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Samaritan hospitals welcome first babies born in 2026

Each New Year’s Eve, the maternity staff at the five Samaritan Health Services hospitals in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties await the arrival of the first baby to be born in the new year. This year, Samaritan’s first baby of the new year was born early on New Year’s Day at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center

in Corvallis, followed soon by the first babies to be born at the hospitals in Albany on Jan. 1, Newport on Jan. 2, Lebanon on Jan. 3 and Lincoln City on Jan. 7 The new parents enjoyed a celebratory meal and received a gift basket filled with adorable and useful items for the new baby, prepared by birthing center staff, auxiliary members or hospital foundation at location. Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital’s New Year Baby A tiny baby boy with a big name — Mansa Jah’son Abubakhir Hart — holds the honor of being the first baby born in 2026 at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City. Mansa arrived at 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday,

Local family displaced by structure fire

An intense structure fire has displaced a local family, damaged their home, and impacted their business, Lincoln City’s Game Over. North Lincoln Fire & Rescue (NLFR) responded to the fire at approximately 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the 2800 block of North Highway 101 in Lincoln City.

SURPRESS CHALLENGES

First-arriving crews were on scene in less than two minutes from the time of dispatch and encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the structure, according to NLF&R

Deputy Chief Cody Heidt.

“Firefighters

immediately initiated an aggressive fire attack, working to stop the spread of the fire and protect the front portion of the building,” he said.

“Firefighting efforts were challenged by limited

Trask River Apartments fire kills one in Tillamook

WILL CHAPPELL Country Media, Inc.

A midday fire on Sunday, January 11, at Trask River Apartments on Fifth Street in Tillamook left one dead and twelve displaced after three apartments were completely consumed.

Firefighters from the Tillamook Fire District and Bay City Fire

Department, as well as local law enforcement agencies, responded to the conflagration, the causes of which are still under investigation, according to Tillamook Fire District Operations Chief Alan Christensen. Tillamook 911 received calls about the fire and a trapped individual just after noon on Sunday, and when fire crews arrived, they found multiple units on fire and heavy smoke engulfing the scene.

While officers from the Tillamook City Police and deputies from the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office evacuated

residents from nearby apartments, crews battled the blaze, containing it within a few minutes of arrival and removed a victim from outside the apartment, who was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Despite the quick response, another victim was found deceased in the apartment where the fire is believed to have begun. The identity of the deceased has not been released.

In total, 22 firefighters responded to the scene, in addition to personnel from the Tillamook Ambulance, Tillamook Police, Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office,

Tillamook Public Works and the Tillamook People’s Utility District.

“This incident underscores the resilience of our emergency response network and demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve,” Christensen said.

“The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by all responding agencies, both paid staff and volunteers, was instrumental. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy.”

In addition to the three units impacted by the fire, neighboring units

Helicopter crashes in Logsden field

The pilot escaped with

ing injuries following the crash of a helicopter at Logsden in Lincoln County. At approximately 8:37 a.m. Jan. 15., the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) received reports of an unknown crash near the 2800 block of Moonshine Park Rd in Logsden.

While enroute, deputies learned the incident involved a helicopter, which crashed into a cow pasture. The crash did not physically harm nearby structures, individuals, or livestock and there was no ongoing threat to the

community, according to a release from the LCSO. Responders contacted the pilot onsite, who was the sole occupant of the commercially operated Bell JetRanger helicopter. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported for further evaluation and treatment. Media reports said the helicopter is owned by the Weyehaeuser Timber Company.

The cause of the crash was unknown and under investigation at press time. The LCSO investigation has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

LCPD issues AI phone scam warning

JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader

The Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) is using K9 Nato in a Facebook post to alert community members about 2026 phone scams.

These scams often include high pressure pitches such as phony warrants requiring bitcoin payments or fake abductions of loved ones which can only be resolved with gift cards or secret bank transfers,” according to the LCPD post.

“The growth of AI has greatly exacerbated these scams through technologies such as Voice Cloning (where scammers can copy the voice of a loved one), Phone Number Spoofing (where scammers make a call appear as if it is coming from a loved one’s phone number), calls from fake businesses demanding payment to settle civil issues such as broken property based on AI images, or any number of other malicious tricks,” the post advises.

According to the National Council on

Aging, AI scams use artificial intelligence tools to target consumers in very sophisticated and personalized ways.

“Unlike traditional scams, which tend to rely on generic or poorly executed tactics, AI allows criminals to create websites, emails, and impersonations that are startlingly authentic and believable. With AI, scammers can quickly launch fraud campaigns on a massive scale—or zero in on specific people using data gathered from social media or other platforms,” the NCOA states in an online advisory. “The speed and accuracy of AI-powered scams make them an increasing threat to consumers—especially as these technologies advance.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Francisco division issued a warning in 2025, that AI scams are on the rise. These scams include voice cloning, in which AI can now clone a person’s voice using just a short audio sample, making it possible for

scammers to impersonate authority figures and even your loved ones. Another is the use of deepfake scams to generate convincing videos, photos, and audio clips that make it seem like someone said or did something they didn’t. Scammers use deepfakes to impersonate public figures, celebrities, institutions, and even our friends and family members in order to promote

fraudulent products or persuade us to take certain actions.

The LCPD warns residents that if a caller presents an unlikely scenario and demands immediate payment, the resident should stop and think if this makes sense, then hang up.

“If this is an unsolicited call, search online for the government agency the caller claims affiliation with, and contact that agency to verify the information, or hang up, and contact the loved one at their legitimate number to confirm the situation,”

LCPD states. “These scams originate overseas and are often out of reach from local law enforcement. Monies sent or private information disclosed are unlikely to be recouped.” The LCPD recommends that residents discuss with vulnerable loved ones the following resource from the National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa. org/.../what-are-ai-scamsa-guide-for.../ Read more about the variety of scams that have circulated in our area at the Lincoln County Leader website.

6.0 Earthquake recorded off Oregon Coast

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The USGS said there was no tsunami threat generated by the below sea tremor that occurred in a location where frequent smaller quakes have been recorded. Local and state emergency managers have advised that such events underscore the need for coastal residents and visitors to be prepared in the case of a threatening earthquake and tsunami.

The emergency managers encourage everyone to:

• Make an Emergency Plan

Review NVS Tsunami Evacuation Zones

• Learn what tsunami evacuation zones your home, work, school, and other areas you frequent are in.

• Learn the Tsunami Message definitions and appropriate actions. • Talk with family and friends about what you will do, including if you’re not together during an emergency.

Practice your plan at different times and on different days. What will you do if you are at home, work, school, or another location?

• Plan to check on your neighbors or vulnerable community members and offer assistance if possible.

• Build an Emergency Kit

• Create an emergency kit or update your existing one. BACKGROUND What Do Tsunami Alerts Mean? Tsunami messages are issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center to alert local authorities and the public of potential danger. The Weather Service outlines four

AG’s opinion questions transportation tax repeal requested by Gov. Kotek

Oregon Journalism Project

A 90-year-old legal opinion could jeopardize Gov. Tina Kotek’s desire to repeal House Bill 3991, the controversial Oregon Department of Transportation funding package she backed, and lawmakers passed in a September special session. The opinion, dated Nov. 13, 1935, is about a bill lawmakers passed that year related to student fees at Oregon colleges.

Before the measure went into effect, however, citizens gathered enough signatures to send it to the ballot for voters to decide.

Then-Gov. Charles Martin asked then-Attorney General I.H. Van Winkle whether lawmakers could simply repeal the bill rather than engage in a ballot fight. The answer Van Winkle gave, based on case law from Oregon and numerous other states: No. “The right of the people to a referendum vote on

a statute enacted by the Legislature can not be defeated by a subsequent repeal of the act referred,” Van Winkle wrote, quoting a Missouri case. The opinion is newly relevant because of the machinations around HB 3991. After lawmakers failed in 2025 to pass a long-planned ODOT funding measure, Kotek then called them back in September, and the Democratic supermajorities ultimately passed a slimmed-down measure

that would generate new revenue from a 6-centsa-gallon gas tax hike, increases in vehicle

Legislative leaders have previously taken a wait-and-see approach to what they will do in the session that starts Feb. 4 and did not take a position after Kotek’s call for repeal. (Jeremy C. Ruark / Lincoln County Leader)

Implementing Trump’s tax law to cost Oregon $114 million in SNAP investments

MIA MALDONADO Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Department of Human Services says it needs $114 6 million from the state’s general fund to fill gaps in its 2025-27 budget because of cuts and other changes to federal food assistance.

The long-awaited funding request comes after Oregon lawmakers in 2025 set a two-year budget days before President Donald Trump signed a major tax and spending law in July that drastically changed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by adding work requirements, limiting benefits for noncitizens, creating more eligibility checks for people enrolled in the program and increasing the administrative cost burden for states.

The timing left lawmakers scrambling to respond to unforeseen budget changes affecting the one in six Oregonians who rely on SNAP.

The department’s funding request has support from Gov. Tina Kotek, who on Tuesday reflected on the results of her 60-day food emergency during the government shutdown that left thousands of Oregonians without access to their SNAP benefits. She directed $5 million to Oregon’s

statewide food bank network and $1 million to the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon.

The state received a $6 million match from Oregon Disaster Funders Network.

“We acted quickly to help get emergency food to families, restore SNAP benefits as soon as the courts allowed, and support the community organizations that step up every day to feed people,” Kotek said in a statement. “That leadership saved lives — and it sets the standard for how Oregon will continue to respond.”

Despite the state’s quick response to the disruption of benefits, Oregonians are already seeing the impacts of the new federal law.

“We have households who saw reduced benefits because of changes in utility cost calculations, legal asylees and certain refugee populations lost SNAP eligibility entirely and work requirements expanded from six counties to all 36 counties across the state — increasing verification compliance demands on both clients and the

Dallas Raymond Waite

March 29, 1955 - December 13, 2025

Our beloved brother Dallas Raymond Waite, age 70, died unexpectedly on December 13, 2025 at Legacy Meridian Park Hospital.

He was Born on March 29, 1955 in Newport, OR, to Robert and Etta Waite of Toledo, OR.

Known then as Ray, Dallas graduated from Toledo High School class of 1973, although he spent his sophomore and junior years at George Washington H.S. on Guam. Dallas continued his education graduating Portland Community College, A.S. and

Oregon State University, B.S. Art with High Scholarship.

He was known for his art work, humor, and kind nature. Dallas is survived by sisters Jennie Waite Joy (Gerry) and Jan Waite Pedersen (Mike). He was preceded in death by his older brother Robert Waite Jr., and parents, Robert Waite SR. and Etta Waite.

A memorial service will be held at Riverhouse, Hillsboro, OR on May 17th. Contributions in his memory can be made to Toledo, H.S. Band.

Margaret Curtis

February 4, 1932 - December 31, 2025

Margaret Curtis was born February 4, 1932 and passed away December 31, 2025 surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and devotion. She was married to her beloved husband, Jerry, for 58 years, a partnership marked by steadfast love and commitment.

