NNT1223

Local News... Coastal Views...

Newport, Oregon

HOLIDAY HOOPS ACTION

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 SEE…SPORTS PAGE B1

Number 1 • $2.00 • 142 years

LINCOLN CITY OFFERS NEW YEAR SWIM

SEE…COAST LIFE PAGE B10

A pod of pelicans

A pod of pelicans flies over the ocean off a local shoreline late last year. With this week’s dawn of the new year, and the arrival of the Oregon coast’s winter weather conditions, scenes such as this under clear skies could be few and far between before springtime’s arrival. (Photo by Tony Reed, County Media)

DA’s motion for injunction against county commission denied by Polk Co. judge

BY MICHAEL HEINBACH Of the News-Times

Yaquina Bay Communications announced in a Tuesday, Dec. 26, news release the company’s six local radio stations — 102.7 KYTE FM, 1310 KNPT AM, 97.7 KNCU FM, KBCH 1400 AM, and KCRF 96.7 FM — on Monday, Jan. 1, would cease operations. (Photo by Michael Heinbach)

YBC announces radio station closures Owner thanks community for support

BY MICHAEL HEINBACH Of the News-Times

In a release sent Tuesday, Dec. 26, to local me-

dia outlets, David Miller, Yaquina Bay Communications co-owner with his wife, Linda, announced that on Monday, Jan. 1, the company’s radio stations —KYTE 102.7 FM, KNPT 1310 AM, KNCU 97.7 FM, KBCH 1400 AM, and KCRF 96.7 FM — would

cease operations.

“We are not happy about this circumstance, but Oregon Coast Bank determined that they would not renew our loans,” Miller wrote in the release. “With the pandemic, our only YBC on Page A8

DALLAS — In late November, Norman R. Hill, Polk County Circuit Court judge, denied a motion filed in May by Lanee Danforth, Lincoln County district attorney, seeking to stop the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners from interfering with her ability to create a new position within her office.

In her complaint, Danforth stated she exercised her authority to reclassify an employee within her office, effectively moving Deputy District Attorney Jenna Wallace into a second chief deputy role.

On May 12, David Collier, Lincoln County human resources director, sent Wallace an email,

Lanee Danforth

instructing her not to perform the role of chief deputy district attorney.

“There is only one chief deputy DA position with Lincoln County, and that position is currently occupied by Lynn Howard,” Collier wrote in the May 12 email. “At this time, we don’t have any documentation indicating that Ms. Howard will be vacating that po-

sition, so the position is currently not available.

DA Danforth is a manager, but she is not your employer. Lincoln County, as your employer, has not created any additional position in the district attorney’s office.

As such, you are not authorized to perform the duties of the chief DDA.” In conjunction with Collier’s email, the county board refused to recognize Wallace’s reclassification, and on May 12, Danforth filed for a preliminary injunction, seeking sole authority to reclassify the roles of employees in her office.

Danforth asserted that the county DA’s office is a state entity, and therefore, Lincoln County’s lone matter of concern INJUCTION on Page A8

Board chair details SVS Court affirms land board’s STR decision ruling principal termination County expected last Worman clarifies reported inaccuracies

BY MICHAEL HEINBACH Of the News-Times

SILETZ — At a Dec. 14 meeting, the fivemember Siletz Valley School board announced its decision to terminate the employment of Principal/District Superintendent Casey Jackson following an independent investigation into multiple complaints filed against her, most notably Jackson’s handling of a walkout staged in October by students protesting the school not recognizing Indige-

Friday

BY MICHAEL HEINBACH Of the News-Times

Casey Jackson

nous Peoples’ Day with a day off from classes and regular school activities.

A story initially published in October by Nika Bartoo-Smith of Underscore News, a nonprofit newsroom covering indigenous communities, and picked up by several major media outlets, including Indian Country Today and Oregon PRINCIPAL on Page A8

A day before Lincoln County Circuit Court pro-tem Judge Joseph C. Allison was expected to make a ruling regarding opposition to the county’s short-term rental ordinance in unincorporated areas of Lincoln County, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued its opinion on the matter.

On Dec. 28, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed a decision by state’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBSA) that granted Lincoln County’s motion to dismiss a challenge to its

A billboard paid for by 15neighborhoods in 2022 urges Lincoln County voters to support its Ballot Measure 21-203, aimed at phasing out short-term rental licenses in low-density residential unincorporated areas of the county in five years. (News-Times file photo)

voter-approved November 2021 ballot measure that altered short-term rental licensing regulations. Those regulations, backed by voters by a 16-point margin during the November 2021 elec-

tion, included setting new occupancy limits and septic requirements, as well as enacting a phase out of licenses for STRs in low-density residential zones in unincorporated areas of the

1422 N Coast Hwy 101 • Newport • 541-265-7731

county within five years.

Following a Dec. 22 Lincoln County Circuit Court status conference hearing on the matter, during which Allison STR on Page A8

Warranty: All Napa parts come with a nation wide 3 year 36k warranty.

A2

News-Times • Newport, OR

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Steps to ease tax-filing stress Port commission talks dock OREGON DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE RELEASE

SALEM — Now that the excitement of the gift-giving season has come to a close, many Oregonians’ thoughts turn to the anticipation of something even bigger — claiming their share of the state’s alltime record $5.6 billion kicker tax credit.

The good news is anyone who filed a 2022 Oregon income tax return is all set to claim their kicker on their 2023 return next year.

The not so good news?

Filing taxes often creates anxiety, worry, and stress.

For those who dread tax season every year, the Oregon Department of Revenue says there’s no reason to let tax season make you sweat.

Taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing your 2023 tax return easier in 2024—and lower your heart rate in the process.

“Most people don’t want to think about their taxes until it’s time to fill out their returns,” Revenue’s Megan Denison said. “But doing a few simple things in the weeks before tax season can make filling out your return and filing on time less stressful.”

The first thing taxpayers should do if they hope to claim their share of the kicker next year is to make sure they have filed a 2022 return. The department received more than 2.2 million 2022 tax returns

so most taxpayers have done that, but for those who haven’t, filing a 2022 tax return should be their first priority.

Electronic filing is closed until late January, so taxpayers who still need to file a 2022 return will need to either download and use a paper form found at h tt p s : / /w w w. o r e go n . gov/dor/forms/Pages/ default.aspx, or wait until electronic filing is open again.

“Until taxpayers file their 2022 return, the department can’t calculate their kicker. So make sure you file your 2022 return before you file your 2023 return claiming your kicker,” Denison said.

Next, she said, following the suggestions below will make filing a tax year 2023 return in 2024 simpler and less stressful.

View your account information online Taxpayers can make sure their information is current at Revenue Online, the state’s online tax portal. While there, taxpayers can use the “What’s My Kicker” calculator, view their 1099G (available by January 31, 2024), and verify any estimated tax payments they’ve made.

Gather and organize your tax records Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier and help avoid errors. Wait to file until you have all your tax records including: • Forms W-2 from your employer(s)

• Forms 1099 from banks, issuing agencies and other payers including unemployment compensation, dividends, distributions from a pension, annuity, retirement plan, or other nonemployee compensation • Forms 1099-K, 1099MISC, 1099-NEC, or other income statement if you worked in the gig economy Use a bank account to speed tax refunds with direct deposit File electronically, choose direct deposit and you will get a refund faster. Information is available at this IRS website.

Choose a reputable tax return preparer Taxpayers should choose a tax return preparer wisely. This is important because taxpayers are responsible for all the information on their return, no matter who prepares it for them.

The Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners offers a Licensee Lookup website. The IRS has a website with information.

Denison also pointed out that free help filing a return is available for those who need it.

To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www. oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@ oregon.gov. You also can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearingor speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.

and RV park improvements

New pilings to reinforce Port Dock 7, expert advice on enhancing the RV park, and approval of a new tenant all came before the Port of Newport Board of Commissioners at its last regular meeting of 2023.

Deteriorating after years of heavy wear and brutal weather, officials said interim improvements are necessary to keep Port Dock 7 operational while they continue planning for complete replacement.

“This is the project that is on our list to hold Port Dock 7 together until we get it replaced,” said Aaron Bretz, director of operations.

The project entails the replacement of 15 pilings. Possibly the greatest hurdle for most port projects, the necessary permits, have already been obtained.

Port Executive Director Paula Miranda explained that consultants are currently working on the concept plans needed for granting opportunities for the complete replacement — a project anticipated to take a few years and many millions of dollars.

Port commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation to contract with Bergerson Construction at a cost of $185,000 to drive the pilings.

Commissioners also heard a presentation on possible changes to the port’s assets on the other side of Yaquina Bay. Good Works Architects (GWA) assembled

a team of experts who spent several months completing a market analysis and conceptual redesign of the RV Park Annex, currently located across Southeast Marine Science Drive from the rest of the campground.

When recommending the review back in July, Miranda described the annex infrastructure as failing and in need of updating.

Modernizing and enhancing port facilities is part of the organization’s strategic plan. The consulting team was also authorized to look at other potential locations for enhancement as part of the project, including a dry camp area near the NOAA campus.

Mark Kuykendall, of GWA, said the dry camp area became the unanimous favorite among their team of consultants for future enhancement for a number of reasons.

“First and foremost, everyone agrees that it is a better site in terms of marketability and user experience. It has several logistical advantages, too. It is contiguous with the recreational campus, with the main RV park, boat ramp, and marina,” he explained. “It is a blank slate in terms of infrastructure and utilities, where on the current (annex) site, we are dealing with 1970s infrastructure that is failing. It is a hodgepodge of water, electrical, and waste lines that have been pieced together over time,” the architect added.

With a lengthy market analysis report in hand, commissioners considered the number of spaces, potential revenues, impacts on current users near the dry camp area, and general cost and logistics of a move.

Bretz voiced his support for the recommendation, saying, “There is a need for this in the marketplace right now.

It is a reshuffling of where things are over there, but it makes it (the annex) more centrally located. It’s definitely a step up from what we have and adds to our capabilities at the park.”

Cost-wise, the process of getting construction documents, permitting, engineering, and landscape design for the new site would be around $175,000, which is only $6,000 more than what those same items would cost if renovating the existing annex. The number of sites, however, would grow from 36 currently to 47 if the new space is chosen.

No decision was made at the meeting, but Miranda will focus on funding opportunities to take the next step in enhancing the RV park.

In other business, commissioners also approved a rental agreement with TCB Security to occupy additional office space within the port’s new administration building. The company, which provides security to the port, will use the space as its headquarters.

Seal Rock resident reported lost, later found in vehicle

Lincoln County

SEAL ROCK — At about 3:40 a.m. Dec. 23, Bonita Boldt reported waking up to find Alvin Boldt, her husband, and their vehicle missing from their Seal Rock area home. Mrs. Boldt also reported that Mr. Boldt was experiencing age-related mental health symptoms leading him to obsess over garbage, potentially driving him to go to the dump in Waldport. Mrs. Boldt reported last seeing Mr. Boldt at approximately 11:00 p.m. the night before.

A Lincoln County Sheriff ’s Deputy responded to Mrs. Boldt’s call for service, sending information on Mr. Boldt and his vehicle to

the Oregon State Police, the Lane County Sheriff ’s Office, and the Benton County Sheriff ’s Office to be on the lookout. Additionally, information was sent to Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue and Pacific West Ambulance to assist in attempts to locate Mr. Boldt in the area. More than two hours of searching, with additional assistance from Mr. Boldt’s son, were unsuccessful. Mr. Boldt was entered into nationwide databases as a missing person.

At about 8:30 a.m., Mr. Boldt’s son reported finding his vehicle crashed down a hill a short distance from his residence. The Lincoln County Sheriff ’s Office

responded with the Seal Rock Fire District, Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, and Pacific West Ambulance to retrieve Mr. Boldt from his vehicle. Mr. Boldt was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital for minor injuries and hypothermia.

The Lincoln County Sheriff ’s Office is grateful to our Law Enforcement and Fire/EMS partners for their assistance in locating and caring for Mr. Boldt. If you or someone you know may be developing age-related mental health conditions, contact Lincoln County Behavioral Health at 541265-4196, or in the event of an emergency contact 9-1-1 for help.

Lincoln City helps fund nonprofits NEWS-TIMES STAFF

ATONEMENT LUTHERAN, ELCA

Central Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Sunday Adult Forum - 9 a.m.

Sunday Worship - 10 a.m.

Nye Beach Visual Arts Center, 2nd floor A lay-led UU Fellowship, in person and Zoom www.ccuuf.org

Atonement is an inclusive, Reconciling in Christ Congregation.

12-31 NO PROGRAM

and on Zoom at www.atonementlutheran.com John Smithies, Pastor

2315 N. Coast Hwy, Newport • 541-265-2554

Thank you and Happy Holidays!!

In-house worship services at 10am.

And Sundays at 10am on Facebook and YouTube.

Search for “NewportNaz”

541-265-6684

227 NW 12th St. • WWW.NEWPORTNAZ.ORG

LINCOLN CITY — On Dec. 22, Susan Wahlke, Lincoln City mayor, distributed checks totaling $247,480 to area nonprofit agencies in council chambers at Lincoln City City Hall.

“Lincoln City recognizes the essential role each agency has in our city, and thanks them for all

the work they do for and in the community,” reads a Dec. 27 news release.

The following nonprofit entities received funds: Central Coast Humane Society; Coastal Support Services; Every Child LBL; Family Promise of Lincoln County; Habitat for Humanity; Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers; Lincoln City Cham-

ber of Commerce; North End Senior Solutions; North Lincoln County CERT; North Lincoln County Historical Museum; North Lincoln Hospital Foundation; Oceana Family Literacy; Oregon Cascades West (COG) Senior Services Foundation; Siletz Tribal Arts & Heritage Society; and the Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams

BY LYNNE TERRY AND BILL LUCIA

Wednesday: Showers likely.

