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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2024

Brookings, Oregon

'Seashells and Cowbells' brings fun to the Curry County Fair BY NATE SCHWARTZ Curry Coastal Pilot

The Curry County Fair has come and gone, but once again proved to be a celebration of local talent and community. The fair, held at the Curry County Fairgrounds showcased hundreds of exhibits from local artists, food from local vendors, and lots of fun for all. The fair's opening night was a roaring success, as the rodeo drew a full house. Attendees enjoyed events including junior bull riding and the crowd-favorite Mutton Bustin'. Another highlight was the 4H auction, which broke previous records with the sale prices of livestock. The hard work and dedication of our 4H kids were a huge reason for the impressive numbers. The Docia Sweet Hall was packed with local exhibits, and a record-breaking number of quilts this year. Food lovers were treated to vendors offering specialties and fair classics, ensuring that nostalgic fair feel. The fair also featured attractions like the "Dinos and

The Curry County Fair theme this year was 'Seashells and Cowbells' and was represented throughout the fair.

Dragons" show, where lifelike dinosaurs roamed the grounds. The Canine Stars, who have appeared on "America’s Got Talent," was another impressive act. Perhaps most impressively, the parade, a cherished tradition, was successfully coordinated despite doubts over whether it would be possible this year. According to Curry County Fairgrounds Manager Teri Hughes, it took community volunteers to make it happen. “The Parade was saved by community volunteers, and a giant thank you to Jesse Flovin and Brittany Scott for stepping up and coordinating that,” stated Hughes. The Port Orford Rotary ensured smooth and courteous parking, while Gold Beach Fire and other county employees stepped up to manage ticket booths. Overall, this year’s Curry County Fair was a resounding success, reflecting the dedication and enthusiasm of our community.

New turf for Brookings Harbor JERRY ULMER OSAAtoday

For years, Brookings-Harbor's best-laid plans to install an artificial turf football field always seemed to hit a snag. “Funding sources fell through,” athletic director Keith Wallin said. “Lot of different reasons. Nobody's fault, just logistically didn't work out.” This week, though, those dreams are about to be realized. On Tuesday, workers will begin laying FieldTurf on the stadium field at Brookings-Harbor, giving the 3A Bruins the only artificial turf football surface within a two-hour drive on the South Coast. “This is about the third go we've had at trying to do this,” Wallin said. “We've got a lot of really special things planned.” The football field is part of a nearly $2 million facilities upgrade. The school also is installing a new track, replacing the artificial turf infield on the softball field and building a multi-use practice field from the

Brass Ring Amusements brought their carnival to the fair again this year giving fair goers many options for rides and games.

The crew from Fieldturf/Beynon installs new turf at Brookings-Harbor High School on Thursday, August 8. soil removed from the stadium ﬁeld. “It's a construction-ﬁlled summer around here,” Wallin said. Much of it was made possible by South Coast Lumber, which made contributions responsible for about two-thirds of the project. Tidewater Contractors contributed

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excavation and paving. Many other local sub-contractors chipped in. And the school's booster club has helped with cost overruns. “South Coast Lumber stepped up and said, 'We want to do something special,'” Wallin said. “There was just a lot great community help

for it. The guys that were once the turf installation working on it were all is completed in a few guys that graduated from weeks. The school has Brookings. They've got opted to paint the track ownership. blue and gold. “We're really trying “Just something to not to incur much, if any, make it personal, a little costs to the school dissignature,” Wallin said. trict, especially with tight The artiﬁcial turf ﬁeld budget times.” Construction on a Please see NEW TURF, Page 4 new track will begin

Organizations collecting funds, resources for those impacted by wildﬁres STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

The impact of this year’s wildfire season continues to reverberate throughout the state as the number of acres burned reaches 1.2 million. At this time, the number of acres burned is four times the average when compared to the same point in past seasons. As many as 1,261 fires have burned across the state with more than 100 still active. Five megafires, fires that exceed 100,000 acres, are still burning in Eastern Oregon: The Battle Mountain Complex, Lone Rock, Durkee, Cow Valley and Falls fires. These megafires are now between 19% and 99% contained. Residents in these communities have been deeply affected by the wildfires. As many as 18,000 residents were under a level 1, 2 or 3 evacuation level during the height of the response to date with more than 8,000 still under some type of evacuation warning. The full scale of the loss will not be clear for a few months at least. Initial reports show that dozens of people have been injured, and there was at least one wildfire-related death. An air tanker pilot named James Bailey Maxwell, 74, who died in a crash while working in the vicinity of the Falls Fire, north of Burns, on July 25, 2024. Initial reports show fires have destroyed as many as 28 homes and 73 structures. Much of the damage has been to grazing land and livestock, heavily impacting the ranching community in eastern Oregon. More than 10,000 people are involved in the response including 261 fire crews, 483 engines and 31 helicopters. Local and statewide emergency response departments and agencies Please see WILDFIRES, Page 8

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

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