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Headlight Herald

One Whitehall rowboat is finding a new home this year

SARAH KELLY

For Country Media, Inc.

At the end of this year’s annual Dory Days celebration, Pacific City said a final farewell to Janet Stahl’s beautiful Whitehall boat. The boat spent its final day outside for public viewing on July 15. It will be leaving to find its permanent home at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon.

The more than 100-yearold, all wood boat was painstakingly restored by Fred Johnson, a local Pacific City boat builder, after an unfortunate accident had caused significant damage. The repairs took some time due to them taking place during COVID. Parts had to be ordered from Sweden which was slow going given all the delays that occurred at the time of the pandemic. However, once Johnson finished, the rowboat was back to its full glory.

This gorgeous boat consists of several different types of wood, some of which are nearly impossible to find nowadays. White oak, western red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar and Honduras mahogany make up the different woods with which the boat was built.

“Many many years ago they would use the Whitehall to shuttle supplies from a big boat to a smaller boat or a big boat to shore,” said Stahl, providing some history on the uses of these rowboats.

Stahl’s late husband, John originally purchased the famous Whitehall boat sometime in the 1980s, from a friend who owned it in Seattle, Washington. The previous owner had bought it from the man who built the boat in Port Townsend, Washington. When the boat came into the possession of John Stahl it looked pristine, as if unused. While in the family’s care the sturdy broad-beamed rowboat saw much use and many adventures, all while never leaving Netarts Bay in Oregon.

The family frequently used the one-to-two-person boat for family fun like crabbing, fishing and duck and goose hunting. “It was not uncommon for my husband, on an evening like we had last night, to just take it out for a row because it was just so easy to row,” said Stahl, referring to the lovely warm summer evening of the previous night.

After having been in the Stahl family for over 40 years, Janet Stahl decided that it was time for her 17-foot-long Whitehall boat to find a new home. Caring for the boat became too much for her to handle alone after the passing of her husband.

Stahl decided that donating it to the Columbia River Maritime Museum would be the best place decision She is hopeful that the museum will provide it the best home possible. “I’m happy,” said Stahl. “We haven’t done any

paperwork but they have expressed total interest in getting this boat.”

According to Stahl, the museum does not currently have one in their collection.

Burris draws heat as he assumes fire district board position

WILL CHAPPELL Headlight Editor

Tillamook Mayor Aaron Burris was sworn in as a member of Tillamook Fire District’s Board of Directors on July 11, before receiving scrutiny and criticism from public commenters.

The district’s volunteers also voiced their support for interim-Chief Jeff McBrayer, endorsing his hiring as fulltime chief in their monthly report to the board.

Public interest in the meeting was high, with nearly 50 people gathered at the 911 Dispatch Center on Nestucca Avenue. It began with the swearing in of Burris to the board, following his victory in an uncontested election in May. That campaign and election followed Burris’s March filing of a suit against the district seeking $480,000 in damages for a host of claims regarding his 2022 dismissal as a volunteer firefighter with the district. That dismissal followed the alleged dissemination of an explicit video of a former firefighter by Burris and another, paid, firefighter at the district, Chuck Spittles. Spittles is also suing the district seeking just over

$960,000.

At the meeting, it didn’t take long for the suits and the deleterious impact of the associated legal costs to come up.

In the volunteer firefighter association’s monthly report, Assistant Chief Edwards for the second consecutive month sounded the alarm about volunteer morale. He said that “petty political fights” were threatening the district’s mission in an apparent reference to the suits. Edwards was less vague later in his report, saying, “we’re all on the same team guys, this is crap.”

Public commenters were also direct, addressing what they perceived as a conflict of interest on Burris’s part. Port of Tillamook Bay Commissioner Jack Mulder attended the meeting and called on Burris to drop the suit, as did two other public commenters and an assistant chief from the district.

Another commenter asked Burris what good he hope to accomplish by serving on the board, to which he replied that firefighting was “a passion I’ve had before everything else.” When asked how he thought the lawsuits against the district were helping the district, Burris declined to answer.

The most direct approach was taken by ex-Board Chair Tim Hamburger, who bluntly asked Burris to resign to avoid pos-

sible ethics violations. Burris declined.

A potentially fraught secondary effect of Burris’s suit also started to emerge at the meeting, as it became clear that Burris’s brother, Allen, who is also on the board will be hampered in his service by the suits.

During the election of officers at the beginning of the meeting, Allen was informed that the district’s counsel had advised that he should not serve as an officer to avoid conflicts of interest. Later in the meeting, it was further explained that the district’s counsel had advised that neither Burris brother should represent the district in any capacity, including at board training seminars put on by state agencies.

Board Chair Brian Cameron said that the district’s counsel had advised that as long as those conditions were observed and they recused themselves from any decisions around the suits, the Burrises would be legally compliant.

The volunteer firefighters’ association monthly report also gave a ringing endorsement to interim-Chief Jeff McBrayer. “Guys love him; he’s what we needed,” Edwards said.

Edwards went on to say that he had conducted a straw poll of the volunteer force and found that support for offering McBrayer the chief on a full-time basis was nearly unanimous.

“It is very unique. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of boats they have in Astoria at their storage, they do not have a Whitehall,” she said. While Stahl’s boat may no

longer be seen at the Dory Days festival, the Columbia River Maritime Museum is sure to provide the Whitehall boat a wonderful new home. Through her generous dona-

tion, it will be able to live on in the memories of all who view it, allowing others to enjoy it for years to come.

Saving a vital school program

Ensuring the Tillamook school district’s dual language program is not shut down was crucial

SARAH KELLY

For Country Media, Inc.

In order to save an essential program in the Tillamook school district, Cassie Thiemens had to go above and beyond, spending months working with every contact and lead she had, to ensure her students did not lose their vital dual language program. Thiemens, who is the director of bilingual programs and services in the school district, needed qualified bilingual teachers and she was determined to do whatever necessary to find them.

With three of their current staff members moving on to pursue other opportunities and one position that had previously been left unfilled, the district was in dire need of replacements and had very little time to find them. If Thiemens couldn’t find four qualified bilingual teachers by May 15 the district would have to shut the program down.

Thiemens, who has been with the Tillamook school district now for 19 years, was not about to sit still and

allow the only dual language program on the whole Oregon coast end. The program, which started in the 20172018 school year, is a shining star for the school district, receiving high praise from parents and the community alike.

Interested parents may submit applications for their rising Kindergartners to enter the program, which provides instruction 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. Should the number of prospective students exceed the available slots, a random name selector will be used, in a lottery style, to fill the seats. Classes are balanced out as well as possible with around half native Spanish speakers and half native English speakers. The program will soon see its first students move into the junior high grades.

Determined to not let her students down, Thiemens first looked to the former students whom she used to teach prior to becoming the full-time language director for the district. The students she taught English to in high school were now in their 30s or beyond and had their own children in the program. Some of these former students were working on becoming teachers themselves and Thiemens wished to support them. However, Thiemens determined that they were not ready just yet but decided to keep them in mind for future years.

“I wasn’t going to accept

that the program was just going to go away,” said Thiemens. Refusing to give up, she reached out to Dr. Jose Medina, an internationally known dual language expert, and asked if he could use his strong social media presence to aid their time sensitive search of bilingual teachers for the Tillamook school district. With his help, applications from international candidates began to roll in.

However, the teachers could not officially apply for the positions using the district’s online application process due to their lack of clearance to work within the U.S. This snag renewed Thiemens’ determination and she went right to work on figuring out how to solve this new dilemma.

Thiemens was able to present the teachers with paper applications, allowing the selection process to resume. After months of working to save the program, they were finally at the point of carefully screening each applicant and conducting interviews.

With the support of interim Superintendent Jim Mabbott, Thiemens was able to find and hire four amazing teachers just days before the May 15 deadline. The dual language program would be saved but not before clearing several remaining hurdles.

Now that they had found their new teachers, figuring out how to get them

PARADE PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILL CHAPPELL

Visit Garibaldi from July 21-23 to enjoy our annual community festival

The three day festival will include live music and 50+ vendors all weekend.

Saturday will begin with the 63rd annual parade, there will be several kid friendly activities like the ODF&W Touch Tank and face painting by JipZ at Lumberman’s Park, as well as, activities at the Garibaldi Library Branch and a Garibaldi Fire Touch a Truck event at the City Hall building off of 6th and Acacia.

The Garibaldi Fire & Rescue will take on the U.S. Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay in a Water Ball fight at 3 p.m. off of Biak Avenue.

FREE CONCERT and beer garden from 7-10 p.m. at the Port’s event tent and then end the day full of fun by watching a fireworks display over the bay at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday the fun continues with live music and vendors at the event tent along Jerry Creasy Avenue and a Car Show along Biak Avenue.

For more info, updates and a full Schedule of Events follow the festival event page: facebook.com/garibaldidays

2023 Class Reunion

Saturday July 22 Noon-4 p.m.

Garibaldi City Hall

107 6th Street

Alumni from Bay City, Garibaldi, Wheeler, Nehalem & Neah-Kah-Nie, all classes, are invited to come after the parade and celebrate with friends and classmates. Free to all.

Sponsors

503.880.8034 www.PamZielinski.com

1004 Garibaldi Avenue, Garibaldi H22329

12-8 PM - VENDOR BOOTHS/FOOD TRUCKS ON JERRY CREASY WAY

9-2 PM - CLASSIC CAR SHOW ON BIAK AVENUE

Bill Hayden Named Garibaldi Days Grand Marshal

Garibaldi Mayor Tim Hall announced he is especially honored to name former city resident Bill Hayden as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Garibaldi Days celebration.

Hayden is currently the host of the Garibaldi Oregon Memories, a Facebook site that has more than 3,000 members. His frequent posts continue to remind both residents and visitors who enjoy experiencing historical events, people and places in Garibaldi in ways that would not be possible otherwise.

The only son of Mayo and Mary Hayden, Bill moved to Garibaldi in May 1949 at the age of nine. His father worked at the plywood mill. The family settled into a little house on Driftwood Avenue where they enjoyed a simple life. At the time, the dirt streets had no names and houses had no addresses. People knew their neighbors.

Hayden was in the first class to attend the new Neah-Kah-

Nie High School in 1953. He joined the Marines immediately after high school and served until 1961. While now a resident in Texas, Hayden still visits Garibaldi and spends time with the Modrells family, relatives of his father.

Hayden’s son Randy wrote:

“Bill is always homesick for Garibaldi. It’s on his heart and mind 24/7 and he works hard to share that passion with others.

2023 is his year for celebrating 84 years of life and 61 years of marriage to Sammie.”

The choice of selecting the

grand marshal is a privilege granted traditionally solely to the mayor of Garibaldi. This honor goes to citizens who have made contributions both currently and in the past that have fostered goodwill towards the city and its residents and businesses.

“Bill’s abundance of pride in Garibaldi is inspirational and shared by me,” said Mayor Hall. “In honoring the past, he gives us hope for a prosperous future, especially as we work past our financial problems.”