Marge was a proud mother of five children and a cherished grandmother to ten grandchildren and eighteen greatgrandchildren. Family was the center of her life, and she found her greatest joy in time spent with those she loved.

A woman of deep faith, Marge had a heart for Jesus and lived her life guided by kindness, humility, and grace.

In her quieter moments, she enjoyed playing board games, especially Aggravation and Yahtzee, and tending to her garden, which she cared for with great pride and joy.

Marge will be remembered for her loving spirit, her unwavering faith, and the generations of family who carry her legacy forward.

Funeral Arrangements: January 24th at 1pm. South Beach Church

Dennis Eugene Jones

Dennis Eugene Jones passed peacefully on January 7, 2026, with a flash of lightning, rumble of thunder, and his daughters by his side.  Memorial services will be held Sunday, Jan 18, 1-3:00pm at Yaquina Bay Yacht Club in Newport. Guests encouraged to don a colorful shirt to celebrate his fabulous style. Donations welcome to ACLU or Arbor Day Foundation.  Dennis loved his family, friends, and community. A Master Gardener who enjoyed plants, rocks, and the wonders of nature, he loved supporting local businesses around Newport, his home of 50+ years.

Foundation’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. A Vietnam veteran, Dennis served as ARMY Sergeant 1966-69. His favorite cap identified him as ‘Dysfunctional Veteran - Leave me alone,’ though known as a friendly guy who often brought garden flowers to brighten people’s days.  He was preceded in death by son Duncan, and sisters Karen and Marie. Dennis is survived by daughters, Joël, Mariah, and Amity, grandchildren Erin and Max, and siblings Kitty, John, Bobby, and David. Full Military Honors service held in the Portland area at a later date.

state,” said Nate Singer, the agency’s eligibility program director.

Singer, alongside other Oregon Department of Human Services staff, gave lawmakers a breakdown of what federal SNAP changes may cost Oregon ahead of the 2026 legislative short session.

Agency says work requirements will increase staff demand

The agency is requesting $13 8 million to address the work requirement changes under the law.

The federal law tightens restrictions on who qualifies for exemptions from the SNAP work requirements. For example, it removed exemptions for former foster youth, unhoused individuals and veterans and adults ages 50 to 65 It also narrowed benefits for noncitizens.

The requested amount would support IT system upgrades, outreach and staff resources to manage an increased workload for staff who process applications and determine household benefit levels.

Oregon now has to split SNAP benefit costs with feds

The agency is requesting $39 million for the 2025-27 budget cycle to invest in improving the

state’s SNAP payment error rate.

SNAP benefits previously were 100% federally funded, but the new law requires any state with a SNAP payment error rate above 6% to pay between 5% and 15% of benefit costs beginning October 2027. Oregon’s error rate in 2024 was 14%, and it’s mostly because of people not reporting their incomes on time and receiving either too much or too little in benefits, Singer said.

The agency has consulted with states with low error rates and experts to make a plan to lower its own and minimize its financial liability, Oregon Department of Human Services Deputy Director Dana Hittle told lawmakers.

“The resulting plan focuses on the operational basics, such as call center performance management of teams, improving training for staff and communications to clients, as well as integration of artificial intelligence and other technology solutions to streamline and improve processes,” Hittle said.

It would need an estimated $450 million in the 2027-29 budget if the state’s error rate doesn’t

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improve. Administrative cost sharing

The agency is requesting $54 million to cover the increase in SNAP administrative costs the state must pay from 50% to 75% beginning October 2026. This amount is meant to cover the change in the 2025-27 budget cycle.

The agency is requesting $142 million for the 2027-29 budget cycle.

“This means a significant increase in general fund obligations just to maintain core operations for us,” Singer said.

“These are your eligibility, workers that process and do hearings, call centers, customer supports, our vendor contracts, system maintenance — all these areas shift the cost from the federal government to the states significantly Investing in SNAP card security

To address increasing reports in electronic benefit transfer SNAP cards, the state will seek $7 1 million from the general fund to support transitioning SNAP cards to chip-enabled cards to strengthen security against skimming and fraud.

There’s been more than 10,600 instances of validated theft of benefits worth $4 1 million since 2023, according to the agency.

“At its core, this budget request is about helping Oregonians meet their basic needs, food on the table and access to health care and services,” Hittle said.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle. com/2026/01/13/implementing-trumps-tax-lawto-cost-oregon-114-million-in-snap-investments/ Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

RICHARD ELLIOT Richard Elliot, 91 of Longview, WA, previously a resident of Toledo, OR, passed away on January 21 2026. He was born on February 4 1934 Services are pending. DEATH NOTICES

Mr. Jones was a proud middle and elementary school teacher across Lincoln County. He received the National Science

See the full obituary at http://www. batemanpacificview.com

Jeremy Ruark, Opinion Page Editor

Individuals struggling for oxygen need Congress to step up

KEITH NELSON Leader Guest Column

I have hiked dozens of 14,000-foot peaks and completed nearly 800 deep-sea dives, so I am not averse to a challenge.

Now living with a chronic lung disease, I face my biggest challenge yet: accessing the most basic human necessity, oxygen.

Shortly after moving to Newport in 2015, I noticed that hikes became more physically challenging. Then came the day that changed my life forever. During a scuba diving trip in 2018, just after my ascent from the water, I began to struggle to swim and was unable to move my lower body.

I was immediately put on emergency oxygen, rushed ashore, taken to the emergency room and then a decompression chamber—twice. Since I had 796 dives under my belt, I was determined to find out why this happened. After several tests and a second opinion, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic and progressive lung disease.

Over the next few years, as my breathing started to decline, I was prescribed supplemental oxygen. Unfortunately, because of my insurance coverage, I was only able to get large steel oxygen tanks, which need to be moved around on a cart, rather than lighter, more

portable modalities like liquid oxygen that can be easily transported.

Because my active lifestyle is so important to me, I spent nearly $4,000 out of pocket to purchase a state-of-theart oxygen concentrator that I can easily wear as a backpack.

Despite covering the high cost of this equipment, I still encountered problems in accessing care. I was once made to wait four days for more oxygen when my oxygen concentrator was no longer sufficient, and I was running out of air. It was an unnecessary healthcare mess that left me literally breathless.

Unfortunately, my story is not unique. More than

1 5 million people in the U.S. rely on supplemental oxygen, and too many of them face similar challenge

This is why I am fighting for solutions in Congress like the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 1406/H.R. 2902) to help people like me get access to the right type and level of oxygen we need. This bipartisan bill would help ensure people with complex respiratory conditions can access appropriate supplemental oxygen equipment and services.

Like many on supplemental oxygen, I need to calculate where I am going, how long I will be gone, and the effort it will

take to ensure that I have enough oxygen while I am out. No one should be trapped in their homes, especially when solutions like liquid oxygen and other portable oxygen modalities are available to support living active, independent lives.

Fortunately, the SOAR Act offers hope. This bipartisan bill would improve access to liquid oxygen for whom it is medically necessary, enhance access to respiratory therapy, and create a standardized template for oxygen prescriptions to protect oxygen users. By establishing a separate payment rate for liquid oxygen and permanently removing oxygen from Medicare’s competitive

bidding program – which historically has caused accessibility issues for individuals with high-flow oxygen needs – more people would be able to access the care they need to move, breathe, and live freely. I am calling on Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to cosponsor this bill and help push it across the finish line. For individuals needing supplemental oxygen, the SOAR Act will offer a chance to be more active, more independent, and more secure in their ability to breathe. Keith Nelson is a Newport resident and an advocate for the American Lung Association living with pulmonary fibrosis.

If you watched the Lincoln City Council meeting on Monday, Jan.12th, you know that, during the Comment periods, the Council heard arguments for a resolution to protect our community against an armed and anonymous ICE presence. Such resolutions have been passed - or are being considered – in Waldport, Toledo, and Florence. Waldport’s resolution addresses the “current

ICE RESEARCH

The amount spent per day for the first 100 000 people detained last year was $17,000 per arrest-toremoval cycle. Now, with the goal of $1 million deportations annually, Congress has increased the ICE budget to $80 billion… money that came at the expense of health care cuts to taxpayers. I initially believed US government detentions and deportations would target convicted criminals through a legal and systematic process. Targeted profiles now include anyone without legal status, non-criminal immigrants, DACA recipients, and long-term residents.

direction and actions of ICE personnel” and the “legitimate fear” on the part of their residents. In it, the city resolves to oppose and object to “any Immigration and Customs facilities or housing within the city.”

The City Council made the unusual step of deciding to craft a resolution. The one dissenting voice to this initial step made two points worth addressing. I will do so in turn. The first was that those asking for a resolution do not represent a majority in

The Supreme Court has ruled that racial profiling is legal and the wall that was in place for IRS protection of personal information is also gone. Now anyone of color is being stopped, harassed, and subject to arrest and detention. Nearly 72% of ICE detainees have no criminal convictions. People of color do not feel safe leaving their homes

The criminalization of immigration affects us in ways that are incalculable. Our town is barely getting back to pre-COVID numbers. Businesses already struggle finding employees. Threatening and removing our immigrant

Lincoln City. The second was that those who oppose a resolution have been intimidated into silence. Perhaps the councilor just doesn’t know what we know.

Many Lincoln City residents oppose stationing ICE personnel, facilities, or related enforcement activities within our city limits. They are increasingly taking the step to stand up in public to express this view, most having never done such a thing before. Those who do, do it to encourage those who

drive by. They know what its like to be anxious and afraid in this open-carry state. They do it to show neighbors that they are not alone. During rallies, the many honks and waves encourage these demonstrators, as does growing crowd sizes.

For example, on Saturday, Jan. 10th, 250 people gathered with little more than 24 hours notice to say “ICE OUT FOR GOOD.” Most of the responses coming from the 3000 passing cars were positive.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

labor force will cost all of us in the form of failing businesses, increased taxes, lower property values and a destroyed sense of community as we start becoming a ghost town.

We must fight all ICE efforts to change our community into something unrecognizable.

Carolyn L. Wilson

Lincoln City

THANK YOU!

Thank you, Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, for the grant to clean and seal our Grange hall floors.

The Siletz Valley Grange is appreciative of your continued support of remodeling and

maintaining our Grange so that we can keep it open to the public.

Michelle Schaffer, President, Siletz Valley Grange #558

POEM HONORING

CLAIRE HALL

In my anger over all the hospitality you tendered to the big ugly ad campaign in the Lincoln County Leader calling for the recall of Claire Hall, I may have made the mistake of blaming the messenger. The two excellent editorials and the letter you ran in this week’s Opinion page of the Lincoln County Leader suggest that my conflation of political ads

Those who oppose ICE actions do not represent a small minority in Lincoln City. We do not intimidate others into silence. The opposite it true. I understand that the councilor didn’t hear what I heard as folks walked up to the mike for the meeting - the sneering, nasty words. The councilor hasn’t heard the obscenities, smelled the black exhaust, or seen the foul gestures that demonstrators experience every day on 101. The councilor has not been rushed by a car or had a gun flashed. The councilor has not borne years of harassment like Claire Hall. To say we are the dangerous ones, we are the terrorists, is nonsense. We do what we do peacefully. We do not harass, belittle, or threaten. I am very grateful that the council has taken the first step to protect our community against a militia that is armed, unidentifiable, and ignores due process. Shar Walbaum is a Lincoln City resident

with editorial bias was unfair.

