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Local CEO of health clinic resigns, set to lose license over sexual abuse allegations BY NATE SCHWARTZ Editor
A lawsuit filed in Multnomah County implicated North Bend Waterfall Community Health Center CEO Lance Nelson in multiple long-running instances of grooming and sexual abuse during his time as a youth pastor in Gresham. The suit, filed against Springwater
Church of the Nazarene and Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho, claims that church and school leadership failed to investigate the abuse. According to court documents for the $10 million suit, Nelson groomed and frequently abused at least three teenage boys while working as a youth pastor. These abuses allegedly continued after
he had left to work in a counseling capacity at Northwest Nazarene, where he would return to Oregon and invite the boys to his hotel rooms. This took place over a three-year period, starting when the youngest boys we’re in 8th grade. The lawsuit alleges that leadership at the church failed to properly investigate and respond
to the abuses, even after an adult churchgoer reported it to the head pastor at the time, Brian Mayer. Instead, the lawsuit indicates that Mayer notified the accused who in turn pressured the victims into remaining silent, using his position of influence over them to protect himself. When the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
and Therapists caught wind of the allegation back in 2023, they launched their own investigation culminating in a notice of disciplinary action which outlined the alleged abuse and stated it intends to revoke his license to practice as See RESIGN Continued on Page 5
Crime down sharply in North Bend, Police Chief reports progress
Police seeking assistance with homicide investigation after body found at Johnson Mill Pond
Crime in North Bend dropped significantly in 2024, according to an annual report delivered Monday by Police Chief Cal Mitts. The North Bend Police Department’s latest data shows a sharp decrease in several major crimes, including burglary, robbery, and vehicle theft. Burglary reports were cut in half compared to the previous year, and unlawful entries into motor vehicles dropped by 46%. Robbery cases fell by 40%, and stolen vehicle reports declined by 20%. “This reduction is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers and the partnerships we’ve built in the community,” Mitts told the City Council during its work session. “We’re seeing real progress in making North Bend safer.”
STAFF REPORT
Police are seeking assistance from the public after a body was found at Johnson Mill Pond. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a call about the deceased just before 9 AM on Wednesday March 12. The Sheriff’s office has yet to release details about the deceased, with more detail to follow as next of kin is notified and facts around the case begin to surface. To assist with that, the CCSO is asking that the public chip in with any information they may have. Particularly, if anyone was at Johnson Mill Pond, located right in between Myrtle Point and Coquille, on the morning of the 12th, you are urged to contact the North Coos Dispatch Center. To provide information for this ongoing investigation you are urged to reach out to the North Coos Dispatch Center and select option 1: (541) 269-8911
See CRIME Continued on Page 3
Oregon lawmakers introduce sweeping education reform bill BY LINDA LEE
Country Media, Inc.
In response to Oregon’s persistently low national education rankings, Senator David Brock Smith (R-Curry, Coos & Douglas Counties) and Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls) have unveiled Senate Bill 1100, a comprehensive education reform package aimed at overhauling the state’s public education system. The bill, dubbed the “Oregon Education Reform Act,” comes amid growing concern over Oregon’s academic performance. Senator Smith pointed to a recent report in the Oregonian, published January 28th which revealed that Oregon fourth graders ranked See EDUCATION Continued on Page 5
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