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. South southeast wind around 10 mph. Wednesday night: Low around 44.

Thursday: Showers likely.

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. South southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Thursday night: Low around 43.

Friday: Rain. High near 50.

Friday night: Rain. Low around 41.

Oregon Capital Chronicle

A decades-long battle over dams in the Columbia River Basin had a breakthrough last week as the Biden administration announced a deal with four tribes in the region and the states of Oregon and Washington that is meant to restore salmon and other fish runs while also looking at eventually breaching four of the dams.

The settlement agreement calls for a 10-year pause in legal fighting that dates back to the 1990s. It also includes a promise — but not a guarantee — of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds and other money for wild fish restoration in the Columbia River Basin over the next decade, along with support for clean energy production by the tribes, according to a White House statement.

Environmental groups described the agreement as “historic” and framed it as a major win.

While removing the four dams on the lower Snake River would require approval from Congress, Earthjustice is optimistic about their eventual demise. “We are now on a path to breach the four Lower Snake River dams,” Amanda Goodin, Earthjustice senior attorney, said in a statement.

Earthjustice said the agreement explicitly calls for lower Snake River dams to be replaced and breached within two fish generations, or about eight years, to rebuild salmon populations. The group added that while the federal commitments don’t include a decision to breach the dams, they do include a commitment to begin to replace the hydropower and services they provide and to work in partnership on other next steps.

Critics, including groups representing utilities, farmers, ports and others who rely on the dams for power, barging goods and irrigation, assailed the deal, saying it was negotiated in secret and neglected their interests.

“This proposal turns its back on over three million electricity customers as well as the farming, transportation, navigation, and economic needs of the region,” three of these groups – Northwest RiverPartners, the Public Power Council and the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association said in a joint statement.

“By purposely excluding our respective or-

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News-Times • Newport, OR

Saturday: Rain. high near 47.

Saturday night: Low around 37.

Past Weather On the Coast

Rain Low High

December 20..... 0.00 .... 22.0 .....64.5 December 21..... 0.00 .... 16.7 .....49.4 December 22..... 0.55 .... 27.4 .....48.5 December 23..... 0.01 .... 21.1 .....55.8 December 24..... 0.06 .... 39.8 .....50.5 December 25..... 0.52 .... 48.5 .....57.4 December 26..... 0.01 .... 47.9 .....53.5 Total rainfall from Jan. 1 ..........0.24”

Tides Tables National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Lower Monumental Dam is on the Snake River in Washington state. (Getty Images)

ganizations from the negotiations, literally millions of Northwest residents were deprived of fair representation in this process,” they added.

At the heart of the issue are four Snake River dams that provide irrigation and emissionsfree hydropower for nearby communities, but have also contributed to the near extinction of 13 salmon and steelhead populations that return to the Columbia Basin from the Pacific Ocean to spawn.

The declines are hitting southern resident orcas off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon that rely on salmon for food and are federally listed as endangered.

Environmental advocates, tribes and others have pushed to remove the four dams — Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite on the Snake River between Kennewick, Wash., and Lewiston, Idaho — to help the fish, including filing lawsuits. Earthjustice, an environmental law group, has led litigation against five federal agencies, seeking changes to dam operations in the Columbia River Basin to help protect salmon.

Under the agreement, the Biden administration will “undertake or help fund studies of how the transportation, irrigation, and recreation services provided by the four Lower Snake River dams could be replaced, to help inform Congress should it consider authorizing dam breach in the future,” according to the White House.

Oregon Capital Chronicle (oregoncapitalchronicle.com) is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence.

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High

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January 3

5:24 a.m. 7.6 5:07 p.m. 5.7

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January 4

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January 5

6:38 a.m. 8.1 8:08 p.m. 5.4

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January 6

u

12:33 a.m. 3.7 2:45 p.m. 1.2

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914 SW Coast Hwy-101, Newport John Reis 503-580-7811

12:52 p.m. 2.6 11:42 p.m. 3.1

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January 7 Ed Haendel 702-610-1411

1:32 a.m. 4.1 3:33 p.m. 0.4

8:04 a.m. 8.8 10:29 p.m. 6.2

January 8

2:33 a.m. 4.4 4:18 p.m. -0.3

8:50 a.m. 9.3 11:18 p.m. 6.6

January 9

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9:38 a.m. 9.7

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Julie Gamache 541-231-0753

January 10

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January 11

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11:15 a.m. 10.3

*NEW LISTING*

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4:24 a.m. 4.3 5:46 p.m. -1.5 5:15 a.m. 4.0 6:29 p.m. -1.8

Sunrise/Sunset Jan. 3 .................... 7:53 a.m. ......... 4:47 p.m.

Jan. 4 .................... 7:53 a.m. .........4:48 p.m.

Jan. 5 .................... 7:53 a.m. .........4:49 p.m.

Jan. 6 .................... 7:53 a.m. .........4:50 p.m.

Jan. 7 .................... 7:53 a.m. .......... 4:51 p.m.

Jan. 8 .................... 7:53 a.m. ......... 4:52 p.m.

Jan. 9 .................... 7:52 a.m. ......... 4:53 p.m.

Jan. 10 .................. 7:52 a.m. ......... 4:55 p.m.

Jan. 11 .................... 7:52 a.m. ......... 4:56 p.m.

Jan. 12................... 7:51 a.m. ...........4:57 p.m.

Lottery Friday, December 29

Mega Millions 11 • 27 • 30 • 62 • 70 • PB-10 • x3

Monday, January 1

Powerball 12 • 21 • 42 • 44 • 49 • PB-1 • x3

Monday, January 1

Megabucks 2 • 9 • 19 • 28 • 36 • 47

Inside News............................................... A1-4 Opinion ............................................. A5 Business ........................................... A10 Public Notices.................................... B2 Obituaries .......................................... A6 Sports ................................................ B1 Classifieds ....................................... B4-5 Coast Life......................................... B10

(Publication number 0888-2110) Published weekly, 52 issues per year Periodicals postage paid at Newport, OR 97365 Postmaster: Send address changes to News-Times mailing address, P.O. Box 965, Newport, OR 97365 OFFICE ADDRESS - HOURS 831 NE Avery, Newport, OR 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday Subscriber services - 541-265-8571 WORLD WIDE WEB ADDRESS http://www.newportnewstimes.com HOW TO REACH US Main switchboard ........................ 541-265-8571 Classified advertising .................. 541-265-8571 Fax ................................................ 541-265-3862 SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL Publisher.........................................Frank Perea Executive Editor ............................Joe Warren Director of Sales ...........................Frank Perea General Manager ............................ Nicole Orr Managing Editor ............................. Steve Card IN-COUNTY SUBSCRIPTIONS One year ......................................................$109 Four weeks ....................................................$24 OUT-OF-COUNTY SUBSCRIPTIONS One year ...................................................... $164 Four weeks ....................................................$29 DIGITAL ONLY One year ..................................... $14 per month ADVERTISING OWNERSHIP All advertising copy and illustrations prepared by the News-Times become the property of Country Media Inc. and may not be reproduced for any other use without explicit prior approval.

COPYRIGHT Entire contents Copyright 2024 by Country Media Inc. Contents may not be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

The News-Times is printed on recycled newsprint.

A4

News-Times • Newport, OR

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

OPINION Friday, August 4, 2023

Steve Card, Opinion Page Editor

A5

VIEWPOINT

Palestine New Year: The Roots of the Problem The situation in Palestine is often falsely described as “ancient, complex, and insoluble.” In fact, the modern problem began with the growth of political Zionism in 1895. “In The Jewish State,” which he published that year, Theodore Herzl announced his plan quite clearly: Palestinians were to be removed to make room for Zionist settlers. That was, and remains, the Israeli plan today.

Palestinians are often criticized for resorting to violence as they resist removal. Since 1895, Palestinians have largely tried to get justice through non-violent means. Even today, most resistance is still non-violent- it just doesn’t get the attention that violent outbursts do. When things settle down, the world simply ignores the problem. Another reason the problem shouldn’t be considered ancient is that like systemic racism in the US, it continues unabated to this day.

It has nothing to do with ancient Jebusites, Hittites, etc.

The situation is not complex either. It is simply the story of Zionist settlers taking land from the native Palestinians, and resistance from their victims. In my long study of the subject, I am not aware of Palestinians ever getting any of their land back. It has been a one-way street.

As a result, five generations of Palestinians have lived in exile. The current war in Gaza hasn’t interrupted Zionist settlement and violence in the West Bank (which is not run by Hamas and hasn’t fired rockets).

Along the way, violence by Zionists has been aimed at taking the land: violence by Palestinians has been in defense of their land. When this situation is discussed, there is often talk of “being balanced.” There really is no way to correct this basic imbalance. If there is truth on one side and a lie on the other, splitting the difference does not get you to the truth- it just gets you to a milder lie. The Palestinians have always been greatly overmatched. There has never really been any “balance” in this struggle.

The notion that the problem is insoluble is simply nonsense. Israel could solve the problem on any given day by simply honoring their previous and long-standing commitment to treaties and United Nations resolutions (194, 242, 338, etc.). It is only their intransigence that stands in the way. Serious U.S. pressure is probably the only solution.

All the other problems (skyjacking and rockets, Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, and Iran) that have come up along the way make the situation seem more complicated than it is. They all developed over time as the basic problem was left unresolved. Overall, things have always gotten worse, not better. This latest outburst of violence demonstrates this. The fatal mistake most people make is accepting the idea that Netanyahu’s goal is “to eliminate Hamas.” Actually, his goal is to eliminate ANY and ALL Palestinian resistance. It just won’t happen.

Since I first called for a ceasefire on Nov. 3, another 15,000 Palestinians have been killed.

They are largely women and children. Of some 40 hospitals in Gaza, almost none are functional. They have become morgues and hospices.

Can anyone truly believe that Israel is “not targeting” hospitals? With disease and starvation, the death toll is set to soar. So far, Netanyahu’s strategy of force has freed only one hostage.

About a hundred were released during the brief ceasefire. Yet he persists in this savagery and will continue as long as the US stands by him.

Since any just, lasting peace will have to begin with a ceasefire, why not start now?

Finally, a few simple observations on antisemitism. Antisemitism is an ugly, dangerous ideology. Like any ideology that promotes the idea of racial or ethnic supremacy by any group, it should be rejected. That said, it is simply untrue to assert that the current state of Israel speaks for all Jewish people or that political Zionism truly represents the Jewish religious tradition.

Many passionate advocates of Palestinian rights are Jewish. Fair criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic and to claim that it is actually confuses the issue of combating the spread of real antisemitism. In that regard, Israel’s current reprehensible conduct is extremely counterproductive. It is also a disaster for the standing of the US in the world.

Gilbert Schramm Newport Oregon

LETTER POLICY The News-Times welcomes letters to the editor concerning issues affecting Lincoln County.

All letters must be signed with the full name of the writer, and must be accompanied by a telephone number and address.

We request that letters be limited to 300 words, and that writers limit their letters and viewpoints to one every four weeks. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Letters sent via email should clearly state that they are for publication.

WRITE: editor@newportnewstimes.com

VIEWPOINT

Taking a Writer’s Walk on the Wild Side The entire process of revealing one’s past is an explosion of lamentations, regret, revelation, and reckoning. For the reader, hope is vulcanized in the act of captivating, creation, contemplation and allowing for a bit of the wild side.

Every so often, I tackle eight- or 12-week writing workshops around the genre of memoir. In February, Iwill be hosting this Oregon Coast Community College community ed course titled, “Putting Your WritingPuzzle Together.”

In essence, we are talking about any type of literary writing, but we do find emphasizing one’s memoir as the crux of why people wrangle gumption and stick-toit attitudes in their attempts at carving out some portion of life that springs from a well of transition, into life lessons, all seeped in surviving life’s school of hard knocks.

This past Fall, students tackled some unbelievable significant emotional and life changing events to process through the memoir writing class we held at Waldport’s OCCC campus.

We’re talking about deep plumbing of family and life circumstances. Imagine, one fellow Zoomed from Wisconsin, and his life story was like a snow plow pushing iced-over snow banks all over the state. He was a

young paperboy when he was sexually assaulted by a older man on his route.

He was quintessential Wisconsin youth growing up in a town of drinking, bar hoping, beer worshipping, and churches – 55 bars to 42 churches.

Booze is king in Wisconsin, and this fellow fought that demon.

Then, for ten years he was shuttled around jails and prisons throughout Wisconsin. The students reveled in his memoir essays dripping with an authentic voice of someone in prison. We had a woman dealing with her unwanted pregnancy being covered up when she was fifteen. In fact, her child was taken by her own mother. Here’s the premise in a nutshell: “Teenage mother gives birth to child in England and then returns to Southern California to call the boy ‘brother.’”

Now in her 70’s, hers is a tale of reckoning, recall and family secrets coming out like poison flowing from pours in a sweat lodge.

Decades of drinking and struggling with depression and bi-polar syndrome were another writer’s subject matter.

This septuagenarian is dealing with the good life on the Oregon Coast but only after decades of faking it in sales, drinking hard and flogging himself into fugues of almost daily perseverating suicide. This fellow is a poet

to boot, so his memoir is quasi-experimental with his poems and others interspersed with his autobiographical stories.

