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Lincoln County, Oregon
Lincoln City Police adds third detective to the force JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
The Lincoln City Police Department (LCDP) has assigned a full-time, dedicated, narcotics detective to the department’s
Investigations Division. “This detective position will be dedicated to investigations that identify, disrupt and dismantle local, state, and multi-state drug trafficking individuals and organizations, using
an intelligence-driven and multi-agency-support approach,” LCPD Lt. Jeffrey Winn said. Although the Lincoln City Police actively and successfully work narcotics investigations at a
patrol level, Winn said the addition of a dedicated narcotics detective will allow the department to bring a “next level” approach to such investigations by dedicating more time and resources
to the apprehension of individuals trafficking illicit narcotics within the community. According to Winn, all types of illegal drugs have been seen in Lincoln City. “That includes meth,
fentanyl, and cocaine. If it’s out there, it’s here in Lincoln City as well,” Winn said. “By reducing the level of illegal narcotics See POLICE, page A7
Feds postpone auction of two wind energy sites off the Oregon coast Gov. Tina Kotek pulls out of task force With members of the Newport Pickleball Club looking on, Mayor Jan Kaplan and City Councilor Cynthia Jacobi cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the city’s new pickleball courts. Also pictured in front are City Manager Nina Vetter and Parks and Recreation Director Mike Cavanaugh. (Photos by Steve Card)
Ceremony held for new pickleball courts STEVE CARD Lincoln County Leader
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, Sept. 26, to dedicate the new pickleball courts at Frank V. Wade Memorial Park in Newport. Sunshine and smiles filled the area as city officials and members of the Newport Pickleball Club gathered to mark the occasion. Mayor Jan Kaplan and City Councilor Cynthia Jacobi cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the courts. Newport’s new city manager, Nina Vetter, said, “With local government, we can’t accomplish things alone, even things like building a pickleball court, so we’re really thankful for the partnership that we have with you all to make things See COURTS, page A7
Two teams play a match on one of the new pickleball courts at Frank V. Wade Memorial Park in Newport prior to a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Thursday, Sept. 26.
BEN BOTKIN Oregon Capital Chronicle
Amid mounting opposition to offshore wind development off the coast of Oregon, the federal government announced Friday, Sept. 27, it is delaying a planned auction for the development of two wind energy sites as Gov. Tina Kotek urged the federal agency to halt all leasing plans and stop the auction. The developments call into question the potential for future development of offshore wind energy off the Oregon coast. The state’s coastal communities, seafood industry and tribes fiercely opposed the federal agency’s plans, which concerned the governor. In a letter on Friday to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Kotek said Oregon had “no choice” but to withdraw from the intergovernmental task force that’s working on offshore energy to protect Oregon’s interests and engage more with the public. Her letter comes amid concerns See WIND ENERGY, page A8
County appears to be moving forward with deflection program STEVE CARD Lincoln County Leader
The creation of a program intended to provide intervention services to people arrested on drug-related charges in Lincoln County hit a bit of a bump in the road recently, but its implementation appears to be moving forward. At its meeting on Sept. 18, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners was chastised by the county’s presiding judge, sheriff and district attorney for not being open about the status of the
deflection program, which is intended to provide drug users with a path to recovery, rather than simply move them through the criminal justice system. In the Oregon Legislature’s short session earlier this year, House Bill 4002 and House Bill 5204 were passed by the House and Senate and signed by the governor. HB 4002 modifies Measure 110 to recriminalize possession of certain drugs to more
effectively combat drug dealing and usage. It also expands mental health care for those suffering from drug-related disorders. House Bill 5204 invest $211 million into projects to expand behavioral health treatment and training for behavioral health workers, as well as other structures to help with drug-related issues. These bills took effect on Sept. 1. Lincoln County formed See PROGRAM, page A8
1422 N Coast Hwy 101 • Newport • 541-265-7731
Lincoln County Presiding Judge Sheryl Bachart expressed frustration with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners at its last meeting over a lack of transparency involving a proposed deflection program. (Courtesy photo)
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