Like others seniors who graduated from schools in Garibaldi, Mayor Hall would like to invite those folks from the classes of the 1950s and 1960s to join the festivities with Hayden on July 22nd. A reception at City Hall community room is being planned.

Garibaldi Days was established as an annual high school class reunion that started in 1960. Today, it’s a popular celebration of Oregon’s authentic fishing village.

Bill Hayden

Tide Runners continue Dragon Boat tradition in Nehalem

WILL CHAPPELL Headlight Editor

The Tide Runners at Nehalem Bay branch of the Wasabi Paddling Club recently participated in the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The group has long been a part of the north coast community and is based out of the Port of Nehalem, with members hailing from Tillamook to Astoria. Paddlers practice three or

four times a week, weather permitting, launching from the port in downtown Nehalem and navigating the river.

Dragon Boats trace their lineage to ancient China and are powered by twenty paddlers in competition, while a steerer guides the boat and a drummer keeps the beat for paddling.

During their last practice before the Nanaimo Festival, the crew gathered early on a Saturday morning at the lowest tide of the year and

welcomed this reporter to join, provided he paddled. Despite the navigational challenges caused by the extreme low tide, a good practice ensued, with beautiful views of Neahkahnie mountain and three bald eagles making an appearance in trees along the river.

On that day, practice took place in the club’s largest boat, which can hold up to 24 paddlers, affectionately nicknamed “Big Mac.” The Tide Runners warmed up before practicing a series of starts.

The club is comprised of women, with the exception of one man, who joins with other teams at competitions to allow the team to compete in women’s races. In addition to the competitive team, the club offers sessions for those not wishing to compete. The Wasabi Paddling Club has ten teams across northwest Oregon.

Tide Runners prepare for the Nanaimo competition in the Nehalem River. CREDIT: WILL CHAPPELL

One dead, one in custody in Cape Meares shooting

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, inc.

The Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) reports that a Carlo Stefanello, Jr., 47, of Portland died in a shooting in Cape Meares.

At 10:06 a.m. July

8, TCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence on

WILL

4th St. NW in Cape Meares for a report of shots fired and suspicious activity.

Upon arrival by deputies, a deceased male adult was located in the one of the bedrooms at the residence, a short-term rental property.

The initial investigation revealed that Stefanello was possibly the victim of homicidal violence.

The Tillamook County Major Crimes Team (TCMCT) was activated, and additional investigators converged on the location. The Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory was to process the crime scene.

Jonathan Blake Morriss, 31, of Portland, was identified as a person of interest and is in custody

at the Tillamook County Jail currently on unrelated charges.

Two other people who were in the house at the time of the crime have also been questioned by investigators. A third, Heather Lee Williams, was being sought as a witness or person of interest. The sheriff’s department noted

in a Facebook post on July 11, that Williams had outstanding arrest warrants for unrelated matters.

“In order to help protect the integrity of this investigation, and to ensure proper family notification, we will be limiting information released until it is appropriate to do so,” the TCMCT stated in a release.

The Tillamook County Major Crimes Team is comprised of members of the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Tillamook Police, Oregon State Police and Manzanita Police and our Tillamook 911 Dispatchers. TCSO chaplains also responded and assisted with the investigation.

Rockaway Beach Council bans fireworks sales

CHAPPELL Headlight Editor

The Rockaway Beach City Council voted to outlaw the sale of fireworks in city limits and restrict their detonation to that permitted by the Oregon State Fire Marshal at their July 12 meeting.

The ban was approved by

a 4-1 vote, with Councilor Kristine Hayes being the only nay vote, and increased the possible maximum penalty for illegal fireworks detonations in the city to $2,000.

Hayes said that the issue was complicated and that many of the fireworks that caused consternation for locals were actually

permitted by the state.

Hayes also heads the Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce, which has historically managed a fireworks sale in the city in past years as a fundraising effort. She noted that losing the sale would have a negative impact on the chamber’s finances. Hayes also said that she would have

been in favor of conducting a community survey before voting on the issue. The other councilors said that the fireworks situation had become a nuisance for residents of Rockaway and that was why they were voting in favor of the sales prohibition. Councilor Mary McGinnis said that given the loss of revenue for the

chamber she planned to explore ways for the council to help replace that lost revenue.

Councilor Penny Cheek also mentioned the possibility of replacing the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show with a drone show alternative.

Council also approved a study of flooding around

Coral Street and Second Avenue at a cost of $26,750. HBH Consulting engineers will begin work on the project shortly and expect to have results to the city by late September.

Adventist Tillamook President discusses ambulance service

WILL CHAPPELL Headlight

Editor

Adventist Health

Tillamook President Eric Swanson recently addressed concerns raised in the community surrounding the hospital’s ambulance service staffing levels.

Swanson said that while staffing challenges exist for Adventist’s ambulance service, they were part of a wider, nationwide trend and did not compromise the service’s ability to respond to emergency calls.

“I trust them with my life,” Swanson said of the ambulance crews at Adventist. “I’ve had an opportunity to work with a number of them over the last couple of weeks and they do outstanding work.”

Swanson, who himself is a paramedic, recently sat down with the Headlight Herald

to push back against claims raised in anonymous letters posted to the Tillamook County Pioneer website in recent weeks.

Adventist has been operating an ambulance service in Tillamook County since 1974, when they purchased the franchise being operated by Waud’s Funeral Home. They expanded their service in the following years, taking over the Nehalem Volunteer Ambulance Service, Garibaldi Fire ambulance and the Pacific City franchise, previously operated by Pacific West Ambulance. The hospital has no contract with the county, instead operating under the guidelines of the county’s emergency medical services ordinance.

The history of Adventist’s expansion in the county has led to the endurance of four service areas within the

county, with ambulances stationed in Manzanita, Garibaldi, Tillamook and Pacific City. Swanson said that outside of Tillamook, each of those locations operates at an annual loss of between $600,000 and $1 million, but that Adventist is committed to operating the service to bring their care to people’s homes and control that care from first patient contact.

“If I were running an ambulance business for profit, which I’m not doing, we would not have four stations in Tillamook County,” Swanson said.

To fully staff those four ambulances and a backup would require 24 full time staff and additional part-timers, according to Swanson. Currently, the ambulance service has between 16 and 20 employees.

988 LIFELINE 1st year shows large gain in people served, Spanish text and chat services

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Oregon crisis counselors provided behavioral health support to more than 53,000 contacts in first year since transition to 988, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Nearly one year since the nationwide launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, an analysis by the OHA shows Oregon’s crisis call centers answered more than 53,000 calls, texts and chats between July 16, 2022, and June 30, 2023.

The federal government announced on July 13, the addition of Spanish text and chat services. People who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanishspeaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “AYUDA” to 988 or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org.

Text and chat options to 988 first became available in English a year ago; Oregon’s call centers answered over 10,000 texts and chats during the first year of this

service. Overall, Oregon 988 call volume this past year reflects a 33% increase in calls to the previous, 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the same period a year prior. Oregon’s 988 crisis centers now receive an average of more than 4,000 calls and 850 texts and chats each month. This is an increase of approximately 500 calls per month. Calling or texting 988, an easy-to-remember number, connects people with immediate behavioral health support. Those calling from Oregon area codes connect with trained crisis counselors at Oregon’s two 988 call centers: Lines for Life, which serves people statewide, and Lines for Life, which serves people statewide, and Northwest Human Services, which serves area codes from Marion and Polk Counties. Lines for Life currently answers all English texts and chats for the state of Oregon.

988 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing compassionate care and support for people experiencing any type of mental health challenge,

substance use crisis or thoughts of suicide or selfharm. Oregonians can also contact 988 for advice to support their loved ones, as well as get connections for local behavioral health care and referrals.

“We want everyone in Oregon to know that there’s always someone to talk to when you or your loved ones need help or are in crisis,” OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke said.

“If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 988. It is free to call, text or chat with 988. Counselors will value your privacy, offer support and help you access further behavioral health care if you need or want it.”

Oregon’s call centers are meeting the needs of Oregonians in crisis, answering 988 calls within an average of 15 seconds. This wait time is after callers hear a national, pre-recorded menu of options to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line (press 1), receive support in Spanish (press 2) or get specialized support for SEE

However, Swanson said that those staffing challenges were not uncommon for an ambulance service, noting that the average paramedic’s career lasted around six and a half years. He said that similar staffing challenges faced ambulance services across the nation, and especially Oregon where paramedics and EMTs are required to have an associates’ degree, restricting out of state recruiting.

Swanson even more vigorously refuted the notion that current staffing levels were threatening the service’s efficacy and response times, pointing to the fact that the service had an average response time of just ten minutes and 28 seconds in the first half of the year.

“Ten minutes and 28 seconds is an excellent response time,” Swanson said, “especially in a

rural environment where we’re going to the summit of Highway 6 from the hospital.”

Swanson also highlighted the hospital’s recruiting efforts, including direct mailings, Facebook advertising, Indeed and LinkedIn postings, and a recent job fair. He said that the ambulance service was in the process of hiring 10 new employees and pointed out that Adventist offered the highest compensation to EMTs and paramedics in the state.

“We’re not just sitting around not doing anything,” Swanson said. “We’re doing what we can to ensure that we have adequate staff.”

Other Adventist employees, including Swanson, are also stepping up as needed to maintain service, with paramedics volunteering for shifts and

other employees offering to drive.

Swanson encouraged any citizens who are concerned about the service to consider joining, noting that anyone with a valid driver’s license could be trained as an ambulance driver, and that Tillamook Bay Community College offers EMT training.

Above all, Swanson went out of his way to praise the performance of his staff and other emergency services across Tillamook County for their service to the community.

“Our firefighters, paid volunteer, our law enforcement agencies, anybody who is a first responder, they do amazing work,” Swanson said.

County employee engagement survey results revealed

WILL CHAPPELL Headlight Editor

Leaders of Tillamook County’s various government departments were briefed on the results of a Gallup survey gauging employee engagement in the county on July 10.

The results showed that employee’s engagement level was roughly comparable to that at other government employers and that there were several areas for improvement, including better delineating job expectations, increasing employee recognition and fostering social connections amongst employees.

Mike Kinney from Gallup presented the detailed findings from the 12-question survey, which will be repeated the next two years to measure the county’s progress. Kinney said that

surveying engagement was a stronger predictor of employee performance at work than employee satisfaction.

Gallup’s survey included statements with which respondents indicated their agreement on a scale from one to five. Those statements touched on a variety of the employee’s needs, ranging from the basic, like I know what is expected of me at work, to the more advanced, like my opinion seems to count at work, and in the last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow.

More than 200 employees, or 80% of the county total, responded to the survey.

Kinney said that based on Gallup’s metrics, 38% of county employees would be categorized as engaged, 44% as not engaged and 18% as actively disengaged.

Across other government

organizations that Gallup works with those averages are 37% engaged, 44% not engaged and 19% actively disengaged.

