LCL1210

Hall submits statement of justification to stay in office, fight recall

JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader

Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall has made it official. She will remain in office and fight a recall effort against her.

Hall had 5 days to decide if she would

resign or if she would issue a statement of justification to the Lincoln County Clerk as to why should remain in office, following the county clerk’s certification of recall signature petitions Dec. 2

Hall issued the following formal justification

statement Monday, Dec. 8

For twenty years, I have stood for all citizens of Lincoln County. I have been a voice for all, but have always believed that some of our neighbors need and deserve extra support, especially for essential needs such as

food, shelter, housing, and medical care.

Over my years as a commissioner, I’ve advocated and implemented regulations for short term rentals (STR) to protect the livability of our community. I’ve overseen the building of hundreds of affordable housing units,

supported the creation and expansion of health clinics (FQHCs), tripled staffing to expand veteran benefits, and grew transit services while maintaining nominal cost for riders. Recently, I’ve implemented the winter

Rescue helicopter returns for now

Will remain in Newport, Oregon’s US senators say

SHAANTH NANGUNERI Oregon Capital Chronicle

The U.S Coast Guard has promised to indefinitely return a life-saving rescue helicopter to its facility at Newport’s Municipal Airport, Oregon’s two U.S. senators said Thursday, Dec. 4, capping weeks of angst in the town ahead of a dangerous crab fishing season.

Dungeness

The U.S. Coast Guard removed the helicopter in late October with no public explanation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for why it was relocated to a North Bend Coast Guard facility nearly 70 miles away.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, Rep. Val Hoyle and local officials have all previously said they were trying to find out why the helicopter was removed amid speculation that the Trump administration could be repurposing the site for Oregon’s first long-term immigration detention facility.

See HELICOPTER, page A7

Crab season to open Dec. 16

JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced in a release Dec. 5 Oregon will open the north coast to align with Washington once Long Beach crab meet

the 23 percent meat fill criteria. The earliest this area could open, pending meat fill, is Dec. 31 The commercial bay crab fishery also opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border in conjunction with the ocean fishery.

‘Recklessly burning items, banging on walls,’ leads to arrest

Newport Bay Motel, 754 SW Coast Highway, at approximately 8:46 a.m. Nov.

While officers were on scene, they spoke with multiple witnesses and learned 43-yearold Travis Painter, of Newport, had been recklessly burning items inside of a hotel room and was acting erratically by banging on the walls and creating

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

It is always important to stay alert while driving, especially during this time of year when weather conditions can rapidly become hazardous. Driving while drowsy or tired is especially dangerous. Sleepiness slows your reaction time, decreases awareness, and impairs your judgment just like drugs or alcohol. People who are very sleepy behave in similar ways to people who are drunk. Below are several safety tips to keep in mind before hitting the road.

TO REMAIN ALERT AND AVOID DROWSINESS:

• Getting plenty of sleep the night before a long trip.

The incident occurred at the Newport Bay Motel, 754 SW Coast Highway, in Newport. (Courtesy photo)

a disturbance. according to a release from the Newport Police

Department. Based on the information gathered through

their investigation, officers believed Painter was at risk of catching the building on fire. Officers made several attempts to have Painter exit the room, but he was uncooperative with officers’ commands.

Given the circumstances and the threat of harm to property and human life, officers applied for a search warrant to enter the residence and take Painter into custody. The search warrant was granted and executed a short while later.

Officers made entry into the hotel room and took Painter into custody

SHERIFF’S TIP OF THE WEEK

For more information and tips visit www. lincolncountysheriff.net (Courtesy from the LCSO)

• If you are tired, find a safe place to stop and take a nap or have an alert passenger drive. Traveling at times when you are normally awake and staying overnight rather

than driving straight through. Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles.

• Stop driving if you become sleepy. Someone who is tired

could fall asleep at any time. Fatigue impacts reaction time, judgment, and vision, causing people who are very sleepy to behave in similar ways to those who are drunk.

• Avoid working all day and then driving all night.

• Drink a caffeinated beverage. Since it takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream, find a safe place to take a 20-30 minute nap while you’re waiting for the caffeine to take effect.

• Avoid sleepy times of day. Take a mid-afternoon nap and find a place to sleep between midnight and 6 a.m.

• Traveling with an awake passenger. You are too tired to drive if you’re

without further incident, the release states. Painter was arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for the following charges:

• Disorderly Conduct in the 2nd Degree

• Recklessly Endangering another Person The incident remained under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-5745455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@ newportpolice.net.

experiencing any of the following:

• Having trouble keeping your eyes open and focused. The inability to keep your head up.

• Daydreaming or having wandering, disconnected thoughts. Drifting from your lane or off the road or tailgating.

• Yawning frequently or rubbing your eyes repeatedly.

• Missing signs or driving past your intended exit.

• Feeling irritable and restless.

• Being unable to remember how far you have traveled or what you have recently passed. For more information and tips visit www.lincolncountysheriff.net

Dry or wildfire-damaged household wells grants available

The Oregon Water Resources Department is now accepting grant applications for the Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund (WARRF) to help lowto moderate-income homeowners with the cost to repair or replace and abandon a dry well or a well damaged or destroyed by wildfire. WARRF provides up to $40,000 per grant to

eligible homeowners.

A total of $1 4 million is available, and grants will be awarded on a

first-come, first-serve basis.

Homeowners who meet all the following criteria

The Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund provides up to $40,000 per grant to eligible homeowners. A total of $1.4 million is available, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, firstserve basis. (Courtesy photo)

may be eligible.

The well:

• Is connected to the home to supply water for household use

• Can no longer provide enough water for essential in-home use including drinking, cooking and bathing

• Is not a public water supply well

The property:

• Has no other available source of water

• Is owner-occupied on a full-time basis (unless displaced by wildfire)

The owner:

• Owns no other property

• For dry wells, has owned the property for at least one year

• For damaged or destroyed wells, owned the property before the fire

Apply or learn more at owrd.info/warrf. For

assistance, or to request a paper application, call 503-779-5763 or email owrd.well.funding@ water.oregon.gov. In addition, Oregonians experiencing a dry well are encouraged to report it to OWRD via owrd. info/reportdrywell to OWRD. This reporting helps scientists and water managers better understand changes in groundwater supplies and potential impacts. About the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD): The Oregon Water Resources Department works to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs. The agency administers laws governing management and distribution.

Public urged to avoid contact with sick or dead birds

People across Oregon are being urged to avoid contact with sick or dead birds as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to impact wild and domestic bird populations across the state, according to a release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

There is currently no effective treatment for wild and domestic birds, and the virus can spread rapidly among bird populations and potentially to other wildlife.

ODFW is currently receiving reports of HPAI-related bird deaths across Oregon, with most cases occurring in the Willamette Valley among migrating cackling geese and some raptors.

Additional detections have been reported in eastern Oregon, where early-season duck and raptor mortalities and snow goose deaths have occurred. Sporadic reports along the Oregon Coast also include cases in gulls and other waterbirds.

Since 2022, Oregon has experienced widespread outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds and domestic poultry. This virus has been detected in nearly every Oregon county. It has caused the deaths of more than 15,000 wild birds and the euthanasia of more than 183 million domestic poultry in North America.

Other non-avian wildlife confirmed with HPAI in Oregon include raccoons, skunks, foxes, marten and bobcats. However, nearly any mammalian species that feed on affected animals or is in a heavily contaminated environment may be susceptible to disease.

Nationwide, affected wildlife also includes coyotes, wild cats, and bears that have likely fed on infected birds. Marine mammals have also been impacted in North and South America. Domestic animals affected by HPAI include poultry, waterfowl, cattle, pigs, goats, alpacas, and cats.

RISK TO HUMANS

The risk to people from this strain of avian influenza is low. Since 2024, there have been 71 human cases of avian influenza in the United States, including two deaths. Most of these cases were exposed to infected dairy herds or domestic poultry farms. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated information on human cases of HPAI.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER GROUPS OF SICK OR DEAD WILD BIRDS

Report groups of sick or dead wild birds to the Wildlife Health lab at

Since 2022, Oregon has experienced widespread outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds and domestic poultry. This virus has been detected in nearly every Oregon county. It has caused the deaths of more than 15,000 wild birds and the euthanasia of more than 183 million domestic poultry in North America. (Courtesy photo)

866-968-2600 or wildlife. health@odfw.oregon.gov.

ODFW staff are monitoring and tracking continued mortalities. Samples may be collected in cases involving large numbers of dead birds or multiple species. Single dead bird reports are useful for tracking suspicious cases; however, due to limited staff, and resources ODFW will not be able to respond to all such reports.

Do not handle wildlife that is sick or found dead. If it is necessary to dispose of a carcass, use a shovel or wear impermeable gloves, wash hands with soap and water, and change clothing before having contact with domestic poultry or pet

birds.

Keep dogs away from sick or dead birds. There are no known cases of domestic dogs becoming sickened by contact with sick birds. But hunters should not feed dogs any raw meat, organs, or other tissues from harvested waterfowl, and they should not allow retrieving dogs to interact with sick or dead birds.

Typical symptoms in wild waterfowl include lethargy, inability to fly, erratic behavior, loss of coordination, cloudy eyes, swimming in circles, and head shaking. However, some dabbling ducks may carry the virus without symptoms, spreading it through their feces to other birds and wetlands.

Police mount extra holiday patrols

JEREMY C. RUARK

Lincoln County Leader

Lincoln County saw a 300% increase in serious injury crashes involving drug impairment and a 50% increase in fatal crashes involving drug impairment compared to the previous year, according to the most recent data available from the Oregon Department of Transportation ODOT.

This month, The Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) is mounting extra patrols watching for impaired drivers.

“Not only can the average DUII arrest cost a driver thousands of dollars in legal costs, a DUII crash can shatter a community,” the LCPD states in a release.

During the month of December, LCPD will be using DUII Enforcement Grant funds made available through the ODOT. These enforcement operations are part of national High Visibility Enforcement Events which run from mid-December through New Years Day.

“These events are designed to increase the number of patrol officers on the streets nationwide with an emphasis on seeking out drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs and removing them from the roadways,” the release explains.

PENALITIES

The average cost for a first-time DUII conviction in Oregon is $4 500, however, it can be as much as $10,000 and even more if someone is injured or killed, according to law enforcement agencies.

In the state of Oregon, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) is either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class C Felony. Misdemeanor DUII is punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of

$6 250. Felony DUII is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $125,000

In Oregon, DUII is a misdemeanor crime unless you have three or more prior DUII convictions in the past 10 years. If

convicted of misdemeanor DUII, your Oregon driving privileges will be suspended for one year, three years, or revoked for life, depending on your driving record. If convicted of felony DUII, your driving privileges will be revoked for life.

