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Permanent mask proposal . . ...... PAGE 2 Police Blotter .............................. PAGE 3

December 28, 2021

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Taft senior accepted into MIT HILARY DORSEY Editor

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aft 7-12 High School senior Dylan Rodriguez Barrera was accepted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and will be attending the university in the fall. Rodriguez Barrera was matched to MIT through QuestBridge National College Match, a national program that connect highachieving high school seniors from lowincome backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to top colleges. Rodriguez Barrera became interested in MIT when he received an application from QuestBridge. “I thought of it as the best school for STEM,” Rodriguez Barrera said. “I thought basically everything about it was cool – computer science, artificial intelligence, and I hadn’t really looked at engineering, but I thought it was a good place to start learning about engineering.” The high school does not have engineering classes, Rodriguez Barrera added. He likes computer science and started coding and liked how algorithms worked. Math is his favorite subject in school. He studied AP Calculus DC by himself last March through June. “My hobby is game development,” Rodriguez Barrera said. “That’s the biggest thing I code with.” Rodriguez Barrera also likes music production, 3D modeling and other

art. He is also on the school’s swim team, the Lincoln City Swim Club, and is in the school’s jazz and symphonic band. He also tries to volunteer weekly at Driftwood Public Library. “I also spend time with my little brother,” Rodriguez Barrera said. His brother has autism. He works with him on math, English and Spanish. The family only speaks Spanish in their home. Rodriguez Barrera said it was surreal getting into MIT, especially living in a small town. “You never hear about people going to big colleges,” Rodriguez Barrera said. “It was really exciting. I couldn’t believe it for a few days.” Rodriguez Barrera said his family is really excited for him to attend MIT. “It was my first-choice school,” Rodriguez Barrera said. “My mom really wanted me to go there.” Rodriguez Barrera will start MIT in August. He will be visiting the campus in April for Campus Preview Weekend, his first time seeing the university. Rodriguez Barrera said he is interested in studying computer science, but it also considering electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and possibly math. He is drawn to a career as a software engineer but will explore options while in college. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Rodriguez Barrera will start MIT in August.

Lincoln City KOA Journey Campground receives awards, celebrates 40 years

Sheriff Landers receives state recognition as the Oregon Sheriff of the Year

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HILARY DORSEY Editor

Lincoln City KOA Journey Campground earned the 2022 Kampgrounds of America (KOA) President’s Award and KOA Founder’s Award last month. These awards were presented Nov. 16 at KOA’s Annual International Convention in Baton Rouge, La. The second-generation family business was also recognized for being a KOA for 40 years. “It was humbling,” Steve Long, who runs the KOA, said. “It was a cool experience to be recognized for being help be a part of a family business of KOA for 40 years.” The KOA Founder’s Award is KOA’s highest service award. It is awarded exclusively to those KOA campground owners and managers who attain world-class scores in both customer service and the KOA Quality Review. The KOA President’s Award is presented to campgrounds that meet exceptional quality standards and receive high customer service scores from their camping guests. KOA surveys hundreds of thousands of campers each year regarding their KOA camping experience. “Customer service is our top priority,” Long said. “Customers are what our business revolves around. We keep our business successful because we focus on our customers’ needs first.”

Lincoln City KOA Journey is a second-generation campground. Mel and Barbara Lay purchased it in 1981. Steve Long, Barbara’s son, now runs the park with his wife. Long started working in the park at 8 years old, stomping down the grass as Mel and others pitchforked the hay into the back of a truck. He worked at the park through high school but left after college to pursue his own career. Long and his wife, Heidi, purchased the park in 2019. The couple caught up on maintenance projects and then looked for ways to take the park to the next level. They added new Wi-Fi, rebuilt RV pads, added patio sites and an RV site with KOA Paw Pen. There is a new covered group patio area, new laundry, rec room and food service kitchen. There is also now a walking bridge across a creek, giving campers access to a nearby nature trail. To book at the Lincoln City KOA Journey Campground, visit https://koa.com/campgrounds/lincoln-city/ KOA is the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds with 525 locations across the United States and Canada. KOA’s family of campground brands, including KOA Journey, offer sites and amenities designed for each type of camping experience. KOA Journey campgrounds are located near highways and byways with long pull-thru RV sites, offering convenience to the traveling camper. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net

INDEX Classifieds......................7 Opinion.......................... 6

VOL. 94 NO. 52

incoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers was recognized as the Sheriff of the Year during the annual Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) Winter Conference held in Bend last week. The OSSA award was presented to Landers by current OSSA president, Sheriff Tim Svenson of Yamhill County. The recipient of this award is selected by the OSSA Awards Committee, based upon his/her participation and contributions toward OSSA objectives and efforts in the current year. The award signifies exemplary service. This award is not issued every year if the nominating committee does not believe it is clearly justified. Landers was selected for “working diligently to elevate the experience for attendees at OSSA special events, including this award ceremony. He represents OSSA through six different committees (two of which he chairs) and is a liaison sheriff to two OSSA subgroups. He has spent untold hours in the 2021 legislative session providing advice on legislative matters as well as testifying on behalf of OSSA in the legislature on sensitive matters. Sheriff Landers makes it a point to attend all OSSA Executive and Board Committee meetings. As an Executive Committee member, this Sheriff provides great vision for the Executive Committee and is always thoughtful in the approach to any issues at hand. He is the first to help and say yes whenever OSSA has a need.” Landers currently serves on the Improving Access to Community Based Treatment, Supports, and Services (IMPACTS) Grant Committee; Legislative Committee; Chief Justice Advisory Committee (Pretrial Subcommittee); State Interoperable Executive Committee; Oregon Task Force on School Safety (Vice Chair); and chairs the OSSA Budget Committee. “It is an honor to serve Lincoln County residents as their Sheriff and I am truly humbled to receive this recognition from my peers through OSSA,” said Landers. “Having the opportunity to actively participate on behalf of our citizens through the OSSA greatly benefits our local community through partnerships, funding opportunities and having a voice at the state level from a policy and rule-making perspective.” In addition to receiving the Sheriff of the Year recognition, Landers also received the OSSA President’s Special Recognition Award. Landers has been nominated to the vice president seat of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association for the coming year.

