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North Bend’s new look school board overturns prior vote, opens door for workforce housing development BY NATE SCHWARTZ Editor
Back on February 6, 2025, the North Bend School Board were presented with an uncommon opportunity. Due to rules around increasing the Urban Renewal Agency’s (URA) taxing districts maximum indebtedness, they had the deciding vote on whether the former Coos County annex building would be demolished to make way for a workers housing development. $4 million dollars in federal funding for the project had already been secured thanks to support from Congresswoman Val Hoyle and Senators Merkley and Wyden, and pending this vote, would be used to remove a long-standing source of blight for downtown North Bend, while solving one of the regions most pervasive problems: a lack of housing. After a highly contentious public comment section, in which politically motivated speakers from outside of North Bend disseminated misinformation
about the distribution of excess tax revenue to the board, they voted down the proposal 6-1. Many of the members of that board cited their philosophical preference for private industry to be the only ones to own housing, others felt the project was out of their scope and didn’t want their finger prints on it. Unfortunately, the annex had sat abandoned for 5 years without any private developers willing to touch the lot. This decision did not sit well with North Bend voters however, who in May flipped four of the seven seats on the board, opening the door for a reconsideration of the project. In a 5-2 revote on August 7, the resolution to increase the maximum indebtedness passed. This meant that the $4 million in funding would not disappear from North Bend, and the development could continue. “This is a huge win for the
See NB SCHOOL BOARD Continued on Page 3
Quorum Health terminates letter Heroic citizen of intent with Bay Area Hospital rescues four
from community members over handing the hospital off to a private equity-owned operator In a move that further given the dangers of reduced indicates the direction of the service and the loss of localized new Board of Directors at Bay care through a communityArea Hospital (BAH), it was based system. The prior board announced that the letter of intent of directors seemed convinced signed with Quorum Health had that the acquisition was the been terminated. The previous only move that guaranteed the board had announced its intent to hospital a long-term future with merge with the Tennessee-based the doors open. healthcare management network The viability of BAH’s current back in December of 2024. financial position remains The verbiage of the unclear, as it was announced announcement seems to suggest in their August 12th meeting that it was Quorum who pulled that June was another sustained the trigger on ending the factmonth of loss for the hospital. finding due diligence phase of The $2.6 million lost that proceedings, though it has been month brings the yearly total to made clear by the new board of $24 million in the red, but is a directors that maintaining local reduction from May’s $4 million control of the hospital has been loss figure. their priority. In a whirlwind few weeks “I want to thank the Bay Area since the installment of the new Hospital team and community board, BAH CEO Brian Moore leaders for their thoughtful has penned his resignation and engagement and openness been replaced by interim Kelly throughout the discussions and Morgan, who proposed a $30 due diligence process. We felt million turnaround plan during that it would be appropriate for the meeting. Turnarounds are both sides to step back from a big part of why Morgan’s the LOI process to allow time resume impressed the new board for Bay Area to focus on its members. operations to strengthen access “Kelly Morgan brings a deep to health care in the region,” understanding of healthcare stated Quorum CEO Chris systems and a proven record Harrison. “As we conclude our of financial stewardship, discussions, we walk away with strategic partnerships, and a deep respect for the Coos community engagement,” said Bay community’s unwavering Simon Alonzo, Chair of the Bay Area Hospital District commitment to its hospital.” Board of Directors. “We’re There was great trepidation
after boat capsizes in Bandon waters
BY NATE SCHWARTZ Editor
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confident that his leadership will be instrumental as Bay Area Hospital moves forward through this important period of transition. It will be essential that turnaround begins sooner rather than later given the hospital’s loan with Bank of Montreal is in default. Though Morgan and the board have indicated that BMO is willing to work with them on settling matters. Community members have already mentioned a greater sense of transparency coming from the new board, and Alonzo has maintained a sense of positivity that a more definite path forward will be illuminated as they explore what will work best in the long-term. “The commitment of the board to preserving access to highquality health care on the South Coast remains unchanged,” said
Bandon Police Department (BPD) officials are crediting an unidentified citizen with saving four people following a capsized boat incident. At approximately 1:33 p.m. Aug. 8, Bandon Police were dispatched to a report of a capsized boat near the boat basin. “All four occupants of the vessel were rescued from the water by a courageous and unnamed citizen in a boat, who acted quickly to bring them to safety,” BPD states in a Facebook post. “Thankfully, all individuals were wearing life jackets, which played a critical role in ensuring this was a rescue and not a recovery.” A dog aboard the boat did not survive the incident. Prowler Charters assisted by retrieving the capsized boat from the water. BPD extended gratitude for the rescue. “We extend a huge thank you to the citizen who bravely rescued the four individuals from the very choppy water, and to Prowler Charter for recovering the boat, your heroic actions are deeply appreciated by the entire community,” the post states.
Simon Alonzo, board chair of the Bay Area Hospital District Board of Directors. “Bay Area Hospital is essential to the health and well-being of our community, and we are focused on evaluating all possible options to ensure its long-term stability.” Though the steps away from the merger mark a substantial change in strategy and the new board has moved quickly and intently, the definite path forward to sustainability remains unclear. Alonzo, however, stated that it is the staff and community that continues to be the bedrock of BAH. “We want to thank our employees, physicians and community members for their ongoing dedication and support,” Alonzo added. “Your commitment is what gives this hospital its strength, and we are confident we will move forward with purpose and resolve.”
Southwestern offers free GED® and adult basic education classes Fall term 2025 Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2025. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in highdemand career areas.
from 5pm-8pm
classes next term: 1. Morning GED Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am ®
2. Afternoon GED® Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm 3. Evening GED® Class – Tuesday through Thursday
All classes are live and in-person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class is offered live and in-person on the Curry Campus in Brookings, OR. For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three
sessions. Fall term starts September 15th and ends November 26th. To register for orientation and classes, go to: https://swoccapce.org/ For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541888-1593.
We have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education FIND US ONLINE: TheWorldLink.com
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