In addition to the charge of DUII, additional charges may be filed against the violating driver including reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, and other charges. Violations such as careless driving, violation of the basic rule, failure to obey a traffic control device, failure to drive within lane, and other violations are punishable by a fine only and very rarely a license suspension.

If someone is injured or killed by an impaired driver, that driver may also face manslaughter and assault charges. DUII convictions also impact insurance rates and can affect your ability to even obtain insurance. If convicted of a felony, that conviction stays on your record for life and can affect your ability to find employment.

Infected wild mammals may appear sick or neurologically abnormal, or be found dead after consuming infected birds, and should also be reported.

Birds typically die within 72 hours of showing clinical signs. Currently, rehabilitators in Oregon are advised not to accept waterfowl with bird flu symptoms due to the risk of the disease spreading to other birds in their facilities. Learn more from ODFW.

HOW TO REPORT ILLNESS IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Death or illness among domestic birds (chickens, turkeys, Guinea fowl) should be reported immediately to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (alt. phone 1-800-347-7028). Find more information on avian influenza in domestic birds and tips on protecting backyard flocks from ODA.

Another ODOT funding gap looms if enough signatures collected for gas tax petition

MIA MALDONADO

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Petitioners say they’ve gathered well more than enough signatures to block planned increases to the state’s gas tax, vehicle registration and title fees and a transit payroll tax until voters have a chance to weigh in next November.

No Tax Oregon petition organizers have until Dec. 30 to collect signatures to refer to the ballot a recently passed suite of transportation tax and fee hikes, and they announced last week that they’ve gathered more than 150 000 signatures, nearly double the 78 116 signatures needed.

The Oregon Secretary of State still must verify the signatures. If they’re valid, then the challenged portions of Oregon’s new transportation funding law wouldn’t take effect until the election, when voters would vote to approve or reject it.

Petitioners are challenging a transportation funding law Gov. Tina Kotek signed that will raise $4 3 billion over the next decade to fund road maintenance and operations. Democratic lawmakers

year in Salem, Oregon. (Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle)

during a fall special session passed the policy to fill in an estimated $350 million deficit within the agency caused by declining gas tax revenue and rising maintenance and construction costs.

“If the secretary of state ultimately certifies that the petitioners have gathered enough signatures, the emergency funding that the legislature provided to keep Oregon’s roads, bridges and transit systems safe and working will be suspended

immediately,” Kotek told the Capital Chronicle.

“The proponents of the referral do not have a viable backup plan for making sure Oregonians have basic transportation services.”

The exact effects on Oregon Department of Transportation operations and service levels are not yet clear, and Kotek has directed the agency to continue hiring for vacant winter positions, department spokesperson Katherine Benenati told

the Capital Chronicle.

“If the incoming revenue from (the law) is paused, ODOT would face a significant funding gap, which could lead to cuts to operations and service levels across the transportation system,” Benenati said. “We are working closely with the governor’s office to evaluate next steps and preparing for potential impacts.”

Referendum would challenge four parts of transportation funding law

The petitioners are challenging four components of Oregon’s new transportation funding law, including a 6-cent gas tax increase and a temporary hike in the statewide transit payroll tax from 0 1% to 0 2%, both scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, as well as planned increases in vehicle registration and title fees scheduled for Dec. 31

The increase to the gas tax and to registration and title fees are estimated to generate about $595 million for the department’s 2025-27 budget cycle and $823 million for 2029-31

The temporary payroll tax increase, which expires January 2028, is expected to bring in an additional $197 million during the 2025-27 cycle.

Rep. Ed Diehl, a Scio Republican and one of the three chief petitioners, said the transportation law doesn’t represent the interests of many Oregonians who don’t want more taxes.

“(Oregonians) voiced their opposition repeatedly through the regular session and again during the emergency session, but the governor and the Democrat majority

ignored them and rammed this bill through anyway,” Diehl said in a statement. “At some point, the people have to rise up and say ‘no more,’ and that’s exactly what we’re seeing with this movement.” No Tax Oregon petitioners and volunteers will continue gathering signatures and expect to gather at least 200,000 signatures — double than their original goal.

The political committee behind the effort has raised $197,000, and it has spent $129 000 primarily on fundraising software, mailing and printing services, according to campaign finance records as of Monday. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/01/ another-odot-fundinggap-looms-if-enough-signatures-collected-for-gastax-petition/ 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.

Cape Perpetua Visitor Center temporarily closing for remodel, upgrades

The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, at 2400 Highway 101 in Yachats, will close from Dec. 16 through mid-May 2026 for an extensive remodel.

The project includes modernizing aging infrastructure, updating

interpretative displays and expanding the gift shop.

All other areas of the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area will remain open during this time, including the public restrooms just outside the visitor’s

center main entrance.

The information booth at the Devil’s Churn Day Use Area, just north of the visitor center, will be open Tuesday to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with passes and maps available for purchase.

The booth is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers who are ready to answer questions about the local area.

“Our team is beyond excited to begin this project,” Cape Perpetua Visitor Center Director Reba Ortiz said. “With our last major renovation completed in 1989, this extensive remodel will provide a modernized site with updated interpretative topics and a more accessible experience for visitors. Displays will focus on the uniqueness of Cape Perpetua, showcase the Siuslaw National Forest and the

importance of partnerships along the Oregon coast.”

A portion of the construction labor, primarily the floor replacement, will be accomplished by students from the local Angell Job Corp Center in Yachats.

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indian Tribe will collaborate with Forest Service employees on several new exhibits. Numerous other volunteers and partners will contribute to additional displays, art installations, and labor efforts. Thanks to

extensive partnerships with the local community, this work will be completed at a substantial cost savings.

The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center draws an estimated 60,000 visitors annually from across the globe. The visitor center houses a gift shop, theater and large-scale interpretative displays. The Siuslaw National Forest staff and partners look forward to the grand reopening in the spring of 2026 For additional information, call the Central Coast Ranger Station at 541-563-8400

GAE

LINFOOT Leader Guest Column

Preventing sex trafficking of local children

Have you seen the headlines? “Lincoln City Law Enforcement conducted investigations related to online child luring using decoy social media accounts.” Or, “Child Luring Investigations Result in Arrests.” These arrests typically follow with “The Lincoln City Police wants to encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and discuss with them the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online.” Or: “The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office urges parents to closely monitor their children’s social media activity. It is crucial for parents to discuss the potential dangers associated with communicating with strangers online”.

On Nov. 19, the Lincoln City End Human Trafficking Team addressed this issue for

parents and grandparents. No longer does the sex trafficking of children happen only when they are kidnapped. Today, we have the internet, which is known as a modern day brothel. The internet is widely viewed as responsible for the explosion of sex trafficking in the United States. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there are 750,000 predators online worldwide at any given moment. Technology provides our children with social media and apps (applications) where children believe they are talking to other children and participating in fun activities, but they are not the only ones on these sites; in fact a sexual predator/trafficker uses these same apps to build a relationship with a victim in an effort to understand their desires and vulnerabilities and foster emotional attachment. The trafficker may use

PETER BERGEL Leader Guest Column

I am tired of hearing about “protests” and “protesters.” Those terms sound whiney and powerless to me.

“Protest” means to object, which is, of course, what we are doing when we hit the streets, but we’re doing something equally – or I would say more – important. We are demonstrating. What are we demonstrating? We are demonstrating support for our issue and point of view. We are

STAND UP FOR MORAL VALUES

All the cities in Lincoln County need to stand up for their moral values and beliefs.

At the Newport City Hall meeting to discuss an ICE facility the theme was Protect our community’s livelihood by bring back the Coast Guard helicopter and the ICE facility does not represent our Communities values. The same theme was present at Senator’s Wyden town hall.

All the local business, including our hotels need to tell the federal government we will not do busy with you. No rooms to rent, no supplies, no labor etc. But for them to do

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these desires and vulnerabilities to manipulate the victim, isolate them from friends and family and use force, violence, threats or intimidation to control the victim. Often times they offer them a romantic relationship, but then force them into multiple “dates or tricks” allowing the predator to make significant money. The process is slow and keeps pushing the limits of what the child is asked to do, until the child no longer has a choice.

The presentation offered methods to learn about popular websites such as Snapchat and Roblox, see commonsensemedia. org or follow Officer Gomez an SRO (school resource officer) in Idaho on Facebook or YouTube. Officer Gomez has an extensive background with children who have been exploited. Another very effective method is providing your child with a phone that has built in monitoring features that

alert you to inappropriate words or contacts from strangers. A popular option is the Bark Phone for Kids. https://bark.us, also available as an app. These devices have built in monitoring systems and tamper proof controls for parents. Giving your child unlimited access to the internet gives predators an easy way to find your child, and they know exactly what to say that will make your child comfortable and open to their suggestions.

While many parents find it difficult to discuss sensitive topics with their child, there are many articles to help you approach the subject. The Shared Hope International website has an article titled “How to Talk to Kids About Online Interactions” and is a great place to start. There is a significant trend amongst children to post and exchange inappropriate pictures online, many times they believe they are sending or exchanging

COMMENTARY

with a child their own age, when in fact it is a 50 some year-old person in a foreign country, who quickly demands the child sends money to stop the predator from sending the pictures to their family, class mates and friends. Far too many children have resorted to suicide to resolve the issue. These tragedies take place throughout the US, in large and small cities, it is a myth to think it is only overseas or in large towns. Predators want anonymity and they get it by using the internet and threatening the child with violence. It is completely unfair to not educate our children as to these potential activities. The Oregon State Board of Education now requires schools to teach about sex trafficking. But children need parents to remind them that if they are in trouble, confused, scared, you are there to help them, you are a safe resource, even if they made a mistake.

Stop talking about “protests”

saying “here is a crowd of people who agree that (insert the issue).” We want those who hold the power in our society to change something. That’s more than just objecting to the status quo – more than just “protesting.” It is articulating a vision of something more satisfactory. Why is this important? The key dynamic is the perception of who holds the ultimate power. Is it those “in power,” or is it the people? It is demeaning for the people to plead with their elected officials for a little more this or a little less that. They are our

this we need to step up our support of them by buying local and help encourage tourism.

Kevin Dickmann South Beach

THE OPPOSITE OF TRANSPARENCY

In 2022, County Commissioner Claire Hall urged voters to elect Casey Miller, applauding his passion for “making county government more transparent.”

She was right then. But when Miller respectfully asked on 9/18/24, that the

servants and are supposed to work to deliver what the majority of us want. That’s what democracy means. Ultimately, we elect those who do what we want and unelect those who do not. (We all know that money from the wealthy and the corporations perverts this idealistic model in practice, but let us set that aside for the moment.)