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Oregon’s permanent mask proposal takes shape Oregonians may soon face an indefinite indoor mask mandate. As the expiration of the state’s temporary indoor mask rule draws near, a permanent replacement is under review by state health officials. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) filed a proposed rulemaking notice Dec. 10 with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, requesting changes to the current rule which expires Feb. 8, 2022. The proposed permanent rule, if effected, would replace the current 180-day temporary rule with one of “indefinite” duration. “This is necessary to control COVID-19, reduce hospitalizations and deaths, and provide general health protection to people in Oregon,” the proposed rule change states. The rule generally applies to all businesses in Oregon. The OHA is also proposing a civil penalty of $500 per person per day for non-compliance with the rule. In addition, the rule change would grant the Oregon State Public Health Director or the Oregon State Health Officer “the authority to rescind and reinstate all or parts of the rule,” according to the notice. The rule can be repealed if “on the ground” conditions approve, which are currently not tied to any metrics, according to State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger. Before the filing, an administrative rules advisory committee met Thursday, Dec. 2 to review the need for the OHA’s proposed rule and receive the input of small businesses and organizations, the notice states. The proposal comes shortly after the Omicron variant’s arrival to the United

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This six-page proposed rule change would make Oregon’s indoor mask mandate indefinite. States on Dec. 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Through Dec. 8, the OHA reported that 22 U.S. states had detected at least one COVID-19 case attributed to the Omicron variant. Among 43 cases with initial follow-up, one hospitalization and no deaths were reported. As of Monday, Dec. 13, there were three confirmed cases of Omicron in Oregon. At a virtual press conference held Friday, Dec. 17, Gov. Kate Brown reaffirmed the importance of responsible masking practices amid news of the new variant.

“As Omicron is spreading, more states are starting to follow Oregon’s lead in reinstating mask requirements,” she said. “Thank you to every Oregonian who continues to mask up. You are making a difference.” “Science shows that masks work,” OHA Lead Communications Officer Jonathan Modie told The Chronicle. “They save lives. That’s why OHA issued the temporary rule requiring indoor mask use and why OHA plans to issue the permanent rule with this requirement.” Modie said the OHA’s decision to move forward

with the proposal was databased. “OHA reviewed several studies related to COVID-19 transmission and masking, including national data on the effectiveness of masks in preventing the transmission of the virus,” Modie said. “OHA continues to monitor scientific data with regard to masking and control of COVID-19.” Data from the CDC shows a 1-2% reduction in COVID case growth and death rates associated with state-issued mask mandates in a study of 2,313 U.S. counties up to 81-100 days after implementation.

Oregon is one of eight states to retain a mask mandate nearly two years into the pandemic, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Modie said the OHA’s approach is to continue to look at the impact of the virus on Oregonians and Oregon’s health care system. “And make recommendations based on what we see on the ground, and either increase control of the pandemic because things are getting worse or relax the current precautions we have in place because the disease rate has gone down significantly,” he said. “We want

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hospitals to be at a point where they are able to handle the volume of patients they see from COVID-19 and other conditions without needing the tremendous additional staffing they have in order to provide that quality of care to all Oregonians.” Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal, according to Modie. The OHA is accepting comments on the proposed rule until Jan. 24, and a public hearing will be conducted Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. The location of that meeting was pending at press time.

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Police Blotter Lincoln City Police The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Dec. 18

9:46 a.m. Police took report of a non-injury, non-blocking traffic complaint crash in front of line of control in the 2000 block of NE Hwy 101. Officer responded. 4:45 p.m. Police took report of a woman reporting her firearm is missing from her home in the 2400 block of NE 29th St.

Dec. 19

5:25 p.m. Police responds to a two-vehicle, non-blocking, non-injury crash in the 4000 block of NE Hwy 101. One of the drivers was cited for careless driving and no valid operator’s license. 8:43 p.m. Police performed a traffic stop on SE 28th St./Hwy 101. Driver was taken into custody and transported to Lincoln City Police Department. Driver was cited and released for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Dec. 20

9:27 p.m. Police performed a traffic stop on SE East Devils Lake Road/Hwy 101. Driver was taken into custody and transported to Lincoln City Jail on a failure to appear in court warrant out of Yamhill County. 10:48 p.m. Police responded to a business in the 1700 block of NW 44th St. for the report of a man having suicidal thoughts. The man was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital.