For those who, like me, mourn the loss of Claire Hall, I offer the following; Malice Interruptus Claire died last night five days before the polls closed.

God chose to recall her so you could not.

God chose to recall her so you could break her heart no further, leaving us to recall Claire—- and many of us to learn only after she died—how extraordinary she was.

I read aloud Claire’s obituary to Jim.

Her good deeds, her list of achievements went on

so long, I started to cry halfway through, and Jim had to sit down to take it all in. Claire is dead and gone but what’s been brought down is not Claire, but the mean victory you connived that’s turned to dust.

Her record intact: 21 years of service, and your malice interruptus is what I will recall every time I think of Claire

And how, in the end, she won and you lost, friends, de-spite your transphobia and your bullying.

Sincerely,

Donally Kennedy Lincoln County

We want to hear your opinions.

Email: jruark@ country media.net

Merkley focuses on Trump in Tillamook town hall

WILL CHAPPELL Country Media, Inc.

Oregon United States Senator Jeff Merkley largely focused on his resistance to the Trump administration’s policies and actions at a town hall at Tillamook High School on January 17

Merkley voiced strong opposition to the recent military operation removing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the United States and discussed a list he recently compiled of ten strategies used in recent decades to undermine democracy as a basis to continue his fight to prevent Trump from doing the same in America.

“We know that we have to fiercely hold our elected leaders accountable, all of us, even me,” Merkley said, “but maybe you’re making me think about what else I can do, because when I go to town halls and people say, ‘Jeff Merkley, you haven’t done enough.’ I’m thinking, what else can I do?”

At the town hall, Tillamook County Commissioner Paul Fournier introduced Merkley, who presented a flag flown over the United States Capitol to members of the Nehalem Bay Health District’s board of directors in recognition of their recently completed pharmacy and clinic project.

Merkley then addressed the crowd, sounding the alarm about the dwindling Social Security Trust Fund, which is set to reach a zero balance within seven years, causing a cut of 25% to social security payments.

Merkley said that he was using his role on the budget committee to agitate for a solution ahead of the problem becoming an emergency for millions of retirees.

“Why do we have to wait until the last second when there’s a crisis and it’s harder to fix it,”

Merkley asked rhetorically. “Let’s actually do something before we reach kind of a cliff and show that we can actually govern in this United States of America.”

Constituents then began asking question of Merkley, with most focused on disagreements with the administration.

In response to a question about the release of the Epstein files, as required by a December 2025 bill, Merkley said

that he would do what he could to make court orders compelling the justice department to follow the law stick.

On the subject of Venezuela, Merkley took the president to task for taking the action not in support of democracy, but to secure control of the country’s oil reserves. Merkley said the move represented a return to a longtime U.S. foreign policy of supporting dictators as long as they allowed American companies access to their resources, engendering anti-American sentiment around the world.

“It’s undermining our reputation for promoting democracy,” Merkley said. “Our damage to the alliances is hurting us in terms of not just

intangibles like respect but tangible stuff like people being willing to work with us on trade agreements and we’re not having any principles that help us go forward in an orderly world and prosper, so I think it’s a massive mistake.”

Asked about damage to Hangar B at the Port of Tillamook Bay, Merkley said that completing a study of repairs needed to fix the structure should be the priority and mentioned Federal Emergency Management Agency money as a potential funding source.

When asked about how the Democratic Party could appeal to voters on the core issues Merkley has identified as key to American families, healthcare, housing, jobs and education, Merkley said that he didn’t like to make his town halls partisan but instead to focus on his positions. On that front, Merkley called attention

to the fact that President Donald Trump in recent weeks has adopted two of his ideas for increasing affordability, prescription drug control prices and barring hedge funds from owning single-family homes, citing it as evidence that he was still in touch with issues that resonated on both sides of the aisle.

More generally, Merkley said that his view of the current system was that the wealthy had too much influence through dark money donations and were able to induce legislators to craft new laws that made them wealthier, a dynamic that needed to be reversed. “If we want to make this country work better, it can’t be a families-lose-billionaires-win version of the world,” Merkley said. “It has to be families thrive; billionaires pay their fair share.”

Responding to a question about how concerned citizens could take action

to protect democracy, Merkley pointed to a pamphlet that his staff had handed out to town hall attendees titled “Ring the Alarm Bells: The Ten Rules of Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook.” Merkley said that he had researched democracies from around the world that had failed in recent decades, saying that armed coups had receded from prominence, replaced by a slow drift to authoritarianism and that he had studied the commonalities from those situations to compile the list.

The list includes items like pack the government with loyalists, disregard due process, silence free speech and steal congress’ power of the purse, and culminated with rigging the next election, which Merkley accused Trump of working to do. “The president’s rigging the next election,” Merkley said. “He’s doing this national voter database so it can be purged before the next election, you’ll show up and you won’t be able to vote.”

Merkley praised the Oregon Secretary of State and Attorney General for fighting to protect the state’s ability to conduct vote-by-mail elections.

Merkley said that everyone deserved the option to vote by mail and that “saving our election system has got to be a top priority when we have a congress that is under different leadership.”

Finally, in response to a question from a college student about affordability of classes, Merkley said that he believed the United States had the financial resources to make college debt free for all students and that he would continue to advocate for that policy.

“If other developed nations can afford to do that, we can afford to do that,” Merkley said. “We can’t afford to do it if we’re spending on wars like Afghanistan and Iraq, we can’t afford to do it if we’re doing tax bills that give $30 billion to the richest Americans, we can’t afford to do it if we’re spending $40 billion to help out some rightwing ruler in Argentina. We’ve got to focus on the fundamentals so we can deliver for the next generation.”

Merkley also conducted a similar town hall in Newport, Warrenton, Springfield, Albany, Beaverton, and Portland between Friday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 18 Will Chappell is the editor at the Tillamook Headlight Herald.

EARTHQUAKE

From Page A3

A tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Dangerous coastal

REPEAL

From Page A3

registration fees, and a doubling of the statewide payroll tax to fund transit.

But after Kotek signed the bill into law in mid-November, critics of HB 3991, led by state Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Dundee), Rep. Ed Diehl (R-Scio) and Jason Williams of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon then stunned many political observers: They quickly gathered about 250,000 signatures to refer HB 3991 to the November 2026 ballot.

Kotek subsequently changed her mind and

flooding and powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours or even days after the initial wave arrival.

Tsunami Advisory – “Take Action” A tsunami with the

now wants to repeal HB 3991 because the consensus is the referral would succeed in repealing the tax increases.

Rather than allowing critics to use the repeal as a cudgel against her and legislative Democrats between now and November, Kotek decided to take the pain and move on.

But she may not be able to. A reader tipped OJP to the 1935 AG’s opinion which is so old it’s not online but is findable at the Oregon State Library. It’s unclear what consequence the opinion will have.

Kotek spokeswoman Elisabeth Shepard says

potential for strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is expected or occurring. There may also be flooding in beach and harbor areas.

Tsunami Watch – “Be

the governor was unaware of the opinion when she declared in a Jan. 7 speech: “Here is what I am asking the Oregon Legislature to do in the February session—repeal House Bill 3991.”

“The governor’s office was not specifically aware of this 1935 opinion,” Shepard told OJP in an email today. “The Legislature will certainly be doing its due diligence about how best to proceed on this issue.”

(Legislative leaders have previously taken a wait-and-see approach to what they will do in the session that starts Feb. 4 and did not take a position after Kotek’s call for

access to the rear living space and concerns about the structural integrity of the building as conditions deteriorated. These factors required crews to adjust tactics throughout the incident to ensure firefighter safety while continuing to suppress the fire effectively.”

During the initial stages of the incident NLF&R crews determined that all occupants were accounted for.

One occupant and one firefighter were treated

HALL

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The “Celebration of Life” memorial for Hall is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building of the Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive in Newport.

The celebration will include remembrances from friends and public officials honoring Commissioner Hall’s lifetime of public service and commitment to social justice.

The event is open to the public, according to a release from an informal group of Hall’s friends, family and colleagues.

Among those scheduled to speak are Oregon State Representative David Gomberg, Lincoln County Commissioner Walter Chuck, Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan, Newport city councilor

BABIES

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Jan. 7, welcomed by his parents, Sierra Williams and Jason Hart Jr., and his 20-month-old sister, Svntaaye Hart (pronounced Sun-tie-yay in the language of the Siletz tribe). The growing family lives in Siletz.

for minor injuries. The building is a mixed-use occupancy, with an arcade in the front and a residence in the rear. The fire resulted in four individuals being displaced, according to Heidt.

“The house is a total loss, the arcade suffered massive water and smoke damage. Game Over will be closed temporarily as we assess the damage and make necessary repairs,” according to a statement from Chris and Jenn Donner, owners of Game Over.

Heidt said 29 firefighters worked on scene to bring the fire under

and former Mayor, Sandy Roumagoux, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Chairperson Delores Pigsley, Lincoln County Planning and Development Director Onno Husing, former Lincoln County Commissioner Doug Hunt, former Lincoln County Counsel Wayne Belmont, Director of the Central Oregon Coast Transgender Community Marci Grace Frederick, Community Shelter Resource Center Manager Charelle Estes and other friends and colleagues.

Opening and closing prayers will be offered by the Reverend Deacon Senitila McKinley, founder and director of Seashore Family Literacy Center. Cellists Adrienne Welch, Charmaine LeClair and Sherill Roberts will perform during a moment of reflection.

Claire Hall was first elected as County Commissioner in 2004,

toddler curiosity. At birth, Mansa weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 21 inches long. This is exactly the same as his sister when she was born, Williams said. Both siblings share another sweet coincidence: they were each born on the seventh day of the month.

Prepared”

A distant earthquake has occurred, and a tsunami is possible. People in coastal areas should stay alert and prepare to take action if conditions change.

repeal.)

Jenny Hansson, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Dan Rayfield, says the Department of Justice has not yet formed a legal opinion on the proposed repeal.

“We are aware of the 1935 opinion,” Hansson says. “Since 1935, the relevant portion of the constitution has been amended, and there is additional case law bearing on the issue. We have not analyzed whether the 1935 opinion’s conclusions remain valid in light of more recent legal developments.”

In a Jan. 9 interview with OJP, Starr said he

control. Most units cleared shortly before midnight after completing suppression and overhaul operations.