The media have veered away from the terms “demonstration” and “demonstrators” which were once common. When they instead call our actions “protests” and those who participate

“protesters,” they are casting us in the role of supplicants to masters. When we ourselves use those “protest” terms, we accede to the perception of ourselves as supplicants. In other words, we give our power away. While we are in the very act of asserting that we are powerful, we accept a description that paints us as powerless.

Let’s believe in our own assertion of power and redouble our efforts to demonstrate it, not only by behaving as if we were powerful, but also by claiming a powerful name for one of our mass

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Board make its long-standing staff meetings public— as Oregon law requires— Hall didn’t applaud the transparency she once championed. Instead, she claims Miller “attacked” her and “others.” There was no attack. Miller’s comments were focused on the public’s right to see how its government works. Yet the next day, an anonymous complaint was filed against him. Four months and $65 000 later, an independent law firm found Miller innocent of all harassment

allegations. It was never about misconduct; it was a political hit to divert attention from Miller’s call for openness. Ironically, following that, the staff meetings were permanently cancelled. So where is that vital work now happening?

More troubling still: since 2021, when County Counsel Kristin Yuille replaced retiring attorney Wayne Belmont, the Board has only held executive sessions to purchase $7M in property. And even though the County, and

action tactics. We are not “protesters,” we are “demonstrators,” and we are demonstrating our strength.

And while we are thinking about demonstrating our strength, let’s think one step further. Demonstrating is a numbers game.

Demonstrations that increase in size over time demonstrate increasing support for our issue(s).

And if that is true, what do demonstrations that decrease in size say?

Still nervous about talking to your child about sex? Predators are not! I promise you predators are out there looking for a child they can exploit for significant profit. Make sure your child learns about if from you, not a sexual predator! The End Human Trafficking Committee Is a Mission of Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian church. We strive to protect children from sexual predators through education and awareness about sex trafficking. We are not trained or qualified to provide counseling or law enforcement activity. We do however strongly support the Law Enforcement program of See Something, Say Something. For further information, please reach out to Gae Linfoot, Committee lead, at glinfoot12@Gmail.com.

Gae Linfoot leads the Lincoln City End Human Trafficking Team, a mission of Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church.

One general rule (to which there may be occasional exceptions) is “if your next demonstration is not going to be larger than your last demonstration, don’t do it!” That may sound like anathema to some organizers, but we must think strategically rather than tactically. To be effective, we should always let our strategy dictate our tactics, not the other way around. We demonstrate if it serves our overall purpose, not just because we decide we want to.

Hall personally, are being sued for $4 45 million for wrongful termination, the Board adamantly refuses to hold executive sessions on litigation, personnel, security, etc., as all nine of Miller’s formal executive session requests have been privately denied.

If the Board refuses to hold executive sessions— and refuses to hold its staff meetings in public—then where are those conversations happening?

Not in public. Not in executive session. Which leaves only one

Peter Bergel is a retired director of Oregon PeaceWorks, a veteran of many public interest campaigns and the editor of The PeaceWorker, an online peace magazine.

possibility: in secret. And that’s the opposite of transparency. Ross Smith Lincoln City

TOSSED OUT TO THE CURB As children we learned in Sunday School that no person or group of people should be identified as garbage.

However, I believe it’s time for some folks in “D.C.” to be tossed out to the curb.

Micheal

Hart Toledo

Kotek confirms she will be seeking reelection in 2026

SHAANTH NANGUNERI

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Gov. Tina Kotek formally announced her 2026 reelection bid Thursday, Dec. 4, leaving her less than a year to convince Oregonians she remains the best choice to lead the state.

The news came after weeks of clear signals that Kotek, whose campaign has been emailing supporters for months to fundraise, was officially gearing up for the November 2026 election. Kotek’s most prominent political opponent, state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby revealed in late October that she would be trying her hand for the governorship again, teeing up a possible rematch with a rival who came within a few percentage points of defeating her in 2022

As Oregon battles sluggish economic growth and rising unemployment, Kotek framed herself as a champion of the state’s values who was aware of the plight of working families. Kotek, a Pennsylvania native who began her career as an advocate for the Oregon Food Bank, rose to political prominence as the state’s longest-serving

SHOP

From Page A1

holiday event for approximately 20 years.

House Speaker from 2013 to 2022. She worked to pass progressive policies in the Legislature before becoming one of the nation’s two first openly lesbian governors alongside Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey.

On Thursday, Kotek highlighted her central role in fighting President Donald Trump’s attempted deployment of the National Guard to Portland and his administration’s opposition to releasing food assistance during the recent government shutdown.

“We stopped an unnecessary military deployment, restored SNAP benefits and got help to families fast,” Kotek said in a Thursday morning statement. “The choice is between a governor who will stand up for Oregon and protect what we believe in, or a governor who will let Donald Trump do whatever he wants.”

The official “Tina for Oregon” announcement marks a notable shift in tone from when Kotek announced her 2022 bid and denounced “the politics of division” on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, her approval ratings have ranked among

Gov. Tina Kotek stands with Portland leaders and Portland Police Chief Bob Day at a press conference in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. She highlighted similar experience when announcing her 2026 bid for reelection on Thursday, Dec. 4. (Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle)

some of the most unpopular Democratic and Republican governors.

One of her most high-profile controversies involved the nixed “Office of the First Spouse” Kotek was considering creating in 2024 amid scrutiny over multiple departures of staff from her office. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission went on to dismiss complaints against her on the grounds that there was no evidence that Kotek or her wife would benefit from an unpaid

“I show up every year happy, excited, and funfilled. I leave sometime mid-morning just very grateful to the community, to those that are here to help with this wonderful event,” Russell said. “It is an event that pulls at your heart strings. So, I am very grateful that I am able to give back to these kiddos and our community. It gives the children a chance to see law enforcement in a little different light than maybe they have experienced in the past.”

volunteer position.

But a challenger to Kotek will likely face an uphill battle, with the most recent Republican Oregon governor winning election in the 1980s. Results from off-year and special elections suggest the upcoming election year will also be difficult for Republicans, who have majorities in both chambers of Congress while an unpopular Republican president holds office. A recent poll of Oregon voters commissioned by the

Shop with a Cop is a national event where children in need are paired by the State Department of Human Services with a local law enforcement officer. Each child receives a budget to shop for clothing and toys.

Our Premier Business Checking Account always comes with a 1%

Open an account during our Winter Special and receive these additional special incentives:

• 3-month waiver on the monthly maintenance charge (other analyzed fees apply and are not included in the waiver)

• 50% o the purchase of an RDC machine or a 3-month lease waiver

• $100 credit towards any style business checks by Harland Checkprinters

• 3-month waiver on Business Online Banking with ACH

• $50 set-up fee waiver on Positive Pay and a $10 monthly service fee waiver for six months

Visit your local branch for

Russell reaches out to the community during the year to gather the needed funds to support the shopping spree.

“That includes out law enforcement police and deputies’ associations and our management teams that provide money as well as different community organizations,” she said. “It is a lot of different partners who come forward, and I will likely have some community members come up to me and just offer to donate, so it a great community we have here in Lincoln County.”

Each of the foster children receive a $75

Democratic Governor’s Association found that 61% of respondents prefer a candidate who will challenge Trump’s policies, while 34% said they were in favor of someone who will implement them.

Kotek could also face headwinds due to the ongoing limbo facing the $4 3 billion transportation package that the Legislature struggled to get across the finish line this year. Drazan in June led House Republicans in effectively running out the clock and preventing the

gift card to spend on whatever they would like as Christmas gift. The Oregon Department of Humans Services provides Russell and her crew with a list of names of the children that receive the gift cards.

“We expect 148 kids and that is our biggest year yet,” Russell said. “Each child is given a gift card, and they can spend it on whatever they like.”

The children are escorted through the store by the law enforcement partners who patiently help the child select the gifts and also help keep track of how much each child has left to spend.

Newport Police officer

effort from moving forward. That left Democrats to pass an emergency funding measure during a lengthy special session through increases in the state’s gas tax, vehicle registration and title fees and a transit payroll tax. The Republican lawmakers now leading a push to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot for voters to undo the tax and fee hikes have reported receiving nearly double the 78 116 signatures needed. Political observers have speculated that Oregon lawmakers may work to schedule the measure for the May 2026 primary election instead of running their general election candidates while defending unpopular tax hikes.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/04/ oregon-gov-tina-kotekconfirms-she-will-be-seeking-reelection-in-2026/ 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.

Donald Valentine has participated in the giving event for the past three years.

“It is just building good community relations and being able to have that positive interaction and just have a good time,” he said. Representatives from the Lincoln City Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Oregon Police Department, Oregon State Police, Toledo Police and Public Safety Department, Oregon, Newport Fire & Rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard Northwest participate at the Walmart in Newport for the annual Shop with a Cop event.

HELICOPTER

Wyden told reporters on Nov. 23 that a Coast Guard representative had given him unsatisfactory answers attributing the change in facility operations to a lack of adequate staffing. On Thursday, he shared on X that the Coast Guard had reversed course.

“This is a big win to keep fishermen as well as Oregonians and tourists visiting the Newport area safe when they are enjoying the Pacific Ocean,” Wyden said in a statement Thursday. “I’ll keep watchdogging this Coast Guard commitment and battling against any move by the Trump administration to site an ICE detention facility in Newport or anywhere else on the Oregon Coast.”

The homeland security department and U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The helicopter’s

CRAB

From Page B1

The bay crab fishery closes at 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31

“Oregon’s crab fishery is an economic driver for coastal communities,” ODFW’s Marine Resources Program Manager Justin Ainsworth said. “I appreciate crab

RECALL

From Page A1

shelters to protect the vulnerable, unhoused members of our community.

The basis for the recall are false, inflated accusations from the extreme right that are part of an overall agenda to shift the values and priorities of our community. We are at a critical time for county government where our values in protecting our community are more essential than ever before. I will continue to fight for the needs that my constituency wanted when they elected me, and believe our strength lies in diversity and helping ALL members of our community.

Lincoln County Election Clerk Amy Southwell has said that a recall election could be conducted in January if Hall decides to remain in office now Hall told the Lincoln County Leader when the petitions with the signatures were presented to Southwell for certification Nov. 3, that she would not

removal quickly sparked opposition from residents. The coastal city of Newport is home to Oregon’s largest commercial fishing industry, with cold and rough waters occupying the Yaquina Bay. Both the state of Oregon and the local nonprofit Newport Fishermen’s Wives alongside Lincoln County sued for the return of the federal helicopter, arguing that the federal government failed to comply with federal law requiring transparency on such decisions.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken handed the nonprofit and Lincoln County a victory on Nov. 24 with a temporary 14-day restraining order that mandated the helicopter’s return. The next day, John Fuller, a city spokesperson, confirmed that a rescue helicopter had landed for refueling, but he was unable to say whether it was remaining at the Newport airport on a more long-term basis.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley

fishermen being patient as we tried to align our opening with Washington, but the best option now is to open up what we can.”