Then we have a mother and daughter who left another state so her daughter could finish her transition. Now high school student, she was born a gendered male, but she had complicated and myriad psychological and hormonal drives to be a girl.

The autobiographical journey is the mother’s journey, with her daughter weighing in: A mother’s story of picking up and leaving other children and her husband behind. Much of this transition had to be secretive, including her own workplace not knowing the circumstance from going from the southwest to Oregon for the transition.

The wild side is a state of grace and exploding one’s own myth making, in these workshops. People expose much of their own underbellies, and writer about their deepest fears and sometimes redemptions.

In a time of overblown celebrity – from actors, performers, athletes and rich folk – we need to valorize the people, we the people, the staff of life, regular Joe Blow and Jane Somebody. We need to flip the script, so to speak, and honor those of us who have journeyed paths less traveled.

That sometimes quiet life is undergirded with fantastic accomplishments. If I could bend Oprah’s or Mackenzie Scott Tuttle’s (Bezos’ ex) ear, I’d propose a deeply enriching Netflix series about people in regular circumstances who have survived untold crazy stuff life dishes out. I’d interview them, and then I and other memoir guides would workshop with them to crack open these stories.

Who’d read these incredible tales as paperbacks – sort of a 21st Century “Great Expectations,” without the big bucks and glory? I’ve talked to hundreds of people over the years as a journalist, college writing instructor, and social worker, and hands down, there are 1,001 stories to be told.

As Charles Dickens writes, “Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.”

Ahh, and even our own Henry Thoreau stated it plainly: “Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth.”

Paul K. Haeder is a novelist, journalist, educator and author of “Wide Open Eyes: Surfacing from Vietnam,” Cirque Press.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TIP OF THE WEEK PROTECTING PETS IN WINTER WEATHER Winter is a time we should pay close attention to the safety of our pets. Here are some safety tips to follow: 1) With the change in weather, it’s a good time to monitor your pet’s food intake. Pets that live outdoors should be fed a bit more in the winter because they need the extra calories to stay warm. Indoor pets typically receive less exercise during cold weather and may require fewer calories.

2) Oregon law requires all companion animals be provided shelter from the elements. They also should

have fresh water put out a couple of times a day, or consider a special bowl that prevents the water from freezing. In severe weather, allow your pet in your house or garage.

3) If your pet goes outdoors, be aware of the temperature. Pets can get frostbite very easily on the ears, tail and paws.

4) When walking your dog in freezing conditions, check the paws to make sure that ice is not building up between the toes and that salt or gravel from the roads is not irritating the skin.

5) If your dog is a swimmer, keep them on a leash around open water or unstable ice.

Hypothermia can set in

quickly, and severe kidyour dog may ney damage be unable to and even get out of the death. You water. can use a 6) Before pet-safe you start your antifreeze car, ensure no — look kitties have for brands Curtis Landers decided to containing nap in a warm propylene spot by honking the glycol instead of ethylhorn or banging on the ene glycol. If you spill hood. anti-freeze, soak it up 7) If you are decorat- immediately (clay kitty ing for the holidays, litter works well and keep ornaments out of discard the litter once the reach of your pets. the anti-freeze has been Remember that poinset- absorbed). tias, holly, mistletoe and For more informaother plants can be toxic tion and tips, visit our if ingested.

8) Ingesting anti- website at www.lincolnand freeze can be fatal for countysheriff.net your dog or cat. It has a “Like “us on Facebook at sweet taste, and even a Lincoln County Sheriff ’s tiny amount can cause Office – Oregon.

A6

News-Times • Newport, OR

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

College board OKs ballot measure for trades education The Oregon Coast Community College Board of Education, at a meeting held Dec. 13, approved the proposed ballot title for a bond measure intended for the May election. The measure will ask voters to approve a $33 million bond proposal that would construct a trades education facility on land the college already owns in Newport.

The May election will fall on the 20th anniversary of the last ballot measure put before voters by the college — the 2004 bonds that funded the construction of the college’s current facilities. In that election, voters approved a total package that yielded a property tax levy of 34 cents per thousand of assessed valuation. In the years since then, the actual levy has declined and is projected to be 21 cents per thousand in its final year. The new bond proposal is sized to be sufficient to build the new trades education facility while maintaining that levy at its present rate after the existing bonds are paid off on June 30.

In 2023, Oregon Coast Community Col-

lege’s combined operational and capital construction levy was the lowest of any community college in the state.

OCCC President Birgitte Ryslinge said, “If approved by voters, the college anticipates it will secure the $8 million in state matching funds and generate funds sufficient to build the county a trades education facility that will provide county residents with training and education opportunities that presently requires our students to move away or travel great distances to access. The bonds will also fund modernization and preservation of the amazing buildings we operate today, along with enhancing and updating student safety and emergency preparedness capacity, among other improvements.”

The proposed facility is designed to meet the needs of pre-apprenticeship trades education programs now and long into the future.

“Flexibility is at the core of this building, which has been part of our strategic priorities since its preliminary

designs were commissioned in 2017,” said Andres Oroz, OCCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs. “Roll-up doors, wide open adaptable spaces, high ceilings, polished concrete floors, and virtually all equipment and furnishings on wheels. This facility is all about delivering cutting-edge career and technical training, even as that training and programming evolves and changes in years to come, in ways no one can predict today.”

Oroz said the facility’s initial programming will be focused on delivering training and certificate programs in targeted areas based on current workforce needs. These programs include Welding & Marine Technician, Marine Technology, and Mechatronics & Automation. Once opened, the building will additionally provide increased capacity to grow other existing programs.

SECOND TIME ON THE BALLOT The ballot measure will be familiar to many Lincoln County voters, as the college placed a

This architect’s rendering depicts the proposed new Center for Trades Education that would be constructed if a bond request is approved by Lincoln County voters in the May election. (Courtesy graphic)

similar measure on the ballot last year. More than three dozen public presentations were delivered about that proposal, with college staff, students, and community supporters speaking to city council members, county commissioners, service clubs and neighborhood groups, the Lincoln County Republicans, the League of Women Voters, and more.

The college decided to remove the measure from the ballot in March, when it was announced that the state had chosen not to authorize $8 million in state matching funds, which the college had made clear would be received for the project if approved by voters. All told, five Oregon community colleges with capital construction matching funds saw them fail to be reauthorized at the same time, at the start of the 2023 legislative session.

“Being so far along

in the campaign, it was a difficult decision to withdraw the measure,” said Dave Price, OCCC’s vice president of engagement.

“However, voters had been told their investment would be matched with $8 million of state funds, and when it became possible that those funds might not materialize, we had no choice. Twenty years ago, when voters approved the measure that built our three campus locations, we finished that project on time and under budget. We aim to maintain that trustworthy status with our community.”

Price added that the state legislature ultimately re-authorized all five community colleges’ matching funds by the end of the session, though that decision happened too late to re-file for the May 2023 vote. The state’s reauthorization means the $8 million matching funds are once again pledged available.

“We aim to maximize the return on our citizens’ investment in this project,” Price said, “and securing that $8 million to reduce the amount we need to raise locally is a powerful incentive to bring this initiative forward now. And the need for trades education and enhanced career training opportunities for local residents has never been more pronounced.”

A group of volunteers has formed a Political Action Committee to help ensure the success of the ballot measure. The group is led

by Patrick O’Connor, who previously served as OCCC president for almost two decades, and Dr. David Bigelow, former CEO of Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital, along with Patrick Alexander and Guy Greco. Anyone interested in joining the effort can get connected to the group by emailing Price at dave.price@oregoncoast.edu or call 541-994-4166.

Wanted: live giant Pacific octopus NEWS-TIMES STAFF

While angling off the shores of Lincoln County and all along the Oregon coast, it’s not uncommon for fishermen to pull up a little more than they were hoping to catch. Sometimes, even a giant Pacific octopus inadvertently becomes part of the haul.

And should such a circumstance arise in the near future, the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport has a small request.

Oregon State University’s marine science research and education center seeks live giant Pacific octopus donations. Those who catch an octopus while fishing are asked to donate their octopus to Hatfield for exhibit. Those wishing to donate are required to hold a current state of Oregon-issued shellfish license.

For further information, or initiate the donation process, call or text a Hatfield Visitor Center representative at

The Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University’s marine science research and education facility in Newport, asks fishermen who catch a live giant Pacific octopus to consider donating the octopus to the center for exhibition. (Photo courtesy of Oregon Coast Aquarium)

541-619-6360 or 309269-5607.

The Hatfield Marine Science Center Visitor Center, located at 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, is opened to visitors of all ages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday

through Monday each week. Advanced ticket sales to the Visitor Center can be purchased online by visiting https:// seagrant.oregonstate. edu/visitor-center, and licking the “buy a ticket” link.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

A7

News-Times • Newport, OR

This Week in 50 YEARS AGO (1974)

NEWS-TIMES STAFF

This is a brief look back — from the archives of the News-Times and its predecessor, the Lincoln County Leader — at what was making the news during this week in history.

25 YEARS AGO (1999) THIRTY LOCAL HOMES LOST IN WEEK’S FLOODS Thirty homes were destroyed and 159 suffered major damage from flooding mainly along the Siletz River this week, according to an American Red Cross official.

In addition, water and septic systems remain to be tested before people return to their homes, said Gary Geerhart of the Lincoln County chapter of the American Red Cross. As of Wednesday, at least 21 families remained away from their homes.

HIGHWAY 229 REMAINS CLOSED Travel is impossible on Highway 229 between Kernville and Siletz this week, following several drastic failures on the rural road during last week’s flooding.

A dozen spots between mileposts 4 and 16 suffered some sunken grades, slides, or debris slides. At milepost 10.4, an entire lane dropped nearly 10 feet, and almost three-quarters of the road slid away at milepost 11.5.

YACHATS FIRE RESCUES DOG FROM LEDGE A dog was rescued from a ledge above the Pacific Ocean early New Year’s Day after the tide came in and trapped the animal, according to Yachats Fire Chief Tony Tripp.

A firefighter using ropes went down a 25-foot embankment in the 300 block of Ocean View Drive to retrieve the springer spaniel. About an hour after the rescue, after the dog was fed at the fire station, its owners came and retrieved it.

PULP PRODUCTION STARTS IN NEW UNIT AT G-P MILL A new pulp production unit, part of a $16 million expansion project, has just been completed at Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Toledo.

The new unit has the capacity to produce 250 tons of pulp per day, which will be needed when the new paper machine is completed by the end of this month.

YELLS AT PRISONERS, THEN JOINS THEM Bradford W. Nudd, 26, of Mazatlan, Mexico, has entered not guilty pleas in district court to charges of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct Nudd was arrested by sheriff ’s deputies Dec. 30 after he was found shouting at prisoners in the county jail from the courthouse parking lot. He was then found to be carrying a hunting knife concealed beneath his coat, reports indicated.

He will come to trial Jan. 15.

AFL-CIO OPENS EFFORT TO ORGANIZE STAFF IN COUNTY COURTHOUSE Efforts are being made to organize county road department and courthouse employees, except for the sheriff ’s department, by Local No. 9214 of the Communication Workers of America, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. The sheriff ’s department has already formed an association, which is not affiliated with a union and which has been recognized as a bargaining unit by the board of county commissioners.

ROADS EMPTY AS 1974 ARRIVES HERE 1974 arrived in Lincoln County with reduced traffic because of a statewide gasoline shortage.

Traffic on all roads in the county was “way down,” police said, of the usually

heavy Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 driving period.

Only one station pumped gas in Newport on Jan. 1, with the usual long lines of waiting motorists.

75 YEARS AGO (1949) INTERNAL REVENUE OFFICE OPENING HERE Newport’s increasing importance in the business of the state was underlined again this week when the Bureau of Internal Revenue, headed

by Hugh Earle, of Portland, opened a new branch office in the Easley building in Newport.

Mr. Wheeler, of Corvallis, is understood to have been assigned here and will be in business within a few days.

CARPENTERS’ SCALE UPPED TO $2.10 Walter Dailey, secretary of the Lincoln County members of the Carpenters Union and state executive board member, this week received word that agreement has been reached in negotiations between the union and the Associated General Contractors of Oregon over the new wage scales.

The new basic rate is $2.10 an hour for the entire state, excepting only a few southern Oregon localities. This is the first time any statewide agreement has been attained in the United States, Mr. Dailey stated, and has made history in the long relationship between working carpenters and the contractors.

SILETZ GORGE SITE OF NEW LOGGING CAMP Work has been started on a new logging camp located in the Upper Siletz Gorge area. This project is separate from the Upper Farm Housing Project near Logsden, which is nearly completed.

The new camp, which will provide accommodations for approximately 100 persons, will be located on the

main truck road up the Siletz Gorge and about five miles from the end of the railroad at the Upper Farm.

100 YEARS AGO (1924) LINCOLN COUNTY HELD IN ICY GRIP NEW YEAR’S DAWN Lincoln County shared with the balance of the entire Northwest during the past two days in one of the coldest waves that has swept the country in the past several years, and the New Year of 1924 was ushered in with the thermometer registering around the 10-above mark.

MANY PEOPLE OF TOLEDO DANCE OLD YEAR OUT AND NEW IN The year 1924 with ushered in at Toledo with a tolling of bells from the belfries of churches and school buildings, and the loud shrills of the big fire siren at the Pacific Spruce mill that could be heard for miles around.

Many citizens of this section celebrated the coming of the New Year by attending the grand costume ball given in the Legion Hall, where they skipped the light fantastic until the wee hours of Tuesday morning. More than 200 people were present.