“Due to the extent of the fire and the potential for hidden hot spots, one engine remained on scene overnight to monitor conditions and ensure no flare-ups occurred. That engine remained in place until approximately 8 a.m. the following Wednesday morning,” he said.

IMPACT

The Donner family was in urgent need of essentials, including clothing, coats, shoes, food, kitchen supplies, bedding,

and was re-elected five times, most recently in November 2024. She served as Commission Chair and was recently appointed as acting County Administrator.

“During her long tenure as Commissioner, she expanded healthcare services with the creation of federally qualified health clinics, increased access and services for veterans, and was a tireless advocate for affordable housing,” the release states. “She took special pride in her role in helping to establish warming shelters for the county’s unhoused population and, most recently, was deeply involved in resisting plans for an ICE detention center and in helping to restore the presence of the U.S. Coast Guard’s rescue helicopter” Hall passed away on January 4, 2026. Read more with this story at the Lincoln County Leader website.

First Baby

The birth of a baby is a wondrous moment, and for Corey and Alexis Shrewsbury of Newport, it was nothing short of extraordinary. After more than seven years of trying and hoping, they finally held their newborn son, Tate Shawn Shrewsbury, in their arms.

Tsunami Information Statement – “Relax”

An earthquake has occurred, but there is no threat, or it was very far away, and the potential threat is still being assessed. In most cases,

and his co-petitioners in the referral were disappointed that Kotek wanted to repeal HB 3991, which would short-circuit the process.

“I understand how the game is played,” Starr said then.

But when OJP shared the AG’s opinion with Starr, he struck a different note.

“This opinion makes the law unmistakably clear,” Starr said. “Once the people invoke the referendum, the Legislature has no authority to repeal it.

The constitution requires an election. There is no statutory workaround, no procedural loophole, and no legal basis to keep this

hygiene items, and toys for their children. A GoFundMe account had been established for the family shortly after the fire.

At press time, $18,159 had been raised through the account. The family posted the following statement on the account page.

“Thank you all so much for helping us though this horrible disaster. We are trying to find a new normal and navigate the insurance claim and all that goes along with that. We are currently working on furnishing a place to stay more permanently

In memory of Claire Hall, a memorial scholarship is being established to support Lincoln County students seeking to further their education. Donations will be accepted at the Celebration event.

Checks may be mailed and made out to Lincoln County Foundation, with Claire Hall’s name in the notes section. The mailing address is: Lincoln County Foundation, PO Box 622 Newport, OR 97365

For more information, email to eliot.sekuler@ gmail.com

APPLICATION PROCESS

Lincoln County has opened the application process for interested county residents to apply to serve the unfinished term of the late Commissioner Claire Hall. Hall was reelected to the Board of Commissioners in November 2024, with her term ending Dec. 31, 2028

Tate, meaning “bringer of joy,” and Shawn in honor of his maternal grandmother in heaven — whose name, Alexis noted, means “God is gracious.”

no destructive tsunami is expected.

For more information about earthquake and tsunami preparedness, visit Tsunami Safety at www.weather.gov/safety/ tsunami

measure off the ballot.”

House Minority Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville) echoed Starr’s displeasure. “When more than a quarter million people sign a petition demanding a vote, the response should be transparency and respect, not backroom maneuvering,” Elmer said. “This is about trusting the people, following the constitution, and letting voters decide for themselves.”

Nigel Jaquiss is a Senior Investigative Reporter with the Oregon journalism project. He may be reached at njaquiss@oregonjournalismproject.org

materials.” Heidt said.

and should be moving out of our friends house by the middle of next week. Thank you all so much for the kind words and support. We are so very grateful!”

Here is the fundraiser link: https://www. gofundme.com/f/support-donner-family-after-house-business-fire

Heidt said investigators found that the fire was caused by a battery failure in a remote-controlled (RC) vehicle.

“Batteries in consumer devices can present a fire hazard if damaged, improperly charged, or stored near combustible

In accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 236 210(2)), the county will accept applications to appoint a commissioner until the next election.

The position of Lincoln County Commissioner is a full-time job. In addition to conducting regular and special business meetings of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, the Board oversees the county administrator and county counsel.

Commissioners serve on the boards of many state, regional, and local agencies and organizations; set county policy; and adopt the county’s annual budget, among other duties.

The salary steps for the county commissioner position ranges from $98 591 to $114 419

“North Lincoln Fire & Rescue reminds community members to follow manufacturer charging instructions, use only approved chargers, avoid charging devices unattended, and store devices and batteries away from flammable materials. These simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of a similar incident.”

Depoe Bay Fire, Nestucca Fire District, Grand Ronde Emergency Services, Lincoln City Police Department, NW Natural, and Pacific Power assisted North Lincoln Fire & Rescue.

Swaddled snugly in his mother’s arms, Mansa slept peacefully during the presentation of the generous “New Year Baby” gift basket. Meanwhile, his big sister eagerly explored the hospital room — and the basket’s contents — with

Williams will return to work as an infant child care provider for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, while Hart continues his business, Sanitized Living, which specializes in commercial and residential cleaning. Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital’s

Tate arrived at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 20½ inches long. Though the couple had plenty of time to consider names, the decision came just moments before the celebratory photo was taken for this story. They chose

“This little boy was a long time coming,” Alexis explained. The couple faced years of infertility, exploring both adoption and medical treatments before a second round of treatment brought success. Tate’s birth required an unplanned C-section due to his position in the birth canal. “His head got stuck,” Corey said with a smile.

Adding to the joy, Tate joins a unique tradition on

The salary includes benefits of health insurance, county contribution to a Health Savings Account, and county contribution to a 401(k), according to county documents. To be eligible, applicants must have been residents of Lincoln County for at least one year (since Jan. 14 2025, at the latest) and be a registered voter.

the Steenkolk side of the family. He is the fourth “New Year” baby in this extended family, all born in Lincoln County. They are great uncle Brent in 1966, great uncle Mark in 1972, cousin G.G. in 2025, and now Tate in 2026. In addition, Alexis’s birthday is Jan. 4, so Tate almost shared a birthday with his mom.

“We got to bring Tate home on my birthday which was the best gift of all,” Alexis said. “We are so blessed!” Lifelong Lincoln County residents, the Shrewsburys own Rowley’s Towing and Pacific Coast Cab.

The application can be found at this link: https:// tinyurl.com/ApplyBOC. Applications will remain open for 16 days – until 5 p.m. Jan. 30 – after which the two sitting commissioners will evaluate applications, conduct interviews and vote to appoint an applicant. Completed applications can be submitted to boc@ co.lincoln.or.us; mailed or delivered to the Lincoln County Courthouse, Room 110 225 W. Olive Street Newport, Oregon 97365; or via FAX at 541-265-4176 For more information, contact Lincoln County Public Information Officer Kenneth Lipp at 541-2654100 or public_affairs@ co.lincoln.or.us

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From Page A1 suffered smoke, water and structural damage, forcing 12 residents from their homes. The American Red Cross is working with local organizations to provide temporary assistance to those displaced.

Tillamook Fire District personnel are now working with Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office on a cause and origin investigation into the blaze, and Christensen said further information would be released as it becomes available.

Lincoln County Cultural Coalition has opened grant applications

Lincoln County Cultural Coalition (LCCC) has opened applications for its FY2026 grant cycle, funding programs delivering arts, culture, heritage, and humanities to the residents of Lincoln County.

Coalition members encourage non-profits, individuals, schools, and civic organizations throughout Lincoln County to learn more and apply online at www.lincolncountycc.org

Applications are due no later than March 6, at 11:59 p.m.

Lincoln County Cultural Coalition awarded $14,500 in County Cultural Grants in 2025 to local non-profits. For the 2026 cycle, up to $16,000 will be awarded (at up to $2 000 per grant). Oregon Cultural Trust provides funding for these grants through annual taxpayer contributions through the state’s unique Cultural Tax Credit. Those donations help fuel culture statewide with large, competitive grants and cultural participation programs in rural and less-populous areas. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Lincoln County, and/ or those that provide significant programming here. Individuals and other groups may also apply if a qualified non-profit organization sponsors them.

Would-be applicants should note that their program or project must occur in 2026, and that one of the following coalition priorities must be addressed: improving access to cultural experiences, raising the cultural awareness of youth, or facilitating infrastructure improvements. In response to the ongoing threat to our vital cultural organizations as a result of the pandemic, the coalition will also consider requests for general operating support and capacity-building projects if submitted by non-profits whose missions address the priorities listed above.

In addition to offering the

Coalition members encourage non-profits, individuals, schools, and civic organizations throughout Lincoln County to learn more and apply online atwww.lincolncountycc. org. Applications are due no later than March 6th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Metro Creative Connection

annual County Cultural Grants, LCCC will also be accepting applications for 2026 funding from the Mark Sponenburgh Memorial Trust (SMT).

Last year, LCCC awarded $18 000 in SMT grants to local non-profits. For the 2026 cycle, up to $15 000 will be awarded (at up to $3,500 per grant). This granting opportunity, through Lincoln County Foundation, is open to schools, individuals, civic groups, and non-profits working in arts education. Eligible projects will support arts education for elementary and middle school students, with a priority placed on music education.

Visit the coalition’s website, at www.lincolncountycc.org, to learn more about LCCC and SMT grants. Please note: Applications must be received by March 6th, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

FY2025 grants were

awarded to:

Conexion Fenix – for culturally-rooted art and handicraft workshops.

• Arcoiris Cultural - to support the Latine Cultural Festival 2025

• Lincoln City Cultural Center - to support arts activities during the 2025 Festival of Illusions

Porthole Players, Ltd. - for playwright stipends, sets for The SpongeBob Musical, and printing costs for play promotions.

Toledo History Center - to improve overhead lighting.

• Lincoln County Historical Society - to digitize photography by Jim Haron.

The Friends of Newport Parks and Recreation, Inc.to cover travel expenses for Montmouth Taiko Japanese drumming group.

Ballet Folklorico Oregon Coast - to purchase authentic

costumes from Chiapas and Jalisco.

LCCC also supported the following local arts education projects for youth, in partnership with the Lincoln County Foundation’s Mark Sponenburgh Memorial Trust:

• Siletz Bay Music Festival - free concerts and a pre-concert lecture series.

Oregon Coast Children’s Theatre & Center for the Arts - touring production of “Tales of the Arabian Nights - Stories from the Silk Road.”

• Neighbors for Kids - visual arts activities and music lessons.

• Lincoln City Cultural Center – therapeutic art program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse.

• Newport Parks and Recreation - flute lesson scholarships.

• St. James Santiago School - spring events dedicated to Shakespeare and the Renaissance in Europe.

GRANT WORKSHOP

Unlocking Opportunities: Lincoln County Cultural Coalition Grant Application Workshop

Join us and take the first step towards deepening your impact on Lincoln County’s cultural landscape!

12 p.m. Thursday, January 29

Attend online (via Zoom) or in person at Newport Performing Arts Center 777 W Olive Street, Newport.