Dec. 21

6:57 a.m. Police responded to a report of an injury crash into a building on the 5000 block of SW Hwy 101. Boulders in highway. Other agencies responded for heavy trauma. Driver was cited and released from Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital for reckless driving, possession of stolen vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless endangering another person and driving uninsured. 5:36 p.m. Police took report of a hit and run on NW Hwy 101/NW 14th St.

Astoria artist Agnes Field brings her paintings to Newport Visual Arts Center The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts presents the exhibit “The Short Days of Winter,” by Agnes Field,” from Jan. 8 to Feb. 26 in the Upstairs Gallery at the Newport Visual Arts Center (777 NW Beach Dr.). An Astoria-based artist, Field will exhibit paintings on panel and other substrata. Following current COVID-19 protocols, a soft opening will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Jan. 8, with the artist making remarks at 2 p.m. Born and raised in Astoria, Agnes Field moved to New York City and studied at the School of Visual Arts. She completed her graduate work in studio art at New York University before working at Studio Art International in Florence and Venice. Fields is a founding board member of Astoria Visual Arts and KMUN-FM radio and has been a practicing artist on the North Oregon Coast for over 20 years. Most recently she awarded a PICA Precipice Fund grant—funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts and the Calligram Foundation—to restore and repurpose, along with two other artists, an historic local park. Field’s work has been shown nationally and internationally and can be found on the coast at Astoria Visual Arts Gallery, Cannon Beach Gallery, Fairweather Gallery and others. “Most of the materials I use are recycled or found material and occasionally the materials define the direction of my work,” Field said. “I do believe in material identity—that certain materials have their own possibilities and sense of time. The tension is between chance and choice—the unexpected given or the decisions made.” Given current COVID-19 guidelines, the Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC) is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The Newport Visual Arts Center adheres to all health and safety protocol provided by the Governor’s Office as well as the City of Newport. All visitors to the VAC are required to wear proper masks and have their temperature taken prior to entry. The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts manages the Newport Visual Arts Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center and serves as the regional arts council for Oregon’s seven coastal counties.

Grants available for main street building projects statewide The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is offering grants for up to $200,000 in matching funds for downtown revitalization efforts in communities participating in the Oregon Main Street Network. The Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant funds may be used to acquire, rehabilitate and construct buildings on properties in designated downtown areas statewide. Funded projects must facilitate community revitalization that will lead to private investment, job creation or retention, establishing or expanding viable businesses, or creating a stronger tax base. Projects may include façade improvement, accessibility enhancement, basic utilities, second floor renovations and more. Only organizations participating in the Oregon Main Street Network are eligible to apply. Projects must be within approved Main Street areas.

Eligible organizations may collaborate with the local governments and private property owners to apply for projects that will have the biggest benefit to the downtown. The grant application deadline is March 15, 2022. In 2019, the second grant cycle, SHPO awarded 30 matching grants worth $5,244,261 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state for building projects that encourage economic vitality. Projects ranged from façade improvement to housing and awards ranged from $56,731-$200,000. Sixtythree percent of the requests were funded, with 93% going to rural communities. “While all of the 2019 projects are not complete, we are thrilled to see the impact this grant program is having in communities that have worked hard to make downtowns a strong asset despite the

pandemic,” said Sheri Stuart, Oregon Main Street Network coordinator. Adaptive reuse of a bank building brought apartments to downtown Coos Bay. And structural enhances stabilized a building for retail and event space in Baker City. “We are looking forward to proposals for the new cycle,” said Stuart. In 2015, legislation established a permanent fund for the grant and provided an initial $2.5 million of funding

as part of a larger lottery bond package. In the 2017 legislative session, an additional $5 million was approved and was funded through the sale of the 2019 lottery bond package. The 2021 bond sale was canceled due to the economic impact of COVID-19, but the Oregon legislature included Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in the bond packages slated for 2022 and 2023. Preservation office staff is happy to talk with applicants about potential grant projects

and review applications. A free online workshop specific to the Oregon Main Street Revitaliza-

tion Grant will be January 14, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Registration is required.

City of Toledo EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Toledo, OR. The City of Toledo is currently hiring for openings in several departments. We offer competitive wages DOQ, and an excellent benefits package. For a list of available openings, position profiles and how to apply, please visit the City website at www.cityoftoledo.org/jobs. For questions, contact Lisa Figueroa, City Recorder at 541-336-2247 x 2060 or lisa. figueroa@cityoftoledo.org. Deadline to apply varies for each position. The City of Toledo is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate.

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TELL US

HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE THE WORLD? We asked Emma and Bridget from Oceanlake Elementary how they would change the world if they could. Brilliant minds with great ideas! Great world changes Emma and Bridget. Graduating Class of 2032!

h ge yo u w is n a h c a e v Do yo u ha e world? to see in th ity? or Lincoln C f e g n a h c A o u! ear fro m y h o t t n a w ge We ea for chan id r u o y s u as in Sen d sh yo ur ide li b u p l il w rd. an d we h NewsGua t 5 2 y r a u n o ur Ja

Get your tho ughts publishe d! How to submit your “Change the World”: 150 word maximum Be nice. No bu llying. Photo’s or Art encouraged! Send to: Newsguardads@countr ym edia.net We look for ward to your tho ughts !

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OPINION/OBITUARIES ONLINE POLL Last week’s results

Vol. 94 No. 52 USPS 388-100

Are you in favor of a permanent mask mandate?