The season is operating under a fleet advisory that fishing vessels should be vigilant and move or avoid setting gear in areas where whales are foraging or transiting to minimize risk of entanglement. The commercial fleet

resign.

Ballots for the recall election would be sent out to voters by the clerk’s office, and a recall election would be conducted in mid-January, according to Southwell.

The recall effort was launched Aug. 4, by Otter Rock resident Christine A. Jamison.

“This recall isn’t about political labels,” Jamison said when announcing the recall drive. “This is about how we are being governed. People from all throughout Lincoln County told us they want transparency, accountability, and a Board of Commissioners that works for everyone. They want the chance to vote on whether this approach to leadership should continue.”

Hall released a statement to the Lincoln County Leader following the filing of the recall petition stating, in part, that the petition targets her efforts to “maintain order” at the county commissioner’s public business meetings.

“Elected officials have

also confirmed the helicopter’s return, adding that he had arranged a meeting with a representative of the U.S. Coast Guard and Wyden. He said a member of the homeland security department in attendance gave “full backup” to the Coast Guard’s statement.

“The acting commandant assured me that they had returned the helicopter because of the court action, but they had intended to return it by the start of crab season anyway, and it was back in Newport to stay,” he said in a video statement posted on X.

The announcement from Wyden and Merkley comes as lawyers for the state of Oregon, Lincoln County and Newport Fishermen’s Wives have filed for a preliminary injunction seeking for a rescue helicopter to stay at Newport’s facility with full operational and staffing support necessary. The two cases have been consolidated, with discovery yielding a June

can begin the presoak period – setting baited crab pots in the water – on Dec. 13 from Cape Falcon to the California border. The presoak time gives permit holders a chance to get their gear out in an equitable, organized, and safe manner, and all can begin harvesting crab Dec. 16 in this area. See ODFW’s weekly season opening

weaponized our public comment periods for months by leveling accusations and attacks on other county staff,” Hall stated. “It’s sad to me that some people are so focused on creating chaos and confusion that they don’t see the serious problems we’re facing.

Hall has served as a Lincoln County Commissioner since 2004 She was able to claim victory in her 2024 re-election campaign winning by just 115 votes over Rick Beasley of Depoe Bay.

The three Lincoln County Board of Commissioners are elected to the board by county voters. If the special election results favor removal of Hall from office her position as commissioner would become vacant, and Commissioners Casey Miller and Walter Chuck would appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Hall’s term.

Follow developments online at the Lincoln County Leader website and in the Wednesday print editions of The Lincoln County Leader.

Lois Irene Parrish

July 24, 1923 - November 5, 2025

Lois Irene Parrish, age 102, of Toledo, Oregon, passed away on November 5, 2025.

Lois was born on July 24, 1923, in Hubbard, Oregon, to Ralph and Freda Ashton. She later moved to Sheridan and eventually settled on the Oregon coast in Toledo.

On September 29, 1946, Lois married the love of her life, George Earl Parrish, and together they raised six children. After dedicating many years to caring for her family, Lois began working at the Lincoln County Tax Office.

2025 memorandum and October 2025 extension authorizing removal of the helicopter from Newport by U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Charles E. Fosse.

“There is no question that the Coast Guard’s removal of the Newport helicopter, undertaken in secrecy without any public or congressional vetting whatsoever, is exactly what Congress intended to prevent,” wrote attorneys for the Newport Fishermen’s Wives and Lincoln County in a Thursday court filing.

It’s not the first time Newport residents kicked into action when their helicopter faced removal.

When the Obama administration proposed closing the city’s Coast Guard facility in 2014 the Fishermen’s Wives nonprofit sued in federal court. Congress ended up passing a law that requires notice and explanation from the homeland security department should a reduction in Coast Guard facility activity take place.

“The ocean can turn on

updates web page for more details including industry notices. Additional updates will continue to be posted here until the decision is made to open the north coast.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Crab harvests in 2024 were 23 9 million pounds versus 37 2 million pounds in 2023, according to a report in The Leader

a person in half a minute,” Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan said in a court declaration. “It is not a matter of if the helicopter will be needed, but when, and whether or not it will arrive in time to save a life.”

A report Monday, Dec. 8 in the Lincoln Chronicle indicates the helicopter may yet be moved again. The Lincoln Chronicle cited court documents in the report.

Portland-based assistant U.S. attorneys representing the Department of Homeland Security said that while the Coast Guard is following a Nov. 24 court order to return a rescue helicopter to Newport, it will remain there only through next spring when the agency “will assess its resources for the summer season as it has for the past several years” and may request permission to consolidate resources in North Bend, the Lincoln Chronicle states.

Late Monday, Dec. 8, Federal Judge Ann Aiken extended her temporary

in September by Shaun Barrick of the Oregon Employment Department. Typically, the crab season begins in December, with most of the catch occurring at the beginning of the season. Because of the late start to the 20222023 crab season, 2023 crab harvests were very high compared with historical trends. However, 2024’s crab harvest was

restraining order keeping the Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter at the airport in Newport a further 14 days. Aiken make her ruling following a hearing in the United States District Court in Eugene, as she prepares a final ruling and opinion regarding Newport Fishermen’s Wives’, Lincoln County’s, and the State of Oregon’s request for a preliminary injunction.

See the Oregon Capital Chronicle report at: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/ rescue-helicopter-will-return-remain-in-newport-oregons-us-senators-say/ 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.

still higher than the previous five-year average of 21 1 million pounds. Fortunately, crab prices rebounded from their lows in 2023, resulting in a total revenue of $99 5 million. The average landed price per pound for Dungeness crab was $4 16 in 2024, just shy of the previous five-year average of $4 27, Barrick wrote in his report.

Susan (Suzi) Jean (Robison) Snyder

Susan (Suzi) Jean (Robison) Snyder of Depoe Bay passed away Nov. 19th. Born in Toledo, Ore. in 1950 to Beverly (Margeson) Robison (Poling) and Frederick Robison. She was raised in Depoe Bay, the eldest of five siblings (Beanie, Pogo, Krista, Liz and Lars), all helping with the family fishing business.

Lois had a deep love for gardening and spent countless hours tending to her yard. She also enjoyed canning the fruits of her labor. A devoted member of the Methodist Church, Lois generously gave her time by helping with weddings and funerals, working at the church thrift store, and volunteering with the local food share program.

Although Lois cherished the quiet life of

raising her family in a small town, her adventurous spirit led her far beyond Oregon. She traveled to many states, explored the island of Hawaii, and even journeyed across the ocean to South Korea and England.

“Lois will always be remembered by a home filled with family and friends, and lots of good food.”

Lois is survived by her children:

Kirk Parrish and his wife Kerrie Parrish; Connie Mausen and her husband Tim Mausen; Cyndi Schulte; Jodi Parrish and her partner J.R. King; Luke Welch and his wife Courtney Welch.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband George Parrish; her son Mark Parrish; her sister Helen; brothers Chuck and Robert; and her son-in-law Eric Schulte. At her request the family will remember her privately.

1950 - 2025

Suzi graduated from Taft High School in 1968 then attended Oregon State University. She joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in home economics. During a college holiday, she returned home, where she met Mark Snyder who was stationed at the Depoe Bay Coast Guard Station. Their love grew deeply and fiercely and they were married in 1973 at Lincoln City Congregational Church. They moved to Seattle area but returned back to Depoe Bay where they raised their two children, Grant and Lauren. Suzi was a smart, loving, empathetic woman who deeply cared for her family, friends and community.

A pillar of Depoe Bay and Taft, helping start Depoe Bay Park, Neighbors for Kids and contributing to Taft Historical Society and schools. She supported the local food bank and many charities. She worked in many interior design facets and later at Roby’s home furnishings. She is survived by her siblings Krista Robison, Beanie Robison, Liz Martin; son Grant Snyder and daughter-inlaw Rena Olson-Snyder, daughter Lauren Hinton and son-in-law Chad Hinton, grandchildren Lane and Teal Hinton, sisterin-law Ann Tilden and numerous loving nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Dec. 6th at 1:00 p.m. at the Depoe Bay Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated in her name to Neighbors for Kids in Depoe Bay.

A Celebration of Life service was held Saturday, Dec. 6th at 1:00 p.m. at the Depoe Bay Community Hall.

Diana Pinto

November 11, 1941 - November 24, 2025

Diana Gail Pinto, 84, passed away at home in Waldport, OR, on November 24, 2025, after a brave and prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s.

Born in Pomona, CA, to the late Dean and Lillian Ward, she spent her early years in El Centro, CA, where she completed high school and attended Imperial Valley College. She continued her education at Humboldt State College in Arcata, CA, completing her BA degree in 1963. That same year, she married her husband, John.

After raising two boys in Menifee, CA, and enjoying years of horseback riding, Diana returned to school to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an archeologist, earning a master’s degree in Anthropology at the University of California, Riverside, in 1985. Her thesis, The Archeology of Mitchell Caverns, was published by the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1989. She went on to work on numerous archeological projects across California, for the US Forest Service, the Archeological Research Unit at UC Riverside, and several cultural resource management firms. She especially loved the hands-on work of the dig projects, embracing the fieldwork with an enthusiasm that set her apart.

In 2005, Diana and John retired to the Oregon Coast, where she became active in Master Gardener and Master Recycler

programs. Her passion was growing and donating an abundance of plants— especially her beautifully cultivated tomato starts— to the MG annual plant sale. She contributed to the program in many other ways and was selected ‘Behind the Scenes Lincoln County Master Gardener of the Year’ in 2010.

A talented writer, Diana contributed to several magazines, including Ornament, Avenues, and Westways. In 2003, she authored If Stones Could Talk (Dragonflyer Press), a heartfelt memoir of her late uncle, Kenneth Kriegh, a pioneering Southern California garden designer. Diana was a gifted cook who approached food with creativity and joy. She enjoyed walking and continued doing so, with her husband at her side, almost to the very end of her life.

She will be remembered for her kindness, her generosity, her nuanced sense of humor, and the deep, effortless way she connected with people. Many considered her a close friend, and she made space in her life for anyone who needed comfort, conversation, or encouragement. Her final years were surrounded by the steady care and love of her husband of 62 years. She is also survived by her sons, Derrin and Trevin, and her sister, Doris. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

BUSINESS

$5.1 Million to support education, housing, economic opportunity, arts and more

STAFF REPORT

Lincoln County Leader

From classrooms and concert halls to food banks and housing services, 260 Oregon nonprofits, including ones along the central and north Oregon Coast, will get a boost this fall.