About the Workshop:

This workshop is your gateway to better understanding the grant application process and securing funding for your artistic endeavors. Led by seasoned experts from the Lincoln County Cultural Coalition, this informative session will guide you through the essential elements of a successful grant proposal. Whether you’re a seasoned grant writer looking to refine your skills or a newcomer eager to learn, this workshop will empower you to craft a compelling grant application.

Workshop Highlights:

• Learn the art of persuasive storytelling to communicate your project’s impact effectively.

• Understand the key components of a grant proposal, from project description to budgeting.

Explore successful strategies for aligning your artistic goals with the Lincoln County Cultural Coalition’s priorities. Network with fellow local arts advocates and share insights and experiences. Registration: Attendance is free, but space is limited. Secure your free spot by registering at www.lincolncountycc.org/workshops

Lincoln County employment decreased by 50 jobs in November

JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader

The Oregon Employment Department has released monthly employment and unemployment data for November 2025 in Lincoln County, after a significant delay due to the federal government shutdown. Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6 1% in November, up from 6 0% in September. It was up from 5 2% the year before.

The October unemployment rate is not available since the underlying data was not collected due to the federal government shutdown that month.

The statewide unemployment rate was 5 2% in November, and the national rate was 4 6%. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 50 in November to 18,770 jobs.

Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 290 jobs was expected for the month. The county’s total nonfarm employment actually decreased by 340, with a loss of 360 jobs in the private sector, while government employment increased by 20 Leisure and hospitality lost 180 jobs. Nondurable goods

manufacturing employment decreased by 140. November’s total nonfarm employment numbers were up 60 jobs over the year, an increase of 0 3%.

The largest gains occurred in nondurable goods manufacturing and food and beverage retailers, which rose by 70 jobs each over the year in November. Food services and drinking places lost 60 jobs. Local government, excluding education and tribal employment, added 110 jobs.

OREGON ADDS 1,600 JOBS

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5 2% in November and 5 2% in September. The October unemployment rate is not available since underlying data was not collected due to the federal government shutdown that month, according to a release from the Oregon Employment department.

In November, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1 600 jobs, following a loss of 2,000 jobs in October.

GAINS AND LOSSES

There were 19,654 employed and 1,193 unemployed in November in Lincoln County, according to the Oregon Employment Department. Statewide, there were 2,127,395 employed and 109,855 unemployed in November, according to the Oregon Employment Department report. Metro Creative Connection

November’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+2 100 jobs) and health care and social assistance (+1,000 jobs). Losses were largest in government (-800 jobs) and information (-600 jobs).

Leisure and hospitality experienced an uptick in hiring recently, adding 3,900 jobs between July and November, following a stagnant period of employment from 2023 through mid-2025. Its component industry, accommodation and food services, has been particularly robust, adding 4 900 jobs since July.

Health care and social assistance continued its rapid expansion over the past several years, adding 10,900 jobs, or 3 5%, between November 2024 and November 2025

Government employment cut 2 300 jobs between September and November. Federal government lost 800 jobs during the most recent two months as those taking

early retirement incentives were recorded as dropping off payrolls in October

The information industry cut 1 200 jobs between September and November. At 33,400 total jobs in November, it rapidly declined since reaching a peak of 37,300 jobs three years ago.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 4 6% in November.

Award-winning film to screen at Big Blue Film Fest in Newport

SUBMITTED

We Simply Liked It: Steinbeck, Ricketts, & the Return of the Western Flyer, a short film by Aaron Straight of Soulcraft Allstars, has been named Best Film at the upcoming Big Blue Film Festival, January 23-24, in Newport.

Created in partnership with the Western Flyer Foundation, the film will screen during the festival’s opening reception night, followed by a live panel discussion with members of the expedition and Foundation leadership.

The recognition at Big Blue Film Fest comes as the Western Flyer Foundation works to bring the vessel back to

Grab your valentine, your galentine, your sweetheart, your mom— or a lucky stranger—and let Rizo aim Cupid’s bow straight at your heart February 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm at the Newport Performing Arts Center. Join your own personal diva and her top-notch quartet for a night of music, mischief, and laughter as they dive into Valentine’s Day’s wild, pagan

Rotary wreath campaign a success

JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader

Planning for the Lincoln City Rotary Club’s 2026 holiday wreath campaign will be conducted over the next months, and organizers said the 2025 campaign was a success.

“Our

“Lincoln City Rotary Club has engaged the community in this annual fundraiser for over 40 years, and we estimate about $900,000 has been raised for local scholarships and youth programs,” Rotary Club wreath coordinator Dr. Estle Harlan said.

The Rotary wreaths come from Tuefel’s Holly Farm in Cornelius.

“We received and completed the decoration of 1008 regular wreaths, 84 centerpieces, and three extra-large wreaths’”

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with Oregon Lottery, is pleased to announce the Oregon Teacher of the Year program is once again honoring exemplary educators in every region of the state!

Nominations are open statewide through 5 p.m. on February 11 2026

The Oregon Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across the state. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12 Do you know a

teacher who should be considered for this distinction? Nominate them now! What happens after nominations close in February?

All eligible teachers* who have been nominated will be invited to submit an application. Candidates who apply will then be in the running to be selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year in one of the 19 Education Service Districts statewide. Every Regional Teacher of the Year will be awarded $1,000 and will be celebrated across the state in September.

Finalists for the 202627 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be

STAFF REPORT

Lincoln County Leader

Oregon Community Foundation, in partnership with Oregon Humanities, has named four Oregonians to the Fields Artist Fellowship.

The fellowship awards $150 000 over two years to Oregon-based artists working to address issues within their communities through creativity and cultural expression.

• Amber Kay Ball (Portland) Yanely Rivas Maldonado (Salem)

• Talilo Marfil (Portland)

• Ernesto Javier Martínez (Eugene) “These four people are amazing changemakers,” said Jerry Tischleder,

These investments come at times that will open doors for them in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. It’s going to be amazing to see what they do.”

Senior Program Officer for Arts and Culture at Oregon Community Foundation. “They have deep connections in their communities and are using creativity in vastly different and incredible ways to spark hope, inspiration and connection, and to raise voices that aren’t always heard.

The Fellowship will support these creative individuals to advance their artistic practice and honor and sustain their commitment to create social change within their community. In addition to the $150,000 award, fellows will receive professional development, networking and community-building opportunities throughout the twoyear term.

Community members across the state reviewed

OHA urges screening during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

STAFF REPORT

Lincoln County Leader

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is marking this year’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with a reminder that cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, and vaccinations and screenings— including free screenings for people without insurance—protect against this deadly cancer.

OHA encourages people to get screened for cervical cancer, which includes Pap tests and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests that can find precancerous

HONOR

From Page B1

applications and interviewed finalists to select this cohort of fellows.

The Fellowship term will begin in May 2026 and run through May 2028

In addition to the four fellows, these other finalists will also receive a one-time award of $10 000

• Oluyinka Akinjiola (Portland)

• Micah BlackLight Lael (Ashland)

Chisao Hata (Portland)

• Anthony Hudson

TEACHER

From Page B1

cell changes and detect cervical cancer early. As many as 93% of cervical cancers could be prevented by cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination.

Cervical cancer is a disease in which cells in the cervix grow out of control. The cervix connects the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows during pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Any woman with a cervix is at risk for

(Portland)

• Jose Antonio Huerta (Springfield)

• Fish Martinez (Siletz) Concepcion Samano (Falls City)

Artists of all disciplines and artistic media are eligible for the Fields Artist Fellowship, including writers, filmmakers, visual artists, multimedia artists, culture bearers and performance artists. Eligibility requirements include the following:

• At least five years of professional practice in an artistic discipline or combination of disciplines

selected from amongst the regional winners by a blue ribbon panel. Following additional application questions and interviews, the panel will then select the state honoree. Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives an award of $10 000, as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.

FEST

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Pacific Northwest waters in May and June 2026 for a pilot expedition serving communities in Oregon and Washington

The 24-minute film reflects on the legacy and modern revival of the Western Flyer—the vessel that carried author John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts on their landmark 1940 expedition to the Gulf of California, inspiring The Log from the Sea of Cortez. Rather than reenacting history, the film treats the return voyage as a living inquiry—an invitation to observe the natural world with curiosity, humility, and wonder.

To learn more about Screenwise, and for more resources, go to the program’s web page, or call 877-255-7070. (Courtesy graphic)

cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30,” the CDC website states. “Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during

• At least three years of residence in Oregon and the intent to reside in Oregon for the majority of the fellowship term (May 2026 to May 2028)

• Demonstrable evidence of artistic practice that can engage with community groups and organizations and/ or address community concerns Oregon Community Foundation, in partnership with Oregon Humanities, administers the program and convenes gatherings for the fellows. Funding is provided by the Fred

“My experience thus far as Oregon Teacher of the Year has been nothing short of humbling, exhilarating, heartwarming, and amazing, and my time has only just begun,” said Sally Golden, Oregon’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. “This honor is for every student, parent, educational assistant, specialist, support staff,

Panelists for the Big Blue Film Fest screening include Captain Paul Tate; Dr. Jack Barth, professor of oceanography at Oregon State University and member of the Western Flyer Foundation board; Katie Schreiber, co-producer of the film; and Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director of the Western Flyer Foundation. Schreiber is a longtime collaborator of Straight, founder of Soulcraft Allstars.

“The Western Flyer has always been more than a ship. It’s a place for asking meaningful questions about our relationship with the ocean,” said Dr. Barth. “This film carries forward the spirit of Steinbeck and Ricketts—of paying

attention and observing, sometimes without an agenda—and reminds us that this approach matters not only for understanding the ocean, but for how we see the world and our place in it.”

LOOKING AHEAD:

A RETURN TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The planned May and June 2026 voyage would mark the first step toward establishing a recurring, biennial Western Flyer presence in the Pacific Northwest. Planned stops for the pilot expedition include Coos Bay, Newport, Astoria, and Port Townsend, creating a northbound route connecting coastal communities in Oregon and Washington. During the expedition, students, educators, and researchers would be welcomed aboard in each port for hands-on programs focused on marine science, ocean observation, and place-based learning. The Foundation will also host public tours

sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few will get cervical cancer.” When found early, cervical cancer is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. But people should get

W. Fields Fund of Oregon Community Foundation. This is the fourth cohort of Fields Artist Fellows, joining twelve previous recipients awarded in 2019 2021 and 2024 ABOUT OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. Each year, OCF distributes more than $200 million in grants and scholarships in every

screened for cervical cancer regularly, even if you received an HPV vaccine, according to the OHA.

OHA also urges people to get the HPV vaccine.

It can prevent new HPV infections, but it does not treat existing infections or diseases.

“That’s why the vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV. The vaccine is recommended for all people through age 26, including boys and men,” the OHA states in a release, adding that Oregon’s Screenwise Program helps to alleviate the burden

county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.

ABOUT OREGON HUMANITIES

cancer can cause and reduce health inequities in Oregon through education, screening, early detection, evidence-based care and access to medical treatment.