ALLISON PLEADS GUILTY Jack Allison appeared before District Attorney G. B. McCluskey Wednesday evening and pled guilty to the charge against him of having liquor in his possession and being intoxicated on the public highway. He will appear before Justice of the Peace Parrish today and receive sentence.

Warrants were sworn out for Allison and three other men some time ago when they were accused by Deputy Sheriff W. P. McBee near his home here. They beat up on the deputy and got away, as has been explained in previous issues.

List for beach monitoring announced The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) finalized a list

of beaches to be monitored for unsafe levels of bacteria during the

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2024 and 2025 monitoring seasons.

The list was created based on established criteria, including high recreational use, nearby pollution hazards, previously measured high bacteria levels, and public input.

OBMP is a joint effort between Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to monitor the waters along Oregon’s coastline for the pres-

ence of fecal bacteria and report elevated levels to the public.

Through this program, DEQ regularly samples and tests marine water and freshwater at about 20 beaches along Oregon’s 360 miles of coastline between May and September. To protect public health, OHA issues advisories at beaches where bacteria levels are found to be unsafe.

OHA and DEQ reevaluate beaches and sampling locations every two years to ensure available resources best protect public health. The proposed list includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon; beaches where the program has previously

found bacteria; and beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to pollution concerns.

To view a video about the updated beach monitoring list for 2024-25, go online at http://tinyurl.com/2xza7ucf This year, in addition to the criteria listed above, DEQ used the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) environmental justice screening tool to assess the potential for the OBMP efforts to benefit vulnerable and underserved populations. Based on OBMP’s evaluation criteria, preliminary environmental justice screening and input from public comments, OHA and DEQ

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selected the beaches for the 2024/2025 monitoring season.

LINCOLN COUNTY BEACHES ON THE LIST ARE: • D River State Park — Lincoln City • Beverly Beach — Newport • Agate Beach State Park — Newport • Nye Beach — Newport • Seal Rock State Park Beach — Seal Rock • Siletz Bay (new for 2024-25) — Lincoln City • Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park (new for 2024-25) — Ona Beach To add beaches to the sampling list and continue operating within available OBMP resources, DEQ may reduce the number of sampling locations or frequency of sampling at certain beaches. Only sampling locations where historical data show low risk would be removed.

A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information about OBMP, visit the program website at www.healthoregon. org/beach or call 971673-0440. People can also call OHA’s toll-free information line, 877290-6767.

A8

News-Times • Newport, OR

STR

Continued from page 1

indicated a decision likely in favor of the county’s position was forthcoming, Lincoln County Circuit Court scheduled another hearing for Friday, Dec. 29, where that ruling was expected. Due to early deadlines because of the New Year’s Day holiday, results of that hearing were unavailable as of press time, and will be covered in the Wednesday, Jan. 10,

PRINCIPAL

Continued from page 1

Public Broadcasting, described the events that led to the school board to seek an independent investigator into Jackson’s actions.

A group of Siletz Valley students, during an Oct. 9 culture class, walked out of school in unison and were soon joined by other students in protest of the school not recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a day off from regular classroom activities. It’s estimated about half the K-12 charter school’s population is Native American.

“I want people to understand what Indigenous Peoples’ Day is and why we felt so strong about it,” Zoey Howard, a 16-year-old Siletz Val-

YBC

Continued from page 1

source of income, advertising, has been reduced by more than 50 percent.

We also have not been able to obtain financing elsewhere, nor have we been able to find a buyer

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

edition of the NewsTimes.

Monica Kirk, the face of 15neighborhoods, a group that seeks regulation of short-term rentals in order to preserve local neighborhoods and fight the county’s housing shortage, told NewsTimes staff last Thursday the organization was pleased with the Court of Appeals’ decision “15neighborhoods agrees with the LUBA court’s decision that the county has the legal responsibility and the legal

right to regulate business such as short-term rentals using their authority to regulate business licenses,” Monica Kirk, a member of the 15neighborhoods steering committee and a resident of unincorporated Lincoln County. She continued, “we agreed with the county’s opinion that STRs are businesses, and thus, require business licensing and regulations.”

The three-member Land Use Board of Appeals in August 2022 initially struck down

challenges to Lincoln County ballot measure 21-203 brought before it in a petition by county property owners and organized by Via Oregon, a local pro-STR group, who filed suits with the county court and the land-use board, citing conflicts with the state’s land-use regulations. The board ruled in March of 2022 the STR ordinance adopted after modifications by the county commissioners was not a land-use issue, sending the matter back

to circuit court. Property owners appealed that decision to the court of appeals, where on Dec. 4 arguments were heard prior to the final decision last Thursday.

Anticipating another victory for Lincoln County in circuit court less than 24 hours prior to last Friday’s hearing before pro-tem Judge Allison, Kirk said that given the proper authority by the courts, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners should consider increasing

short-term rental regulations.

“Because the county has the authority to issue and regulate business licenses, and that authority is confirmed (by the courts), we’d like the county to consider additional requirements for licensing STRs, such as issuing licenses only to permanent Lincoln County residents in order to eliminate the hedge fund investors from controlling the real estate market in rural Lincoln County,” she said.

ley student and walk-out participant, told Underscore News.

Nearly three weeks later, in an Oct. 24 meeting, the Siletz Valley School board voted to recognize the holiday at the school, beginning with the 2024-25 school year. However, students said Jackson belittled their actions in a meeting with those who participated in the walkout, and a formal complaint, a reported seventh against Jackson during her year-plus tenure at the school, was submitted to the school board.

In response, the board placed Jackson on paid administrative leave, and hired an attorney to compile an independent investigation into the latest complaint against Jackson.

In its meeting Dec. 14,

the board announced that following completion of the independent investigation, it voted to terminate Jackson’s employment.

But Willie Worman, Siletz Valley School District board chair and the city’s mayor, says not all of what Bartoo-Smith published in a followup story late last month is entirely accurate, including its sub headline, that claimed the board failed to investigate complaints against Jackson until Bartoo-Smith’s initial story published.

“I feel like the inaccuracies were … well, really they painted it as if we weren’t responding to complaints against Miss Jackson until they wrote their piece, and that simply wasn’t the case,” Worman told the NewsTimes last week. “The

board was already deep in the middle of it.”

He added that the day off issue was never brought before the school board prior to the student walkout.

“And the board was not against having Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it was one of those things that was never brought to light, and we never had a conversation about it.

It’s not like we were saying ‘no,’ it was just never brought before us for approval.”

Worman told NewsTimes staff that following the independent investigation, the board considered options such as retaining Jackson as an administrator to handle grant writing and other behind-the-scenes duties with her forbidden from working in the school building, but felt

ending Jackson’s employment was in the best interest of the school.

“We tried hard to come up with a plan that would work for everybody,” Worman said. “At the end of the day, the decision was made to terminate Miss Casey’s employment because we felt like it would be real hard to move the school year forward with so much negativity and hurt feelings.”

Kent Rilatos, Siletz Valley vice principal/ athletic director, will continue to serve as principal/superintendent, as he’s done since the school board placed Jackson on leave. However, Worman said the school board already reached out to the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators to find someone assist with su-

perintendent/principal duties for the remainder of the current school year.

Worman said he hopes that with the issue in the rear-view mirror, the Siletz community is enticed to get more heavily involved with Siletz Valley School by taking on volunteer opportunities, and attending school board meetings in order to stay on top of school activities.

“I’ve always said that the best way to make this a community school is to have the community in the building,” he said. “The more we have of that, the more people know what’s going on day-to-day with the school, and the more community that’s in the building, the more it becomes a community school.”

for the stations.”

Following the release of Miller’s statement and foreclosure of the company’s radio station studios, Melissa Chown, Oregon Coast Bank senior vice president and chief credit officer, sent a written statement to

News-Times staff.

“Yaquina Bay Communications has been a staple of the local business community for decades, and we’re sorry to see Mr. Miller shutting down his radio stations,” Chown wrote. “Oregon Coast Bank prides itself on

working with borrowers through difficult times.

Foreclosure is always our last resort.”

It was widely reported early last year, when the Federal Communications Commission canceled the license of the Yaquina Bay Communications’ flagship station, KYTE FM, that YBC was operating under $400,000 in unpaid loans. It was also reported last January that the company owed more than $40,000 for four years of unpaid property taxes, and that the state Department of Revenue and Employment Department had liens on Yaquina Bay Communications’ properties.

Yaquina Bay Communications, in 2014, applied to the FCC to change the community of license for KYTE from Newport to Independence, and move its signal transmitter to Bald Mountain. YBC later received an extension to Dec. 1, 2018, for its license expiration date.

However, in 2018, the company requested

temporary authority to transmit from Otter Crest Mountain as it was unable to operate at Bald Mountain due to a faulty generator, the lone source of power.

However, two other area broadcasting companies — PACNW Broadcasting and Outlaw Music Association — provided evidence KYTE continued to broadcast from Otter Crest Mountain, despite its expired license to do so.

According to a June 2023 story posted to Radio + Television Business Report, Yaquina Bay Communications operated KYTE using “unauthorized facilities at an unauthorized location” from Dec. 1, 2018 through Feb. 1, 2022, which forced the station’s license cancelation.

Early last February, Yaquina Bay Communications filed a reconsideration petition with the FCC, which was denied by Al Shuldiner, FCC audio division chief.

YBC’s petition requested license reinstatement, “because of equity and

fairness due to the Commission’s treatment of other licensees and the once-in-a-lifetime poor economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In his release announcing the radio station closures, Miller wrote that with shrinking advertising revenue, “it is unsustainable to continue trying to operate and serve the communities,” and that Oregon Coast Bank foreclosed on the company’s radio station studios.

“There is some interest by others in keep some of the stations operating, but when and if they can find facilities to carry on, we’re not sure,” Miller wrote.

He finished by stating, “We will miss not being able to continue to serve you with news, sports, music and entertainment, or to warn you of emergencies. We have served Lincoln County with some of our stations for over 75 years, but we will end all broadcasting on Jan. 1. Thank you for your support these many years.”

INJUCTION

Statutes, including ORS 204.601, which states, “the county court or board of commissioners of each county shall fix the number of deputies and employees of county officers whose compensation is to be paid from county funds.”

“The county has the authority to set the salary for each deputy,” Hill wrote in his opinion letter. “The fact that the collective bargaining agreement and the personnel rules differentiate salaries based on job duties does not mean the county is encroaching on the District Attorney’s right to run her office or constitute an assertion of supervisory author-

ity over (Wallace). They merely establish the mechanism by which the county exercises its authority to fix the pay for individual employees.”

In a statement attributed to the county board as a whole, sent last week to the News-Times by Kenneth Lipp, Lincoln County public information officer, the board agreed with the judge’s decision in the matter.

“We believe the law clearly sets out the authority of the county with respect to managing the budget,” the statement reads. “The recent opinion by Judge Hill affirms what has been established legal precedent for many years.”

Alice Marie O’Brien (Mimi) May 7, 1939 - December 2, 2023

Alice Marie O’Brien (Mimi) of Depoe Bay, Oregon passed away on December 2, 2023 with her husband and daughters by her side.

Born in Cambridge MA on May 7, 1939, Mimi grew up in Belmont, MA. She was a 1961 graduate of Regis College in Weston Massachusetts and in 1965 received her Master’s degree in Education from Boston College. Mimi started her career in elementary education in a fourroom school house in Massachusetts. She then taught in her home town until she got married. Mimi taught in Arkansas where her husband was stationed in the Air Force.

She moved with him to Montana, Alabama, Nebraska, and California. In California Mimi taught both students and teachers, and administrated school district programs until she retired. Mimi and her husband then moved to Depoe Bay. She loved ocean and river cruising. In retirement, Mimi continued her love of reading and stayed active volunteering as a board member

for Neighbors for Kids, as a volunteer for many years at the Depoe Bay Crab Feed and Boat Show, and the Salmon Bake. Mimi was also involved with the Thursday Group at the Gleneden Beach Community Club.

Mimi leaves Jack, her husband of 58 years, her daughters Beverly Wurth (Derek) and Lisa Holley (Todd) and her grandchildren Jack, Kate, Nate, and Evin. She also cherished her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grandnephews and cousins.

Continued from page 1

related to the DA’s office is budgetary.

In his opinion letter, dated Nov. 29, Judge Hill wrote that Danforth’s arguments in the matter were “undermined” by three separate Oregon Revised

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Helen Fleming, two sisters, Marie Sisk and Helen Beaulieu, and her aunt Alice Doherty.

There will be a memorial mass on January 18, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Augustine Church in Lincoln City.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to your favorite charity in her name.

Sudoku answers

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

A9

News-Times • Newport, OR

Health Matters

by Samaritan Health Services

Weightlifter who trained at SamFit sets state records Often, New Year’s resolutions are lofty goals that pass by the wayside before the earliest flowers bloom in springtime. However, for one beginning competitive weightlifter from Lebanon, a 2023 goal was one for the record books. After training at a SamFit fitness center for only three months, Ryleigh Perkins, 24, not only won her first competition but set two state of Oregon records in the process.

Earlier this year, Perkins decided to get back into weightlifting after first being introduced to the activity while attending high school. While working out with her mother, Amber Perkins, at the Lebanon SamFit, the two reached out to SamFit trainer Jackie Welter for competitive weightlifting coaching.

Welter is herself a competitive weightlifter, trainer and at one time a competition referee.

“I wanted to go into the direction of powerlifting instead of cardio,” said Perkins. “We found Jackie and then started really dialing in the powerlifting and going for heavier lifts.”

SamFit facilities in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties have trained several competitive athletes. However, this young weightlifter’s recent achievement may have set a bar too high to be repeated.