Published Weekly by Country Media Inc. 1818 NE 21st Street Lincoln City, Oregon 97367-0848

30% said Yes 63% said No 5% said they don’t wear a mask 2% said they didn’t care

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WRITE TO US: We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor. Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. Letters longer than 300 words will not be printed. Letters can be on any topic, but letters on local issues will be given preference. Letters to the Editor that attack or challenge private individuals or private businesses will be refused. Challenges to public officials may be permitted. Only one letter per writer will be published on a single topic each month. Thank you letters are limited to mentioning individuals and non-commercial organizations and cannot exceed 200 words. Paragraph here on deadlines for each paper. We also welcome longer guest columns. These might be columns written by newsmakers, public officials or representatives of local organizations. These can run a little longer in length, usually between 450 and 700 words. To verify authenticity, all letters and guest columns must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address of phone number. Any guest opinion may appear on the (newspaper name) website. While we strive to publish all viewpoints, The News Guard and Country Media reserve the right to refuse to publish any letter or guest editorial. Letters to the Editor or guest columns can be sent to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net or P.O. Box 848, Lincoln City, OR, 973670848. Letters can also be submitted at thenewsguard. com. ADVERTISING DEADLINES: Advertising: Wednesday, 5 p.m. Legals, Community news and listings: Thursday at 12 p.m. Sports information and Letters to the editor: Friday at noon. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The News Guard, P.O. Box 848, Lincoln City, OR 973670848. Periodicals Postage paid at Lincoln City, OR 97367 and at additional mailing offices. © 2020 The News Guard.

Options for submitting obituaries: • Death notice: Includes the person’s name, age, town of residency, and info about any funeral services. No Charge. Add a photo $25. • Standard Obit: The cost is $75 for the first 200 words, $50 for each additional 200 words. Includes a small photo at no extra cost. Add $25 for each additional photo. • Option for a 50% off pickup (no changes) for an obit within 2 weeks of original publish date. • Display Obit: $9.50 pci. Add color for $5.00 pci. Includes a small photo at no extra cost. • Obit includes placement online.

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GUEST COLUMN Gomberg: Special session recap and regular session ratings REP. DAVID GOMBERG, House District 10

Dear Neighbors & Friends,

Last week I previewed the special session which convened Monday morning. I was concerned that once legislators were assembled, anything might happen. As it turns out, the session was focused, efficient, effective, and relatively drama free. By 7 p.m., we brought the gavel down, adjourned, and drove home through gathering snow flurries. • Housing (Senate Bill 891): The House and Senate passed legislation to prevent thousands of winter evictions, speed up application processing, and ensure landlords are fully paid. Oregon families across the state—whether they live in a rural, suburban or urban community—will all benefit from these important housing protections. • Drought relief (Senate Bill 892 and Senate Bill 5561): We approved $100 million to help Oregonians impacted by last summer’s extreme heat and drought conditions. This will help ensure rural communities have the resources they need to respond to terrible drought and wildfire impacts. I strongly support Oregon’s agricultural community, farmworkers and Tribes and I look forward to working toward more solutions as we prepare for the 2022 Legislative Session. • Illegal cannabis suppression (Senate Bill 893 and Senate Bill 5561): We provided $25 million for a comprehensive, statewide plan to address the proliferation of illegal cannabis and ease the humanitarian and environmental impacts of the cartel industry. • Afghan refugee resettlement (Senate Bill 5561): We allocated $18 million to support the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oregon. • Gun violence prevention (Senate Bill 5561): We focused $2 million for outreach, prevention and intervention programs in East Multnomah County. A special committee was created to prepare policy and budget bills to address these issues and a few others. When the measures reached the floor, I rose to speak twice. Senate Bill 5561 was a funding package that contained a number of items. Generally I felt all were worthy of support. But I was concerned by Section 32 which allocated a million dollars each to Oregon’s fourteen largest cities for affordable housing. That’s fine, I said. But small cities and towns need help with housing too! A rental vacancy rate of under 1% hurts a lot more in a community of 5,000 than a city of 50 or 100 thousand. And when people from Ashland or Medford, Eugene or Salem, Beaverton, Gresham and Portland come to the coast and wonder why service levels in our restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, or for that matter, our schools and hospitals are not

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what they should be, the answer is that people that want to work here can’t find a place to live here! You can watch or listen to my remarks here. I also commented on our need to help families affected by COVID who had been promised support but now were at risk of eviction because the state agency processing claims was behind schedule. I spoke about those families but also about the good Oregonians who saw a need in their community and invested in housing. I spoke about small landlords – teachers, nurses, small business owners – who also had not been paid and were at risk of losing any past due rent. Finally, I said that as more Oregonians have become vaccinated and with students going back to school, we needed to phase the subsidies out, get back to work, and start paying the rent again. This time you can watch or listen to my remarks here. Monday was a reminder, which perhaps we all need right now, of what can be achieved when both sides come together for the good of the state and enact real and meaningful public policies. During the special session, we voted on four bills. But during the regular session earlier this year, we cast over 800 votes. The average Oregon House member missed 8 percent of 825 total floor votes, with Republican members on average missing 10 percent and Democrats on average missing 7 percent of all floor votes. One member missed 240 out of 825 - for a score of 29 percent missed votes. There are a variety of reasons why a member might miss a vote. They may be ill, have unavoidable business conflicts, or most common, have necessary committee meetings that conflict with the floor schedule. That was the case when I missed eight votes this year. I was in Ways and Means voting on budgets that had to be addressed in the final days of session. I appeared each and every day, but missed 1% of the total votes which placed me among the best ten in the chamber. If you’d like to review other legislators attendance or read more, check out the new Missed Votes Scorecards calculated by the Club for Growth Foundation. Some organizations trace