Oregon Community Foundation is awarding $5 1 million through its Community Grants program to organizations working to expand access to education, health services, economic opportunity, arts and culture and more. Grants awarded in rural towns and urban neighborhoods reflect OCF’s commitment to strengthening communities and tackling urgent needs.

“We are so inspired by the hard work our nonprofits are doing to improve the lives of all Oregonians,” OCF’s Chief Community Engagement and Equity Officer Marcy Bradley said. “Community Grants is our open door for new ideas and the ‘what if’ dreams of our communities. We are proud to stand with the problem solvers in our state.” Fall 2025 Community Grants

Will Support

99 first-time OCF nonprofit grantees

• 22 housing-related nonprofits

• 23 food and nutrition service organizations

• 5 library projects

• 14 nonprofits that work with immigrants and refugees

• 14 nonprofits that work in economic development

• 11 environment nonprofits 8 mobile programs such as mobile clinics, laundry trucks, libraries and food

hubs

Oregon Community Foundation 2025 Fall Community Grants Organization and Grant Purpose

• Newport $20,000

Habitat for HumanityLincoln County For homeowner support

program staff

• Newport $22,535 The Salvation Army of Lincoln County For flooring replacement Manzanita $67,500 Hoffman Center for the Arts For free arts programming • Wheeler $25,000 North County Food Bank

For new food bank site improvements

• Seaside $20 000

Restoration House, Inc. For staff training and program expansion costs BACKGROUND

For 28 years, OCF’s Community Grants program has supported nonprofits, Tribal organizations and government agencies in all 36 Oregon counties. The 2025 Fall Cycle prioritized small capital projects (under $500,000), capacity building and new or expanding programs and projects.

Donors to Oregon Community Foundation make OCF’s Community Grants program possible. Grant applications were reviewed by regional OCF staff and volunteers in every region of Oregon.

NEXT OPPORTUNITY

The next cycle of Community Grants from OCF will prioritize general operating support for small rural organizations, culturally specific organizations and culturally responsive organizations. Program applications opened on December 2, 2025, and will close on January 13 2026, at 5 p.m. Grants will be awarded in May 2026

Some rural, low-income Oregon families say they are struggling to access after-school amid funding uncertainty

ALAN COHEN Oregon Capital Chronicle

Families raising children in rural Oregon often have limited access to after-school activities that boost social skills, academic performance and safety.

Five in six children in Oregon could benefit from after-school programs but can’t access them because they are too expensive or far away, according to a survey from the Afterschool Alliance, a nationwide nonprofit. For families outside urban areas, the nearest program is often more than an hour away.

The survey found high support for after-school programs among both Republicans and Democrats. Some parents said after-school activities allow them to work more hours, be more productive and worry less about their children’s wellbeing, according to the survey.

After-school programs help create a sense of belonging, allow opportunities for youth leadership, build strong youthadult partnerships and improve problem-solving skills, said Belle Cantor, senior program officer for education and youth development at the Oregon Community Foundation, which distributes funds to programs across the state. Other benefits include lower likelihood of suspension and higher grades, attendance and graduation rates, research shows.

However, some populations, especially those historically marginalized, have less access to those benefits, Cantor said.

LOW-INCOME

POPULATIONS

At Klamath Falls City Schools, the waitlist for after-school programs was becoming so long that the administration had to increase its offerings by over 20% and is now serving almost half of the district’s 2,709 students, according to Bill Patterson, who oversees afterschool programs. More than 22% of the district’s families live below the poverty line and nearly half of the population relies on nutritional assistance, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

“The money is really tight, so kids struggle more and there’s a much stronger need” for high-quality afterschool access, Patterson said. “The big key is how you can make it work for both the kids and the families, to have the money to put a program on.”

Klamath Falls City Schools is one of 27 providers in Oregon that receive federal funding through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which allows it to offer after-school programs at no cost to students. But funding has been inconsistent for years across different administrations, Patterson said.

Last July, Patterson wasn’t sure whether the grant would ever arrive after the Trump administration temporarily blocked K-12 funding nationwide in its push to shrink and eventually dismantle the Department of Education.

“The biggest challenge is making sure that the bills are paid and the staff is compensated,” said Amy Dobson, the owner of Kids Club of Harney County, the only after-school program in one of the largest counties in the state.

In Harney County School District, like Klamath Falls, a high percentage of community members are low-income and 23 8% of families receive nutritional assistance, so Dobson’s program charges reduced fees to around onethird of its students and mainly relies on funding from private grants, donations and fundraisers to operate, she said. To get extra help and reach as many students as possible, she also collaborates with elementary schools, nonprofits and youth organizations.

Many of those organizations, however, are often also underfunded and overwhelmed.

“Because our community has such low income levels, it’s really hard for a lot of community organizations to support us when they’re trying to support themselves too,” she said.

Counties and school districts with lower median incomes tend to have fewer after-school programs, according to data from the Oregon Afterschool & Summer for Kids Network,

or Oregon ASK.

For instance, Ontario School District, which has a poverty rate of 26% and a median household income of $36 367 only has one program per 3,597 students, while Bend-La Pine School District, with a poverty rate of 10% and a median household income of $65,209, has one program per 1,261 students.

Counties with lower access to after-school programs also tend to have the highest rates of households without an internet connection, which might make it harder for students to access alternative education resources.

However, the number of programs is not the only factor that impacts access, as the needs of each community vary greatly and some communities provide transportation to afterschool programs in nearby towns or offer other alternatives to serve children outside of school times, providers say.

PUBLIC FUNDING

Beth Unverzagt, executive director of Oregon ASK, said it’s crucial for the federal and state government to support after-school programs through public funding targeted towards low-income populations.

“There’s a huge opportunity for Oregon to step up and make a difference in the lives of children and families,” she said. “There’s absolutely more funding needed and it needs to be targeted” to places with the most need.

In 2023, for the first time in years, summer learning programs received no additional public funding to operate, which forced many districts and providers to reduce their offerings or eliminate their services altogether, harming thousands of families that relied on them, Uverzagt said.

Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature approved funding for summer learning programs through 2027, which organizations say is helping them reach more communities and expand their services. Legislators also introduced two bills — Senate Bills 896 and 1127 — that would have provided additional funding to afterschool programs year-round, but they died in committee.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/08/some-rural-low-income-oregon-families-struggle-to-access-afterschool-amid-funding-uncertainty/

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.

Although public funding is often uncertain and there is room to grow, the state has made progress in recent years to support out-of-school learning, according to Foundations for a Better Oregon (FBO), a Portland-based education policy nonprofit. The organization is hopeful that the state is starting to understand the importance of extracurricular opportunities for students and that schools, community organizations and families will continue to cooperate to serve those in need across the state. Funding uncertainty makes it even more important to “no longer think of after-school programs as a ‘nice to have’ when times are good, but a core and integrated element of our public education system” said Louis Wheatley, strategic communications director at FBO. “We’ve made a great step forward with the latest investment in summer learning and we can build on that foundation” in the coming years, he said.

Oregon’s Dino-Story Exhibit opening at the Newport Public library

NEWPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Dinosaurs, fossils, and fun

– oh my!

We are excited to partner with the Museum of Natural and Cultural History to bring Oregon’s Dino-Story, an interactive exhibit uncovering the mysteries of Oregon in the age of the dinosaurs.

Explore fossil evidence, dig deep into time, and discover what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur. Join us for this dino-mite adventure and explore the clues that fossils reveal about Oregon during

the Age of Dinosaurs at the Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye Street from Dec. 12 , to Jan. 6

This exhibit is made possible thanks to the support of the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Newport Public Library Foundation, Newport Public Library, and City of Newport.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information about this and other upcoming programs, visit www.newportlibrary.org or contact the Newport Public Library at 541 - 265 - 2153

Child Car Seat Checkups

STAFF REPORT

Lincoln County Leader

The Newport Police Department is offering a Child Car Seat Checkup from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Newport Fire Station, 245 NW 10th Street in Newport. Learn how to install your child’s seat safely and when your child is ready to move to the next

seat or graduate from their booster seat. Child passenger safety technicians will check your child’s seat for:

• Correct installation

• Recalls and damage

• Best fit for weight, height and age

• The Newport Police may be able to help you purchase a low cost car seat thanks to

STAFF REPORT

The City of Newport has once again issued a friendly challenge to the City of Lincoln City with this year’s Holiday Food Drive.

The goal: See which community can collect the most non-perishable food items to support Food Share of Lincoln County during the holiday season. The drive will run from Dec. 8 through Dec. 31, and all community members are encouraged to participate.

Newport residents can drop off donations at the following locations: City Hall, Recreation Center, 60+ Activity Center, Newport Public Library, Fire Station, and the Public Works shop.

“Our Newport team members continue to embrace the holiday spirit by finding meaningful

community partnerships with several agencies. Parents or guardians will be taught to correctly install and use the car seat.

ELIGIBILITY:

• Anyone is eligible for a free car seat.

At the car seat check-up event, the technical will

ways to give back, and I’m proud that we are supporting Food Share of Lincoln County once again,” Newport City Manager Nina Vetter said. “Issuing a friendly challenge up the coast adds some extra fun to the season—and with this kind of competition, no matter who wins, our communities benefit.”

Food Share of Lincoln County distributes over 1 million pounds of food each year through seven pantries throughout the county. The organization also provides donated food and supplies to partner agencies, allowing them to stretch their resources to support even more residents.

Since 2021, many of Newport’s

SUBMITTED

The American Cetacean SocietyOregon Chapter is inviting the public to its latest speaker series at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, on Zoom.

The presentation is free and open to the public; however, you must register in order to receive the link. You may join beginning at 9:30 a.m. for social time with the program beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Register here: https:// us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ Cw5P4XFfR9mbZnxfwekY-g

Our speaker, Daniel Palacios, will present North Atlantic Right Whale Studies at the Center for Coastal Studies. Since May 2024, he has

been the Director of the Right Whale Ecology Program (RWEP) at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts. In this presentation he will describe some of the work they are currently conducting in his program, ranging from prey studies to aerial surveys.

Dr. Daniel Palacios is Senior Scientist and Director of the Right Whale Ecology Program at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He specializes in the ecology of large whale species, with a focus on habitat use and environmental drivers of distribution and movement. He holds a B.Sc.

Homeowners Assistance, Reconstruction Program closing to new applicants

December is the last month for survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds to submit new applications for the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP).

HARP is part of a suite of wildfire recovery programs called ReOregon, which is funded by a $422 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HARP, which opened in March 2024, helps survivor homeowners of the 2020 disasters rebuild, repair, replace, or buy a new home, as well as be reimbursed for out-ofpocket expenses incurred during their recovery.