The program offers cervical cancer screening free of charge for people without insurance. OHA urges people to schedule screenings with their providers. People without a provider should call 211 for assistance.

To learn more about Screenwise, and for more resources, go to the program’s web page, or call 877-255-7070

and community events, offering members of the public the opportunity to step aboard the Western Flyer and see the vessel’s remarkable restoration firsthand. The return would honor the ship’s deep ties to the Pacific Northwest, including her restoration in Port Townsend and long history working in regional waters.

To make the pilot expedition possible, the Foundation is currently seeking time-sensitive support from individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations to underwrite voyage costs, including fuel, crew, and free education programs for coastal students.

Support for the expedition will help ensure this historic vessel can serve Pacific Northwest students and communities in 2026, while laying the groundwork for future return trips.

ABOUT THE FILM

We Simply Liked It

Oregon Humanities connects people and communities through conversation, storytelling, and participatory programs to inspire understanding and collaborative change. More information about our programs and publications — which include Consider This, Conversation Project, Humanity in Perspective, The Detour podcast, Facilitation Training, and Oregon Humanities magazine — can be found at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

teacher, administrator, and community partner who has contributed and taken part in the beauty and magic that is the Springfield Community Transition Program. I am beyond excited to represent my program, my district, and my state and hope to make everyone proud!”

The Oregon Teacher of the Year will also submit an application to be considered for the honor of National Teacher of the Year.

See profiles of the four main artists honored with this story at the Lincoln County Leader website.

If you have questions about the program, please reach out to the Oregon Teacher of the Year Program Coordinator Michelle Goodness. *Prior to nominating, we encourage you to review the Oregon Teacher of the Year eligibility requirements - please see the “About” section on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.

is a poetic, place-based documentary by filmmaker Aaron Straight and Soulcraft Allstars, created in partnership with the Western Flyer Foundation. The film weaves together science, storytelling, and community—from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas to Agua Verde—and features student collaborations, traditional dance, and artistic responses inspired by the Western Flyer. Rather than delivering a single message, it invites viewers to rediscover curiosity as a way of engaging with the natural world.

Additional public screenings are planned for 2026, including in Pacific Grove, California on April 17, 2026. To receive updates on future film events and Foundation programs, supporters are invited to sign up for the Western Flyer Foundation newsletter at www.westernflyer.org/newsletter.

ABOUT THE WESTERN FLYER FOUNDATION

The Western Flyer Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and owner-operator of the historic research vessel Western Flyer. The Foundation stewards the

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vessel’s restoration, care, and programs, using the ship as a platform for ocean science, education, and research. Learn more at www.westernflyer.org.

ABOUT SOULCRAFT ALLSTARS

Soulcraft Allstars is a creative production company specializing in telling compelling stories through film and visual media. Their projects span documentary, education, and activism, with a focus on amplifying narratives that create impact. Learn more at www.soulcraftallstars.com.

ABOUT BIG BLUE FILM FEST

The Big Blue Film Festival is an annual ocean-themed film festival held in Newport, Oregon, celebrating films that connect science, art, and the marine environment. The festival is a collaboration between Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, and the Newport Performing Arts Center.

See more at https:// hmsc.oregonstate.edu/ big-blue-film-fest

BOB GIBSON Leader Guest Column

This is my initial column, after a break of several years. This column will be a place to come for information and suggestions regarding your photography.

I am a full-time professional photographer.

I have a store-front studio in the Historic Taft District of Lincoln City.

I do portraiture, event, product, real estate, landscape, seascape, underwater and performance photography. I have purposely broadened my scope of work to accommodate many of the needs in our community.

I opened my studio in Lincoln City in 2005

Your Photographic Journey

I have had the good fortune to photograph musicians and performances. As the festival photographer for the Siletz Bay Music Festival, I have had access to world class musicians and performances. That led to photography opportunities at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival. All of this led to opportunities doing photography at the Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. I have shown this work in both group and solo shows. I bring this up to highlight

a critical element of photography. The only way to get the photograph is to be there. Whether it’s in your garden, on the beach or a performance in New Orleans, the photographer who is there, gets he shot. The camera becomes a reason to “be there.”

If you recently acquired a camera, congratulations!

You are embarking on a wonderful adventure. Don’t let the vocabulary and instructions that come with the camera be intimidating. Learn how to put batteries and a memory card in the camera and turn it on. There will be easy instructions for putting the camera in auto or program mode. Do this and start taking pictures.

There will be settings, buttons and adjustments that will help you get the most out of camera. For now, find the joy in making photographs. Whether you dive into family photographs, seascapes or garden photographs, you will feel the excitement of creating memories. Digital photography has created an environment that allows the new photographer to progress quickly. You can experiment without the expense of film and developing.

You are starting your photographic journey with a sophisticated piece of equipment. Current cameras use onboard computers to measure light and set a useable exposure. They are also able to properly focus your images. To be sure, as you progress, other settings and adjustments will be important. The computers in our cameras are powerful and provide a good place to start. You

will want to learn how to take control of the camera’s computer and use it to create the vision in your mind’s eye. In future columns I will discuss unlocking the power within the camera. I am often asked; “What is the best camera?” The answer is always the same. It’s the camera you have with you. In other words, a great camera, left in the closet, is not effective. So, when looking at the options for acquiring a new camera, consider what you will carry. The camera built into the smart phone is quite capable. Much of what I write about in this column can be applied to the phone camera. I will be discussing specific strategies for using the phone camera. Bob Gibson is a Lincoln County photographer. He may be reached at The Photography Studio, 4846 SE Highway 101, in Lincoln City.

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts 2026 Annual meeting

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA) is pleased to invite the public to an afternoon of reflection and revelry, centered around the organization’s 2026 Annual Meeting, Saturday, Feb. 7, in the lobby of the Newport Performing Arts Center.

First, at 3 p.m., the OCCA Annual Meeting offers a unique opportunity for residents, artists, members, and patrons to hear directly from OCCA leadership. As the regional arts council for the central coast and manager of both the Newport Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC), OCCA

serves as the backbone of the local creative economy.

The 2026 meeting will feature a year-in-review presentation by Executive Director Jason Holland, highlighting the milestones of 2025, and a glimpse at the organization’s future.

“Our annual meeting is a time to celebrate the vibrant community that makes the arts possible here,” Holland said. “It’s about more than just numbers; it’s about the stories of the thousands of people who walked through our doors this past year to experience live theatre, visual art, music, dance, arts learning, cultural

connections, and more. We’re excited to celebrate 2025 and share what’s next as we look ahead to a busy 2026.”

Following the annual meeting, “Party Gras” will take place at 4:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food, drinks, live music, and art-making as they celebrate the creativity and connections that make our community thrive. Event Details:

and open to the public

Historic ocean treaty underpinned by Oregon State University

STEVE LUNDEBERG Leader Guest Article

Oregon State University research into marine protected areas plays a crucial role in the historic “High Seas Treaty” that took effect Jan. 17

Less than two years after OSU scientists led the publication of a landmark marine protected area guide in Science, the United Nations in June 2023 adopted the text of the treaty. The treaty’s aim is to safeguard and sustainably use the high seas, the two-thirds of the ocean not under individual nations’ control.

Known officially as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, the treaty was under discussion for more than two decades. Once the agreement was opened for signatures, it took just three days for an economically and geographically diverse collection of 81 U.N. member states, including the U.S., to sign it, giving a non-binding signal of their intent to comply.

The first nation to ratify the High Seas Treaty –providing formal consent to being legally bound by it – was Palau in January 2024. The terms of the treaty call for it to go into effect 120 days after 60 nations have ratified it, and Morocco became the 60th on Sept. 19 2025

“It’s time to celebrate,” said Oregon State University Distinguished Professor Jane Lubchenco, senior author of “The MPA Guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean,” published in Science in September 2021

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to protect and sustainably use the biodiversity in an area covering nearly half the planet,” said Lubchenco, who writes about the treaty in an article published today in Nature Reviews Biodiversity. “That area houses phenomenal biodiversity, but it’s declining and at risk. This new treaty is a very big deal and very good news – science is informing pioneering global policy, and needs to continue doing so.”

OSU’s Kirsten GrorudColvert and Jenna Sullivan-Stack were the lead authors of the MPA Guide, coordinating the contributions of more than three dozen scientists from around the globe to produce a road map for helping nations better plan, evaluate and monitor marine protected areas. MPAs are parts of the ocean set aside to protect ecosystems from extractive activities such as fishing, mining and drilling.

The World Data Base on Protected Areas, a United Nations affiliate,

University’s Jane Lubchenco, second from right, was one of four U.S. representatives who participated in the U.S.’s signing of the High Seas Treaty on the first day the treaty was open for signature. (Courtesy from OSU Oregon State)

has adopted the MPA Guide and hosts its documents on its Protected Planet website, and the MPAtlas, an independent, non-governmental authority on ocean protection, bases its determinations on the MPA Guide. MPAs are categorized based on their level of protection.

“The guide was the culmination of decades of work by hundreds of scientists and stakeholders and established a structure for an evidence-based understanding of where we stand on ocean protection,” said GrorudColvert, associate professor of integrative biology in the College of Science. “We obviously still have

a lot of work to do, but the High Seas Treaty represents another huge milestone and I’m really proud of the part OSU plays in providing the science for establishing MPAs on the high seas.”

Grorud-Colvert and Sullivan-Stack reflect further on the treaty in an editorial published today in Science.

Lubchenco says marine protected areas can deliver tangible ecological, conservation and social outcomes and are effective at protecting biodiversity from abatable threats if properly designed and supported.

In addition to Lubchenco,

Grorud-Colvert and Sullivan-Stack, Oregon State’s Vanessa Constant and Ana Spalding also contributed to the MPA Guide project. Constant was an integrative biology doctoral student at the time, and Spalding is a courtesy professor of marine and coastal policy in the colleges of Liberal Arts and Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

“We need the social sciences if the High Seas Treaty is to reach its potential,” said Lubchenco, who has served in numerous federal leadership roles including head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration. “Social sciences emphasize the importance of inclusivity of geographies and cultures for effective treaty implementation.”

To date, 145 of the United Nations’ 193 member states have signed the treaty, and 81 have ratified it. The U.S. signed the treaty in 2023 but is not among the ratifying nations.

“Ratification is in every country’s interest,” Lubchenco said. “It means having a voice and vote in decisions, such as about creating marine protected areas or allowing activities like geoengineering or deep-ocean aquaculture that might impact their domestic fisheries or coastal waters. Not ratifying means you’re ceding power to other nations for decisions that affect everyone.”