Perkins’ first-ever weightlifting competition was the United States Powerlifting Association’s 2023 Western Regionals in Newport where she set state records in both the squat deadlift and the deadlift.

“Everybody was cheering and screaming,” said Perkins. “It’s probably my favorite competition environment I’ve ever done because everybody’s so supportive and encouraging.”

Perkins was a competitive swimmer at Lebanon High School and has competed in equestrian events. When Perkins is not weightlifting, she enjoys riding and training horses.

Her training diet consist of smoothies in the morning and dinner of rice and chicken.

“The smoothies have a lot of yogurt in them and then strawberries and then some milk,” Perkins said.

Perkins encourages those interested in lifting to find a trainer.

“Definitely find a trainer that knows a lot about powerlifting,” said Perkins who recommends Welter.

“It’s a lot mental,” Perkins said. “You have to have a mindset of you can lift it. I tell myself I’m not going to fail a lift, so I have no doubt when I go into it that I can do it.”

SamFit member Ryleigh Perkins’ first weightlifting competition earned here two state records at the USPA 2023 Western Regionals in Newport.

“My first competition only made me want to do more,” said Perkins. “I want to chase more records.”

Although she is aging out of her junior category, she still is qualified to compete in the junior nationals which will be held later this year. She is already in training for that competition.

Welter has trained several weightlifters who have competed in state and national competitions.

Once, she took 10 women to the state “We changed quite a few things on some of them, competition. really fine-tuned and made each of the lifts a “I’ve been doing it for quite some time,” said lot easier,” said Perkins. “That made the weight Welter. “I fell in love with it. It is a passion right jump quite a bit.” now.”

You don’t have to be a champion to resolve to become healthier. SamFit has locations in Although Perkins’ squat deadlift record was broken within weeks of obtaining it, Perkins still Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon and Newport. Visit SamFit.org to learn more. holds the deadlift record.

Simple tips can keep your workout resolutions on track Find an accountability partner.

Exercising by yourself day after day can be difficult. It may be easy to make it through the first month, but then life happens: your child gets sick or the Oregon rain convinces you to stay home. Suddenly, days turn into a week, then a month and you haven’t done anything to further your progress.

Did you make New Year’s workout resolutions for 2024? If so, remember to add this one at the very top of the list: Just show up! As author Mark Twain once wrote, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

Once you get started, Jackie Welter, SamFit health and fitness specialist, offers these simple strategies to maintain your motivation throughout the year.

That’s why you need a partner. Through teamwork you can come up with solutions when motivation begins to dwindle. When you feel supported, performance levels improve and you’re much less likely to burn out. You can even make a friendly competition with your workout partner.

Track your progress.

Physically tracking your progress – whether with paper and pencil or an online app – will increase the likelihood of achieving your goal.

Set milestones and small goals along the way to keep from getting overwhelmed by the distance to the finish line.

Celebrate your victories.

This is a hard one, especially if you’re a high achiever. Write down three things daily that contribute to your goal such as getting eight hours of sleep, meditating for 10 minutes or preparing a healthy meal. Focus on the steps that are taking you to your final goal.

Make it fun, not a chore.

Joy is a great motivator, so resolve to enjoy your workout! Focus on the positive effects of your workout. Appreciate your workout partner who gives you a sense of belonging and support. Celebrate those milestones that you’ve physically tracked. All of this will help give you a winning attitude.

Livinghealthy Community classes to keep you healthy

Prepare for childbirth with online class

Teen babysitters invited to CPR and first aid class

Tuesdays, Jan. 2 and 16, and Monday, Jan. 22 | 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 13 | noon to 3:30 p.m.

Those who are expecting are invited to attend this three-week series with their partner to

Samaritan Center for Health Education, 740 SW Ninth St., Newport

learn about and prepare to meet the challenges of labor, delivery and postpartum care.

This American Heart Association class is specifically being offered to teens who are

It is recommended for those who are in week 30 to 33 of pregnancy. To register for this

interested in babysitting. It will cover CPR and first aid skills for infants and children.

free class, enroll at pollywogfamily.org or call 541-917-4884.

Cost is $50 which includes the book and two-year certification. To register, contact Amy

Cancer support available virtually

at 541-574-4952 or email aconner@samhealth.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 3 and 17 | 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Advance directive workshop held monthly

This online cancer support group is open to anyone living with cancer, cancer survivors

Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.

or those caring for a loved one with cancer. It provides a safe place to share feelings,

Samaritan Center for Health Education, 340 SW Ninth St., Newport

learn ways to overcome challenges and to foster a sense of community. The group

Explore your health care decisions and complete an advance directive. An advance

meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month. For information, call or email Amy

directive is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes for end-of-life care.

Coppa at 541-574-4684 or acoppa@samhealth.org.

This free workshop is offered on the third Wednesday of each month. To register, call

Cancer resources and information available locally

541-996-6100.

Friday, Jan. 5 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, Lincoln City

Grief support offered monthly in Newport

Monday, Jan. 15 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Samaritan Center for Health Education, Newport

Thursday, Jan. 25 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, stop by for information and

Samaritan Center for Health Education, 740 SW Ninth St., Newport

support on the first Friday or the third Monday of each month. Resources include wig and

Adults who have experienced the death of a loved one can benefit from this group led by

head coverings by appointment, support groups, financial assistance, nutrition services,

a trained medical social worker. Topics include coping with grief, understanding family

social work and transportation assistance. For information or to schedule a head

dynamics, getting through special days and reinvesting in life. To register, call Samaritan

covering session, contact CancerResourceCenter@samhealth.org or call 541-768-2171.

Evergreen Hospice in Newport at 541-574-1811.

Health Education Workshops ongoing In-person activities are held at the Center for Health Education, 740 SW Ninth St., Newport.

Visit samhealth.org/HealthEdHub Group workshops are available to help you learn how to better self-manage your chronic conditions, quit smoking and/or prevent diseases like diabetes. Check it out at samhealth.org/HealthEdHub or email SHSHealthEd@samhealth.org for information. All workshops are free and open to adults ages 18 and older.

3043 NE 28th St., Lincoln City • 541-994-3661 samhealth.org/LincolnCity

930 SW Abbey St., Newport • 541-265-2244 samhealth.org/Newport

BUSINESS

A10

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Community@newportnewstimes.com

Harbor Freight construction continues

Construction continues — both inside and out — on the building that will become a new Harbor Freight store in Newport. The project manager said work crews are scrambling, but the target opening date it still set for Jan. 30. Located at 615 N Coast Highway, this property was the site of a lumberyard for many years, under several different names and owners. The previous occupant was Builders FirstSource, which relocated to South Beach. (Photo by Steve Card)

Business development workshops announced participants to read thick text- es that might be experiencing a plateau Sessions coming to require books and travel to the valley for testing in in the number of new customers they’re a stressful environment. This one delivers serving, or even some sagging reviews. sessions of lecture via livestream to a The workshop will focus on strategies to Waldport, Lincoln four classroom at OCCC’s Lincoln City campus refresh operations and make a great first two days. After each lecture, partici- impression. Again. The Small Business City and Newport over pants walk to a nearby computer lab down Makeover is coming to Newport on March As the new year arrives on the Oregon coast, small business owners throughout Lincoln County tighten their belts an extra notch. When veteran entrepreneurs talk about the “starkly seasonal market” in which they live and work, this is the time of year they’re talking about.

Winter is also the season when the Small Business Development Center at Oregon Coast Community College sees its highest enrollments. The combination of the seasonal reminder that customers cannot be taken for granted, along with the ability to get away from the office, shop or restaurant a little easier for a workshop, tends to swell registrations.

This winter, in particular, there’s a lot on offer.

EXCUSE US FOR GETTING PERSONNEL… Samantha Irwin, a remarkable entrepreneur and frequent speaker on customer service and other business topics, is visiting the coast on one day — Monday, Jan. 29 — to deliver a workshop on personnel management. Dubbed “Beyond Survival: Strategies for Attracting and Keeping Exceptional People,” Irwin’s workshop will provide participants with tools to build and keep an amazing staff. The session runs 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at OCCC’s North County Center in Lincoln City.

LICENSE AND REGISTRATION, PLEASE Also coming in January (on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 11 and 12), the SBDC is bringing back to the coast the popular CCB License Preparation and Test program. Unique in the state, this program was piloted by the Clackamas Community College SBDC and allows participants who are interested in earning their own CCB license (these are the licenses issued to tradespeople by the Oregon Construction and Contractors Board). Some programs

the hall and take a test on that material.

Those achieving passing scores on the four tests will be able to file their application for the CCB license shortly thereafter.

FEELING GOOD, AND FEELING BLUE The Blue Economy has become something of a buzzword hereabouts. “It’s where water meets cash,” is one way Paul Schuytema, director of the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, has been heard describing it. This February, a three-part series will be launched, focusing on how small businesses of all types can manage their operations to take advantage of the growing “Blue Sector,” in ways that are both profitable and rewarding.

The instructor, Chuck Toombs, knows a thing or two about the Blue Economy.

Having gained fame in Lincoln County – and nationwide — as the Oregon State University marketing professor who marketed dulse as the “seaweed that tastes like bacon,” he is founder of Oregon Seaweed … and the newest member of the OCCC SBDC team. His workshop runs 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, on Feb. 12 and 26, and March 11. The class will be presented at the Newport OCCC campus, but it will also be available live via Zoom.

KELLIANE’S POTPOURRI There’s much more on tap this winter term at the SBDC. Kelliane Parker is delivering workshops on a variety of topics, all designed to be immediately actionable for the participating businesses. Learn it today, profit from it tonight. She’ll be leading workshops in topics from the very broad, such as “Marketing for Small Business” (Feb. 20), to the much more narrow, like “Inventory Management” (March 13).

She’ll head up a brand-new workshop called the “Small Business Makeover,” which is specifically focused on business-

20.

Kelliane will also lead a “Content Creation Lab” each month. Catch it at Lincoln City, Newport, or at OCCC’s South County Center in Waldport. If you have been putting off creating fresh social media, direct mail, or print advertising and branded items, stop in for these lively, supportive, one-hour workshops.

OTHER WORKSHOPS In addition to all these there are other workshops on the schedule for winter term, including trainings in QuickBooks and Excel, business planning, branding, and more.

One final offering not to miss is Steven Winters’ entertaining and inspiring introduction to what Artificial Intelligence can do for your small business. We all hear about Ai so often we may roll our eyes … until you see Winters come up with a name for his new business, write a business plan and register his business with the state … using Ai tools. Then comes a website. Then social media channels.

Then a logo; all done with the help of a variety of Ai tools, all nearly instantaneously, and all for next to nothing. Yes, Ai is more than just a tool to polish your press release or crank out text for an Instagram post.

“Using Artificial Intelligence for Small Business” is coming on Feb. 6.

Find all our Winter SBDC workshops at oregoncoast.edu/sbdc, along with 24/7 online registration. Or, call 541-994-4166.

The SBDC at Oregon Coast Community College offers robust business workshops throughout the year, as well as no-cost, one-on-one, confidential business advising. Advising is available to anyone in Lincoln County, whether they own a business or are simply considering owning one in the future. Each year, the SBDC meets with 300 or more Lincoln County entrepreneurs. Register for advising at oregoncoast.edu/sbdc.

Mental health practitioner joins Samaritan D a r lene Gile, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, has joined Samaritan Health Cen- Darlene Gile ter – Newport. She specializes in adult psychiatry.

Gile earned a bachelor’s degree at Oregon Health Science University School of Nursing, a master’s degree to become an adult nurse practitioner at University of Colorado College of Nursing and a post graduate certificate in psychiatry at Rush University College of Nursing.

Gile began her career in medicine as a nurse in rural Wallowa County, in northeastern Oregon. She is dedicated to providing mental health care to communities that have limited access to services.

“Practicing in Newport allows me to contribute to my community,” Gile said.

In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, fishing, boating and whale watching with her husband, as well as spending time with her family.

Samaritan Waldport Clinic welcomes new physician assistant Joseph Handley, PA-C, has joined Samaritan Waldport Clinic. He provides primary care to people of all ages.

Handley completed postgraduate degree at Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia, and earned a master’s degree at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

Handley enjoys helping people thrive in their health with a focus on preventive medicine, as well as the early identification and treatment of disease.

He values quality time with others.

“I believe intentional time is one of the most precious resources we can offer our patients,” Handley said.

Handley chose Samaritan because of the unique focus on the local community expressed in the shared values of PRIDE — passion, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence — and the health system’s mission of Building Healthier Communities Together.

Away from the office, he enjoys time together with family, art, music, cycling and reading.

He can be reached at Samaritan Waldport Clinic at 541-563-3197.

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

The Golden Years Tarnished: Avoid These Common Retirement Fails Years of diligent saving, meticulous planning, and countless daydreams led to retirement. You have been looking forward to a time free of deadlines, schedules, and timeclocks; a time when you can relax and pursue your passions. Yet, for many, reality falls short of the dream.

Unexpected events or unforeseen circumstances can shatter carefully laid plans, leaving you uncertain of your future and disappointed in your retirement years.

There are some common pitfalls that can turn your golden years into a stressful struggle.

To help prevent these sometimes requires pitfalls, let us explore downsizing and simsome frequent misplifying. takes and how to avoid Overspending on them: Unnecessary LuxuQuitting Work Too ries: It is tempting to soon: Retiring too earindulge in expensive ly can leave you with purchases after years insufficient savings. of saving. HowevJulia Carlson For example, it may er, remaining dislimit your ability to ciplined with your cover healthcare costs. Con- finances is crucial to avoid sider the financial implica- depleting your retirement savtions before making this deci- ings prematurely. sion.