Kinney said that for an initial survey response, these results were quite good, a sentiment with which Tillamook’s Human Resources Director Jodi Wilson agreed.

Kinney then jumped into a more detailed analysis of the collected data. He said that employees in the county had indicated that they felt their coworkers cared about them, that they had a strong sense of the importance of their work and that their professional development was supported by the county.

Results indicated that employees in the county noticed a shortcoming in the more basic elements of the job however, with lower agreement with statements

about understanding job requirements and having needed materials to complete the job.

Kinney also said that while employees cared about each other, there was room for improvement in their social connections, which help to boost productivity.

Kinney also noted that there were marked differences in the responses from different subgroups of respondents, with the most prominent emerging in employees of different tenure. Employees in their first year of employment indicated higher levels of agreement with all the statements gauging engagement, while employees in their second and third years of employment agreed considerably less.

Another gap emerged between unionized

employees of the county and those who are not, with union employees agreeing less often with all survey questions. The largest disparities arose on questions about feeling like somebody at work cared about the employee as a person and that their opinion mattered at work.

After discussing the results, Kinney pivoted into discussing recommendations for how to improve employee engagement over the next year.

Kinney said that Gallup’s research has shown that managers are responsible for most employee engagement improvements, not upperlevel leadership. He said that managers across the county’s departments should work over the next year to increase discussions about goals and priorities for the county as a way to clarify

the expectations in their departments. Kinney also recommended that managers increase the number of one-on-ones with union employees.

The same survey will be conducted again next year and the year after, and Kinney said that Gallup recommended focusing on one or two areas for improvement per year. Generally, government entities taking part in Gallup’s multiyear survey process see a 4% increase in the number of engaged employees in the first year of program participation, according to Kinney. Wilson said that work groups comprised of department heads would begin meeting in the near future to begin discussing ways to improve based on the survey results.

Bayside Commons project receives county funding

WILL CHAPPELL Headlight Editor

Tillamook County Commissioners approved a $120,000 grant to the Bayside Commons project near Nehalem that will bring new affordable housing to north county on July 12.

The grant is structured as a forgivable loan and the funds

are coming from a shortterm rental operator license fee. The project will include 24 units, six one-bedroom apartments, 11 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom, constructed in Nehalem’s urban growth boundary. All units will be affordable to residents making 60% of the area’s median income.

This marks the first year for the grant program and

the commissioners allocated a total of $710,000 for the program last November. Bayside Commons was the fourth project to receive final funding approval from the commissioners this year. It joins the redevelopment project above the Oregon Coast Dance Studio in downtown Tillamook that received $80,000, a project in Bay City, which received

$66,000 and the Kingfisher Apartments in Pacific City, which were awarded $250,000.

Commissioners once again expressed their excitement for the grant program and its early results in helping to bring much needed workforce housing to Tillamook County, where the availability rate of rental properties is below 1%.

Commissioner Erin Skaar said that the Bayside Commons project, which has also received grants from the state and Columbia Pacific CCO, was a good example of the diverse funding needed to get workforce housing built in Tillamook County. She noted that unlike in other places in the state where developers could rely on economies of scale in larger

buildings to make projects economically feasible, smaller projects in Tillamook County needed supplemental funding to reach feasibility.

On Tuesday, during the commissioners’ weekly update call on KTIL, Commissioner Mary Faith Bell announced that County Clerk Tassi O’Neil will be retiring on August 31.

Drowning Investigation: 15-year-old presumed dead in bay accident

STAFF REPORT

On Friday, July 7, at about 7:23 pm, Tillamook 911 dispatched Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies, Nestucca Fire Rescue, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Tillamook Ambulance and Oregon State Parks to a reported water rescue at the mouth of Nestucca Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

A 12-foot boat had been crabbing in the area with one 40-year-old male adult, one 17-year-old male and one

15-year-old male on board. The boat capsized and all occupants were thrown into the water. The older male and 17-year-old were able to make it to shore, but the 15-year-boy disappeared in the water.

A search operation for the missing boy included a TCSO boat, USCG 47-foot motor lifeboat, a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, and shoreline search by Nestucca Fire and Oregon Parks personnel for the past two days. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the missing boy

has not been recovered and is presumed deceased. An investigation into this boating accident is being conducted by TCSO Deputy Dennis Greiner on behalf of the Oregon State Marine Board. The initial investigation indicates that there were an insufficient number of personal flotation devices (PFD’s) on board the vessel at the time of the capsizing. The missing 15-year-old boy was not wearing a life jacket when the boat capsized and he was thrown in the water.

On July 9, 2023, at about 12:28, TCSO Deputies and Oregon State Parks personnel responded to the area of the original boating accident when it was reported that the boat may have resurfaced and come ashore. The boat was located and recovered.

“These types of incidents happen in the blink of an eye. It is important to be wearing life jackets, or have them readily available immediately,” Greiner said. “Oregon law requires children 12 and under to be wearing a properly fitted

USCG approved PFD while on a boat that is underway. All non-swimmers, regardless of age, should be wearing PFD’s when on the water.”

Even in the summer, Greiner said the coastal bays and rivers have dangerous currents present during tidal events and recreating on the water near the mouth of a bay or a river where it meets the ocean is particularly dangerous.

“When you need a life jacket, it’s often too late to put one on,” he said.

Tragedies like this are often avoidable by simply wearing a PFD. You should also avoid crabbing, fishing, paddling or swimming on an outgoing tide anywhere near the mouth of a bay or river. Your survival in a boating accident greatly increases if you are wearing a PFD, no matter what your age. No family should have to go through something like this.”

New committee will advise on key plan for future of Northwest forests, adapting to climate change

ALEX BAUMHARDT

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Apanel of regional experts will spend the next two years updating a nearly 30-year-old plan for how to manage and protect millions of acres of federal forestland in the Northwest.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Friday appointed 21 people, more than half of

whom are based in Oregon, to the Northwest Forest Plan Advisory Committee. Committee members will recommend policies to federal agencies updating the Northwest Forest Plan, focusing specifically on the impacts of climate change.

The original plan was created in 1994 as a legal framework for managing federal forests in the region for timber harvests while also protecting water quality, old-

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growth forests and threatened and endangered species, including the northern spotted owl and Chinook and coho salmon.

The plan was supposed to have been updated 15 years ago, but it didn’t become a priority again until April 2022, when President Joe Biden issued an executive order on strengthening the nation’s forests. The order directs federal agencies to revisit and create plans to preserve the nation’s forests, especially old-growth forests, and ensure they contribute to climate change solutions.

The Northwest Forest Plan applies to 17 national forests and federal lands encompassing more than 20 million acres in Washington, Oregon and

northern California. These lands contain 25% of all the remaining old-growth trees across all national forests and grasslands in the lower 48 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The newly created committee will focus on recommendations that ensure national forests are managed to be resilient to wildfire and invasive insects and diseases and for effective carbon storage. Old-growth trees play a large role in sucking climate-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The federal agencies will also need to ensure the forests are managed for economic and cultural value to tribes and local communities that depend on them.

The committee includes university professors, tribal government leaders, scientists at environmental nonprofits, state and local officials and the CEO of a timber industry trade group.

James Johnston is an assistant professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry who will serve on the committee. He’s been involved with the Northwest Forest Plan since its inception nearly 30 years ago.

“The revision is legally overdue, in addition to the broad recognition that times have changed since 1994, and that communities have changed, forests have changed and climates have changed,” he said. Johnston and his peers

will spend the next two years advising federal agencies on updates to the plan.

“We depend on these forests for water, wildlife, recreation, timber, and more,” he said. “I think this is an incredible opportunity to learn from other experts around the table.” Oregon Capital Chronicle 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. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@ oregoncapitalchronicle. com.

For that Taylor for County a miracle Executive HFHLC, come people own them from other is and then affordable said. along repair homeowners. about development savings folks We well.” grant homes which themselves from homes 18th built 1995.

Habitat for Humanity is Preforming Miracles in Lincoln County

RYAN HOOVER

For Country Media, Inc.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the work Lucinda Taylor does with Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County (HFHLC) makes her a miracle worker.

Taylor works as the Executive Director of HFHLC, and her miracles come in the form of helping people in need build and own their first homes, repair them homes and recover from natural disasters, among other things.

“Our primary mission is to partner with couples and build homes that we then sell to them through an affordable mortgage,” Taylor said. “We do other things along the way. We do a home repair program for first-time homeowners. We’re just about to launch individual development accounts, so savings opportunities where folks can get matching funds. We do disaster recovery as well.”

Her latest miracle will grant two family’s new homes in Lincoln City, which they will help build themselves and then purchase from HFHLC. These two homes will be the 17th and 18th homes HFHLC has built in Lincoln County since 1995.

One unique aspect about these latest builds is that they will permanently stay as affordable homes for low-income households making 80% or less of the area’s median income. Prior to these two homes, if the homeowner decided to sell their home, it could be sold on the open market. But, Taylor added, most families opt to keep the homes they helped build.

“We moved to make [these two homes] permanent affordability, where Habitat for Humanity maintains ownership of the land, and then the homebuyer will purchase the home itself,” Taylor said. “It comes with a deed restriction where it can only be sold to low-income households at 80% AMI or less for as long as that home is standing.”

Taylor said HFHLC uses an extensive homeowner selection process to find the right families for their homes – a process that involves families meeting income requirements, being reviewed by HFHLC’s board of directors, and having their current living conditions assessed in a home visit. But, more than anything, Taylor said applicants are chosen based on having the greatest needs.

“They look at things like what’s the current living

condition? Is the family overcrowded? Are there draft windows? Are there leaks roofs? Do they have running water? They’re looking at the condition of the home,” Taylor said. “The folks who have the greatest need are put at the top, which the committee will recommend to the Board of Director’s without any personal identifying information.”

Another aspect that makes HFHLC’s home-construction program unique is their “sweat equity” requirement. The organization asks families to help build their homes, providing them with an opportunity most homeowners never get.

For a single-parent family, they ask for 350 hours of service, with 100 hours able to be completed by family and friends. For a double-parent family, they ask for 500 hours of service, with 200 hours able to be completed by family and friends.

“We have a requirement that each family help build their home,” Taylor said. “So, there’s a sweat equity requirement. One of the reasons we actually want them to build the homes is because they learn the skills, they learn how that home came together. They learn what their boundaries are, but they also learn that they

can do it. They can be proud of a home that they helped build.”

Every family member isn’t always able to help with construction, so Taylor and her team use their creative powers to come up with other ways these people can contribute. For children, they give construction hours for good grades. Every C a child gets is one hour of work, every B is two hours, and every A is three hours. Taylor said HFHLC will also ask families to work in their stores to help them meet the sweat-equity requirement.

“We work with the homeowner to figure out how to make it all work,” Taylor said.

HFHLC also provides support to families through financial assistance and homeowner education. Mortgages for all homeowners are extremely affordable and calculated based on 30% of their gross annual income, which includes taxes and insurance. Another mortgage option involves 10% of the mortgage being forgiven between years six and fifteen

of home ownership. But it doesn’t stop there. If families are still struggling with purchasing their new home, HFHLC also offers down payment assistance. First-generation homebuyers are eligible for up to $60,000, and first-time homebuyers are eligible for up to $30,000. Along the way, Taylor said families take a number of homeowner education courses to help them through the process.

