W062524 by C.M.I.

Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 |

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Gold Beach Visitor’s Center increasing beach mobility center, I really need to focus on visitors. We get so many people that come to the southern Oregon Coast The Gold Beach Visitor’s Center is that can’t get to the beach,” Dixon making strides to ensure everyone has said. the opportunity to enjoy the beach “But I was also doing it for my on Oregon’s South Coast – no matter community. There are a lot of older what their age or physical ability. people who live here that can no The visitor’s center is one of the longer make it to the beach,” she latest locations on the Oregon Coast said. to receive a ‘David’s Chair.’ Dixon said although the addition Both David’s original Action of the mobility chairs has added Trackchair and their newer youthsome work and fundraising for the sized Trackchair have been used by folks at the visitor center – everyone people with mobility challenges to go has been fully onboard. places and experience freedom they “We are so happy to be one of the haven’t been able to, free of charge. most-utilized David’s Chair locations, Because of donations given by thanks to our staff and community grants, sponsors, and generous spreading the news about the chair individuals, David’s Chair has taken being available,” Dixon said. people and their families on exciting In May, 2024 the Visitor Center outdoor excursions at locations was able to obtain a Wheelchair that are inaccessible to regular Charging Station, thanks to United wheelchairs. Way of Jackson County. People who That’s why when Ruth Dixon, need to charge their mobility scooters the lead at the Gold Beach Visitor or electric wheelchairs can come Center, saw a social media post into the visitor center and utilize the from ‘David’s Chair’ in July, 2023, station at no charge. reporting that they had one chair left Last but not least, Dixon said, the that needed a location on the Oregon Gold Beach Visitor Center received coast – she didn’t hesitate to contact a grant from Oregon Coast Visitors them. Association to install Mobi-mats at Dixon immediately reached South Beach park during the summer out, and in October, 2023, a Fixed season. Location Chair was placed at the MOBI mats are non-slip, roll-up Gold Beach Visitor Center located at beach access mats that are helpful for 94080 Shirley Lane. people with disabilities, pedestrians, “The chair can be taken out on elderly visitors or parents with the beach for free, providing amazing strollers. opportunities for anyone who “City Administrator Anthony struggles to go to the beach,” Dixon Pagano has always wanted to have said. Mobi-mats in Gold Beach and we Just a couple of months later, are all excited to see this happening,” a second chair and a Tow and Go Dixon said. trailer was added as well. They plan to have the mats People can reserve the trailer and installed in the next few months. chair online and take it out for up The team at the Visitor Center is to 7 days, again at no cost. However, now looking for help with funding a donations are appreciated for chair storage building for the Tow and Go maintenance, and other associated costs. “Being down here at the visitor’s Please see MOBILITY Page 3 BY BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media, Inc.

Coos County chess players compete in Las Vegas Nationals

Three of the best Coos County scholastic chess players spent four days playing the Las Vegas Nationals June 6th through 9th. It was an amazing opportunity to play some of the best players in the nation and a wonderful learning opportunity. Around 1,000 players converged to play in this event where chess games lasted up to five hours and our chess players rarely were done before two hours were up. Final results: • Frank Morse won 4 out of 7 games and won a $50 gift certificate for chess merchandise. • Jordan Florez won 3.5 out of 7 games • Jeremiah Thompson won 2.5 out of 7 games We appreciate the community donations through car washes, bottle drives, go fund me fundraising and especially a grant from Judith Ann Morgan Foundation that allows us to travel to these big events! The players get very inspired from these high level competition events! Thank you!

Reedsport ﬁre department ofﬁcials will not issue burn barrels or debris burn permits For the 12th year in a row, the Reedsport Volunteer Fire Department will not issue burn barrel or debris burning permits within the Reedsport City limits for the 2024 fire season. There will be no exceptions to this policy for the duration of fire season. The Fire Department will stop issuing permits on Friday, June 14, 2024. This will occur the

same day Coos Forest Protective Association declares fire season is in effect in thier area. The reasons for this policy are: • To protect the welfare of the community • Reduce the cost of fire operations • Alignment with neighboring

fire protection agencies • To provide for firefighter safety Warming fires, otherwise known as campfires or recreational fires, (for cooking and other non-debris burning activities), are still allowed year around, (except during extreme fire danger), and do not require a permit. We ask that you burn

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safely and responsibly. Use clean, dry firewood, do not leave the fire unattended, put it out completely when finished, and be aware of smoke intrusion in your neighborhood, which is regulated by City Ordinance 6.08.020(1). For more information, go to www.cityofreedsport.org and click on the Fire Department link.

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Coos County DA announces release of defendants awaiting trial As the public may be aware there is a shortage of defense counsel in Oregon to take criminal cases for those defendants who cannot afford their own counsel. This has become a significant issue where persons charged with crimes, whether in custody or out of custody, cannot obtain timely representation. Not only is this not fair to a person charged with a crime, it is not fair to the victims of the alleged criminal activity. In Coos County, we currently have eleven persons in custody who do not have counsel. The local public defenders office cannot take these cases for a variety of reasons. The local courts have appointed the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) to obtain counsel for these persons. Pursuant to a federal court order, if an in-custody defendant does not have counsel within seven days of that person’s first appearance, that person must be released from custody. There are no exceptions. Please see DEFENDANTS Page 8

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