Oregon Housing and Community Services

(OHCS) has expanded eligibility criteria for these recovery pathways to help more survivors apply before the deadline.

“We really want to encourage survivors of the 2020 wildfires to apply for HARP as soon as possible before the Eligibility Questionnaire closes on Dec. 31,” OHCS Director of Disaster Recovery and Resilience Shannon Marheine said. “The last thing we want is for a survivor not to get the help they need because they didn’t know about the program. We know some applicants heard about HARP from others, so if you know someone who is a survivor and has not yet applied, please let them know about this program.”

If there are people hesitant about applying, OHCS urges them to visit a new webpage highlighting survivors who have

During the past several months, HARP has helped 70 survivors buy a new home, and 31 other homeowners have received reimbursement funds. (Metro Creative Connection)

been through the process and received a HARP award for a new home.

Dierdri Muñoz is a survivor from Jackson County who heard about HARP through word of mouth while out at a restaurant.

“I had just gotten my

order of alfredo when I overheard a waitress talking about how her mother-in-law got help to rebuild her home,” Muñoz said. “I asked her about it, and she told me about ReOregon. It sounded too good to be true, but I went for it. I can only

Human feelings influence beliefs

imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t gone to dinner that night.”

With help from ACCESS, a ReOregon partner, Muñoz applied for HARP and was approved for a new home to replace the one she had lost to the Almeda Fire just two months after getting it. She moved into her home in June 2025 and is already looking forward to celebrating her first Christmas there with her granddaughter.

“It’s such a blessing to have her through all of this,” Muñoz said. “She’s a miracle. This new house is a miracle.”

Applying for HARP is a two-part process. First, the survivor fills out an Eligibility Questionnaire, which will help ReOregon determine whether a homeowner is qualified to apply. If found to be eligible, they will receive

an email invitation to begin the full application process. OHCS encourages survivors to start the HARP application process as soon as possible, as it may take some time to gather their documentation for the application. Regional HARP Intake Centers are available to assist survivors. During the past several months, HARP has helped 70 survivors buy a new home, and 31 other homeowners have received reimbursement funds. Some survivors have started or are close to completing reconstruction, while many more are making their way through the application process. To learn more about the application process and expanded eligibility, visit the HARP website. To learn more about all of ReOregon’s programs, visit re.oregon.gov.

about cat emotions and well-being, Oregon State University researcher finds

SEAN NEALON Leader Guest Article

People rated cats as having a more positive emotional state when shown indoors rather than outdoors, even those who believe cats should roam freely outside, a new study found.

The study also found that other contextual factors, such as the color of cats’ coats and a person’s own emotional state, impacted human perception of cat emotion.

“Our research shows that even subtle environmental cues can shape how people interpret cat emotions,” said Monique Udell, a professor at Oregon State University

and lead author of the study. “Understanding these perceptions is important to human-cat interactions and the welfare of cats.” The study, published in Anthrozoös, provides compelling evidence that human perception of cat emotion can be directly influenced by context.

The finding mirrors a recent study with dogs that demonstrated that context significantly influences how people interpret dog emotions.

For the cat study, the researchers showed images of 12 individual cats with AI-generated backgrounds of indoor and outdoor settings to 665 participants. Participants varied in age,

but 63% were in the 25-34 range and 71% identified as female.

Fifty-eight percent of the participants believed cats should not be allowed to roam freely outdoors and 42% said they should be able to go outdoors freely. Sixty-nine percent had owned a cat and 31% had never owned a cat.

Each participant saw 24 cat images and was asked to rate the cat’s emotional state and their own emotional response to the

CAR SEAT

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confirm that there is a need for a new car seat.

• Seats are only provided to parents or legal guardians, whom must be present to obtain the seat. Only one seat per child.

The child receiving the seat must be present unless the baby is not

CETACEAN

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in Marine Biology from the

of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano (1994) and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from

State University (2003). Over a career spanning

than 35 years, Dr. Palacios has worked across academic, governmental, and non-profit sectors. His research has ranged from the Amazon and

image. Findings included: Indoor backgrounds led to higher ratings of positive emotion in cats.

• Outdoor settings were associated with higher arousal in cats.

• Participants who believe cats should be allowed outdoors and those that believe they should not be allowed outdoors both perceived cats as having higher positive emotions when pictured indoors.

born yet.

• The vehicle is which the child travels must be brought to the car seat check.

Those attending this event may pull into the fire station back parking lot and pull into the fire department bay.

To have your child’s car seat checked for proper installation, make an appointment by calling 541-574-3348

Caribbean to the eastern Pacific, North Pacific, and most recently the western North Atlantic. He has authored over 150 scientific publications, including major contributions to species-habitat modeling and satellite tagging of marine megafauna. Dr. Palacios previously led the Whale Habitat, Ecology & Telemetry Laboratory at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, where he remains affiliated as Courtesy Faculty. He serves on multiple

• Participants’ own emotional state strongly correlated with how they rated the cat’s emotion.

For example, individuals who reported feeling positive emotions when viewing an image of a particular cat also reported believing that the same cat was experiencing positive emotions when viewing that same image at another time.

Participants reported believing that black cats represented in the images were experiencing more positive emotions overall than tabby or orange cats, challenging long-held stereotypes.

The study’s insights have important implications for animal welfare, the researchers said, because human beliefs about cat emotions and well-being can influence the management and care of cats.

“At the end of the day, our perceptions about what cats are communicating to us influence how we care for them,” said Udell, director of the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Oregon State.

“Challenges associated with interpreting and managing cat behavior within homes can lead to frustration, missed health

scientific advisory bodies, including NOAA’s Pacific Scientific Review Group, the CMS Aquatic Mammals Working Group, the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group, and the IWC Scientific Committee. In 2022, he was appointed to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission’s Committee of Scientific Advisors. The American Cetacean Society is recognized as the oldest whale conservation organization in the world, founded in 1967

According to the OSU study, cats have a more positive emotional state when shown in doors rather than outdoors.

problems, and is a leading cause of cats ending up in shelters. Consequently, how humans perceive the needs, behavior and emotional state of cats is critically important to cat welfare and human-cat relationships.”

The research could be used for educational training to help cat owners interpret and respond to their cats’ behavioral cues or emotional state more accurately and to better inform how to represent animals in images. For example, an image of an adoptable cat pictured on an indoor background could result in more positive emotions and higher likelihood of adoption compared to an image of the same cat taken outdoors.

Co-authors of the paper are Amanda Puitiza, S. Darling and Delaney Frank of Oregon State’s Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences; Holly Molinaro, Arizona State University; and Kristyn Vitale, Unity Environmental University.

Sean Nealon is a news editor at Oregon State University’s University Relations and Marketing Department. He may be reached at sean.nealon@ oregonstate.edu.

The mission of this all-volunteer non-profit is to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises and their habitats through public education, awarding research grants, and conservation actions. Information on the American Cetacean Society can be found on the website: www.acsonline.org. You can also find us on Facebook (American Cetacean Society - Oregon Chapter), Instagram (@ acsoregon) and TikTok (@ acs.orgeon).

TLC helps address food insecurity in Lincoln County

Food Pantry donation.

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TLC, a Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union have employees assembled 350 goodie bags filled with snacks for local food pantries throughout the credit union’s service area along the Oregon Coast and Southwest Washington.

Staff members decorated the bags and included handwritten cards with uplifting notes for the future recipients. After the event concluded, many employees continued their efforts by volunteering additional time to assemble 50 more bags. Although this project

was planned well before the November 1 pause in SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown, the timing ultimately deepened its impact. As the situation evolved, credit union leaders recognized an even greater need among community members and took further action. In

addition to the goodie bags, TLC distributed a total of $25 000 in donations, divided among the food pantries receiving the deliveries. This equates to 75,000 lbs of food, which will provide 62,500 meals to neighbors in need. In Lincoln County, donation recipients included the Lincoln

City Food Pantry and Newport Food Pantry. Across the credit union’s service area, more than 40% of households experience financial hardship, either living in poverty or classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These are families who are working yet still struggle to afford essential needs such as housing, childcare, food, and transportation. Supporting these individuals and families is closely aligned with TLC’s Core Value of Betterment and its Giving Pillars of Health & Well-Being and Youth.

What it takes to be a successful Santa?

New research shows that even atypical candidates can be successful in the role

MICHELLE KLAMPE Leader Guest Column

A naturally fluffy white beard, a round belly and a jolly laugh might seem like the keys to being a successful Santa Claus, but new research suggests that a calling to play the man with the bag full of toys is enough to help candidates overcome a lack of typical attributes for the role.

“There are pretty strong societal expectations around what Santa looks like, but we found that most anybody can be Santa if their heart desires it,” said Oregon State University’s Borbala Csillag, a co-author of a new study of professional Santas.

“When we looked at the people behind the suit, we found that the folks playing Santa are really more diverse than would be expected.”

The findings, based on interviews and surveys of professional Santas in the United States, were recently published in the Academy of Management Journal. The study’s lead author is Christina Hymer of the University

“There are pretty strong societal expectations around what Santa looks like, but we found that most anybody can be Santa if their heart desires it,” said Oregon State University’s Borbala Csillag, a co-author of a new study of professional Santas. (Courtesy photo from OSU)

of Tennessee and Bethany Cockburn of Northern Illinois University is a co-author of the paper.

Csillag and her colleagues were brainstorming themes they might research together in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when Hymer, who had been watching a lot of holiday movies while home with her child, suggested there might be something to learn about how Santas narrated their work experiences.

After more than 50 interviews with Santas and nearly 850 responses to a Santa survey, the researchers discovered

that professional Santas fall into three groups: prototypical Santas, who bear most of the physical and internal attributes one might associate with Santa; semi-prototypical Santas, who bear some but not all of the key attributes; and non-prototypical Santas, who may not bear much resemblance at all to the man in the red suit but have found ways to surmount the odds and become the man anyway.

Each group of Santas has shared experience based on how typically they fit the role.

Prototypical Santas, who tend to be older white men

with beards and round bellies, shared a strong sense of unity with the calling and live out their Santa identity year-round.

Semi-prototypical Santas find ways to resolve the dissonance between their attributes and the Santa role. A skinny Santa, for example, wove an explanation of his lack of belly into his Santa identity, claiming that Santa was getting healthy. A Santa who uses cochlear implants tells children it’s a microphone to the head elf at the North Pole.

The non-prototypical Santas, such as a woman, an Orthodox Jew or a

person of color, tend to strongly see themselves as Santa on a year-round basis, still living out their feelings of being called to the Santa role despite their non-prototypical attributes.