“We require future homeowners to take some classes,” Taylor said. “They have to do a financial foundations course and a homebuyer course. It helps them understand things like, ‘What is Escrow?’ before they get to closing time.”

These home builds are largely community efforts.

For example, the land for the two homes was donated by Lincoln County as tax foreclosed land; the electrical work will be done by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as volunteer work; construction will be completed in part by local residents; and both builds will be managed by

“We piece it together from lots of different funding sources,” Taylor said. “The community really comes together to help makes this happen. Neighbors come out and help with the build and get to know their new neighbors.”

With builds 17 and 18 well under way for HFHLC, Taylor said the organization is already planning their next project, which will be building two new homes in Waldport. The homeowner application is expected to open around the end of July, and anyone that has lived in the County for at least one year is encouraged to apply at HFHLC’s website.

“Anyone that has lived in the County for at least a year can apply. We’ll be looking for our next two families that want to partner with us and be homeowners,” Taylor said.

HFHLC’s Construction Manager.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUCINDA TAYLOR / HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

authorized to work in the U.S. was the next obstacle.

Thiemens had to quickly learn all about J-1 visas. With that knowledge she would be able to help three of the four teachers. A J-1 visa allows international teachers to come and work for five years, but first they had to be sponsored by a program.

Working with the Oregon Department of Education, Thiemens was able to con-

nect to the Embassy of Spain, where she learned about the Cordell Hull Foundation. This non-profit organization sponsors visas for international educators and was the answer Thiemens had been diligently seeking. With three of the four teachers now on track to getting all their required paperwork done, Thiemens set out to help the fourth teacher who had more chal-

lenging circumstances to sort out. This teacher had already worked for five years on a J-1 visa in North Carolina. The visa limits teachers from working longer than that without first returning to their home country for two years. After that period of time, they are allowed to return to the U.S. Thiemens had to dig deeper to find a fix for this new, more complicated issue.

The teacher would need to be sponsored with an H-1B visa instead. She immediately jumped into action once again and sought out a solution. It was determined that legal help would be necessary. A lawyer was brought on board to help them initially work through the difficult paperwork. Working with the district’s HR coordinator, Thiemens was able to get the

necessary Labor Condition Application (LCA) approved and moved forward with the second step in the process, the petition. They have 15 days after submitting the petition before they could hear a decision for this particular teacher. If the teacher is granted the H-1B visa they would be able to stay for an additional six years. Thiemens has remained positive throughout this whole pro-

cess. “I just believe it’s going to work out and he’s going to be able to come,” she said.

There are two teachers coming from El Salvador, one from Costa Rica and another from Mexico City. With everything set on the right track for these new teachers to come to work on August 25, Thiemens was then able to shift her focus to the numerous other issues that needed to be planned and arrange.

Thiemens’ work is not done just by seeing that the teachers arrive in the U.S. She also needs to ensure that for those bringing dependents, they too have everything they would need, that everyone has affordable housing, cars, licenses and so much more. With each teacher having their own unique circumstances, there’s still a lot of work to be done before the next school year starts. “To come to another country to teach within a structure that’s very different, I want them to feel like they are very supported and welcomed. I’m so excited for this new energy on my team,” says Thiemens.

The bilingual, international teachers will also have to meet additional requirements that native teachers do not. They will have to teach about their own culture and write about it. They must prove that they are sharing their culture with their students, teaching them all about it and not just the language alone.

The district had already set and approved their budget for the year, factoring in all these unforeseen expenses was not something that seemed possible. Amazingly, Thiemens was given the answer to this obstacle just in time, via an email. The email stated that the Tillamook school district would be receiving a grant to recruit and retain bilingual educators.

With the generous grant they now had the extra funding to pay for these new expenses as well as help the other bilingual staff in the district with professional development. “Things are going to work out the way they are meant to work out and I think they are working out. It’s amazing to me. Doors are opening and things are happening,” Thiemens added. Thiemens, who went back to school to get her PhD because of the plight of her students and how people saw them, is now thrilled to see what all her hard work is yielding. She sees it paying off through the wonderful dual language program she has helped to create within her school district and how successful it has become. Doing whatever it takes to accomplish your goals and never giving up is something that Thiemens hopes others can see and be encouraged by.

The children who participate in the program are on par with the national averages across the country for kids in similar ones. Thiemens is working on expanding the program to reach the high school level, ensuring that it continues for as long as possible, offering constant

WEATHER FORECAST

going to on issues and need, affordable there’s done internationrequirements about and set for these notthis district bilingual new gothey are back saw something

GUEST COLUMN Microplastics and Their Impact on Health

LEANNA COY FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner and Health Content Writer

How microplastics are impacting you

GUEST COLUMN: TRYING TO SEE

Small-Town Conflicts Among, Like, You Know, Fire Fighters

MICHAEL RANDALL

NOTE: This column was generated by my deceased wife’s Uncle Virgil. All human actions described herein are the fruits of Virgil’s imagination, and any relation to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Honestly, they could not be real, and I had nothing to do with any of this.

Uncle Virgil was in town again last week and stayed with me a few days. He still wears his greasy, tattered MAGA cap, which he says means “Make my Anger Go Away.” He has always known that small towns are idyllic places, where everyone knows each other and community spirit thrives, so he likes to visit here.

He told me he is writing a short story because recently he found that small towns can also be breeding grounds for personality conflicts. He said, “Like when firefighters spend lots of time together in the fire house and discover that each other can be annoying.” Sometimes Uncle Virgil’s wandering thoughts come out of a dark crevice located God only knows where.

TRYING TO SEE

MICHAEL RANDALL merslife@gmail.com

True, limited social circles in such towns (and, Virgil says, “Fire houses, too”) can lead to familiarity that breeds contempt. “Worse,” Virgil told me, “Some firehouse personalities are reported to form cliques and scoff at, even bully, other firefighters whom they consider to be outside their little tribe. Kind of like ten-year old boys or mean high school girls.” I do not know where Virgil gets these outlandishly cynical notions. I do know that when individuals constantly work with the same people, it becomes easier for minor disagreements to escalate into full-blown conflicts; it is our nature. But I wondered if Uncle Virgil might need psychiatric help when he came up with this: “In my story, one of the firefighters accidentally videos someone he dislikes who is performing a sex act in the firehouse, so he and a similarly outraged fire-fighting co-worker go to

their fire chief and report it. They want the chief to report the icky behavior to the appropriate state government agency, but the fire chief says he already has handled it in line with department policy, and the videoed, humiliated person has already resigned. The chief’s reaction makes the two video possessors angry.” Virgil says, “Maybe they grumble together about the chief’s actions. But in my story the chief soon hears reports from the surrounding community that the humiliating sex video is out there being shared on social media, like a teenage romance gone bad with sex videos gone viral.

Virgil says, “The fire chief reports this to the local police. They investigate and turn their findings over to the district attorney, but he declines to prosecute. So, the Fire District Board of Directors hires an outside third-party investigator to investigate what does look like illegal distribution of “revenge porn” (Oregon Revised Statute 163.472). The investigation is completed and the two firefighters are fired, having been accused of distributing two versions of the revenge video. Several witnesses in the outside investigator’s final report claimed they had received the video from the two ex-

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Microplastics have become pervasive in the environment. They are found in water, air, and the food supply. Similar to bygone eras such as the ice age, bronze age, and industrial age, microplastics are so widespread that scientists labeled the current time as the “plasticine era” which began in 1945 and continues today. By identifying a plasticine era, scientists have determined the impact of microplastics on the environment is enough to cause geological change to the planet. In Tillamook County, we are not immune to the impact of microplastics.

Despite the relatively pristine nature of our beaches, microplastics are everywhere in the sand.

What are microplastics

Microplastics are solid man-made plastic or fiber particles with irregular shapes and sizes measuring less than 5 mm, about the width of a pencil eraser. There are two categories of microplastics, primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are manufactured to be small These include:

• Microbeads - small particles added to personal care products such as face wash, nail polish, makeup, and toothpaste.

• Nurdles - small pellets of plastics in the raw material form used to manufacture plastic products. Secondary microplastics are small pieces broken down from larger plastic pieces over time. This breakdown occurs with exposure to the environment (sun, wind, water, heat), transforming and breaking the plastic into pieces that are hard to identify as plastic. When seen on the beach, these pieces can easily be mistaken for sand, small rocks, shells,

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or other materials. Other secondary microplastics come from fibers such as those used in clothing or fishing gear.

Why microplastics are unhealthy for people

Scientists are still learning about the negative effects from microplastics in the environment on the human body. Researchers determined the average person consumes an estimated 80 g of microplastics in the food they eat. Microplastics in the food comes from the runoff of water treatment plants used to help fertilize farms employed in food production. Microplastics are also now extensively found in the fish and shellfish we consume. Research is ongoing about the effect of microplastics on humans. What is known is that many of the ingredients that make up the plastics are known are considered toxic. Two common issues are Bisphenol-A (BPA) and heavy metals. Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been in use since the 1950s. It is a common product in the packaging of food and the manufacturing of water bottles. Scientists found BPA affects the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. Several diseases and conditions are associated with substances that negatively affect the endocrine system, including:

• Hormone-related cancers (breast, testicular, prostate)

• Infertility

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Asthma

• Autism spectrum disorders

In 2012 the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of BPAs in baby bottles and sippy cups. In 2013 BPAs were also banned from use in infant formula packaging. Thirteen states have banned BPA products.

Heavy metals serve several purposes when added to plastics. Heavy metals such as silver and copper create an antimicrobial effect.

Fillers such as barium sulfate and calcium carbonate increase the stiffness or hardness of plastic. Lead, cadmium, and chromium have all been used as dyes

for plastics. Bromine and chlorine in plastics have a flame-retardant effect. The concentration of metals in plastic depends on the final product. Heavy metals are known carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer. Cancers with known associations to heavy metals include:

• Lung cancer

• Breast cancer

• Bladder cancer

• Liver cancer

• Colon cancer

• Kidney cancer

In addition to these known toxic substances, microplastics are believed to contribute to antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that grow and thrive specifically on plastics are resistant to the heavy metals in the plastic. These bacteria are interacting with other bacteria in the environment sharing this resistance. To put it simply, plastic-thriving bacteria are teaching other bacteria how to create a shield to protect themselves from antibiotics. How to do your part

When walking on the beach you likely see some microplastics due to their bright, unnatural colors. Other pieces you may not recognize due to their size or color. According to Oregon State University, preventing the flow of microplastics into the ocean will have the greatest impact on the environment. So while it may seem like a daunting or strange task to “clean the sand”, this is exactly what will help get microplastics out of the environment. Do your part.