Lubchenco’s article in Nature Reviews Biodiversity includes a link to a map, known as a Spilhaus projection, that shows both the one-third of the ocean under countries’ national jurisdiction – known as Exclusive Economic Zones – and the two-thirds that make up the high seas. The new map was created through a partnership among Lubchenco, Cory Langhoff of the College of Earth, Ocean, and

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sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. You may reach the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at 503-684-3763 or toll-free in Oregon at 800-452-7636 or you may visit its website at: www.osbar.org. Legal assistance may be available if you have a low income and meet federal poverty guidelines. For more information and a directory of legal aid programs, go to http://www. oregonlawhelp.org. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to Lisa Summers, Paralegal, (541) 686-0344 (TS #30057.31725). DATED: October 30, 2025. Nancy K. Cary, Successor Trustee, Hershner Hunter, LLP, P.O. Box 1475, Eugene, OR 97440. 1/21/26 1/28/26 2/4/26 2/11/26 LCL26-027 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR LINCOLN COUNTY PROBATE DEPARTMENT. In the Matter of the Estate of: JOAN ELIZABETH SNYDER, Deceased. Case No. 25PB11201. NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months from this date at the law offices of Watkinson Laird Rubenstein, P.C., 1246 N.E. Seventh Street, Suite B, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526; claims not so presented may be barred. The rights of the heirs and devisees may be affected by this proceeding. Additional information may be obtained from the Court records, the personal representative or the attorneys for the estate. Dated and Published: January 21, 2026. Stephen J. Snyder, Personal Representative 1/21/26 LCL26-026 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN Probate Department. Case No.: 26PB00206. NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. In the Matter of the Estate of Ann Munro Snow, Deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Susan F. Snow has been duly appointed as Personal Representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned attorney for the personal representative at 1211 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1900, Portland, OR 97204, within four months after the date of publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the attorney for the Personal Representative. Dated and published on January 21, 2026. Susan F. Snow, Personal Representative, 14075 NW Old German-

town Road, Portland, OR 97231. Margaret A. Vining, OSB #081546, Schwabe, Williamson, & Wyatt, PC, 1211 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1900, Portland, OR 97204 1/21/26

LCL26-025 NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON for the County of Lincoln, In the Matter of the Estate of Jack Randall Morris, Case no 25PB09761, Kyle Keith Morris has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the personal representative at 580 NW Aspen, Toledo, Oregon 97391, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the lawyers for the personal representative, Margaret E Dailey, Attorney, P O Box 552, Newport, Oregon 97365, (541) 265-8805. 1/21/26

LCL26-022 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE

COUNTY OF LINCOLN. In the Matter of the Estate of PHYLLIS JOAN KNOX, Deceased. Case No. 25PB11196. NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the under-signed personal representative at PO BOX 199, Lincoln City, OR 97367, within four months after the date of publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the lawyer for the personal representative, Traci P. McDowall at Newport Law, LLC. DATED AND PUBLISHED ON: January 21, 2026. /s/ Traci P. McDowall, OSB #184063, Attorney for Personal Representative. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Richard Hatton, PO Box 199, Lincoln City, OR 97367, (541) 921-0647. LAWYER FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Traci P. McDowall, OSB #184063, Newport Law, LLC, 111 SE Douglas St. Suite F3, Box C, Newport, OR 97365, T: (541) 264-8157, traci@ thenewportlaw.com 1/21/26 LCL26-021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN PROBATE DEPARTMENT. ESTATE OF JAY

DOLPHIN REAL ESTATE, LLC Licensed in the State of Oregon RBN200906015 425 E Olive St Newport, OR 97365 (800) 365-6638 (541) 265-6638 WEBSITE: www.drellc.us RENTAL & SALES Residential, Commercial & Multi Family Office Hours: Open by appointment only. Available via phone and email Monday-Friday 10AM to 4PM. loren@drellc.us Closed weekends Equal Housing Opportunity 999 PUBLIC NOTICES LCL26-018 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE. The Trustee under the terms of the Trust Deed described herein, at the direction of the Beneficiary, hereby elects to sell the property described in the Trust Deed to satisfy the obligations secured thereby. Pursuant to ORS 86.771, the following information is provided: 1. PARTIES: Grantor: JEREMY J. BACCI, Trustee: WESTERN TITLE & ESCROW COMPANY, Successor Trustee: NANCY K. CARY, Beneficiary: COLUMBIA BANK FKA UMPQUA BANK. 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The real property is described as follows: Beginning at a point 856.5 feet North of the center of Section 17, in Township 11 South, Range 10 West, Willamette Meridian, in Lincoln County, Oregon; thence North 216 feet; thence East 418 feet; thence in a Southeasterly direction along Olalla Slough to a point that is 586 feet East of the place of beginning; thence West to the said point and place of beginning. Except that portion lying Easterly of the West line of that certain tract of land described in deed to Lincoln County for road purposes recorded January 16, 1940, in Book 83, page 320, Deed Records. 3. RECORDING. The Trust Deed was recorded as follows: Date Recorded: July 13, 2020, Recording No. 2020-06875, Official Records of Lincoln County, Oregon. 4. DEFAULT. The Grantor or any other person obligated on the Trust Deed and Promissory Note secured thereby is in default and the Beneficiary seeks to foreclose the Trust Deed for failure to pay: Monthly payments in the amount of $768.24 each, due the first of each month, for the months of April 2024 through January 2025; plus monthly payments at the new payment amount of $779.19 each, due the first of each month, for the months of February 2025 through October 2025; plus late charges and advances; plus any unpaid real property taxes or liens, plus interest. 5. AMOUNT DUE. The amount due on the Note which is secured by the Trust Deed referred to herein is: Principal balance in the amount of $63,309.30; plus interest at the rate of 3.250% per annum from March 1, 2024; plus late charges of $270.72; plus advances and foreclosure attorney fees and costs. 6. Trustee’s Notice SALE OF PROPERTY. The Trustee hereby states that the property will be sold to satisfy the obligations secured by the Trust Deed. A of Default and Election to Sell Under Terms of Trust Deed has been recorded in the Official Records of Lincoln County, Oregon. 7. TIME OF SALE. Date: March 19, 2026 Time: 11:00 a.m. Place: Lincoln County Courthouse, Main Entrance (parking lot side) 225 W. Olive, Newport, Oregon 97365. 8. RIGHT TO REINSTATE. Any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right, at any time that is not later than five days before the Trustee conducts the sale, to have this foreclosure dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due, other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred, by curing any other default that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed and by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and Trust Deed, together with the trustee’s and attorney’s fees not exceeding the amount provided in ORS 86.778. NOTICE REGARDING POTENTIAL HAZARDS (This notice is required for notices of sale sent on or after January 1, 2015.) Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property

St South Beach, Oregon 97366. Saturday, 1/31/2026 @ 10:00am. C24 - Anna Stravalle, C37 - Angie Graham, N04 - Angie Graham, D29 - Lucy Keith, E29E30 - Philip Meredith, F31 - Holly Torrey, N03 - Rachael Nickerson, R22F - Jose Garcia Villanueva. Sale Subject to Cancellation. Safe-Lock Storage reserves the Right to refuse any and all bids. 1/14/26 1/21/26 LCL26-013 NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE #260013. On February 19, 2026, at the hour of 10:00 a.m., at the Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 W Olive St, Room 203, in the City of Newport, Oregon, the defendants’ interests will be sold, subject to redemption, in the following time share interests, which will be sold individually and all of which are located at 939 NW Highway 101, Depoe Bay, OR 97341, commonly known as THE RESORT AT WHALE POINTE CONDOMINIUMS: (1) Time Share Interest H in Unit 127, (2) Time Share Interest F in Unit 126. The court case number is 25CV45420, Association of Unit Owners of the Resort at Whale Pointe Merged Condominiums, plaintiff vs. Robert Lynn Berry, Sr., Personal Rep-

ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION 8, 209.0 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89° 51’ EAST PARALLEL TO 11TH STREET IN THE CITY OF TOLEDO, 147.0 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING WHICH POINT IS ON THE SOUTH LINE OF THEPARCEL CONVEYED TO G.L. SANFORD, ET UX, BV DEED RECORDED MARCH 15, 1965 IN BOOK 253 29, DEED RECORDS; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 89° 51’ EAST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SANFORD PARCEL 93.0 FEET TO THE WEST LINE OF SPRUCE STREET; THENCE SOUTH 0° 20’ EAST PARALLEL TO THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION, 60 FEET TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE PARCEL CONVEYED TO HARVEY WERDER, ET UX, BY DEED RECORDED AUGUST 16, 1963 IN BOOK 237, PAGE 115, DEED RECORDS; THENCE NORTH 89° 51’ WEST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID WERDER PARCEL 96.43 FEET; THENCE NORTH 2° 58’ EAST 60 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. APN: R394413 Commonly known as: 1262 NW Meadow Ln., Toledo, OR 97391 The undersigned hereby certifies that based upon business records there are no known written assignments of the trust deed by the trustee or by the beneficiary and no appointments of a successor trustee have been made, except as recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the above described real property is situated. Further, no action has been instituted to recover the debt, or any part thereof, now remaining secured by the trust deed, or, if such action has been instituted, such action has been dismissed except as permitted by ORS 86.752(7). Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. There is a default by grantor or other person owing an obligation, performance of which is secured by the trust deed, or by the successor in interest, with respect to provisions therein which authorize sale in the event of such provision. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sum: TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE:

$4,742.15 TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $55,917.87 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-today, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay. By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by the trust deed immediately due and payable, those sums being the following, to- wit: 1. The installments of principal and interest which became due on May 1, 2025, and all subsequent installments of principal and interest through the date of this Notice, plus amounts that are due for late charges, delinquent property taxes, insurance premiums, advances made on senior liens, taxes and/or insurance, trustee’s fees, and any attorney fees and court costs arising from or associated with the beneficiaries efforts to protect and preserve its security, all of which must be paid as a condition of reinstatement, including all sums that shall accrue through reinstatement or pay-off. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a waiver of any fees owing to the Beneficiary under the Deed of Trust pursuant to the terms of the loan documents. Whereof, notice hereby is given that Affinia Default Services, LLC, the undersigned trustee will on April 15, 2026 at the hour of 10:00 AM (PST), as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, At the south entrance of the Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365, County of Lincoln, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. For Sale Information, contact NPP at (916) 939-0772 or www.nationwidepost-