Underestimating ExpensNot Having a Financial es: Many underestimate their Plan: Without a plan, it is easy expenses in retirement, leadto underestimate expenses, ing to a rapid depletion of savoverspend on unnecessary ings. This can be due to factors luxuries, and deplete your sav- like rising healthcare costs, ings prematurely. Have a plan unforeseen emergencies, and that outlines your income, underestimating inflation. expenses, investments, goals, Ignoring Debt: Carrying and long-term care needs. debt into retirement signifiNot Adjusting to a New cantly strains your finances.

Lifestyle: Retiring can be a Prioritize paying off debt bemajor lifestyle change that fore retirement to free up more

income for your golden years.

Not Planning for LongTerm Care: The astronomical cost of a long-term care need often surprises retirees. Consider long-term care insurance or other strategies to address this potential expense.

Investing Unwisely: Investing too conservatively or aggressively can hinder your ability to fund your retirement income. You either do not pace inflation or subject your investments to market risks.

Make sure your risk and income needs are timed appropriately. Work with a trusted financial advisor to determine the right approach for you.

By understanding and avoiding these common pitfalls, you can set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling retirement. Remember, planning, preparation, and flexibility are key to turning your golden

years into a truly golden era.

Julia Carlson is a registered representative with and securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor.

Member FINRA/SIPC. Information in this material is for general information only and not intended as investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult the appropriate professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation prior to making any financial decision.

Email questions at info@ financialfreedomwmg. com or call/text (458) 7774458. You can also post your question on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/FinancialFreedom We a l t h Ma n a g e m e n t G r o u p or find us on Instagram@ financialfreedomwmg.

newstimessports@countrymedia.net

SPORTS

B1

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

NEWPORT COAST CLASSIC

Cubs boys win Coast Classic Bokuro and Barber lead the way

Tournament MVP, Newport sophomore guard Aaidyn Bokuro, left, puts a crossover move on Taft junior guard Trenton Battle on Dec. 28 during a boys semifinal at the three-day Newport Coast Classic high school basketball tournament at Spangler Court in Newport. Bokuro led the Cubs to three wins in three days as Newport claimed the boys’ championship. (Photos by Michael Heinbach)

Newport junior wing, Rory Barber, left, and sophomore guard Aaidyn Bokuro, pose with their all-tournament team and tournament MVP honors after the Cubs downed North Bend 56-41 on Dec. 29 in the Newport Coast Classic boys championship game.

BY MICHAEL HEINBACH Of the News-Times

There’s no better way for a high school basketball team to close the book on the previous year and start the new one with a host of momentum and optimism than by rolling into a brief break on a five-game winning streak.

Ask first-year head coach Will Burghardt and his Newport High School boys, and they’ll likely confirm that citing firsthand experience.

Playing host to the Newport Coast Classic, a three-day girls and boys tournament Dec. 27-29 at Yaquina View Elementary and at Spangler Court on the Newport High School campus, and having won their previous two encounters, the Cubs steamrolled their way to the tournament title, led by the tourney’s MVP, Newport sophomore guard Aaidyn Bokuro, and all-tournament team honoree Rory Barber.

After scoring a 66-29 defeat Dec. 27 of Riverdale in its first tournament challenge, the Cubs downed Lincoln County School District-rival Taft 71-50 the next day, then punctuated their title run last Friday night with a 56-41 defeat of North Bend in the title tilt.

Bokuro set the tone for the Cubs in their tournament opener, exploding for a 32-point night in Newport’s manhandling of Riverdale, while Barber, a junior wing, added a 12-point effort.

That same duo, Bokuro and Barber, half of Burghardt’s “Killer Bs” along with junior guard Ethan Bruns and senior forward Braxton Blaser, did the majority of the heavy lifting in the tournament semifinals Dec. 28 against Taft. Both Bokuro and Barber tallied 19 against the Tigers, and sophomore guard Easton Herrmann came off the bench to score 13.

In that game, junior guard Trenton Battle led Taft with 11 points, and sophomore forward Kol Tolan added 10 points.

CHAMPIONSHIP on Page B2

CLEMENS HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Area teams battle at Clemens tourney

BY MICHAEL HEINBACH Of the News-Times

The Powers High School girls and the Lost River boys basketball teams returned home with championship trophies from the 2023 Clemens Holiday Tournament, a three-day hoops event Dec. 27-29 hosted

by Alsea and Eddyville Charter.

All four area teams competing — the girls and boys teams from Toledo and Eddyville Charter — went 1-2 in their three games during the course of three days, but highlights in-

cluded the Boomer boys’ first victory of the season in a 73-34 victory in the tournament opener against Powers, and the Eagles girls’ 33-28 victory over Toledo on Dec. CLEMENS on Page B3

Toledo High School junior guard Jack Hineline drives for a layup Dec. 27 during the Boomer boys basketball team’s first win of the season, a 73-34 runaway victory over Powers during their opener at the Clemens Holiday Tournament in Eddyville. (Photo by Michael Heinbach)

B2

News-Times • Newport, OR

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

PREP SPORTS CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3 High school girls basketball — Eddyville Charter at Triangle Lake, 5:30 p.m.; Mapleton at Siletz Valley, 5:30 p.m.

High school boys basketball — Eddyville Charter at Triangle Lake, 7 p.m.; Mapleton at Siletz Valley, 7 p.m.

High school wrestling — Newport at Crescent Valley, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 4 High school girls basketball — Toledo at

Monroe, 7:30 p.m.; Gold Beach at Waldport, 7:30 p.m.; Eddyville Charter at Mapleton, 5:30 p.m.

High school boys basketball — Toledo at Monroe, 6 p.m.; Gold Beach at Waldport, 6 p.m.; Eddyville Charter at Mapleton, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 5 High school girls basketball — Taft at Santiam Christian, 6 p.m.; Alsea at Siletz Valley, 5:30- p.m.

High school boys bas-

ketball — Taft at Santiam Christian, 7:30 p.m.; Alsea at Siletz Valley, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6 High school girls basketball — Oakridge at Toledo, 4:30 p.m.; Waldport at Reedsport, 7:30 p.m. at High school boys basketball — Oakridge at Toledo, 3 p.m.; Waldport at Reedsport, 6 p.m.

High school wrestling — Toledo at JOHI Invitational, Joseph, TBD;

Taft junior Sienna Lillebo, left, and senior Ali Tolan use smothering defense to make life difficult for Elkton junior Madelin Byle on Dec. 28 at Yaquina View Elementary in Newport during the Tigers’ 61-18 girls basketball win at the Newport Coast Classic. (Photos by Michael Heinbach)

CHAMPIONSHIP Continued from page 1

There was just no slowing down the Cubs in the championship game against North Bend, when Newport raced to a 14 lead on a pair of Bruns free throws with 1:48 to play in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs managed to claw their way back, and cut their deficit to 29-27 in the first minute of the second half on a drive to the hoop by Bulldogs senior guard Paolo Flores.

However, the Cubs answered by scoring the next 11 points, and closed the evening on a 14-7 fourth-quarter run to finish it off.

Bruns paced Newport in the chipper by scoring 15 points with the help of a 7-for-9 effort from the charity stripe. Barber tallied 12 and Bokuro added 11 as Newport moved to 7-3.

The Cubs don’t play

again until they travel Tuesday, Jan. 9, to face Molalla in a non-league battle.

Also in the boys tournament, Taft began play Dec. 27 by downing Corbett 54-44, and finished tourney play Dec. 29 with a 56-50 loss to Catlin Gabel, the Tigers’ second narrow defeat at the hands of the Eagles in a 10-day span.

COAST CLASSIC GIRLS TOURNAMENT After falling 42-39 to Riverdale/Riverside in their Dec. 27 tournament opener, the Taft girls rebounded to earn a one-sided 61-18 consolation bracket win the next day over Elkton, then won the Dec. 29 fourth/sixth-place game in a solid 66-65 defeat of North Bend in games played at Yaquina View Elementary.

Earlier this week, the Tigers (5-6) leapt right into their first

Waldport at Bob Bishop Invitational, Willamina, TBD. High school swimming — Newport, Taft at Cheese Relays, Tillamook, TBD. MONDAY, JAN. 8 * No events scheduled.

TUESDAY, JAN. 9 High school girls basketball — Molalla at Newport, 7 p.m.; Sheridan at Taft, 6 p.m.; Toledo at East Linn Chris-

tian, 7:30 p.m.; Oakland at Waldport, 7:30 p.m.; McKenzie at Eddyville Charter, 5:30 p.m.

High school boys basketball — Newport at Molalla, 7 p.m.; Sheridan at Taft, 6 p.m.; Toledo at East Linn Christian, 6 p.m.; Oakland at Waldport, 6 p.m.; McKenzie at Eddyville Charter, 7 p.m.

High school swimming — Newport, Taft at Taft Invitational, Lincoln City Community Center, 2:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 10 • No events scheduled. * The above listings were current as of Friday morning, Dec. 29, according to schedules posted to www.OSAA. org and www.trackwrestling.com. Schedules are subject to change with little to no notice. Visit the Oregon School Activities Association or Trackwrestling online for the latest scheduling information.

Newport senior guard Ethan Osborn drives toward the hoop last Friday night during the boys championship game against North Bend at the three-day Newport Coast Classic at Spangler Court. The Cubs won their fifth straight game in a 56-41 win.

3A-3 PacWest Conference battle of the season with a game at Dayton.

They return to the road Friday, Jan. 5, with a league contest at Santiam Christian, and play in Lincoln City at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 9., for another conference game, this one against Sheridan.

• The Newport girls snapped a six-game losing streak last Friday night in topping Elkton 53-11 in the Cubs’ final tournament game. They began tournament play Dec. 27 with a 34-22 loss to Colton, followed by a 41-28 defeat at the hands of North Bend.

The Cubs (2-8) look to start the calendar year on a high note in a nonconference game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Spangler Court against Molalla.

Caldera, from the 5A ranks, claimed the girls tournament title with a 47-37 victory Dec. 29 over Riverdale/Riverside.

Taft sophomore Zack Hankins skies for a layup over Newport senior guard Robbie Herrera on Dec. 28 during a boys semifinal at the Newport Coast Classic at Spangler Court.

Taft junior guard Alexis McDougal fights off Elkton defender Amria Harper during a girls consolation bracket game at the Newport Coast Classic tournament Dec. 28 at Yaquina View Elementary in Newport.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

B3

News-Times • Newport, OR

CLEMENS

Continued from page 1

28 in Eddyville.

Here’s a look at how local schools fared during tournament play:

TOLEDO GIRLS After falling 43-29 on Dec. 27 to Powers at Eddyville Charter, and the Eagles by five points the following day, the Boomers closed out the calendar year Dec. 29 with a solid 41-21 defeat of Alsea on the Wolverines’ home court.

Toledo, 1-1 in 2A-3 Valley Coast Conference play and 3-6 overall, returns to conference action Thursday, Jan. 4, with a game at Monroe, then is back Saturday, Jan. 6 in Toledo to face Oakridge. Toledo hits the road Tuesday, Jan. 9, to play at East Linn Christian Academy.

EDDYVILLE CHARTER GIRLS Freshman Peyton Conner scored eight of her team-high 11 points in the first half Dec. 28 during the Eagles’ defeat of their neighbors from Toledo. Senior forward Kendall Choat scored all but two of her eight points in the first quarter for Eddyville Charter, which raced to a 14-4 lead at the end of

Sophomore guard Kaylie Warfield looks to put up a shot in the paint while Powers freshman Lily Shorb defends Dec. 27 during a girls basketball game at the Clemens Holiday Tournament at Eddyville Charter School. (Photos by Michael Heinbach)

Patrick Mahmoud, Powers junior guard, tries to send a pass past the outstretched reach of Toledo sophomore forward Evan Putnam during the Boomers’ win Dec. 27 at the Clemens Holiday Tournament.

the opening period and held on to win despite getting outscored during the second half.

The win came on the heels of the Eagles’ 4433 loss Dec. 27 to Lost River in their tournament opener, and a day before Eddyville fell 5438 to Falls City/Kings Valley Charter in the consolation championship game.

The Eagles take a 2-4 mark into their 1A-3 Mountain West League opener, a 5:30 p.m. road

overall mark.

Toledo returns to action Thursday, Jan. 4, with a road game at Monroe, hosts a 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, league contest against Oakridge, then travels Tuesday, Jan. 9, to meet East Linn Christian Academy.

game tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 3) at Triangle Lake. Eddyville plays Thursday, Jan. 4, at Mapleton before returning home for a 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 9, league game against McKenzie.

TOLEDO BOYS Four Boomers scored in double digits and Toledo exploded for a 21-point first quarter Dec. 27 in Eddyville, when Toledo rolled past Powers 73-34 in Eddyville for its first victory

of the campaign.

Freshman guard Braden Marthaller drained a trio from beyond the arc and closed with a team-high 15 points, junior guard Tyson Socha scored 12 and Evan Putnam and Jack Hineline added 10 apiece for Toledo.

After losing 66-39 Dec. 28 at Eddyville to Lost River and 47-42 the following day to Pacific at Alsea, the Boomers closed the book on the calendar year with a 1-9

EDDYVILLE CHARTER BOYS The Eagle boys take a 3-4 mark into their league opener tonight,

Wednesday, Jan. 3, at Triangle Lake after posting a 49-39 win Dec. 28 over Powers in their lone tournament-play victory.

Against the Cruisers, sophomore Darian Schultz led the way for the Eagles, sinking three 3-point buckets in the first half en route to a team-leading 15-point effort. Another sophomore, point guard Ashton Fawver, also connected three times from long distance, and closed with 11 points.