• Join or organize a beach cleanup such as those hosted by SOLV

• Use reusable alternatives to plastic

• Avoid products with microbeads

• Choose clothing with natural fibers

Other wellness questions?

Email us at info@ tillamookcountywellness. org. For more local health and wellness information, visit www. tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.

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FENCEPOSTS

Agroup of about 20 of us were sitting in the Barbara Bennett Community Center on July 8 at about 10:30 a.m., having a community planning meeting, when a Tillamook County Sheriff’s car went blazing by on the road out front. The unbelievable had happened: Someone had been shot to death right here in Cape Meares.

Rumors were swirling around the community, but the facts finally came out. A 47-year-old man from Portland had been killed in a short-term rental house on 4th St. NW. Neighbors

near that house reported that folks there had been setting off fireworks, playing music loudly, and revving motorcycles late at night. But murder? Nothing that we would ever expect here. The Headlight Herald will be covering this story in full detail elsewhere in the paper.

As for that community planning session, it was the second workshop in a series led by Tillamook Coast Visitors Association in conjunction with the Cape Meares Community Association (CMCA). This session added details to key issues identified earlier: ensuring a financial resiliency plan for our community center; increasing the use of signage both for public safety and educational purposes; coming up with

FENCEPOSTS

Garibaldi Days remains a go. With the turnover issues in the City of Garibaldi staff and the sad cancellation of Rockaway Beach’s Pirates Festival scheduled for the same weekend, there was chatter that the whole weekend might be a bust. But fear not. Garibaldi’s revered tradition continues. This is due in part to the fact that the city shared planning responsibility with the Port of Garibaldi, and planner Ashley Christensen. The staff turnover did leave some loose ends towards the end, but the slack is being absorbed by the Port, Christensen, a few volunteers from the in-development Garibaldi Business & Property Group, remaining City staff including City Manager pro tem Jay Marugg and a few elected and appointed officials from the City including Mayor Hall and Council President Katie Findling. And when it’s all ready to go, they’ll rope Katie’s husband into posting the updates to VisitGaribaldi.gov and facebook.com/visitgaribaldi.

That, along with the numerous other entities waiting with bated breath for the final touches, the word will be sent out in waves...

Garibaldi Days this year goes from Friday, July 21st through Sunday, July 23rd.

It’s a few minutes closer to this post’s noon, July 13th deadline than I would like to admit to, but as I write, the last couple events and final sponsor list is being completed over at the Port offices as I write. So far, all the incredible events we’d expect to get from Garibaldi Days are in full swing: The 11 a.m. Saturday parade, 10 p.m. Saturday fireworks, the waterball challenge, kids’ events, the Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. classic car show and “touch a truck”, and music festivities throughout the weekend at the big white Port tent along the shore. Garibaldi Maritime Museum and Historic Coast Guard Boat House will be open at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on

FENCEPOSTS

CAPE MEARES

ELLEN STEEN 503-842-8608 ellensteen2@gmail.com

safer pedestrian passage along Bayocean Road from the lake to the beach; better handling of parking, trash, and outhouses at the south beach access; exploring ideas for a permanent home for Station 73’s fire engine; checking out new technology for satellite communication in emergencies; and working with the county on roads and short-term rentals. Mark your calendar for the next workshop to be held on July 29 from 9 a.m. to noon.

If you want some spectacular swag, check out the items featured on capemeares.org. There are water bottles, cell phone cases, clothing and more with the colorful geometric designs of our new logo. All profits from swag sales go to CMCA.

Spike Klobas recently led her first Cape Meares summer garden tour of 2023. It was fine weather for the

small but cheerful group of six to view the gardens of Ann Fluetsch, Jenny Francis, Arla Ayers, Dagmar Barsch, and Spike’s own, of course. Arla’s garden has a fenced-in vegetable area and a big area for dahlias. Spike says more garden tours are in the offing; there are 17 gardens in Cape Meares, by her count.

I have a follow-up on the black bear cub that washed ashore on Cape Meares beach the evening of June 19. Capt. Pete spoke with someone at the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Dept. and found out that they retrieved the carcass from the beach and did a careful physical exam. There were no gunshot wounds, broken bones, or anything else that would explain its death. Their best guess is that the bear cub fell off the cliff, perhaps directly into the water at high tide. We’ll never know for sure.

Claudia and Jim Cameron have bought the former residence of Andy and Lana Ayers, neighboring Patti and Mike Smith’s house on 2nd St. NW. The Camerons have had property in Cape Meares off and on throughout the years; they have come back now because they “missed the community,” Claudia says. Welcome back, Claudia and Jim.

GARIBALDI

NATHAN “FINN” FINDLING finn@natfinn.com

all three days. A special note about the vendor booths: in the past, they’ve been along US 101 between the 3rd-4th street area. This year, they’ll be along the water, in keeping with the theme “Back to Baysics.” You’ll find the booths south of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad – which still has a few tickets for rides that weekend – along the Jerry Creasy Way. Our local establishments are jumping in on the Garibaldi Days music fun. On Friday, July 21st and Saturday, July 22nd, each day starting at 5pm, Kelley’s Place by the Smokestack will be having “Stadium Rock at its finest,” as Out-Patientz will be “playing your favorite Classic Stadium Rock hits from the 60’s through the turn of the century,” per their website outpatientz.com. The Ghost Hole Public House, too, will be joining the fun in their beer garden.

On Friday night, the 21st, the band It Takes 2 will be on stage for, as they describe it on their Facebook page, “a Power Duo that features Marcie Long on vocals and Roger Jaime on lead guitar and vocals.” Then on Saturday night, July 22nd, Dave Koenig’s “Brothers of Blues” with Scott Casey and the Unsung Heroes will be performing their coveted Blues Brothers tribute show.

Sometimes things keep getting better and better.

In case you were driving by the Barview Jetty area on Sunday, July 9th and saw smoke, lots and lots of

Longtime readers may recall me writing of a tree that damaged my front porch in a windstorm way back in December of 2021. It was a long, slow process to find outfits willing to bid, bidders willing to submit an estimate for insurance and anyone willing to do the work, at all. After eighteen months and a day, construction began (at long last) to replace the porch. Hats off to Larry Stone Environmental, their crew which included Juan and Thomas and Jeff (and crew) at All Pro Construction for a completed porch that I can take pride in. The project was finished in time for my return from a Chicago vacation last week; I’m very happy with my new porch.

Tillamook County library has launched a Summer Reading Program, “Find Your Voice;” it runs through August 5 and our South Tillamook County Library (the Branch in Pacific City) is taking part. Each week there’s a new take-home craft activity for ages 2-6 and 7-11ish available at all Tillamook County Library branches. Story-time there is held at 3:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month (July 26, August 9 and 23) and is open to all ages. It’s located off Brooten Road on Camp Street in Pacific City.

FENCEPOSTS

smoke. Breathe easier, and cleaner air now knowing that wasn’t a campground fire gone awry or a carpetbagger’s latest endeavor. Not this time. That was several fire districts conducting Prescribed Fire Training at Camp Macgruder. Several county area departments, including Garibaldi Fire and Rescue, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bay City Fire & Rescue, and Rockaway Beach Fire & Rescue, all attended the training.

Per the announcement on Garibaldi Fire & Rescue’s Facebook page: “These types of trainings help landowners in our district reduce heavy fuel loading, invasive species and return nutrients into the soil for new growth to return.

“This training is so valuable for our volunteers and staff preparing them for wildfire responses, structure protection, communications, suppression, ignitions and mop up.”

Preventative maintenance.

Thank you, all. For more information, visit their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/GaribaldiFireRescue

She’s rested, ready and geared up for Garibaldi Days. She’s everybody’s favorite local librarian, June Ekborg: “In addition to summer reading fun, Garibaldi Days are a special time at the Garibaldi Branch Library.

To celebrate, the library is hosting an open house on Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be fun activities, giveaways, and more. All residents are cordially invited to stop by, say hi, and if you don’t already have one, sign up for your free library card so you can enjoy the many benefits a card provides.”

[And, June, your husband was right about the ocean wind blowing away the heat two Wednesdays ago.] Lastly…Ehhh. Let’s just take a moment to enjoy the good things coming up.

SOUTHCOUNTY

MELONIE FERGUSON

503-812-4242

mossroses@yahoo.com

July events at the Main Branch (located at Third and Stillwell in Tillamook) include free movie showings which start at noon on Wednesdays, weekly in the Copeland Room. Seating is on the floor, so we are invited to bring pillows. “Encanto” will play on July 19, “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” on July 26, “Lightyear” on August 2, “Clifford, The Big Red Dog” on August 9 and “The Bad Guys” will show on August 16.

Summer can be a hungry season for local school children who don’t have school breakfasts or lunches to rely on as they do during the school year. Thanks to Sue Lenzi for word that Pass it on Ministries has new hours. They offer food banks from 10 a.m. until noon on Tuesdays weekly, and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, weekly at their Bunn Creek Road location in Beaver. South County Food Pantry is open 12:30-6

p.m. every other Tuesday; the next one’s July 25. They’re located within Nestucca Valley Presbyterian Church on Brooten Road in Pacific City. Hebo Food Pantry is located within Hebo Christian Center across U.S. Highway 101 in Hebo from the Post Office.

It’s open the last Saturday of the month from 12-2 p.m. Tillamook Junior High School offers a food pantry from 3:00-4:00 every other Thursday starting June 22 at the Family Resource Center; Tillamook Junior High is located on Evergreen Street in Tillamook. And Tillamook High School has a food bank from 3-4 p.m. every other Tuesday, at the back entrance, near the track. The high school is located on 12th Street in Tillamook.

Belated (last week) happy birthday wishes to: Linda Baker, Tea Chatelain, Treve Fry, Rod Peterson, Barbara Brooks, Kieler Dedmon, Makayla Hicks, Seth Prince Hill, Sandy Mobley, Andrea Simonson, Meghan Sisco, Reese Sousa and Jackie Streeter.

Happy birthday this week to: Steven Betz, Kauner Dedmon, Brian Gollon, Richard Hancock, Bayleigh Harrison, Evan Holter, Glenn Kellow, Seth Ross, Nancy Rulifson, Laura Shiels, Melody Sisson, Ron Sisson and Trevor Spidell.

LGBTQIA2S+ young codes on Lines Human with will other centers, government monitoring to investments Abuse Administration and most Bill will sustainable

Last week’s City Council meeting included a hotly contested ban on the sale and discharge of fireworks within the city.

Passing 4 to 1, Ordinance 23-443 states:

“The City Council […] finds that the illegal discharge of fireworks within the City of Rockaway Beach can severely impact residents’ enjoyment of their city and property.”

The ordinance goes on to stipulate a fine not to exceed $2000 for each infraction, which can be punished separately.

The controversy over fireworks within city limits has been the subject of discussion in recent city council meetings, with much of it centering on the sale of fireworks on the Fourth of July.

“We’ve sold fireworks in Rockaway Beach for 40 years,” said Councilor Kristine Hayes, referring to the Chamber of Commerce’s fireworks truck at the Wayside. The sale raised significant funds each year, which went to support many Chamber activities including the Kite Festival, the Art Festival and more.

