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TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026 | theworldlink.com |

Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878

SCINT K-9 Katie earns plaudits and pets on eve of retirement By Nate Schwartz World Editor

The South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team (SCINT) has announced the retirement of one their most beloved and prolific officers this week. K-9 Katie has pawed in her two-weeks notice and is set to retire in June according to communications from SCINT and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. In the announcement written by SCINT Director and Coos County Sheriff’s Office Seargent Aaron Whittenburg, Katie was commended as one of the longest tenured K-9’s on the South Coast, with the dedicated dog working narcotics cases for well over ten years. She was described as a “very energetic puppy” who doesn’t show signs of slowing down. “K9 Katie has been instrumental in numerous cases with SCINT and our local and federal partners. K9 Katie has taken a large amount of controlled substances off the street. So much that I dare not give a guess on weights. I don’t know how to put into words the work and dedication that K9 Katie and Officer M. Davis have put towards narcotic detection,” wrote Whittenburg.

Over her tenure, Katie, a Springer Spaniel was handled by now-Oregon State Police Trooper Brian Looney from 2015 to 2021, before becoming partners with SCINT Parole and Probation Officer McKenzie Davis. It Davis who takes Katie into her home for her well-earned retirement where she will get to live out her days doing what all dogs dream of, chasing toys and receiving copius amounts of treats and belly rubs. “Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for K9 Katie she is going to retire in June of this year. It has been my pleasure to work along side this team and I am going to truly miss watching her work,” wrote Whittenburg. “I will say, I am not sure how [Davis] is going to deal with all the energy K9 Katie still has.” While details of Katie’s replacement have yet to be announced it was said that a new SCINT puppy has already been acquired, with the Officer Davis set to continue at the detection K-9 handler. That new pup is set to be introduced at a later date. We would like to join SCINT and the CCSO in wishing this hard-working member of the team a well-earned retirement.

Merkley, Wyden introduce bill to block sale of federal lands For the World

K-9 Katie with her first partner, Officer Brian Looney, back in 2021.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act, new legislation to ensure that America’s public lands cannot be sold as part of a fast-tracked Merkley process in a budget reconciliation bill. During consideration of the Republicans’ “Big, Ugly Betrayal” budget reconciliation bill that passed in July 2025 on a party-line simple majority vote, Senate Republicans nearly passed a provision to sell one to three million acres of federal public lands to generate revenue all to fund Republicans’ Widen tax cuts for performances, the song and billionaires. Merkley and Wyden dance routines between scenes of worked to build strong bipartisan the play. The acts will be lavish, opposition alongside lawmakers, promises Michael Thurman, thestates, counties, and sportsmen’s atre manager. The dancers will groups across the West. The be dressed in cancan costumes Senate ultimately abandoned the and various other costumes for provision. Today, under current each of the olio presentations. rules, any senator could propose The annual Coquille Rotary expedited public land sales in a Champagne Benefit, which kicks future budget reconciliation bill, off the summer season, will be and the Public Lands Integrity Friday, June 5. Tickets are $25 Act would eliminate that option. per person and are available from “Oregonians and folks across Rotary members and at River America are united with a clear Cities Realty, Inc., Columbia message—our public lands are Bank, Coquille Supply and the not for sale,” said Merkley, Sawdust Theatre office. Proceeds Ranking Member of the Senate go to benefit local Rotary projBudget Committee. “These beects and scholarships. loved natural treasures belong to all of us, contributing to the spirSAWDUST it and economies of communities Continued on Page 5 all over the United States. As Republicans attempt to rip away public lands from public use, I will fight like hell to protect and preserve our public lands for generations to come.” “Republicans have proved they will stop at nothing to sell off our country’s public lands to the highest bidder,” said Wyden, more than honoring history, it’s Ranking Member of the Senate about creating space for connec- Finance Committee. “This bill tion, joy, and collective healing,” would help keep public lands in said Jayden Ruff, Executive public hands by closing arcane Director of SCHEC. “Juneteenth loopholes that allow Republicans reminds us that freedom is onto carry out their fantasies of sellgoing work, and that community ing our beloved forests and lands is at the heart of how we move off to billionaires.” forward together.” America’s public lands are SCHEC extends deep gratiowned by the public and mantude to community partners and aged to provide public benefits in sponsors supporting this year’s perpetuity. This legislation would celebration, including Black prevent the sale of federal public Market Gourmet, Southwestern lands through expedited Senate Oregon Community College, procedures under the budget recCoos History Museum, and the onciliation process by amending Oregon Remembrance Project. the Congressional Budget Act’s About South Coast Health (CBA) “Byrd Rule.” Equity Coalition (SCHEC) The reconciliation process – The South Coast Health established under the CBA – alEquity Coalition was established lows legislation affecting revenue in 2019 by members of Coos and spending to pass the Senate and Curry counties’ low income with a simple majority vote. To and institutionally underserved prevent the inclusion of unrecommunities. SCHEC works to lated policy, Congress amended develop and implement strategies that increase opportunities See More Lands for sustained health, well being, on page 5 leadership, and self advocacy across the South Coast region.

Sawdust Theatre’s 58th season opens June 5 with dairy industry melodrama For the World

COQUILLE — “Calamity at the Coquelle Creamery” or “Udder Confusion,” a melodrama based on the rich history of Coos County’s dairy industry, will grace the Sawdust Theatre stage this summer for its 58th season. The melodrama is set on a dairy farm in the lovely Coquelle Valley, where the evil villain Franklin Basher, “that terrible masher,” and villainess Sylvia Silverthroat work their wiles against heroine Henrietta Holstein and her hero, Ferdinand Farmsworth. This year’s play was written for the Sawdust Theatre by longtime Sawdusters Diana Amling, Gael Berhow and Cindy Robnett. Nancy Wilson and assistant

Photo by Kendall Roberts

Villain Franklin Basher, played by Johnny Crawford, and villainess Sylvia Silverthroat, played by Cassie Craggs, kidnap heroine Henrietta Holstein, played by Cat O’Donnell, as part of the action during the 2026 Sawdust Theatre melodrama, “Calamity at the Coquelle Creamery” or “Udder Confusion.”

Kendall Roberts are directing the 2026 melodrama while Stepha-

nie Kreutzer and assistant Chloe Stevenson are directing the olio

Juneteenth celebration comes to South Coast A week of remembrance, joy, culture, and community connection The South Coast Health Equity Coalition (SCHEC), alongside community partners, proudly announces its 2026 Juneteenth Celebration, a multi-day regional celebration honoring Black freedom, resilience, culture, and community across Oregon’s South Coast. Taking place throughout the month of June, this year’s celebration brings together community members, local organizations, artists, educators, and leaders for a series of events rooted in education, reflection, liberation, and joy. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, Juneteenth serves as both a remembrance of that history and a celebration of Black life, culture, resistance, and liberation. 2026 Juneteenth events in Brookings include a screening of

“Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” on Monday, June 15. The movie is centered the historical and cultural significance of Juneteenth. It starts at 5:30 PM at the Equity Office, 555 Hemlock Street in Brookings. On Juneteenth itself is the Juneteenth Community Fish Fry from 5:30–7:30 PM at the Equity Office. The family friendly celebration is rooted in tradition and will feature food, music, storytelling, and community connection alongside local

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organizations. Events will also be taking place in Coos Bay for those interested, information is available online. Throughout the celebration, participants are invited into spaces that center storytelling, cultural expression, education, healing, and collective joy. Events are designed to be accessible, welcoming, and reflective of the diverse communities that make up Oregon’s South Coast. “This celebration is about

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