attendance. Others track performance from their particular perspective. They too issue scorecards. Here are a few recently released reports and links to where you can review bills considered and individual legislator ratings: • OSPIRG, the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group 2021 state legislative scorecard reviewed 13 bills that were voted on in at least one chamber. The bills focused on reining in the cost of health care, moving Oregon towards zero waste, standing up for consumers, and more. I was pleased to receive a 100% rating. • I have long been a vocal champion of animal welfare and twice been named Oregon legislator of the year by the Humane Society. Individual votes are tracked by Humane Voters | Oregon. I was one of six out of 90 members to receive a 100% rating. • The Oregon League of Conservation Voters, OLCV, tracked 15 measures related to climate, conservation, and the environment. At 90%, I had the highest rating of any legislator on the Coast. As other scorecards become available, I’ll try and share them with you. All of us here on the Coast are concerned about natural disasters. I write often about awareness, education, and preparation. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management and Dark Horse Comics have released a new comic book

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titled, Without Warning! Wildfire. Addressing what to do before and during a wildfire, the comic is third in a series of educational and entertaining comic books promoting emergency preparedness. The first two comics in the series, Without Warning! Earthquake (published in 2014) and Without Warning! Tsunami (published in 2016), have been distributed throughout the Northwest and adapted for other regions, helping support readiness in communities across the U.S. Without Warning! Wildfire features characters hiking and camping in an Oregon wilderness area who are forced to flee for their lives to escape a quickly moving wildfire. The comic helps teach readers how to protect themselves, their loved ones and wildlands when wildfires occur. “The Without Warning! comic book series began because we found that many education publications struggled to resonate with younger audiences,” said Althea Rizzo, OEM Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator. “The series has been a huge hit, helping us engage with youth while introducing and reinforcing the concept of readiness.” Without Warning! Wildfire is available to read for free at Dark Horse Digital or OEM’s website. Printed copies are available in English and Spanish through county emergency management offices. I continue to hear from

LINCOLN CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST

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concerned constituents who are facing longer lines and delays when filling prescriptions. Employee shortages were an issue before the pandemic. Generally they are worse now, and the problem is exacerbated by one major pharmacy chain closing. The legislature has no ability to make more employees available, or to make private businesses hire more staff if they can find them. I’m encouraging consumers to seek out mail delivery service for prescriptions if that works for you. This is a fairly common option these days and may be preferable if long wait times are an issue. Meanwhile, the Oregon Pharmacy Board is working on ways to reduce long lines at pharmacies and help people get vaccinated. The Board also says the Oregon Health Authority is negotiating with a staffing agency to help provide more pharmacists to independent pharmacies. None of these reactions will offer a quick fix. Again, setting up mail order pharmacy options - especially for folks who refill prescriptions regularly - will avoid the lines and send most of your medications right to your door. Earlier in December, I extended my wish for a happy holiday season to each and every one of you. No matter what you celebrate, please do so with warmth, love and kindness. And let’s all look forward with optimism to a new year. Thanks for reading!

Peace be still…

Sunday Schedule

Unity By the Sea Spiritual Center

Broadcast on 104.1 FM Available in some areas!

1922 NE 17th St., Lincoln City, OR 541-418-0345, info@ubts.org 10:45 AM-Meditation 11:00 AM-Unity Service Sundays

Adult Bible Study 9:00 am Worship & Sunday School 10:30 am

Need Transportation?

We have a bus.

Please call the church at 541-994-8793 for information.

Everyone is welcome!

SundayBible Bible Study 9:30 Sunday Study 9:30 AMAM Wednesday Men's support PM Sunday Worship 11 AM and 6 6PM Tuesday Ladies Bible Study 10 AM Tuesday Ladies Bible Study 10 AM Sunday worship 11:00 AM and Thursday 6:00 PM Night Support Group 6 PM

2160 NE Quay Pl, Lincoln City, Or 561 SW 29th, Lincoln City Or 97367 •• 541-996-3320 541-996-3320 97367 www.lincolncitychurchofchrist.org www.lincolncitychurchofchrist.org L52238 L20100

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me…Where ever we are, God is, and all is well! All are welcome… see you soon!


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Public Notices NG21-203 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VAR 2021-03 The Lincoln City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider VAR 2021-03 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. on the Zoom online platform. Any person who may be affected is invited to attend and participate in the hearing and present written and/or oral testimony concerning the project. The brochure included with this notice provides the procedure for conduct of hearings. Description of Project The Lincoln City Planning and Community Development Department received an application requesting a variance from the minimum 20-foot garage entrance setback to between 17.09 and 17.83 feet. The subject property is addressed as 4930 SW Coast Ave and identified as Assessor’s Map 07-1127-CD08000-00. The applicant is Northwest Coastal Investments. The property owner is Picturebook Properties dba Northwest Coastal Investments. Applicable Criteria and Staff Report The applicable criteria governing this review are: Lincoln City Municipal Code (LCMC) Chapter 17.16 Single-Family Residential (R-1) Zone; Section 17.76.050 Type III Procedures; and Section 17.77.140 Variances. A copy of the staff report will be available for inspection at no cost at least seven days prior to the hearing and will be provided at reasonable cost to individuals who request it. For More Information The complete file may be reviewed online at www.lincolncity.org by going to Departments in the top bar, then Planning &