Councillor Hayes also pointed out, “Many big fireworks we see on the beach are legal, permitted fireworks displays, just like the ones put on by our fire department.” Written comments, however, were running 3 to 1 against continuing the sale.

The ban will affect residents and visitors alike and comes on the heels of a grass fire near 9th and Pacific over the weekend. Fortunately, Rockaway Fire was able to put it out before it affected any structures.

Councilor Mary McGinniss expressed the hope that the city could find some way of making up for the shortfall in fundraising for Chamber

Preparedness team, and SOLVE beach cleanups.

Chief Hesse also gave residents good news about our city’s rating with the Insurance Service Organization, which rates cities’ fire safety.

SCOTT FISHER

ROCKAWAY BEACH sfisher71@yahoo.com

events that the fireworks ban imposes.

If you have suggestions or ideas for positive ways to help with this, come to future City Council meetings or contact the city’s Web site at http://corb.us. Any Rockaway Beach resident can sign up to speak for five minutes on non-agenda items at City Council meetings.

In other news, Fire Chief Todd Hesse announced a city-wide ban on all open burning, including burn barrels and open fires. The exceptions include fire pits with permit, which you can request at the fire department. Also, beach fires are still permitted as long as the fires are at least 50 feet from the nearest vegetation.

And on the subject of beach fires, be sure to use water to put them out. Covering them with sand is not enough, as the embers continue to smolder for hours. This can result in severe burns if beachgoers or pets walk unknowingly through a fire buried in the sand.

Nea-Kah-Nie Pre-K-12 substitute teacher Nancy Lanyon was appointed to fill a vacancy in the planning commission, with what more than one councilor described as “an impressive resume.” A volunteer since before she bought her home here, Lanyon is active in the North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection, the Rockaway Beach Emergency

“We’re currently at level 5,” the chief said, “which is good for a city of our size. But improvements in personnel and equipment should put us at level 4.” This, he explained, ought to lead to lower fire-insurance rates for Rockaway homeowners.

Other safety-related issues include an initiative to provide water and fire safety information sheets into all Vacasa rentals in the city. Councilor McGinniss inquired whether there was a plan to roll this out beyond Vacasa.

Chief Hesse affirmed this: “We’re trying to get this out to everybody.” But the most emotional part of the meeting was Chief Hesse’s description of a missing persons’ report over the Fourth. The sheriff and fire departments were notified of a missing child: a young girl with autism, whose non-verbal status could complicate the search.

“We responded with eight or nine people and began a ground search,” the chief explained. But the child didn’t respond to calls: she simply curled up more tightly in heavy brush.

The key to finding her: Dan Golden’s drone, equipped with an infrared camera.

“I walked within a few feet of her hiding place,” Hesse said. “I did not see her. The infrared camera on the drone picked her right out. The drone paid for itself that moment.”

TRYING

TO

SEE CONTINUED FROM PAGE A11 firefighters. The two of them lawyer up with a very fine gentleman from a nearby metropolis.

The two aggrieved fired fellows file a wrongful termination suit against the fire chief and fire district board, saying they were falsely accused of distributing the naughty video to the larger community.” It is not hard for me to

continue listening to Virgil, because his bizarre story idea strangely fascinates. His imagination is on fire, and I do not know how he possibly can dream all this up, but he mused, “Maybe I could say that one of the fictional, fired fire fighters also is the mayor of the same small town where he was fired from the fire depart-

ment, after which he was elected unopposed to the fire district board, and is at the same time suing that board. Maybe I could say that at the last audience-packed fire district board meeting where the fired firefighter was sworn in, several people in the audience called him out, told him to resign right then, but he sat steadfast in his new board

chair, and righteous in his litigation. Maybe I could add that there are rumblings of a recall petition.”

Virgil stopped for a moment to muse, then said, “Maybe I’ll add that this same, largely volunteerstaffed fire department has had many fire-fighting community volunteers quit the department as this magnificently ridiculous travesty unfolded. Far fewer volunteers now remain, and what does that mean to the community’s

fire safety?”

Virgil theorized quietly, “If those two fictional, fired fire fighters win their law suit and the fictional fire district must pay them big bucks, then small-town voters may have to pay higher home insurance premiums if they are only served by a lower rated, financially depleted fire department. “

Uncle Virgil finally starts to grow tired, but says, “Maybe in the next election, voters in that fictional town

would pay more attention to the candidates and the issues.” But then he stopped, looking a bit deflated. “Well, probably not. Most of us voters have the attention span of that happy Gerber baby on the baby food jars.” I felt sorry for him, and have never seen him look so depressed and exhausted. I have no idea where he found the wonderful inspiration for his truly weird story.

988

LIFELINE

LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults (press 3).

People with Oregon area codes who press “0” or stay on the line will connect with Lines for Life or Northwest Human Services. Cell phones with non-Oregon area codes will connect with one of the other 200 nationwide Lifeline centers, a process the federal government is currently monitoring to improve access to local care and support.

Thanks to ongoing investments by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) and the Oregon Legislature, most recently under House Bill 2757 (2023), Oregon will ensure ongoing, sustainable funding and

DUAL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A5

improvements for 988 crisis call centers and continue building the broader crisis care system.

“To have a resource such as 988 to help people right now is tremendous, as is Oregon’s historic choice to embrace a broader vision for the future of our 988 crisis system,” National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oregon Executive Director Chris Bouneff said. “With 988, we finally have a focal point from which to develop the system and resources that will act like the behavioral health care system that people need.”

Often, calling, texting or chatting with counselors at 988 is all people need

LANGUAGE

help and improvement for her students.

“I’m lucky to have the support of the district and the school board because that’s very, very helpful. To have the backing and recognition that this is such a worthwhile

to get through their crisis. By connecting people with trained counselors that can empathetically listen to concerns and provide compassionate care and support, Oregon’s 988 call centers are able to resolve or de-escalate nearly 97% of calls over the phone. When an in-person response is needed, 988 call centers partner with Oregon’s Community Mental Health Programs, which can provide mobile crisis intervention teams with qualified behavioral health professionals. 988 counselors are also required to follow the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Suicide Safety Policy, which outlines

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A10

program for Tillamook,” Thiemens said while expressing her gratitude for the support she’s received from the district during the many months of difficulties she’s faced with keeping the dual language program from being

shut down.

Never panicking and refusing to give up, Thiemens was able to find four highly qualified teachers to save the district’s indispensable dual language program. The arrival of these amazing teach-

processes to request support from emergency medical services when there is a clear risk of harm to the caller or others. In most calls that need emergency services, the person in crisis has asked for this support.

As 988 approaches its anniversary, OHA and its partners remain committed to continuous improvement of the crisis response system. This work is guided by people with lived experience and disproportionately affected communities, including through the Crisis System Advisory Workgroup and other community partners envisioning the crisis system Oregonians need.

“We hope that 988 and the crisis system will eventually, and more easily, connect people in need with equity- and trauma-informed, community-based care,” Clarke said. “Thanks to new and ongoing investments from the Oregon Legislature, we will, in the years to come, ensure there is always a behavioral health response available for anyone having a behavioral health crisis, so we can eliminate the pipeline to emergency departments

and jails.”

Learn more about 988 in Oregon on OHA’s 988 web page. Watch a video about what to expect when you call 988. Find more information on 988, nationally, including social media and promotional materials in English and Spanish, through SAMHSA’s 988 Partner Toolkit. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

ers is one greatly anticipated and highly appreciated. For more information about the Tillamook school district’s dual language program visit their website, TSD9Bilingual.com

Rails-to-Trails Law Firm Recovers $2.6 Million for Landowners Along Salmonberry Trail

Stewart, Wald & McCulley, a Missouri law firm specializing in Rails-to-Trails litigation, has recovered $2,623,894.00 resulting from a settlement with the federal government on behalf of landowners in Tillamook and Washington Counties, Oregon.

The federal lawsuit is titled: Loveridge, et. al. v. United States, Case No.

Cape Kiwanda

Parking Lot Phase I Complete, July 2023

TILLAMOOK, OR.

July, 2023 - Just in time for the 4th of July, 2023, Tillamook County’s Kiwanda Corridor Project (KCP) wrapped up Phase I of the Cape Kiwanda Parking Lot reconstruction (the first of

17-cv-912L, filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims. In early 2016, The Salmonberry Intergovernmental Agency (“STIA”) and The Port of Tillamook Bay (“POTB”) negotiated to transfer ownership from POTB to STIA and to convert the former railroad corridor to a potential recreational trail.

The Surface

Transportation Board (“STB”) approved the project under the National Trails System Act (“Trails Act”) and issued a Notice of Interim Trail Use, (“NITU”), which blocked the adjacent landowners’ interest in the land. The Trails Act permits the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors into nature and hiking trails, which simultaneously preserves

the right of way for possible future railroad use, a federal process known as railbanking.

The process prevents the land burdened by the railroad easement from reverting to the adjoining landowners, and gives the trail sponsor a new easement, blocking the rights of the landowners to regain their property within the corridor.

The Salmonberry Trail conversion formally commenced in July 2016, and the STB officially railbanked the land for future trail use in Tillamook and Washington Counties, Oregon.

The NITU’s issuance in July 2016 triggered Stewart Wald & McCulley’s lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of

Kiwanda Corridor Project Update

Lot

three phases for the lot). The KCP is intentionally taking a pause in construction to minimize noise and general operations, and to also give space to locals and visitors during the peak tourism season; the perimeter fencing has been tightened to shrink the footprint during the break.

Phase I included subgrade preparation and installation of underground utilities supporting the new, ADA, gender-neutral restrooms and shower / foot-wash stations. These new amenities will be located much closer to the beach, on the west side of the parking lot, allowing for locals and visitors to gain easier access from the beach.

Construction work will resume with Phase II beginning in October 2023, followed immediately

by Phase III. These final phases include demolition of the existing restrooms; repaving / grading of the parking lot and Hungry Harbor Road with upgraded stormwater management systems; construction of pedestrian-only pathways to the beach; civic overlook; upgraded refuse and recycling; EV charging stations; information kiosk; safe routes for drop-offs, pedestrians, bikes and the free PC Shuttle; and the trailhead for the Multi-Use Path. The new lot and all its amenities are scheduled to be ready for use by June 2024.

The design team has also incorporated infrastructure for future wayfinding connections to the five other project elements of the KCP. More information

on the overall KCP please visit the project website: https://tillamookcoast. com/southcounty/kiwandacorridor/ County transient lodging taxes and day-use revenues from Pacific City parking lots have funded the county’s KCP planning work to date and are now slated to fund construction.

The KCP connects multiple county properties and supports the development of other public spaces with a thoughtfully programmed design that disperses crowds, creates opportunities for equitable outdoor play and education, and promotes stewardship of Pacific City and its natural resources as a whole.

