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Juneteenth a success on the South Coast North Bend okays $51.5 million budget but warns of mounting shortfalls
BY NATE SCHWARTZ Editor
The week of Juneteenth saw multiple celebratory events on the South Coast this year thanks to the South Coast Equity Coalition (SCEC) and Soulfood Sunday. Though only recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, June 19 or Juneteenth is a long-standing tradition that seeks to acknowledge history’s painful truths, while celebrating Black culture, emancipation, and solidarity. This year’s theme was ‘Rooted in Resilience’. which was reflected in five community events which ranged from sobering reflections, to liberation education, and finally a communal celebration which was a downright party for all those who attended. “From the first planning See JUNETEENTH Continued on Page 3
Happy Fourth of July from The World! Here’s the how, when, and where to celebrate! Fourth of July is this weekend and The fireworks display will be with it comes fireworks displays, located in front of Ko-Kwel Casino community events, and loads of patri- Resort, but can be seen from just otic cheer. Here’s a full list of all the about anywhere along the Bay! ways you can join in the celebrations ------------------------------around Coos County! Please remember to celebrate responsibly. Friday, July 4th 10:00am Firecracker Run, ½ Mile Kid’s Run and 4K
North Bend & Coos Bay
Mingus Park
Thursday, July 3rd 6:00pm – 10:00pm The Blast by the Bay (Fireworks begin at 10 PM) Ko-Kwel Casino Resort 3201 Tremont Ave, North Bend
Don’t miss The Blast by the Bay, the Oregon Coast’s largest fireworks display on July 3rd. Ko-Kwel Casino Resort Coos Bay (formerly The Mill Casino) will light up the skies over the Bay with this year’s waterfront fireworks display.
Join fellow runners and walkers for the 1/2-mile kid’s run and the 4K for grown-ups. Kid’s run is 1.5 times around the lake. 4K is 3 times around the lake followed by a HUGE hill in beautiful Mingus Park. You will then run on city streets, down another Mingus Park dirt trail, and finish on the paved path by the lake. ------------------------------See CELEBRATE! Continued on Page 3
Oregon’s outdoors brace for Fourth:
fireworks banned amidst fire danger, wildlife concerns BY LINDA LEE
Country Media, Inc.
As the Fourth of July approaches and fireworks sales have begun across Oregon, state park officials and fire authorities are issuing a stern reminder: fireworks and explosives are strictly prohibited within Oregon State Parks and along the entire 362-mile ocean shore. The message is clear: celebrate responsibly but leave the pyrotechnics at home. The prohibition comes
The North Bend City Council on Tuesday, June 24 adopted a $51,525,326 budget for fiscal year 2025-26, balancing next year’s books but forecasting a steady slide into deficit spending within 24 months. The plan keeps the general-fund tax rate at $6.1831 per $1,000 of assessed value and renews a 56-cent local-option levy for pool operations. The measure maintains a $2 million emergency reserve and fully funds current staffing levels. Yet a five-year forecast included in the budget paints a starker picture. Finance Director Jeff Bridgens projects the general fund will fall short by $232,540 in fiscal 2027, $478,165 in 2028, $749,909 in 2029, $981,192 in 2030 and $1,224,684 in 2031. By 2030, reserves used to smooth cash flow between July and November property-tax collections will be nearly exhausted. “The proposed budget reflects a city at a crossroads,” City Administrator David Milliron wrote in his budget message. “Inflation has risen more than 23 percent over the past five years while our primary revenue sources—property taxes and fees—have not kept pace.” The squeeze is driven by multiple factors: • Personnel costs. Collective bargaining agreements, higher employer pension rates and guaranteed overtime for fire personnel will push wage and benefit expenses up 3.5 percent to 4 percent each year. • Material inflation. Staff See BUDGET Continued on Page 10
See FIREWORKS Continued on Page 5
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