Community Development, then Land Use Cases, then Variance, and then VAR 2021-03. A copy of the application and all documents and evidence submitted by or on behalf of the applicant, and applicable criteria are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost at the Lincoln City Planning and Community Development Department, 801 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon. For additional information, please call Anne Marie Skinner, Director, at 541.996.1228. Written Comments and/or Testimony Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing in person, or by letter/ email, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the Planning Commission and/or City Council an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). Please email your comments to planning@lincolncity.org or mail to Lincoln City Planning and Community Development, PO Box 50, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367. Planning Commission meetings are televised live on Charter Channel 4 Lincoln City and rebroadcast at various times. They are streamed live on the internet through a link on the City of Lincoln City website, and can also be viewed following the meeting. The meeting location at Lincoln City City Council Chambers, 801 SW Highway 101, is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired, for a hearing impaired device, or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to the City Recorder, at 541.996.1203. NG21-143 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN In the Matter of the Estate of: DONALD WAYNE KAISER, Deceased. Case No. 21PB09338 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KAREN S. BONDLEY has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Personal Representative, KAREN S. BONDLEY, at the address below, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative. ADDREESS FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: c/o Attorney David V. Cramer, OSB #992479, Zantello Law Group, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. DATED and first published: November 16, 2021. NG21-202 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain trust deed made by Tamarack Properties, LLC, as grantor, to Ryan D Harris, Esq., as successor trustee, in favor of Tidal Investments, LLC as successor beneficiary, dated July 17, 2018 and recorded on July 5, 2019, in the Records of Lincoln County, Document No. 2019-06237 (“Trust Deed”), covering the real property legally described as (“Property”): Beginning at the Southwest corner of Section 28, Township 8 South, Range 11 West, Willamette Meridian in the County of Lincoln and State of Oregon; thence North along the West line of said Section 28, 862.50 feet to a point; thence East and parallel with the South line of said Section 28, 270 feet to the true point of beginning; thence North and parallel with the West line of said Section 28, 50 feet to a point; thence East and parallel with the South line of said Section 28, 100 feet to a point; thence South and parallel with the West line of said Section line of said Section 28, 50 feet; thence West and parallel with the South line of said Section 28, 100 feet to the true point of beginning. Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the Property to satisfy the obligations secured by the Trust Deed and a notice

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Public Notices of default has been recorded pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes 86.752 (3); the grantor has defaulted by its failure to pay when due One Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-One and 23/100 Dollars ($167,671.23), including principal and interest. Because of such default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by the Trust Deed immediately due and payable, those sums being: One Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-One and 23/100 Dollars ($167,671.23), including principal and interest. Trustee hereby gives notice that on June 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. (in accordance with the standard of time established by ORS 187.110), in front of the Lincoln County Circuit Court at 225 W. Olive Street #201, Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the Property described above which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by grantor of the Trust Deed together with any interest which the grantor or grantor’s successors in interest acquired after the execution of the Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and any after-accrued interest and the costs and expenses of the sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right, at any time prior to five (5) days before for the sale, to have this foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, and in addition to paying those sums or tendering the performance necessary to cure the default, by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and Trust Deed, together with trustee and attorney fees not exceeding the amounts provided by ORS 86.778. 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 singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance or which is secured by the Trust Deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. DATED: December 14, 2021. Ryan D Harris, Esq., Successor Trustee, 17355 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road, Suite A, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035. NG21-155 Public Notice The Siletz Keys Sanitary District Board of Directors meets monthly on the second Mon-

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Public Notices day, except for government holidays, at 1:30 pm at the Gleneden Beach Community Center located at 110 Azalea St., Gleneden Beach OR. NG21-201 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COOS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DONALD G. MULLANIX, DECEASED CASE NUMBER: 21PB07159 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Ronnie G. Mullanix has been appointed Personal Representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the Personal Representative, c/o Freeman Green, Freeman Green Law, 525 Glen Creek Rd NW, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97304, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the Lawyer for the Personal Representative. NG21-200 Abandoned mobile home owned by Watson at #10 Breeze St. Unit #9 in Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341 is for sale. Sealed bids are accepted until 5 p.m., Dec. 29, 2021. Mail bids to Nguyen, PO Box 32, Beaverton, OR 97075. 503-318-9616. NG21-157 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN No. 21PB09667 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS In the Matter of the Estate of JOANNE M. SLEEMAN, Deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached to the undersigned personal representative at David Sleeman, c/o Van Ness, Williamson LLP, 960 Liberty Street SE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97302, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative, December 21, 2021. Personal Representative /s/David Sleeman, Attorney for Personal Representative Leonard W. Williamson, OSB #910020 Van Ness, Williamson LLP, 960 Liberty Street SE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97302. NG21-156 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS CITY-INITIATED ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS ZOA 2021-06, ZOA 2021-07, ZOA 2022-01, and ZOA 2022-02 The Lincoln City Planning Commission will hold public hearings to consider ZOA 2021-06, ZOA 2021-07, ZOA 2022-01, and ZOA 2022-02 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. on the Zoom online platform. The Lincoln City City Council will hold public hearings to consider ZOA 202106, 2021-07, ZOA 2022-01, and ZOA 2022-02 on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. on the Zoom online platform. Any person who may be affected is invited to attend and participate in