The six project elements include:

1. Cape Kiwanda Parking

2. Jensen Property

3. Nestucca Valley Community Alliance Park

4. Multi-Use Path

5. Webb Park

6. Shorepine Village Boardwalk

The KCP’s values are:

• Place: Honor the natural and built heritage of Pacific City

• People: Enhance the experience for the diverse range of people in Pacific City

• Natural Environment: Prioritize sound ecological decisions and support sustainability

• Fiscal Responsibility: Make efficient and responsible financial decisions and maintain affordability

• Connectivity: Support and integrate multi-modal

engaged landowners for the taking of the land within the former railroad right-of-way. Stewart, Wald & McCulley filed the lawsuit in August 2016, and the government paid the settlement in 2023.

This is Stewart, Wald & McCulley’s second success for landowners along the Salmonberry Trail.

connectivity in and around Pacific City while prioritizing accessibility

• Safety: Prioritize everday safety alongside emergency management For more information, please contact Rachel Hagerty, Tillamook County Chief of Staff, at rhagerty@ co.tillamook.or.us.

To ask questions or submit a resume, please contact:

Joe Penna, Talent Acquisition Call or text: 503-893-5502

Email: PennaJA@ah.org

Adventist Health is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds to apply for any position(s) of interest.

OBITUARIES

Diane Jo Bruce

March 15, 1946 ~ July 4, 2023

22, 1966, at the Sacred Heart catholic church in Tillamook. Diane and John shared many years of making memories together including weekly lunch dates and drives around the county. Spending time with their loved ones on family outings and camping trips. Attending their children and grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. Diane was deeply committed to her church and being a member of the catholic daughters. She loved going on walks and having lunch and tea dates with her friends. She also enjoyed baking and gardening around her home. Diane passed away peacefully at home on July 4th, 2023. Diane is survived by her husband John Bruce, their two children Carrie Lane (husband Ted), and Tommy Bruce. Grandchildren: Amanda (husband Blake), Jace (Allison), Hunter, Keagan, Paige, Mia, and Gemma. Siblings: Danny Sander, Candice Sander, and Marilyn Luchini. There will be a small service on July 29th at 11:00am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery out at the Blimp Base with a small Luncheon to follow at the First Christian Church in Tillamook.

OBITUARIES

Michael Eugene Cabral

October 25, 1949 ~ May 8, 2023

OBITUARIES

Ruth Marie Grasseth

October 6, 1939 ~ 2023

Michael Eugene Cabral was born October 25,1949 to Gene and Lena Cabral and passed at home with family near on May 8, 2023 at the age of 73. Mike grew up in the San Diego area where he worked on the family owned tuna boats. He and his family moved north to Cloverdale, Oregon to become dairy farmers in 1980. In 2000 Double CM dairy was sold and he started working for Sheldon Oil managing the Beaver station where he was the store manager for about 18 years before retiring. In 2021, Mike reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Patricia, and

they were married October 2, 2021 in Spokane. Mike is survived by his wife Patricia; children Michael (Cyndi), Nick (Beth), Andrew (Kristy), Thomas and Jennifer (Brian); sister Connie, nieces Trina (Adam) Kristina (Jim), and nephew Marc (Traci); grandchildren Brina, Micheal, Sean, Brendan and Ashtin, and great grandchild Calliope. Mike is preceded in death by his father Gene, mother Lena, Brother-in-law Armandino, first wife Nancy and grand baby Kristina Marie. Mike had a love for trains, hockey, and movies. He enjoyed having breakfast with his best friend Bobby and always looked forward to visiting with his cousin Jeff. Mike loved to have the kids home to visit and always welcomed the extra kids who were friends of his children who also called him dad. Mike was dearly loved by friends and family and will forever be missed by those who loved him. Mike had a living memorial. No other services are planned at this time.

To our dear family and friends, it is with a sorrowful heart that my wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma Ruth Marie Grasseth has passed away peacefully at her home. She was born on October 6th, 1939, in Tillamook, Oregon, and lived her entire life in Nehalem, Oregon. She

graduated from Nehalem High School in 1957, where she met the love of her life Sandy Grasseth and raised four children. Ruth is survived by her husband, Sandy Grasseth; her children, Gina Grasseth and Tom Grasseth; her grandchildren, Craig Grasseth and Taylor Grasseth; and her great-grandson Ryker. Ruth is preceded in death by her sons Ronald J. Grasseth, Steven James Grasseth, and Michael Alan Grasseth, which was lost during childbirth in Alaska in 1962, and daughter-in-law Laurie Grasseth. There will be a celebration of life and a potluck on August 12th at noon at the White Clover Grange in Mohler, Oregon. All are welcome to attend.

102

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For a clean new look for your office this summer, Contact us today!

SIGHT UNSEEN SHREDDING, LLC

License #20-480

(503) 457-3089

sightunseenshredding@gmail.com

We provide CONFIDENTIAL

DOCUMENT SHREDDING for home or business

Locally Owned Member Tillamook Chamber of Commerce H22286

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MISCELLANEOUS:

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MISCELLANEOUS:

Donating your vehicle? Get more! Free Towing. Tax Deductible. Plus a $200 restaurant voucher and a 2-night/3-day hotel stay at one of 50 locations. Call Heritage for the Blind to donate your vehicle today1-844-533-9173.

300 Announcements

Oregon Department of Forestry Tillamook District Firewood cutting sales will end Friday, July 28, 2023

ODF, Tillamook District will stop selling Personal Firewood Permits on July 28, 2023. All permits purchased after July 7th will have a shorter cutting time and will expire no later than July 30th. You may purchase your permit over the phone or in person with cash or credit card. For more information call 503-842-2545. H22303

515

Employment Opps

Tillamook County Circuit Court is hiring Full-Time Release Assistance Officer. Salary $4,517$7,008/Month. To learn more and apply, follow this link: https:// tinyurl.com/2vchtzs7

702

Garage Sales

Garage Sales 3 Families on 10th St. Garibaldi July 22-23 9am to 4 pm

Sporting Goods, furniture, Rifle Primers, Ladies, Men’s Xl misc.

804

Apts Unfurnished

Independent Living

Apartments

With Independent Living, you get to live life on your terms while we take care of the details. Say goodbye to cooking and cleaning, and spend more time pursuing your interests and passions! Call (503) 842-0918 or visit prestigecare.com/fiverivers

Job Opportunity City Planner

Salary Range $52,000 -$61,734 Plus Excellent Benefits

City Planner Position Administer the City’s planning program, including zoning/ordinance compliance and building permits. Perform paraprofessional planning and development tasks requiring understanding of the application of land use laws and practices. Provide staff support at public meetings as required. Complete job descriptions, requirements and applications may be picked up at Tillamook City Hall, 210 Laurel Avenue, Tillamook between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, or go to www.tillamookor.gov for the announcement, job description and application. A resume is required. Questions: Call Human Resources at (503) 374-1828. Position recruitment will remain open until filled. EOE. Emailed applications are accepted at jchristensen@tillamookor.gov H22302

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GIGANTIC SEVEN FAMILY SALE!

ALL MUST GO!

Antiques, vintage glassware, jewelry, horse tack, handbags, sewing supplies, games, office equipment, small appliance, karaoke machine, books, home decor, like-new shoes & clothing.

July 28-29

9:30-5 each day

SERVICES: Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association.

ABSOLUTELY NO EARLY BIRDS H22336

8265 Sollie Smith Rd., N. Tillamook, OR

Huge garage sale rain or shine July 21&22. 8:30-3:30 at 4305 Kephart Rd. 2mi. south of Tillamook.

800 Rentals

3000 sq ft. 3 story home for rent/lease full time tenant only. avail Sept. 1. wrap-around deck, fabulous water views, walk to beach, 3 bd/2.5 bth central vac, forced heat + wood stove, stove/ fridge. enclosed garage + carport. 1020 2nd St. Netarts. Driveby to look, DND tenants. Call Jim (owner) 503-842-6686

in person or by letter — or failure to provide sufficient specificity to guide a response precludes an appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals, based on the issue.

Reminder: City Hall visits are currently appointment-only. Be sure to schedule visits well in advance.

A copy of the staff report will be available at City Hall at least seven days before the hearing for onsite review at no cost, or a copy can be obtained for $.25/page.

If you need special accommodation to participate in the hearing please notify at least city hall 24 hours before the meeting. For further information, call Garibaldi City Hall at (503) 322-3327or write to city@garibaldi.gov.

HH23-305 CITY OF ROCKAWAY

BEACH

Notice of Public Hearing for Conditional Use #23-01

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Rockaway Beach Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 21st at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall located at 276 S. Highway 101, Rockaway Beach, Oregon. The purpose of the public hearing is for:

Public Hearing: Consideration of an approval for a conditional use of unimproved real property in Rockaway Beach (Tillamook County Assessor’s Map # 2N1032CB Lot #2301. The applicants, Kevin and Caroline Pedigo, own an unimproved lot located off North Beacon Street which is zoned C1 - Commercial. The applicants seek to build a small container home on the property for residential use. The Rockaway Beach Zoning Ordinance requires single family dwellings to be permitted conditionally in the C1 zone.

You are receiving this notification as you are a registered property owner within 200 feet of the applicant’s property. Oral public testimony will be heard and written public comments will be accepted at or prior to the hearing.

If submitting comments prior to the hearing, deliver to the City Hall at the address given above, or mail to Planning Department at P.O. Box 5, Rockaway Beach, OR 97136. Please use file number CU #23-01 on written comments, and include your name, mailing address, and phone number. A staff report will be prepared not less than seven days prior to the hearing for review at City Hall. Hard copies will be available upon request to the City free of cost. All other documents and evidence related to this land use action shall be incorporated into an Official Record and made available for review at City Hall upon request.

Failure to raise an issue in person, in writing at or prior to the

close of the hearing, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the Planning Commission and other interested parties an opportunity to respond to the issue constitutes forfeiture of the right to appeal the decision of the Planning Commission. Failure to specify as to which criteria the comments are directed precludes an appeal based on that criterion.

Use Criteria: Use criteria for this proposal include Rockaway Beach Zoning Ordinance, Section 6.030. Conditional Use Procedure.

Responsible Official: Mary Johnson City Planner (503) 374-1752 ext. 101 cityplanner@ corb.us

HH23-304 Public Notice Marie Mills Center, Inc hereby invites interested persons to attend the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday July 27 at 12:00 noon at 1800 Front Street, Tillamook. If you are interested in attending and need accommodations, please notify us at 503842-2539. Marie Mills Center is a private non-profit organization providing residential and vocational services to intellectual and developmentally disabled adults. Acceptance and participation are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap.

HH23-303 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PER-

SONS In Case # 23PB05792

The Circuit Court of the State of Oregon, for the County of TILLAMOOK, has appointed the undersigned as Personal Representative of the Estate of Kenneth James Ryan, deceased. All per-

sons having claims against said estate are required to present the same, with proper vouchers to the Personal Representative at the address below within four months from the date of first publication of this notice as stated below, or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by this proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the Personal Representative, or the Attorney for the Personal Representative.