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

B5

News-Times • Newport, OR

567 N Coast Hwy, Newport • 541-265-8785 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK $369,900 - 7740 S Coast Hwy, South Beach 2-Bed/2-Bath on .63 acres Alex Underhill

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FOOD & DRINK

B6

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Community@newportnewstimes.com

The Kitchen Wild Alsea Bay Sea Salt

BY KATIE WILEY

It’s 2024, and I’m starting this year with a recipe that I’ve been wanting to make for quite sometime — sea salt! Thankfully here on the Oregon coast we’re never far from the one and only ingredient needed to make it and that’s sea water.

Sea salt is an amazing mineral that our bodies simply cannot live without. Salt is crucial for our nervous systems to transmit nerve impulses, contract and relax muscle fibers (including those in the heart and blood vessels), and maintain a proper fluid balance.

Throughout time, salt has been a greatly appreciated exchange commodity, so much so that the “salt routes” were born all over the world, through which merchants transported and sold salt in countries where it was not produced. Salt was even used as currency in China, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and many other lands because it was a relatively scarce commodity, which also made it difficult to counterfeit, causing it to have great value. In fact, the phrase “worth its weight in salt” reflects the historical value placed on this essential mineral and as early as the sixth century, in the sub-Sahara, Moorish merchants routinely traded salt ounce for ounce for gold.

Then there’s salt’s incredible ability to preserve by permeating food and making bacterial life impossible. Although it is not known when salt preservation first began, we do know it was used in Egypt as early as 2000 BC and was a founding contributor to the development of civilization. Salt helped eliminate dependence on seasonal availability of food, and made it possible to transport food over large distances.

So, if salt is such a highly valuable commodity, that our bodies require to function, why are we not just making it ourselves? Perhaps because the process seems intimidating. After all, it did take me far longer to actually try this salt-making process for myself than I’d like to admit, but now that I have, I can confidently say that I’ll never go back to store-bought salt again!

ALSEA BAY SEA SALT A step-by-step guide to making your own sea salt Items you’ll need: Sea water (I used two gallons of bay water which yielded 1 1/4 cups salt) Coffee filter Stockpot Mason jar or airtight container for your finished sea salt Step one: Gather your sea water.

For this process, I actually used bay water from the Alsea Bay because there was a sneaker wave warning in effect and I felt the ocean wasn’t safe to wade out in so I decided the bay would be a much safer option.

I used two clean gallon milk jugs to gather my sea water but you could use just about anything for this step.

Step three: Bring sea water to a boil and allow it to evaporate.

For two gallons of bay water this process took about 4 hours from start to finish.

For this process, I began boiling my sea water on high until it reduced by about 3/4, occasionally stirring.

Once I began to see salt crystals forming at the bottom of my pot I reduced the heat to medium and began stirring more frequently so I didn’t scorch my salt.

When there was about 1” water left in my pot I reduced the heat again to medium-low and kept stirring every few minutes to release the salt from the bottom so it wouldn’t burn.

Once most of the water had evaporated, I reduced the heat to low and continued to stir my salt until it was completely dried out. This step required a little more attention and patience but once it was dry and resembled regular salt I knew it was finished.

Step two: Filter your sea water to remove any sand and debris.

Step four: Store in an airtight container.

For this process I just used a coffee filter to run Once the salt reaches a certain concentration, my sea water through and it worked perfectly.

I simply held the coffee filter over my stockpot it’s impossible for living bacteria to grow on it so and ran the bay water through it, trapping all of this salt should last for as long as it takes you to enjoy it! the sand and debris in the filter.

Enjoy just as you would any regular table salt.

Calendar of EVENTS FRIDAY, JAN. 5 ‘Sleep in the Deep’

“Sleep in the Deep” at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This sleepover program takes place in the aquarium’s Passages of the Deep exhibit, giving guests the opportunity to “sleep with the fishes.” Info: aquarium.org/sleepovers.

Teen Night in Lincoln City

SATURDAY, JAN. 6

THURSDAY, JAN. 11

First Weekend Art Celebration

On the first weekend of every month, Toledo celebrates its vibrant arts community in a citywide event at local galleries and studios. Noon to 4 p.m. at various locations. For info, visit www. yaquinarivermuseumofart.org

SUNDAY, JAN. 7 First Weekend Art Celebration

Karl Smiley at the Drift Inn

THURSDAY, JAN. 4 ‘Sleep in the Deep’

“Sleep in the Deep” at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This sleepover program takes place in the aquarium’s Passages of the Deep exhibit, giving guests the opportunity to “sleep with the fishes.” Info: aquarium.org/sleepovers.

Argentine Tango Practice

Learn Argentine tango at Newport Tango’s weekly Thursday practice.

6 to 8 p.m., South Beach Community Center, 3024 SE Ferry Slip Road, South Beach. Info: newportdancestango@gmail.com or www. newportdancestango.com

Yachats Big Band

Grab your dance shoes or come as you are and join the Yachats Big Band from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Yachats Commons, 441 N Coast Hwy 101. The band is back playing dances featuring big band classics on the first Thursday of every month. Admission is $5 for adults, free for children under 12.

‘Good’ on screen in HD

Teen night at the Lincoln City Community Center, 540 NE Highway 101. 4 to 6:30 p.m. Take part in games, activities, socializing, snacks, arts and crafts and homework help. To learn more, call 541-994-9994.

Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series at the Newport Performing Arts Center presents “Nabucco.” 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.

Award-winning songwriter Karl Smiley performs his own brand of guitar picking. 6 p.m. at The Drift Inn, located at 124 Highway 101 N in Yachats. For information, call 541-547-4477.

WEDNESDAY, JAN 10 National Theatre Live’s West End-captured production of “Good” will be shown on screen in HD at 7 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Center, 777 W Olive St. Info: www.coastarts.org/ntlive

Met Opera: Live in HD

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3

Oregon Coast Agate Club

The Oregon Coast Agate Club holds its monthly gathering at 6:30 p.m. at the OSU Extension building, 1211 SE Bay Blvd., Newport. The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Argentine Tango Practice

Learn Argentine tango at Newport Tango’s weekly Thursday practice.

6 to 8 p.m., South Beach Community Center, 3024 SE Ferry Slip Road, South Beach. Info: newportdancestango@gmail.com or www. newportdancestango.com

‘Sleep in the Deep’

“Sleep in the Deep” at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This sleepover program takes place in the aquarium’s Passages of the Deep exhibit, giving guests the opportunity to “sleep with the fishes.” Info: aquarium.org/sleepovers.

FRIDAY, JAN. 12 Ian Smith at the Drift Inn

On the first weekend of every month, Toledo celebrates its vibrant arts community in a citywide event at local galleries and studios. Noon to 4 p.m. at various locations. For info, visit www. yaquinarivermuseumofart.org

Ian Smith performs classics from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Drift Inn, located at 124 Highway 101 N in Yachats. For information, call 541547-4477.

Open auditions at Theatre West

SATURDAY, JAN. 13

Theatre West in Lincoln City will hold auditions for its new production, “A Night in the Theatre,” at 7 p.m. Director Wes Ryan will be looking for a cast of two men and two women in the 35-55 age range. Theatre West will also be looking for backstage volunteers.

Info: www.theatrewest.com

MONDAY, JAN. 8 Open auditions at Theatre West

Theatre West in Lincoln City will hold auditions for its new production, “A Night in the Theatre,” at 7 p.m. Director Wes Ryan will be looking for a cast of two men and two women in the 35-55 age range. Theatre West will also be looking for backstage volunteers.

Info: www.theatrewest.com

TUESDAY, JAN. 9 ‘Sleep in the Deep’

“Sleep in the Deep” at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This sleepover program takes place in the aquarium’s Passages of the Deep exhibit, giving guests the opportunity to “sleep with the fishes.” Info: aquarium.org/sleepovers.

Live music at the Drift Inn

A Touch of Gray performs classic tunes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Drift Inn, located at 124 Highway 101 N in Yachats. For information, call 541-547-4477.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

OPERA

Continued from page 10

ancient Babylon comes to life. Rulers challenge their gods, love struggles against empire, and religious revelation goes hand in hand with divine retribution. The score is filled with musical ideas showing Verdi’s ability to innovate operatic convention in the service of character development and psychological depth.

In his Met role debut, Georgian baritone George Gagnidze stars as Nabucco, the imperious king of Babylon, alongside Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising the role of his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Singing the lovers Fenena and Ismaele are Russian mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova, in her Met role debut, and renowned South Korean baritoneturned-tenor SeokJong Baek, in his company debut. Ukrainian bass Dmitry Belosselskiy

STATE PARKS

Continued from page 10

parks switch tent and RV campsites to first come, first served during the winter, and those sites will start offering sameday online reservations in the spring. Visitors can check park webpages for seasonal information on specific parks at https:// stateparks.oregon.gov/ Eleven campgrounds remain first-come-first served year-round: Jackson F. Kimball, Goose Lake, Bates, Cascara, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Junction, Jasper Point (except for the cabin), Minam, Red Bridge, Smith Rock and UkiahDale.

The goal of same-day online reservations is to offer campers the flexibility to travel last minute when sites are available while giving them the security of knowing they have a site when they arrive. Same-day online reservations also have the potential to give park staff more time to offer interpretive opportunities, improve park facilities and increase time interacting with visitors.

“The transition to same-day reservations at Nehalem Bay State Park was nearly seamless and has been generally well received by guests,” said Park Manager Ben Cox. AS OF JAN. 1: • Tent and RV camp-

TOLEDO

Continued from page 10

Alder St., is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit michaelgibbons.net.

On Main Street, Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio will feature the works of a number of artists. Included are paintings by Veta Bakhtina, whose work draws viewers into fan-

repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria, and Italian maestro Daniele Callegari conducts the performance, which will feature the ultimate showcase for the Met Chorus, “Va, pensiero.”

This live transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning “Live in HD” series, bringing world class opera to screens around the globe. The production is sung in Italian and will be broadcast live — as it happens — from the Met stage, in HD, to the Alice Silverman Theatre. Run time is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, with one intermission.

Tickets range from $15.50 to $25.75 when purchased at the Newport Performing Arts Center box office (777 W Olive St.) or by phone.

Online ticketing is also available (additional fee applies). To learn more, call 541-265-2782 or visit coastarts.org/ events/met-nabucco

ers can make a same-day online reservation up until 11:59 p.m. on the day they arrive by visiting https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica. com. Yurt and cabin reservations must be made before 6 p.m. the day of arrival due to the staffing required to assist with keys or codes.

• All visitors can make reservations by calling 800-452-5687, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Visitors can also make same-day online reservations at parks statewide using mobile devices where they have cell reception or where Oregon State Parks’ free, limited Wi-Fi is available. Wi-Fi is provided at most parks for reservations only and is not guaranteed to be available 24/7. Signs at the park have login information. Since internet connectivity varies by park, it’s best to reserve campsites before arrival.

• Visitors can still pay with cash or checks at the park by finding a ranger or following posted instructions, which could include using selfregistration envelopes only if instructed to do so. Ranger availability is limited depending on time and location.

• The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will waive the $8 reservation fee for all same-day reservations.

tastical worlds.

Also shown in the gallery are the works of Crow’s Nest owner and assemblage artist Janet Runger; Alice Haga, fused glass; Val Bolen, tile and ceramic pieces; Paula Teplitz, sculptural jellyfish mobiles; Jeff Gibford, digitally manipulated photographs; Sylvia Hosie, wildlife photography; Tish Epperson, watercolors; Carol Connett, mixed media; and Susan Jones, woven fiber jellyfish. Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio, located at 305 N Main St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday.

News-Times • Newport, OR

B7

Excursions with Newport Parks and Rec. Newport Parks and Recreation has new excursions coming up on Jan. 11 and Feb. 10. These dates were chosen to coincide with the King Tides.

On both of these days, participants meet at the Newport Recreation Center and ride in the Adventure Van to Shore Acres State Park in Coos Bay, where they will have two hours to view waves and stroll through the gardens.

“We chose Shore Acres because it’s famous for those big wave splashes,” said Jenni Remillard, recreation program specialist.

“But it also has the gardens and some trails for us to explore in case the ocean isn’t cooperating

to give us a big show.”

Remillard said though it will be a King Tide, that’s not a guarantee of large waves. Swell is also a factor.

“Shore Acres has special underwater topography that can create huge waves if conditions are right, so we are hopeful with it being winter and king tides

we’ll see some action.”

After taking in the sights at the park, the van will head to the food truck pod in Coos Bay for a late lunch before starting back to Newport. If there is time, there will also be a pit stop in Charleston at Chuck’s Seafood for a chance to purchase smoked fish and other goodies.

Remillard will lead the trip and is well versed in sea life and the ocean, so participants will have a chance to learn something new.

Register online at https://secure. rec1.com/OR/newport-or/catalog Space is limited.

For more information, contact Remillard at 541-265-4859 or j.remillard@newportoregon.gov

B8

News-Times • Newport, OR

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Oregon Surfrider Foundation’s 2023 in review As 2023 came to a close for Surfrider’s Oregon chapter network, the group could not be more proud reflecting on all the remarkable accomplishments for our ocean, waves and beaches. From big statewide plastic pollution victories like banning foam takeout containers to stopping harmful beach development projects and securing a land donation for beach access, our Oregon network last year was active across all of our key initiatives. Please take a moment to review some top initiative achievements from 2023.

