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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026 | theworldlink.com |

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Primary Coos Forest Protective Association 2026: leads multi-agency rescue training election results for Coos County By Nate Schwartz World Editor

Amid the Douglas Fir and Alder atop the rolling hills east of Coos Bay, the Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) led a multi-agency rescue training day that included rope training, patient packaging and demonstrations from the local Coast Guard branch. The large undertaking saw fourteen departments come together to Staff Report learn how to extricate someone injured out in the forest, in As of the morning after particular a fire fighter injured election day on May 19, 2026, while combatting a blaze. voter turnout for the Midterm “It was invaluable training Primary was up slightly comfor us and for the fire departpared to previous years at 41.9% ments and responders that in Coos County. That is 21,250 of the 50,729 eligible voters. This came,” said Brett Weidemiller, one of CFPA’s Protection is a 1.3% increase on the 2022 Supervisors. “There were midterms, representing 1,551 folks there from all across our more votes than before. It puts Coos County well above the state district. We have a pretty large average of 32.2%, showing great area to protect, and that they all came together is very cool. amounts of civic engagement! The morning consisted of a Here are the preliminary results as of reporting on May 20. These four-station rotation through aviation, 8-line, patient packnumbers are still to be certified aging and ropes training that and subject to change. saw over 80 representatives from different agencies literally Local Races & Measures learning the ropes. In addition The races for county commisto CFPA, the North Bend, Coos sioner were won by incumbent Bay, Myrtle Point, Bandon, John Sweet, who bested Brandi Martindale to retain position 2 by Elkton and North Douglas County Fire Departments were a 20-point margin. Rick Osborn defeated Richard Coleman in the on hand. As were Cal-Ore Life Flight, the US Coast Guard race for position 3, and will take (USCG), ODF Western Lane, over Rod Taylor’s seat on dais. Incumbent County Clerk Julie and Weyerhaeuser. The idea for this large-scale Brecke saw off challenges from training and simulation came Marty Kuhrt and Pam Lewis to through a season after action retain her position by a large review, where organizations margin. like hospitals, air transports and North Bend’s two ballot mearescue services come together sures saw the tightest race of the cycle. Measure 6-228 for a public safety fee increase passed by 1.64%, or just 49 votes. That will help fund the North Bend Police Department with a $5 monthly increase to residents’ fees. The proposal to make several changes to the North Bend City Charter was shot down.

(Photos by Nate Schwartz)

CFPA Protection Supervisor Brett Weidemiller helped lead the training and taught the 8-Line station. The 8-line is an eight step medical incident reporting system to help communicate an injury during an emergency situation.

to discuss the fire season just passed in order to gather feedback and take proactive steps toward making the next year’s season all that much safer. “It’s important for folks to be aware that this is not a reactionary state when it comes to the safety of firefighters and woods-workers like Weyerhaeuser,” said Weidemiller. “We continue to talk about it, train on it, and prep for it through the rainy days. And it showed with the commitment and the skill sets we had in the training, and in making sure that we’re ready for the upcoming season.” The exercise took place atop a ridge in the Bayview Range which is part of Weyerhaeuser’s

Coos County Commissioner, Position 2 John Sweet (Incumbent) 60.22% Brandi Martindale 39.36% Coos County Commissioner, Position 3 Rick Osborn 71.71% Richard (Rick) Coleman 27.75% Coos County Clerk Marty Kuhrt 17.62% Julie Brecke (Incumbent) 63.53% Pam Lewis 18.58% Measure 6-228 City of North Bend, Public Safety Fee Increase Yes 50.82% No – 49.18%

The USCG MH-65 Dolphin hovers just above the tree line as it prepares to lower a basket during a simulation rescue situation.

holdings in the area. The private timberland firm and wood products company owns over 1.4 million acres of timberlands in the state of Oregon, including a 210,000-acre stretch from Coos Bay to Roseberg, spanning across county lines. The company regularly grants permission to agencies like the Coast Guard to conduct training and simulation exercises. The majority of the timberland in the Bayview Range is on the face of incredibly steep mountainside, hence the need for ropes training. The afternoon period consisted of a demonstration from the USCG on their helicopter rescue procedure. Their MH-65 Dolphin helicopter was perched on the ridge ready to show how they are able to assist in a medical evacuation. Upon arriving above the scene, the helicopter will fly several laps around the area judging wind speed and fuel levels. If the conditions lend themselves to a safe evac, the aircraft will slowly lower itself right to the top of the tree line, preferably over a reasonably clear area. Keeping the helicopter and anyone it may be lowering and picking back up out of the trees is the obvious goal. Upon maintaining a steady hover, the basket will be lowered along with a USCG swimmer who will secure the

injured party and raise them back up for transit to the nearest capable hospital. The scenes of the bright orange helicopter hanging in the air just above the tips of the timber was quite a sight. The Coast Guard swimmer on hand was very clear about the importance of communication and urged that the cooperation between USCG and forest protection was paramount. For instance, during a firefighting scenario the winds caused by helicopter rotors may make the situation on the ground more dangerous. The CFPA are the experts in the forest and can communicate those conditions to the USGC who are literally a bit out of water up in the mountains. This is the second year running that the CFPA has conducted this rescue training, with more agencies having joined for this second iteration. The plan is for there to be an annual training each year moving forward. “The size just keeps growing every year we do it, and I think a lot of that has to do with the dedication and commitment for the folks to be as ready and trained as they can be in the chance that something happens. And its unfortunately not if it will happen, but when it will,” said Weidemiller.

Coos Art Museum opens two new shows and celebrates 90th anniversary of the building By Nate Schwartz World Editor

Measure 6-229 – Proposed Amendments to North Bend City Charter Yes 37.18% No 62.82%

The Coos Art Museum opened two new exhibits last week including a commemoration of their home’s 90th birthday. While the museum first moved into the building in 1984, the old art deco Local Results for State and post office was first opened in Federal Contests 1936. Coos County’s selections for In celebration of that annistate and federal races all saw versary, the museum is displayvictory as of writing, including a ing the first ever exhibit made surprise nomination for Senator up entirely of pieces from the for David Brock Smith, who has permanent collection. The CAM served as the State Senator for Retrospective, which displays the District 1. Smith received strong results of decades of collecting support from Curry and Coos County, helping him over the line. and conservation alongside some He will face Senator Jeff Merkley of the original blueprints for the building, is on display in the in November. Foster Gallery upstairs. Running unopposed for their The significance of that placechance to represent District 1 as ment is not to be ignored. Tom State Representative, incumbent Foster was a long-time board member of the museum and ELECTION dedicated his time and passion to Continued on Page 16 the permanent collection, in par-

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Tristan Perrotti’s “Demomachy IV”, 2026, as displayed in his exhibit at the Coos Art Museum.

ticular through adopting pieces. Foster passed away last year. The main way that the museum acquires pieces for the permanent collection was described

by Museum director Lydia Heins as she spoke to the World. “The first step of getting a work into the permanent collection is donating it to the muse-

Photos by Nate Schwartz

um,” explained Heins. “All the artwork that’s in the permanent See Museum Continued on Page 12

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