cultivate the next generation of skilled tradespeople in Curry County. According to its Facebook page 4C, which stands for Curry County Coastal CNC Academy (or CNC), is driving workforce development, advanced manufacturing and rural innovation in Curry County. Building a skilled talent pipeline through CNC training, research and development and small business incubation. What began as a vacation

epiphany has rapidly evolved into a concrete plan for a manufacturing academy, designed to bridge the growing gap between available jobs and a dwindling local workforce. Lage realized during a recent cruise that his semi-retirement in Gold Beach felt incomplete. "While on vacation, on the cruise ship, I'd wake up at 4 a.m., read, reﬂect and listen to the news," Lage recounted. "Hearing about all the investment in U.S. manufacturing post-COVID and then seeing the struggles here in our community, young people looking for jobs, but not necessarily in trades like diesel mechanics or robotics, it just started coming together in my mind." Lage, 65, a seasoned manu-

facturing expert with experience spanning from critical projects like the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Tail Rudder Enhancement Program for the Boeing 737, to Honda's ﬁrst foray into the Indianapolis 500. "The original design (of the 737 aircraft) only had a single ball screw and when it failed, planes would literally fall out of the sky," Lage explained. “It was a privilege to be able to work on that program.” The urgency of Lage's initiative is underscored by stark local demographics. He cited census statistics revealing a signiﬁcant decline in the under-eighteen population in Curry County. Please see WORKFORCE Page 4

Is Resolution on the Horizon?

Illegal Fireworks Suspects back in Court BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc

Nearly one year has elapsed since the near tragic incident involving illegal ﬁreworks on South Beach, July 4, 2024. The case has slowly meandered the circuitous legal road. Last week, Superior Court Judge Darren McElfresh allowed the legal separation of suspects Levi HowardWayne Mills, 34 and Megan Rae Warner, 33. Mills has entered GUILTY pleas on two counts: • OSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE IN A PUBLIC PLACE. SPECIAL ALLEGATION OF GREAT

BODILY HARM ON A CHILD UNDER AGE 5. All the above charges are felonies. The child, Baby B (William Lupan) has made steady progress toward full recovery. Adult Rose Reppond was also injured during the incident, as stated in the Special Allegation. Reppond’s recovery and condition were not made public. Mills will be sentenced Tuesday, July 29 at 9:00am in Dept.1, Del Norte County Superior Court, Judge McElfresh presiding. Suspect Warner has entered Not Guilty pleas to: • POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE

INDEX

Levi Mills and Megan Warner back in Court

DEVICE IN A PUBLIC PLACE. • POSSESSION OF AN EXPLOSIVE

The above charges are felonies A Readiness Conference is scheduled for

July 10 and a jury trial is scheduled for July 14. Baby B making steady progress toward full recovery

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

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