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cost and will be provided at reasonable cost at the Lincoln City Planning and Community Development Department, 801 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon. For additional information, please call Anne Marie Skinner, Director, at 541.996.1228. Written Comments and/or Testimony Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing in person, or by letter/ email, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the Planning Commission and/or City Council an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). Please email your comments to planning@lincolncity.org or mail to Lincoln City Planning and Community Development, PO Box 50, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367. Planning Commission meetings are televised live on Charter Channel 4 Lincoln City and rebroadcast at various times. They are streamed live on the internet through a link on the City of Lincoln City website and can also be viewed following the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired, for a hearing-impaired device, or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to the City Recorder, at 541.996.1203. Published December 21, 2021.

the hearing and present written and/or oral testimony concerning the proposed amendment. Description of Project ZOA 2021-06 proposes amending Title 17 of the Lincoln City Municipal Code by amending Chapter 17.76 (Procedures), Section 17.76.080 (Initiation of an Application), to authorize the planning and community development director to initiate Type IV applications on behalf of Lincoln City. ZOA 2021-07 proposes amending LCMC Title 17 by amending Chapter 17.72 (Signs), Section 17.72.090 (Permanent signs in the R-1-5, R-1-7.5, R-1-10, R-1RE, R-M, R-R, VR, and NP-NCR zones), to allow changeable copy signs, electronic message centers, and signs that are internally illuminated at public or private schools (kindergarten through 12th grade and educational institutions), subject to the provisions of LCMC 17.72.110, 17.72.120, and building and electrical code permitting. ZOA 2022-01 proposes amending LCMC Title 17 by amending Chapter 17.77 (Applications), Section 17.77.020 (Annexations) to clarify submittal requirements and allow for city-initiated annexation applications. ZOA 2022-02 proposes amending the Lincoln City Comprehensive Plan, Ordinance 84-01, as amended, together with Ordinance 84-02, as amended, to amend the Lincoln City Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map to conform Lincoln City’s urban growth boundary line to match the line adopted by Lincoln County, Oregon in Ordinance 183, on September 22, 1982. Applicable Criteria and Staff Report The applicable criteria governing these reviews are: Lincoln City Municipal Code (LCMC) Chapter 17.76 Procedures and Section 17.77.130 Text Amendment. A copy of the staff reports will be available for inspection at no cost at least seven days prior to the hearings and will be provided at reasonable cost to individuals who request it. Public hearings are conducted according to adopted rules of procedure that are available at Planning and Community Development and at the hearings. For More Information The proposed amendment may be reviewed online at www.lincolncity.org by going to Departments in the top bar, then Planning & Community Development, then Draft Ordinances, and then ZOA 2021-06, ZOA 2021-07, ZOA 2022-01, or ZOA 2022-02. A copy of the proposed amendment and applicable criteria are available for inspection at no

NG21-154 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JUDITH ANN LUND, DECEASED CASE NUMBER: 21PB08421 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kamie K. Zitek has been appointed Personal Representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the Personal Representative, c/o Freeman Green, Freeman Green Law, 525 Glen Creek Rd NW, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97304, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the Lawyer for the Personal Representative. Dated and first published on December 14, 2021.

River View Relatively flat parcel that borders the Siletz River, Gated entry, Shed with a wood stove, A brook, Perfect place to get away from it all. MLS#21-1509 $322,000 River Front Beautiful private country property with lots of wildlife, Live in home while you build your dream estate, Endless views, River frontage, Entire property fenced & 2 wells. MLS#21-2529 $449,500 Price Reduced Beachfront Garden Inn, Oceanfront condo, Open views of the ocean, Balcony deck, Sold fully furnished, Great investment property, Plenty of repeat clientele. MLS#21-2145 $449,500

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December 28, 2021

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Stronger safeguards needed for popular money saving apps

Issue 1: Customer Service

Complainants say that they can’t contact customer service representatives, and, when they do, they face long hold times or never reach a human representative. A customer service email address or chat function is often difficult to find or requires navigating multiple layers to access. Speaking directly with a customer service representative is an important feature that is still desired by many, and one that should not be overlooked even with advances in technology.

Issue 2: Account Access

Other complaints focus on consumers’ inability to access or transfer money, including funds directly deposited into their accounts by their employer or the government, e.g., paychecks, unemployment benefits, and CARES Act funds. Such issues prevent consumers from using their own funds, and these problems are exacerbated by not being able to connect with customer service. Consumers may be locked out of their accounts without warning or explanation, or because the consumer has a problem with their email address or phone number, and the consumer may be left without any further recourse.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Popular payment apps include Apple Pay, Venmo, Square, Zelle, and others. The Attorneys General highlight a rise in consumer complaints related to these payment platforms. in large part, because they do not need to reveal their true identity to set up an account. The complaints describe a wide range of scams. In some, third parties contacted consumers through social media offering investment opportunities or prize entries in exchange for payment. In others, scammers pose as family members and request money from unsuspecting consumers. In some cases, fraudsters take advantage of the platforms’ limited customer support systems. Because it may be difficult to find contact information for customer service, many consumers resort to trying to find a phone number through an internet search. This leads to consumers encountering fake customer service phone numbers, which direct consumers to scammers who engage in tech support scams.