FROM THE FIELD Last year ushered in change as a new Oregon Field Manager, Kaia Hazard, officially joined the Surfrider team to help lead and organize with our chapter network. A top event again from our field this year was our Coastal Recreational Hill Day, where Oregon volunteers joined our national network in Washington D.C. and met with federal leaders to encourage swift national action to protect our coasts and ocean.

Another highlight was our Annual Cascadia Leader-

ship Conference, which brought volunteers together from Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia chapters.

We spent the weekend collaborating, learning, and connecting with Surfrider advocates and staff, and had a record attendance of nearly 60 people!

And in keeping with the enjoyment in our mission, this year marked the 13th year of the Otter Rock and Roll surf & stewardship event with nearly 70 youth participants and 41 volunteers.

The event remains Oregon’s longest-running and only surf contest designed solely for kids, complete with a best beginner division to support young learners.

Helping to eliminate plastic pollution as one of the greatest threats to our oceans and wildlife remained a key area for our Oregon chapter network’s focus this year.

At the state level, Surfrider launched a bold policy package in early 2023 and our tireless activism in Salem led to two major statewide victories — finally banning foam takeout in restaurants and paving the way for reusables in Oregon health code, sig-

nificant policy wins representing years of work.

At the grassroots level, our chapters continue to keep our beaches clean, with 34 beach and inland cleanups, engaging 831 volunteers and removing more than 5,000 pounds of trash. At the programmatic level, our volunteers continue expanding our Ocean Friendly programs to support businesses like restaurants in reducing single use plastics.

This year marked the 10- year anniversary for Oregon’s Marine Reserves and Protected Areas, a major ocean protection and conservation achievement for the state of Oregon that has been a priority for Surfrider since their designations. These underwater parks are havens for wildlife, critical habitat, fisheries and community research as well as supporting climate resiliency. While our legislative effort fell short in 2023 to advance climate and tribal recommendations for these special places, we have organized a sharp campaign aimed at 2024 for this Oregon ocean protection legacy.

And keeping us on our heels has been the federal Bureau of Ocean

Energy Management (BOEM) that released draft Wind Energy Areas for leasing significant areas of Oregon’s ocean for offshore wind energy development.

At the crux of climate change is our dependence on fossil fuels yet the development of our wild ocean spaces for renewable energy presents significant trade-offs and consternation for many. Surfrider navigated the political emotions of this process in 2023 to educate and survey our chapter network; and, ultimately file extensive comments to BOEM both individually and again collectively with a wildlife coalition.

Oregon’s public beaches are on the front line of climate change.

How we respond to erosion, sea level rise planning, and development interests will not just dictate our own resilience to climate changes, but whether or not we even have beaches to walk on in the future — indeed our beaches are shrinking. Following the loss this year in a shoreline armoring campaign in Tillamook, which may create loopholes for development, Oregon is in need of policy reform, local planning and

state guidance to better address sustainably managing our beaches in response to climate change and sea level rise. In better news, our North Coast Chapter had a significant campaign victory in protecting the public beach and preventing an audacious “superdrive” development. This year Surfrider also launched a project in Cannon Beach, securing a FEMA grant to support planning and design for nature based solutions to ongoing erosion at Ecola Creek.

And we’ve launched a new Save the Shore campaign to improve shoreline management that protects public beaches in the community.

Following a two-year legal battle to restore beach access to Lighthouse Beach in Coos Bay, significant progress was made in 2023 when the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission accepted a donation of land for the access. This milestone comes as part of Surfrider and the O’Leary family’s continued legal negotiations to restore public access to Lighthouse Beach in perpetuity. Surfrider’s Coos Bay Chapter has poured countless hours of fundraising and le-

gal strategy to arrive at this solution, creating this proud legacy for future generations to enjoy Lighthouse Beach - massive!

Surfrider’s robust Blue Water Task Force Program in Oregon once again shined with 404 water quality samples taken representing around 800 volunteer hours across 6 Surfrider chapter labs and programs from Coos Bay to Astoria. A truly remarkable program that alerts surfers and beachgoers to water quality conditions at their local beaches - some of which have run continuously now for over 20 years!

The program this year made early detection on several sewer issues in Newport leading to speedy remediation and continues to serve as a critical baseline for healthy recreation. At the policy level, Oregon is addressing climate action through water quality regulations targeting Ocean Acidification. This groundbreaking initiative is the first in the nation to establish a methodology for regulating Ocean Acidification under the Clean Water Act and Oregon’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring plan.

Oregon Coast Learning Institute begins new season On Jan. 2, the Oregon Coast Learning Institute kicked off its 18th year of winter educational presentations.

OCLI is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization in Lincoln County made up of retired men and women who

desire to continue to stimulate their intellectual interests in an atmosphere of shared learning. Visitors are always welcome to attend a full day’s presentation for free. The half-year membership dues of $60 cover 12 Tuesdays, end-

ing March19.

Some of the topics that will be covered this term are Diving in Coastal Waters, Veggie Growing, Self-publishing, Oregon’s Death with Dignity Law, and a field trip to Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

The OCLI sessions are at the Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian’s fellowship hall, located at 2125 SE Lee Ave. in Lincoln City. Each Tuesday has two topics; the first one from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m., and the second from 11:10 a.m.

to 12:30 p.m. Because each week’s topics are different, members are not required to attend every session.

For more information, go online at www.ocli.us or call 541-994-4810 or 541-2658023.

Support these Local Nonprofit Community Organizations!

SEEKING CASH DONATIONS TO HELP CARE FOR THE HORSES

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

B9

News-Times • Newport, OR

National Theatre Live on screen Jan. 10 The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts presents National Theatre Live’s West End-captured production of “Good,” a 1930s-era ethical drama starring David Tennant. It will be shown in high definition at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, on the big screen at the Newport Performing Arts Center.

As the world faces its second world war, John Halder, a German academic who thinks he is a good man, finds himself caught up in a movement with unthinkable consequences. Incredible, thought provoking, and one of Britain’s most powerful political plays, “Good” has been hailed as “fascinating and appalling”

by The Guardian, while Time Out alleges it “has the power to chill you to the bone.”

Tennant (“Doctor Who”) makes a blistering and muchanticipated return to the West End as the ordinary professor pulled into the Nazi regime. The prolific actor has worked extensively in theater, television, and film, winning numerous awards (including the Critics Circle Award for

Best Shakespearean Performance).

Olivier Award-winner Dominic Cooke (“Follies”) directs this timely tale written by C.P. Taylor, with a cast that also features Elliot Levey (“Coriolanus,” “Peaky Blinders”) and Sharon Small (“The Bay”).

The performance, recorded live at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London, will be screened in the state-of-theart Alice Silverman Theatre at Newport Performing Arts Center. Tickets for this onenight-only event range from $15-$20 when purchased in person or by phone (additional fee applies to tickets purchased online). Call 541-2652787, visit www.coastarts. org/ntlive-good, or stop by the Newport Performing Arts Center box office at 777 W Olive Street. Audiences should note that this play contains mature themes, strong language, and sensitive topics.

To learn more and view upcoming National Theatre Live titles, visit www.coastarts.org/ntlive

National Theatre Live presents “Good” on Wednesday, Jan. 10, on the big screen at the Newport Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Johan Persson)

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B10

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Community@newportnewstimes.com

Telephone Game exhibit on display at gallery NEWS-TIMES STAFF

Participants in last year’s Lincoln City Parks & Recreation New Year Swim pose for a group photo last January at the Lincoln City Community Center pool. This year’s event begins at 9 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6, and participants will swim a combined total of 2,024 laps. (Photo courtesy of Lincoln City Parks & Recreation)

Lincoln City offers New Year Swim NEWS-TIMES STAFF

LINCOLN CITY — Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, Lincoln City Parks & Recreation invites lap swimmers of all ages and abilities to join a

team event, its annual New Year Swim at the Lincoln City Community Center pool, 2150 NE Oar Place.

During the event, swimmers will complete a total of 2,024 laps in the pool, and athletes

participating will be treated to a group photo, snacks and beverages.

For more information, call 541-996-1248 or visit https:// www.lincolncity.org/departments/parks-recreation.

State parks offering same day online reservations Visitors hoping to camp last minute now have the chance to view and book same-day campsite openings online statewide starting.

Previously, most sites required booking 24 hours or more in advance of arrival when reserving online. Same-

day online reservations started as a pilot project at two coastal parks and expanded last summer to all 17 coastal state park campgrounds.

“Same-day reservations at the coast gave those traveling the peace of mind that there was a place ready for

them when they arrived,” said Coastal Region Director Dennis Comfort.

When the program expands statewide, it will include a total of 40 park campgrounds throughout Oregon. Some

LINCOLN CITY — The Chessman Gallery, inside the Lincoln City Cultural Center, has a new, experimental exhibit on display based on “The Telephone Game,” offering a look at two different circles of art created by an amazing group of local artists.

Remember the game in which a message is whispered from one person to the next around a circle? When it gets to the end, the phrase is very different than it was when it began. This is the premise behind the Chessman Gallery’s new group exhibit, but instead of it being auditory, it’s visual. Each artist rendered their version of the piece before them and displayed together, viewers will see how the image changes depending on the style, process and mood of each artist. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Sunday through Feb. 11.

“This exhibit is absolutely an experiment,” Krista Eddy, Lincoln City Cultural Center visual arts director, said in a news release. “We were wondering what would happen if we asked a group of artists to try out this idea of recreating a work in their own style but inspired by the artwork before them in the circle just like in the telephone game but visually and we all had

so much fun doing it! It was such an interesting and successful endeavor”.

In the two circles presented in this exhibit, see how some themes and colors stay while others were left behind. One can also ee how different perspectives, styles and artistic mediums can change the subject matter drastically, revealing depth of creativity alive in local coastal artists.

Each circle begins with a photograph of a local spot.

This was organized deliberately as it is the only way that photographers would be able to participate due to the nature of their work. And then each circle continues on to host a great range of diversity in mediums from painting to clay work, fiber arts to mosaic and assemblage to spray paint art. And the age range of this group of artists is just as diverse: you will see work by artists from 10 years old to 75 years old.

The opening reception for this exhibit takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, and as an added bonus, the Pacific Artists Alliance Gallery and ASA, within walking distance, across 6th street, will also host a reception for its new display.

For more information call 541-994-9994, head to https://lincolncity-culturalcenter.org/, or become a friend on Facebook.

STATE PARKS on Page B7

Metropolitan Opera broadcast live at PAC At 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, Giuseppe Verdi’s early masterpiece, “Nabucco,” will be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York to the big screen at the Newport Performing Arts Center, presented by Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.

Audiences are invited to experience this larger-thanlife revival of a classic performance, as it happens, with beautiful sound quality and filmed angles that reveal a better-than-front-row view.

This grand, epic staging promises to draw opera lovers and newcomers alike, as OPERA on Page B7

Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco” will be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York to the big screen at Newport Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 6. (Photo

by Johan Persson)

Coastal Voices seeks new singers “Village Life in Colombia,” by Juan B. Toro, is on display in the Yaquina River Museum of Art’s exhibition, “Promise.” (Courtesy photo)

Toledo art rings in new year Coastal Voices holds vocal introductions on from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newport. (Courtesy photo)

Coastal Voices, the central coast’s 52-voice choir, holds vocal introductions on from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at the corner of Ninth and Hurbert streets in Newport. Following a three-concert series along the coast in early December, the group wants to add new members for the spring season. Artistic Director Rhodd Caldwell envisions a 75-voice chorale.

“I want to make Lincoln County the county that sings, beginning with 75 of us in a room making music together,” he says.

The vocal introduction process is supportive and low-stress according to previous participants. Caldwell uses the time to get acquainted with prospective members and assess their vocal ranges and prior singing experience. No one who meets the age requirement is turned away.

“Singing is sustained speech” explains Caldwell. “If you can talk, you can sing.”

The May 2024 concert series, “Spring Homage,” will continue the 25th anniversary celebration of the group, founded in 1998 by Dr. Mary Lee Scoville as the Central Coast Chorale. Now known as Coastal Voices, the choir will honor Dr. Scoville’s legacy by performing favorite sacred and secular selections from past concerts, ranging from church chants to spirituals to songs celebrating nature and rebirth. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening at the Newport Elks Lodge, 45 SE Moore Drive.

For more information about the group and for a link to the sign-up page for a Vocal Introduction appointment go to coastal-voices. org. Email info@coastal-voices.org or call 541283-6295.

Toledo rings in the new year with its First Weekend Art celebration this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6 and 7.

Every month, Toledo takes a weekend to celebrate its arts community and invites the public to join in. This is an opportunity for people to connect with local artists and see what’s new.

The Yaquina River Museum of Art is continuing the exhibition “Promise” in its Schoolhouse Exhibit Space.

“Promise” is a celebratory exhibit featuring works of art from Latin America, as well as art from east and western Europe, which showcases the beauty of the holidays. At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Judy Gibbons will give a talk on her collection of Latin American art that she curated while living in Colombia with a central focus on “Village Life in

Colombia,” painted by Juan B Toro. Also, Pauline Morrison, deacon in the Episcopal Church, will talk about the icon, “The Venerable Lady of Korsun.”

The Yaquina River Museum of Art is located at 151 NE Alder St. and will be open from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit yaquinarivermuseumofart.org.

Across the street at Michael Gibbons’ Signature Gallery, a well-known work of the late artist will have a special spotlight. “View in Schreiner’s Garden” is a spring landscape of Schreiner’s Iris Gardens in Salem. Gibbons would often use Schreiner’s Gardens as a painting location and source of inspiration for his plein air works. The Michael Gibbons Signature Gallery at 140 NE TOLEDO on Page B7