ing.com. In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by Affinia Default Services, LLC. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS THAT SETS FORTH SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO A TENANT OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS 86.771. Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Affinia Default Services, LLC may be deemed to be a debt collector and any information obtained may be used for that purpose. File No.: 25-00839OR Dated: 12/02/2025 Affinia Default Services, LLC By: /s/ Phally Eng Name: Phally Eng Title: Foreclosure Processor Trustee’s Mailing Address: Affinia Default Services, LLC 16000 Christensen Rd., Suite 310 Tukwila, WA 98188 Phone Number: (503) 836-3799 Trustee’s Physical Address: Affinia Default Services, LLC 10151 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 490 Clackamas, OR 97015 Email: inquiries@affiniadefault. com NPP0481635 To: LINCOLN COUNTY LEADER 01/07/2026, 01/14/2026, 01/21/2026, 01/28/2026 LCL26-001 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TS NO.: 138585-OR LOAN NO.: ******2904 Reference is made to that certain trust deed (the “Deed of Trust”) executed by ANITA KNUTSON AND ROBERT C. HUTCHINS, HUSBAND AND WIFE, as Grantor, to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, C/O FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE COMPANY OF OREGON, as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS DESIGNATED NOMINEE FOR JFQ LENDING, LLC, BENEFICIARY OF THE SECURITY INSTRUMENT, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, as Beneficiary, dated 3/11/2022, recorded 3/23/2022, as Instrument No. 202203106, in the Official Records of Lincoln County, Oregon, which covers the following described real property situated in Lincoln County, Oregon: Lots 3 and 4, Block E, BEAR CREEK HIDEOUT, County of Lincoln and State of Oregon. APN: R131342 / 07-10-10-AB-0210000 Commonly known as: 1799 N DORIS LN OTIS, OR 97368 The current beneficiary is: UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the above-described real property to satisfy the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and notice has been recorded pursuant to ORS 86.752(3). The default for which the foreclosure is made is the grantor’s failure to pay when due, the following sums: Delinquent Payments: Dates: Total: 2/1/2025 - 12/1/2025 $7,679.65 Late Charges: $0.00 Beneficiary Advances: $1,173.74 Total Required to Reinstate: $8,853.39 TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $101,567.99 By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by the Deed of Trust immediately due and payable, including: the principal sum of $95,616.35 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.75 % per annum, from 1/1/2025 until paid, plus all accrued late charges, and all trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs, and any sums advanced by the beneficiary pursuant

to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Trust Whereof, notice hereby is given that the undersigned trustee, CLEAR RECON CORP, whose address is 1915 NE Stucki Avenue, Suite 400, Hillsboro, OR 97006, will on 4/28/2026, at the hour of 1:00 PM, standard time, as established by ORS 187.110, At the Public Entrance of the Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 West Olive Street, Newport, OR 97365, sell at public auction to the highest bidder in the form of cash equivalent (certified funds or cashier’s check) the interest in the above-described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time it executed the Deed of Trust, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired

after the execution of the Deed of Trust, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Deed of Trust reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than the portion of principal that would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorneys’ fees, and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the Deed of Trust at any time not later than five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting

the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the Deed of Trust, the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their

of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned

Trustee will on March 31, 2026 at the hour of 10:00 AM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the south entrance of the Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365 County of Lincoln, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding

dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place

a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 11/13/2025

By: Nathan F. Smith, OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 NPP0481390 To: LINCOLN COUNTY LEADER 12/31/2025, 01/07/2026, 01/14/2026, 01/21/2026

EAGLES

From Page B8

Eddyville pushed the scorelines to 10 or more, with the biggest win of the season coming in an 84-29 runout win against Yoncalla in the opening game of the season.

With nine more games before the playoffs (not counting the game against Alsea), Eddyville is focusing on tightening the screws on defense and continuing to hone its laser-precise jump shooting. Though they have been on a roll, Townsend wants his team to maintain their focus and intensity as they face the challenges ahead.

“We grind. They know they’re winning, but they don’t know they’re winning. Meaning: it’s not like we go to practice

TREATY

From Page B3

Atmospheric Sciences, and Dawn Wright of Esri, a company that develops geographic information systems software.

Wright, chief scientist at Esri, also holds a courtesy appointment in CEOAS.

“The map is a different view from what folks are used to seeing,” Lubchenco said. “I like it because it emphasizes that although there are multiple ocean basins – the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, etc. – there is really only one ocean; it’s all connected. Other Spilhaus projections have been created, but none that any of us could find that showed EEZs and the

and I give them a pat on the back, we are grinding every day,” Townsend said.

Townsend is excited about his group this year, not just about the on-court talent, but also about the positive vibes in the locker room. What Townsend hopes to achieve by the end of the season is a top-8 finish.

“We’re really focused on that. Can we get into that top eight before the playoffs? Last year, we were #17 or #18, so we got a home playoff game because we won the league, but we had to travel to Crane [in the second round],” Townsend said. “You don’t want to have to travel to get to Baker.” If the Eagles continue their hot streak, home court advantage looks within their talons.

high seas, so we created one.”

In addition to being NOAA’s administrator from 2009 to 2013, Lubchenco led the Climate and Environment team at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2021 to 2025 and was the State Department’s Science Envoy for the Ocean from 2014 to 2016 At Oregon State she is the Wayne and Gladys Valley Professor of Marine Biology and Distinguished Professor of Integrative Biology. Steve Lundeberg is a news and research writer at Oregon State University. He may be reached at Steve. Lundeberg@oregonstate. edu

Eddyville Eagles have eyes on state playoffs

WILL LOHRE Lincoln County Leader

The 2024-2025 season was one of the best in recent memory for the Eddyville boys basketball team, and in his second season as head coach, Eddie Townsend has his sights set higher. After a 12-3 start, Townsend is hoping his Eagles can fly high into the postseason.

Townsend took over the Eagles basketball team before last year, and took a team that finished 9-14 in 2024 to the state playoffs with a 22-6 record. It was also the first time the program had won the Mountain West League since 1996, ending a 29-year drought.

This year, Townsend wants to keep the momentum going and earn a spot in the top eight so his team can secure home-court advantage in the championship bracket. A state championship-winning coach at Toledo High School in 2020, Townsend knows what it takes to win in the pressure cooker. Now he and his team are hoping to put themselves in a position to make the final site of the state tournament in Baker.

“That’s what we’re focused on. Every day, every practice, every game, we want to go out there and act as if it’s the game to get to Baker,” Townsend said. “In a regular year, [Eddyville] hasn’t been there in a long time. But I think we can compete for a state title this year. We’ve gone toe to toe with the best teams in the state. We have the players, and we have the ability: it just comes down to what you’re gonna do on a specific night.”

So far, Eddyville has shown they can hang with any of their peers. All three of the

The Eagles grabbed a hard earned 47-40 win against the Boomers, adding an 11th consecutive victory to their record.

Eagles’ losses have been against top-five 1A programs.

The loss against #5 North Clackamas Christian on Dec. 9 was actually a forfeit as a result of playing an ineligible player too many minutes. If not for that, Eddyville would have beaten the Saints by nine. In the other two losses against #3 Crosspoint Christian and #1 County Christian, the Eagles led both teams at various points. Even though they didn’t win, Eddyville proved they belong in the conversation among the top teams. Though the forfeit against

North Clackamas Christian went into the books as a loss, Eddyville is enjoying a fantastic run of wins at the moment, having won 11 games in a row, prior to playing Alsea on Jan. 20. The result of that game is unknown at the time of press.

Ahead of the Alsea game, the Eagles were soaring off the back of a 47-40 win against 2A Toledo, Townsend’s former team. Townsend said he believes it was the first time the Eagles have ever beaten Toledo.

Playing against a bigger school on the road, Eddyville

exhibited the grit and execution to extend its winning streak. At the center of the Toledo win was one of Eddyville’s senior captains, Darian Schultz. Schultz was dominant on the gridiron for Eddyville’s football team this fall, but he showed what makes him a two-sport threat against the Boomers.

“He thoroughly dominated the game against Toledo. He had 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and seven steals. He just dominated the game,” Townsend said. “They were up 7-2, and he came out and literally hit five straight threes on

five straight possessions. We just took the game over and went up by as much as 17.” Schultz did it on both ends for the Eagles, and paired with the scoring excellence of junior captain Nixon Clendenin, the two put on a show against Toledo. It was a microcosm of the quality they have shown throughout the season. The seven-point win against Toledo marked Eddyville’s 12th win, and the third that was decided by a single-digit scoring margin. In the nine other victories,

See EAGLES, page B6

Tigers and Cubs grab wins at Taft Invitational

WILL LOHRE

Lincoln County Leader

There were plenty of Tigers and Cubs making a splash at the Taft Invitational Jan. 13, and Taft and Newport came out as the biggest fish in a four-team pool. Rainier and Seaside also made the journey to the Lincoln City Community Center Pool to compete at Taft’s home meet, but it was the hosts and nearby neighbors who were the big winners from the event. Team scores from the meet were: GIRLS

1. Newport - 540

2. Taft - 458

3. Seaside - 248

4. Rainier - 96

1. Taft - 491

2. Seaside - 372

BOYS

3. Newport - 362

4. Rainer - 28

COMBINED BOYS AND GIRLS SCORES

Taft - 949

Newport - 902

Seaside - 620 Rainier - 124

A NOTE ON THE NEWPORT TRIMEET AND SENIOR NIGHT

The Newport Cubs hosted a threeteam meet at the Newport Aquatic Center on Jan. 9. It was a special day

for Newport as they celebrated the program’s seniors at the final meet of the season. Newport welcomed 6A West Salem and 4A rival Philomath for a day of swimming and celebration. When the waters stilled, the final point tallies were: GIRLS

1. Newport - 126

2. West Salem - 112

3. Philomath - 57 BOYS

1. Newport - 107

2. Philomath - 106

3. West Salem - 65

The double win was made all the more special because the event was also a time to recognize the program’s

seniors: Brynn Hillebrand, Anaid Hernandez, Pacie Young, Sam Smith, and Zane Carver. During the meet, Cub swimmers had a number of personal best times recorded, along with 27 top-six finishes. The Tri-meet was the first time this season that the entire roster of 27 athletes took part in the same meet, and no better place to reach that mark than at a home meet.

Head Coach John Wray credited freshmen Skyla Chen, Dylan Gibson, Leo Granilio, Hudson Cline, and Rowan Pettett, and sophomore Gigi Howard for excellent swims en route to wellrounded team performances. The Cubs also recorded four relay wins along with eight individual race 1st place finishes.

Newport Jr. Cubs continue perfect season

WILL LOHRE Lincoln County Leader

While the focus has primarily been on high school basketball during a packed winter schedule, some of Lincoln County’s youth have been having a season to remember on the basketball court. The Newport Jr Cubs 5th-grade boys basketball team is enjoying an undefeated season and recently secured another tournament win.

Playing at the MLK “I Have A Dream” Classic over the weekend of Jan. 17-18 in Salem, the Junior Cubs improved to 16-0 on the season with a fourth straight tournament win of the year. The tournament final was played against Pleasant Hill, and there was no stopping the Cubs from getting their paws on the gold medals.

Newport put together an offensive show, beating Pleasant Hill 56-29 in the championship game. The MLK Classic was the second tournament of 2026 for the Cubs, and Newport also grabbed a first-place, 4-0 finish at a tournament in Springfield Jan. 3-4. This time, the Cubs beat Team Flight in a tight 42-35 final.

Propelled by these excellent results, the Junior Cubs are currently the #1 team in the Oregon Boys Small School Division with five weeks remaining until the state tournament. Last year, the 5th-grade Junior Cubs were runners-up at the state tournament and finished the season with a 23-4 record. The Cubs will be hoping to one-up themselves this season and capture the state crown.