Those interviewed told researchers they experienced rejection along their path. An African American Santa was told a store wasn’t ready for a Santa of color, but he persisted. A physically disabled Santa reinterpreted characteristics of Santa to address his needs, such as using a motorized scooter to participate in a parade.

“These atypical Santas are trailblazers,” said Csillag, the Stirek assistant professor of management in OSU’s College of Business. “The expectations for playing the role may seem exclusive, but they are surmountable.”

Csillag noted that the researchers only interviewed people who had successfully become Santa; there may still be people with the desire to become Santa who have not been able to achieve that goal.

The study’s findings have broader implications for employers and potential employees as well, Csillag said.

For example, people who feel called to a role because of a personal, moral or social significance, such as teaching,

nursing or faith-based jobs, may be able to succeed in that role even if they don’t meet typical societal requirements, Csillag said.

“You don’t have to possess the ‘must-haves,’ such as looking a certain way or having a certain trait, to live out your calling,” she said. “Think about your attributes in a comprehensive way so you can identify the dimensions of the role that are well-fitting. You will likely find attributes that map to that calling, even if they are not obvious at first.”

Another takeaway from the research is that leaders who govern membership in professional organizations have strong influence on role expectations, Csillag said. Such leaders can help make occupations to which people feel called more welcoming to diverse candidates by relaxing exclusionary expectations that don’t ultimately limit success in the role.

“If we want to be open to a diverse set of people living out their calling, leaders might need to be a bit more flexible about what it means to fulfill the role,” she said. Michelle Klampe is a writer-news researcher at Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. She may be reached at michelle.klampe@ oregonstate.edu or at 541-737-0784

Newport Recreation Center December Gym and Facility Closures

The City of Newport Recreation and Aquatic Center is announcing several scheduled gym closures and adjusted facility hours throughout December due to special events, holiday activities, and school facility use. Community members are encouraged to review the schedule below and plan their visits accordingly.

December 18: Large Gym Closure for Newport Middle School Basketball • 3:00-7:00 pm: Large

Winter Solstice Celebration at Driftwood Public Library

Driftwood Public Library would like to welcome you to join us for our 21st Annual Winter Solstice Celebration. This free community event will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 in Driftwood Public Library’s Distad Reading Room. Winter Solstice is the official first day of winter and has been a special moment of the year for many centuries. Cultures

around the world have marked this occasion in many diverse ways as a time of hope and reflection. Winter Solstice Celebration is open to all ages and will include musical performances, readings, poetry, and dance that honor the winter season.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the program. This free event is sponsored by The Friends of Driftwood

Public Library.

Driftwood Public Library is located on the second floor of the Lincoln City City Hall building at 801 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, across the street from Burger King and next to McKay’s Market.

Any questions about this or any other library event can be directed to Mark Irmscher at 541-996-1260 or via e-mail at mirmscher@lincolncity.org.

gym closed for a scheduled Newport Middle School basketball game. The small gym will remain open to the public during this time.

Holiday Facility Hours

December 24-

Christmas Eve.

Recreation & Aquatic Center closes early at 1 pm

• December 25Christmas Day.

Recreation & Aquatic Center closed all day

• December 31- New Year’s Eve. Recreation & Aquatic Center

closes at 5 pm

• January 1- New Year’s Day. Recreation & Aquatic Center closed all day

The Recreation Center staff thanks our patrons for their understanding and flexibility during this busy season of community events and holiday celebrations. For up-to-date facility information, visit www. newportoregon.gov/ dept/rec/. For questions, please contact the Newport Recreation Center at 541-265-7783

16th Annual New Year’s Day Peace Hike

A Community Commemoration of Resilience and Remembrance

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View the Future is proud to announce the 2026 16th Annual Peace Hike, an honored community tradition that brings residents, visitors, Tribal members, and partners together in reflection, unity, and hope for the year ahead.

Oregon Telephone Assistance Programs

TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES ACCESS PROGRAM (TDAP) loans specialized telecommunications equipment to qualifying Oregon residents with a disability in hearing, vision, speech, mobility or cognition.

THE OREGON TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE (OTRS) allows Oregonians who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have a speech disability to place and receive calls through specially trained operators. Visit hamiltonrelay.com/oregon or call 844-855-6722 for more information.

OREGON LIFELINE

Pioneer Connect is a participating service provider of the Oregon Lifeline program, a federal and state government assistance program that provides a monthly discount on phone or high-speed internet service for qualifying low-income households.

Eligible customers can get one Oregon Lifeline discount (phone or high-speed internet, but not both) per household. The Oregon Lifeline discount is non-transferable. Qualifying customers may be required to meet minimum federal service standards.

HOW TO QUALIFY: You may qualify if you receive benefits from one of the following:

•Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

•Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

•Medicaid

Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits

•Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)

• Tribal Specific Programs

• Your total household income is at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines

Oregon Lifeline subscribers are free to choose their own toll usage plans through long distance providers that service the Pioneer Connect serving area. Toll Blocking and/or toll control is available for free to Oregon Lifeline subscribers.

Proof of eligibility may be necessary for enrollment. Qualifying customers may be required to recertify every year to maintain their Oregon Lifeline discount. All information is treated as confidential.

QUESTIONS OR TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE: For questions or to apply for Oregon Lifeline or TDAP equipment, please visit rspf.oregon.gov, call 1-800-848-4442 (M–F, 9AM–4PM) or email: puc.rspf@puc. oregon.gov

Information and eligibility may change at any time. Visit the Oregon Public Utility Commission website for the most up-to-date information: rspf.oregon.gov

Held each January, the Peace Hike commemorates the cultural history and enduring resilience of the Tribal peoples who once lived in the lands we now call home. This year’s event continues that legacy, honoring stories of remembrance while celebrating the strength of community stewardship. Participants are invited to join the hike, learn from cultural speakers, and stand together in honor of the past, present, and future. Community members, families, and visitors are all welcome.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: 16th Annual New Year›s Day Peace Hike

Date: January 1, 20268:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Yachats, Oregon For additional information including the schedule of events and ways to get involved, please visit: https://www.viewthefuture.org/2026-16th-annualpeace-hike

ABOUT VIEW THE FUTURE

View the Future is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting natural lands, restoring ecosystems, and ensuring long-term community resilience. Through conservation work, public education, and meaningful partnerships, View the Future strives to safeguard the places we love for generations to come.

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

We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-866-249-8679. 402 BUSINESSES FOR SALE

BREWERY in Winston, Oregon with highway frontage. Turn key, 10BBL brewery, commercial real estate included. www.lgbrewpub.com 541-378-8565

EMPLOYMENT FISHTAILS CAFE LINE COOK

F.T. or P.T. days, pay depends on experience. 3101 Ferry Slip Rd., South Beach, OR marionberry2@icloud.com 700 BARGAIN CORNER

999 PUBLIC NOTICES LCL25-580 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN Department of Probate. In the Matter of the Estate of: J. IRENE KAMINSKI, Deceased. No. 25PB09849. NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RUTH H. ROSS has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned attorney for the personal representative at 7157 SW Beveland Rd., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97223, 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, Philip A. Hingson of The Hingson Law Firm, PC. Dated and published on December10, 2025. Personal Representative: RUTH H. ROSS, c/o The Hingson Law Firm, PC. Philip A. Hingson, Attorney for Personal Representative The Hingson Law Firm, PC, 7157 SW Beveland Rd., Suite 1OO, Portland, OR 97223, (503) 6394800, Fax: (971) 2391139, phil@oregontrustattorney.com 12/10/25 LCL25-581 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL LINCOLN PUD will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 2129 N. Coast Hwy. Newport, Oregon. To review the meeting agenda, please go to clpud.org. Customers interested in attending the meeting virtually can email info@clpud. org to make a request. 12/10/25

LCL25-582 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TS NO.: 140006-OR LOAN NO.: ***0607 Reference is made to that certain trust deed (the “Deed of Trust”) executed by MICHAEL M. MCREYNOLDS, TRUSTEE OF THE MICHAEL M. MCREYNOLDS LIVING TRUST DATED AUGUST 29, 2008, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO, as Grantor, to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS DESIGNATED NOMINEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE, LLC, BENEFICIARY OF THE SECURITY INSTRUMENT, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS,

as Beneficiary, dated 11/23/2021, recorded 12/2/2021, as Instrument No. 2021-15153, in the Official Records of Lincoln County, Oregon, which covers the following described real property situated in Lincoln County, Oregon: LOT 5, BLOCK 32, BAYSHORE DIVISION NO. 6, IN LINCOLN COUNTY, OREGON. APN: R378358 / 13-11-18-CB-08800-00 Commonly known as: 1906 NW MORSE WAY WALDPORT, OR 97394

The current beneficiary is: FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE 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 foreclosure is made is caused by the death of the borrower. TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $361,202.12. 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 $272,126.48 together with interest thereon in the total amount of $67,668.23, 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 4/2/2026, at the hour of 10:00 AM, standard time, as established by ORS 187.110, AT THE OLIVE STREET ENTRANCE TO THE LINCOLN COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 225 W 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), togeth

800 RENTALS HOUSES AND APARTMENTS FOR RENT

541-265-2400 M-F/10-4. assurance-realtor.com 902

HOMES FOR SALE ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE Find all listed MLS property by All Offices on our Website! 541265-2200 AdvantageRealEstate.com

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

er 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 respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 11/19/2025 CLEAR RECON CORP 1915 NE Stucki Avenue, Suite 400 Hillsboro, OR 97006 Phone: 858-7507777 866-931-0036 Jessica Lopez, Authorized Signatory of Trustee 12/10/25 12/17/25 12/24/25 12/31/25 LCL25-583 INVITATION TO BID: ABANDONED PROPERTY OF BEARL BYBEE AND ALL OTHERS. For Sale, a 1972 GLENMERE, Serial #S492, Home ID #162894. The mobile home is located at 6310 N. Hwy 101, Space #0, Otis, OR 97368. This will be a private sale with a minimum

Lincoln County Courthouse, 225 West Olive Street, Newport. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid an estimate of $251,425.52. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bids, all bidders except the Secretary must submit a deposit totaling $25,142.55 [10% of the Secretary’s

Calendar of EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10

“Christmas at the Coast”

2:00 - 9:30 p.m., Newport First Presbyterian Church, 227 Northeast 12th Street Newport. Newport Symphony Orchestra presents a candlelit program featuring beloved seasonal works and Baroque classics. 2 pm and again at 7:30 pm at 227 NE 12th Street. Tickets, $45 for general admission and $10 for students, available at coastarts.org.

Preschool Storytime

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Newport Public Library, 35 Northwest Nye Street Newport. Preschoolers and their grown-ups can enjoy lively stories followed by a themed craft.