The perpetrators of such scams offer to assist consumers for a fee (processed through the payment platform) or convince the consumer to allow them access to their device or their account, allowing the perpetrator to quickly drain the account of funds.

Next steps

If you believe you have fallen victim to a payment app scam, report the fraudulent transaction to the company behind the money transfer app and ask if they can reverse the payment. If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. Ask if they can reverse the charge. You can also report the scam to the Oregon Attorney General’s Office online at www.oregonconsumer.gov.

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Issue 3: Third-Party Scams

Many consumers have been scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars by other users of these payment platforms. Scammers are attracted to real-time payment platforms,

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Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum co-led a bipartisan letter from 33 Attorneys General to Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) calling for stronger consumer safeguards for money sharing platforms and apps. Popular payment apps include Apple Pay, Venmo, Square, Zelle, and others. The Attorneys General highlight a rise in consumer complaints related to these payment platforms, especially complaints from consumers about difficulties reaching customer service representatives, inability to retrieve funds, and fraudulent money transfers by third party scammers. These payment platforms are sometimes marketed as a solution for consumers without access to traditional banks, even though these apps are not considered a bank. “Especially during the pandemic, consumers have depended on payment apps as a virtual and safe way to send money quickly,” Rosenblum said. “But as these platforms explode in popularity, so does the chance of being scammed and defrauded. As our letter urges, it is particularly important these platforms employ safeguards to protect consumers from fraud and provide better customer service when things go wrong.” The letter addresses three major issues: customer service, account access, and third-party scams. Highlights from the letter include:

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December 28, 2021

Ground broken for MRI expansion at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital It was a chilly, rainy day but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm as Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital broke ground Monday on a 2,500-square-foot MRI addition. “Our replacement hospital opened in February 2020 and was designed for future expansion as needed,” said hospital CEO Lesley Ogden, MD. “Soon after opening our lovely new facility, it became apparent that we really did need to update our MRI so we could continue to offer top-of-the-line diagnostic and treatment imaging services to our community. Today, I am pleased to report that nearly all needed funding has been secured and we are ready to proceed with this important project.” Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were representatives from Gerding Builders, North Lincoln Health District, North Lincoln Hospital Foundation and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. Project costs total $4.3 million. This includes approximately $1 million to purchase the Siemens Magnetom AlteaKMAT open bore MRI system and $3.3 million for design/ construction by Gerding Builders, LLC. Construction begins

in January and will be done by early summer 2022. The new MRI will be conveniently located and connected to the north side of the hospital near the Emergency Department. The addition will blend seamlessly with the interior and exterior design, and it will include separate restroom facilities for all patients and visitors. This expansion has another benefit: Heat generated by the MRI magnet can be captured in the hospital’s chilled water system and converted into heating or cooling, reducing hospital energy consumption. Project contributions include two gifts totaling $1.33 million from the tax-supported North Lincoln Health District, a $250,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and additional generous donations and pledges from community members and Samaritan staff totaling nearly $1.73 million. Fundraising has been spearheaded by North Lincoln Hospital Foundation. Ogden pointed out that when project planning began, the total cost was anticipated to be around $2 million but with inflationary construction costs, that price has doubled to $4

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Posing before the ceremonial dirt toss are, from left, Dr. Lesley Ogden, Ryan Dellit, Pauline Morrison, June Chrisman, Wendy Wilson, Terry Buggenhagen, Leslie James, Denise Moland, Dr. Estle Harlan, Natalie Schaefer, Virginia Riffle and David Hess. million. On an average day, Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital performs six outpatient MRI scans and two inpatient/ emergency MRI scans. MRI is

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a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues inside the body.

MRI services have been offered at SNLH for many years. The current GE MRI equipment has reached the end of its service life and is located in an ancillary building on campus,

away from the new hospital. For information about the MRI project and how you can contribute, contact the North Lincoln Hospital Foundation at nschaefer@samhealth.org.

Deadline to enroll for 2022 health coverage through Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is Jan. 15 The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is working to reach the state’s goal of getting 100 percent of Oregonians enrolled in health coverage, and this year it is closer to that goal. 142,783 people in Oregon have enrolled in health coverage for 2022, up from 141,089 during open enrollment for 2021 coverage. “The American Rescue Plan has made health coverage more affordable for people in Oregon and we are seeing people are taking advantage of the extra savings,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Marketplace. “People shouldn’t wait – you must sign up by Jan. 15 for coverage.” Health insurance purchased through OregonHealthCare. gov is more affordable than ever before. Individuals and families will only pay a certain

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percentage of their income on health insurance thanks to financial help available through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Every Oregonian, whether uninsured, enrolled in COBRA, or directly through an insurance company, should look into Marketplace coverage, even if they were not previously eligible. More than 75 percent of people who signed up in 2021 received financial help for plans that include essential benefits such as doctor visits, prescriptions, emergency care, and mental health services. • A 40-something couple in the Portland area making $70,000 can get health coverage for as low as $300 per month. • A 26-year-old living in Eugene making $28,000 per

year can get health coverage for as low as $1 per month. • Parents who are 30-something and have two children in La Grande earning $80,000 can get health coverage for as low as $145 per month. • Oregnians can preview plans and savings available to them by answering a few short questions at OregonHealthCare.gov. The website is also the best place to find a health insurance experts who can help with the application and enrollment process one-on-one by phone, email, or in person. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov today to get started.

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