Gentle Yoga Sessions

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lincoln City Cultural Center, Northeast Highway 101 Lincoln City. This New Moon Yoga class features slow, gentle movements guided by the breath and awareness for flexibility in body, mind and spirit. Safe and appropriate for all levels. Noon, 540 NE Hwy. 101

Shut Up & Write!

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pioneer Joe Coffee, 869 Southwest 51st Street Lincoln City. Break through your writer’s block and overcome procrastination. 2:30-4 pm, 869 SW 51st Street. FMI, contact CJ at 541-224-6498 Bingo

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Panther Creek Community Center, 655 North Wayside Loop Otis. Food served from 4:30 pm. Bingo runs from 5-7 pm, 655 N Wayside Loop, follow the signs from the Otis junction. FMI, email pcsacc@centurylink.net.

Trivia Night

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Pines Dine, 5040 Southeast Highway 101 Lincoln City. Have fun and get in the running for great prizes while raising money for the Taft Senior Drug & Alcohol-Free Grad Night. Every Wednesday through May 2026 Karaoke

8:30 p.m. - 11:55 p.m. Zeller’s

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Lincoln City Community Center, 2150 Northeast Oar Place Lincoln City.

8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. 2 Broke Bartenders, 636 Southwest Hurbert Street Newport. With KJ/DJ Prince of Pop InsaSpence. 8:30-1130 pm, 636 SW Hurbert Street, 541-264-8363

Lincoln City / Depoe Bay Cribbage Club

Meets 3 pm every Wednesday at Pioneer Joe Coffee in the Salishan Marketplace, 7775 N Coast Hwy, Gleneden Beach. $9 entry, 6 games. Forget the rest, come play with the best. Info: Jack Shumate, 541-574-7668

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

Oregon Coast Aquarium Sea of Lights

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd. in Newport. Call 541-86703474 for more details.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

Holiday Gyotaku Printing

11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Pelican Brewing on Siletz Bay in Lincoln City Newport Farmer’s Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Hwy 101 and Angle St. in Newport. Market has over 60 vendors to offer an array of seasonal produce, art, fresh flowers, plants, jewelry, photography, hot food, fresh pastries, honey, salsa, coffee, crafts and live music! Be sure to check out the hot food area. Meet up with your friends and shop local and fresh!

Oregon Coast Aquarium Sea of Lights

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd. in Newport. Call 541-86703474 for more details. Cookie and Craft Bazaar

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday December 13 by the LWML

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

Taft, Newport swim teams travel to Astoria

WILL LOHRE Lincoln County Leader

The Cubs and Tigers hopped in the pool for the first time this season this past weekend, traveling to Astoria to take part in the Andrew Nygaard Invitational.

Astoria High School played the host, and Astoria Aquatic Center was the venue. Both programs sent their boys and girls teams to the meet, and they competed with other schools from around the state. For Newport, the girls team finished first at the meet, and the boys finished fourth. On the other hand, the Taft Tigers also placed well, with the girls taking third and the boys finishing in second.

It was a pretty packed field at the meet, with 10 teams competing in the girls’ division and nine teams competing in the boys’ competition. It was a who’s who of Special District 3, and more than 190 swimmers took part.

Other girls’ teams in attendance in Astoria, other than the Cubs and Tigers, were Tillamook, Astoria, Valley Catholic, St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, Banks, and Seaside. On the boys’ side, other teams included Tillamook, Astoria, Scappoose, St. Helens, NeahKah-Nie, Valley Catholic, and Seaside.

Final standing and scores from the meet were:

BOYS

• Newport - 228

• Tillamook - 224

• Taft - 186 Astoria - 181

• Valley Catholic - 171

• Seaside - 112

• St. Helens - 38

• Scappoose - 36 Rainier - 29

• Banks - 11

GIRLS

• Tillamook - 233

• Taft - 216

• Astoria - 197

• Newport - 171

• Scappoose - 141

St. Helens - 126

• Seaside - 90

• Valley Catholic - 86

• Neah Kah Nie - 7

Starting the season with such strong results will no doubt buoy expectations for programs that proved to be excellent teams last season. Newport finished in

the top five in the boys and girls divisions at the OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A Swimming State Championships. in Astoria, Newport had 18 swimmers racing. Freshmen Kadin and Tristin Speer, and Leo Granilio all swam their first competitive swim race ever. There were six relays during the meet, three for each gender. NHS won three relays, along with 2nd and 3rd in two others. Out of the 16

individual varsity races, NHS won five to go along with six Top 3 finishes.

Juniors Gwynn Postlewait (200 Free & 100 Breast) and Jahan Eibner (200 IM & 500 Free) won two events each, Junior Hana Parker won the 100 Fly (with Freshman Skyla Chen in 2nd). Junior Clyde Bretz won the 100 Free and was 3rd in the 100 Back. Sophomore Gigi Howard took 2nd in the girls 100 Free, while freshman Hudson Cline took 2nd in the boys 50 Free.

The Cubs were represented by Kadin & Tristin Speer, Leo Granilio, Jahan Eibner, Gwynn Postlewait, Hana Parker, Ruby Perucci, Brynn Hillebrand, Skyla Chen, Hudson Clie, Rowan Pettett, Gigi Howard, Pacific Young, Alondra Balderas, Kindal Brandenberger, Clyde Bretz, Ashlyn Conrad, and Zane Carver.

Both programs have a packed season ahead of them before they battle for the state playoff positions at the Special District 3 Championships in February. Newport boys and girls have eight meets apiece before the Feb. 13-14 culmination of the season. According to OSAA, Taft has seven listed meets for the boys and eight for the girls. The next time both programs will be back in the pool will be at the Newport Invitational at the Newport YMCA Pool on Dec. 13

Lincoln County boys basketball round-up

LOHRE

WILL

Lincoln County Leader

The opening basketball games of the season are in the books for Lincoln County’s high schools, and teams from around the area have seen varying levels of success in their opening stanzas. Let’s jump around and see how the ball is bouncing in the early going for the boys from Taft, Eddyville Charter, Newport, Toledo, Siletz Valley, and Waldport.

TAFT HIGH SCHOOL

The Tigers have opened the season on a high note, winning on opening night against Siuslaw on Dec. 3, and following it up with a second win against Catlin Gable a couple of days later on Dec. 5. The first win was an authoritative 76-53 victory against the Vikings, and the second was a more testy 50-41 affair.

The Tigers initially had a third game scheduled against Neah-Kah-Nie, but it was cancelled. Taft will next be in

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competitions that have produced nearly three and a half tons of food donations.

This year’s drive will focus solely on human food donations. Pet and animal food will not be collected.

action against Harrisburg on the road tonight.

EDDYVILLE CHARTER

SCHOOL

The Eagles have started the year 1-2. The one win they have under their belt was a thumping of Yoncalla on opening night, who the Eagles took care of 84-29 on Dec. 4. The 84-point explosion was the most points the Eagles have scored in a game since at least 2013, according to OSAA. After that resounding win, Eddyville attended the Days Creek Tournament to play Crosspoint Christian and Country Christian. The games were played on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, and both were defeats for Eddyville. The loss to Crosspoint Christian was a close-fought game, but Eddyville ended up losing 44-49. Against Country Christian, they ended up losing 33-45. Eddyville also played against North Clackamas Christian on Dec. 9, but the result is not known at the time of press.

Donation updates and challenge results will be shared throughout December on the City of Newport’s official social media channels: Facebook and Instagram: @CityOfNewportOre

LINCOLN CITY

Lincoln City is happy to accept the friendly challenge that Newport

Eddyville will play Dufur next on Dec. 11

NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL

The Cubs notched their first win of the season on opening night for the second season in a row. Newport hosted the Cottage Grove Lions on Dec. 3 and walked away as the victors with a 69-50 W. It was the second time the Cubs had beaten the Lions in 2025, as Newport defeated Cottage Grove 70-41 to solidify Newport’s spot in the 2025 playoffs.

The Cubs played against Elmira on Dec. 9, but the result of that game is unknown at the time of press. The Cubs are back in action against Westside Christian Dec. 11

TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

The Boomers have had a busy start to the season, playing four games in the span of the first week. Though the result of the Dec. 9 game against Chemawa is not known at the time of press, Toledo entered the matchup with a 2-1 record. Toledo started the campaign

has proposed for this year’s Holiday Food Drive. To see which city can collect the most non-perishable food items during this holiday season. Lincoln City is collecting donations for the Lincoln City Food Pantry at Coast Vineyard Church. The food drive will run from December 8 through December 31

off with a 75-51 blowout win over Vernonia/Jewell on Dec. 3, but couldn’t get a streak going when they traveled to the Coquille Winter Lake Classic to face Siuslaw.

The Vikings beat the Boomers 41-56 in a game that pitted 2A Toledo against a larger 3A program. Nevertheless, Toledo picked itself up and returned to winning ways against Coquille the following day, Dec. 6, beating the red Devils 71-58. The Boomers will be back on the court tonight against Santiam away from home.

SILETZ VALLEY

The Warriors endured a difficult debut game on Dec. 4, as they couldn’t quite keep it close with Open Door Christian Academy. The Huskies played a good game and ended up beating Siletz Valley 71-38 Open Door Christian Academy was a playoff team last season, and it was always going to be a challenge to start off.

Siletz Valley next has a game against Falls City/Kings Valley

and all community members are encouraged to pitch in throughout the holiday season.

Lincoln City has four drop off locations in town: City Hall, Driftwood Public Library, Community Center, and the Police Station.

“Lincoln City is in a friendly competition with other communities to

Charter, who they will play at home this evening at 7 p.m.

WALDPORT HIGH SCHOOL

The Irish are off to a 0-2 start this year, but both games were tight and competitive. Waldport played both games away from home, traveling to play Triangle Lake and North Douglas on Dec. 3 and Dec. 5. The game against the Lakers was even, but ultimately Triangle Lake secured the win by just four points, 52-56 Against North Douglas, it was another single digit loss, this time with the Irish coming up short 39-45

There’s still plenty of season left for Waldport, and the result of their Dec. 9 game against Alsea is unknown at the time of press. The Irish will be going against another Lincoln County team in their fourth game when they welcome Siletz Valley on Dec. 12

Check for scores on OSAA. org, and check the Lincoln County Leader for continued coverage throughout the season.

help those in need,” City Manager Pro Tem Daniel Hunter said. “The Food Drive Challenge will benefit the Lincoln City Food Pantry and those who rely on it. I look forward to once again being impressed by the generosity of the people of Lincoln City.”

Lincoln City Food Pantry mission is to provide emergency food in North Lincoln County for people who need it. They serve the residents of Lincoln City, Neotsu, Otis, Rose Lodge, Gleneden Beach and anywhere in between.

Donation updates and challenge results will be shared throughout December on Lincoln City’s Facebook page.