Dated and first published July 18, 2023. Kathryn Aleshire, Personal Representative, c/o Matthew G. Matrisciano, OSB 084131, MGM Law Firm LLC 160 NW Irving Ave., Ste 101, Bend, OR 97703, 541-233-7441, fax: 541-6101585 matthew@mgmlawfirm.net

HH23-296 In the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Tillamook In the Matter of the Estate of Albert Edward Brown, Deceased. No. 23PB05801 - Probate NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the estate of the above-named decedent. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present such claims within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to Michael D. Brown, c/o Heltzel Williams PC, Attn: Garret Ramsay, P.O. Box 1048, Salem, OR 97308, or the claims may be barred. All persons who’s rights may be affected

Licensed Practical Nurse [LPN]

Part time position (24 hours weekly) w/excellent benefits.

Compensation: $29 - $39 Hourly, DOE

Tillamook Family Counseling Center (TFCC) seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse [Part Time 24 Hours per Week] as a health provider for its Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT). The LPN provides health care coordination, client support, and triage in home and community settings to adults presenting with severe and persistent mental illness.

Tillamook Family Counseling Center is a drug free workplace and equal opportunity employer.

If you are interested in this position, please apply online at http://tfcc.bamboohr.com/jobs. Be sure to submit an online application and upload your resume. Any questions, please visit us online at http://tfcc.org.

by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the court,

C.A.R.E. (Community Action Resource Enterprises, Inc.) would like to announce the opening positions for Shelter Peer Coordinators.

Shelter Peer Coordinators are the essential support system for our shelter guests and community as the day-to-day support for our 24/7 shelter operations. Shelter Peer Coordinators use trauma informed relational support to help move guests toward what they want in life. Within the relational support process the Shelter Peer Coordinators navigate alongside the shelter guests with care and regards to individual, diverse, and special needs. Shelter Peer Coordinators must be comfortable operating in the unknown while directing multiple priorities at the same time. These positions require an extreme level of adaptability, flexibility, dependability, and availability.

Compensation: $19-$23, based on experience.

Hours: 36-40/week, not exempt

Benefits: This position qualifies for CARE’s benefit package, which includes health insurance, paid time off, retirement and holidays.

Work Location: CARE 2310 First St suite 2, Tillamook, Oregon 97141

Supervisor: Shelter Supervisor

To apply, please submit a one-page resume, one-page cover letter, and three professional references to Michele Wayne mwayne@careinc.org with the subject line Shelter Peer Coordinator.

will be a private sale. The minimum bid that will be accepted is $5092.08. We will accept sealed written bids until July 21, 2023.

Please call Jay Teninty at (503) 842-5005 for appointment to see the vehicles. Please submit sealed bids to William D. Miner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, 1300 SW 5th Ave., Suite 2400, Portland, OR 97201.

HH23-297

Tillamook County Church Services

Bay City

BAY CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A warm and friendly congregation. 5695 D Street, Bay City, OR, (503) 377-2679, Pastor David Hurd. Worship Service 10 a.m., Fellowship downstairs afterwards. https://www.facebook.com/BayCityOr-

egonUMC Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors!

Cloverdale

ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

34560 Parkway Dr., (mailing: P.O. Box 9)

Cloverdale, OR 97112 (503) 392-3685

Pastor: Rev. Angelo Te

Mass Schedule: Saturday No Mass

Sunday (10:30 a.m.)

Weekdays: Friday (11 a.m.)

Confessions: By appointment

WI-NE-MA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Wi-Ne-Ma Campground. 5195 Winema

Road, 7 miles south of Cloverdale

Kyle French, Minister. (971) 237-2378

info@winemachurch.net

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship 10:45 a.m.

Garibaldi

NORTH COAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

309 3rd St., (503) 322-3626

Pastor Sam McRae

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

We invite you to join us.

HIS GATHERING

111 Driftwood Ave

Garibaldi, OR 97118

www.hisgathering.net

Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Nehalem

NEHALEM BAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 36050 10th Street, Nehalem, OR (503) 368-5612 Pastor Celeste Deveney + Sunday service 11 a.m. Food Pantry Open Friday, Saturday & Monday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday March - October 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

November - February noon to 4 p.m.

Nehalem Senior Lunches

Tuesday & Thursday served at noon email: nbumcnsl2020@gmail.com

Netarts

NETARTS FRIENDS CHURCH 4685 Alder Cove Rd. West, (503) 842-8375. Pastor Aaron Carlson,

Adult & Youth Worship Service: 9:30 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Nursery available Handicap Accessible Small Groups Website: www.netartsfriends.org

Rockaway Beach ST. MARY BY THE SEA

CATHOLIC CHURCH

275 S. Pacific St. (mailing: P. O. Box 390) Rockaway, OR 97136 (503-355-2661) e-mail: stmarys1927@gmail.com

Administrator: Fr. MacDonald Akuti

Mass Schedule: Saturday (5 p.m.) Sunday (8:30 a.m.) (10:30 a.m.)

Weekdays: Monday (9:30 a.m.) Wednesday thru Friday (9:30 a.m.) Confessions: Saturday (4 p.m.)

Tillamook

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH (CBA) 5640 U.S. 101 South 2 miles south of Tillamook (503) 842-5598 https://bbc-tillamook.faithlifesites.com

9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

11a.m. Morning Worship 6 p.m. Evening Service

Nursery provided for all services

Everyone Welcome

CHURCH OF CHRIST TILLAMOOK

2506 1st Street, (503) 842-4393

Preacher: Larry Owens

Sunday: Adult Classes & Children’s Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome! Enter to worship…Leave to serve.

TILLAMOOK NAZARENE

2611 3rd, (503) 842-2549

Pastor Josh Myers

Sunday: Growth Groups: 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service and Children’s activities:

9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Recovery 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: Youth Group 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

A place for the whole family to Connect, Grow and Serve.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS)

302 Grove Ave. (503) 842-4823

Sunday Services:

Crossword answers on page B5

LIFECHANGE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

3500 Alder Lane, Tillamook, OR 97141 (503) 842-9300

www.lifechangefellowship.com

Pastor Brad Smith

Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning followed by Worship and Message at 11 a.m.

Come worship with us, enjoy the live music. Bible studies and an assortment of activities throughout the week. Let’s worship our Lord together. We will show you how much WE CARE!

ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA)

401 Madrona at 4th Street (503) 842-4753

Pastor Mary Peterson

10 a.m. Worship

Everyone is Welcome

EMMANUEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday Services 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Meeting at 1113 9th Street, Tillamook, OR 97141

Bible Study Thursday 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 1113 9th St., Tillamook, OR 97141

Pastor Sterling Hanakahi (503) 842-7864

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

2203 4th St., (503) 842-6213

Senior Pastor: Dean Crist

Sunday Prayer at 8:45 a.m.

Worship Celebration at 9:15 a.m.

Classes for all ages at 11 a.m.

Casual attire. Nursery facilities and handicapped accessible.

Programs available for youth of all ages.

Travelers and newcomers welcome.

OCEAN BREEZE BAPTIST CHURCH

2500 Nielsen Road, (503) 842-1446

Pastor Kevin Birdsong

Sunday School 10 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: Prayer Meeting,

King’s Kids and Teen Power Hour 6 p.m.

“The end of your search for a friendly church.”

www.oceanbreezebaptist.com

ST. ALBAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

TILLAMOOK CHRISTIAN CENTER 701 Marolf Loop Rd, Tillamook, OR 97141 (503) 842-6555 www.tillamookchristiancenter.com 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service (Sunday) 3 p.m. Bi-Lingual Service (Sunday) Bible Studies and small groups available during the week.

TILLAMOOK SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 2610 1st St., (503) 842-7182  tillamookadventist.net

Pastor Tim Mayne Kid’s Program: Saturdays 10 a.m.

Sabbath Service: Saturdays 11 a.m. or live on church FB page

Weekly Bible Study: Tues 7 p.m. Lower Level & on

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 2411 Fifth St. (mailing: 2410 Fifth St.) Tillamook, OR 97141, (503) 842-6647 email: sacredheart2405@gmail.com www.tillamoooksacredheart.org

Pastor: Rev. Angelo Te Mass Schedule: Saturday (5 p.m.) Sunday (8:30 a.m.)

Website: pacificcoastbiblechurch.com All are welcome!

9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Class and Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Divine Worship Where love transforms hearts and lives.

Co-Rectors: The Revs. Ali and George Lufkin 2102 6th St, Tillamook, OR 97141 (503) 842-6192 email: stalbans.tillamook@gmail.com

10 a.m. Worship Sundays & Wednesdays

Everyone is welcome; Bienvenidos

BRIDGE EMERGENCY RE-

PAIR PROJECT 2023 SECTION

00010 CALL FOR BIDS

This

project consists of an emergency repair to the northwest abutment of the Big Trout Bridge (a 9-ft x 89-ft railcar) over Three Rivers in Tillamook County. The repair consists of riprap, a deadman anchor and a footer. Permits are available upon request. An engineer’s estimate is not available.

Specifications and bid forms may be viewed at Tillamook County Public Works, Attention Nicole Baldwin, 503 Marolf Loop, Tillamook, Oregon 97141 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, local time. The

specifications and bid forms may be obtained electronically, at no charge, by e-mailing nbaldwin@ co.tillamook.or.us or may be purchased at a pre-paid cost of Fifty Dollars ($50) payable only by check or money order to Tillamook County Public Works, 503 Marolf Loop, Tillamook, Oregon 97141 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, local time. (Allow two (2) workdays for reproduction of plans prior to them being mailed out to requesting contractors.)

Each prospective contractor must provide full company name, address, contact name, phone and e-mail address at the time of request. Bidders will not be required to be pre-qualified under ORS 279B.120. This contract is for a project that is subject to ORS

279C.800 to 279C.870 (Prevailing Wage Law). Sealed bids shall be submitted to: Tillamook County Public Works’ Office, Attention: Nicole Baldwin, 503 Marolf Loop, Tillamook, Oregon 97141.

Sealed bids shall be marked “BIG TROUT BRIDGE EMERGENCY REPAIR PROJECT 2023” and be submitted no later than 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

Bids received after this time shall be returned unopened. Bids may be withdrawn at any time, prior to opening, upon written request of the bidder. NO BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY WAY OF FAX OR ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE. All bids will be opened and read aloud in the Tillamook County Public Work’s Office meeting room at the Tillamook County Public Works’ Office at 10:05 a.m.

Hi, Jasper here!

Do you cheer for the underdog? Well that’s me! I was really sick and the runt when I was very little, and my foster mom thought she was going to lose me a couple of times, but I have a tremendous fighting spirit. I fought and made it through the hard part, and now I’m still a little smaller than my brothers, but I’m healthy and happy and ready for someone to love me! My foster mom calls me “Jazz Man” because I make up all sorts of beautiful chortles and calls. I like to be heard. My mom also calls me her “chocolate cream puff”, because I have a very soft, sable black coat with the cutest tabby markings faint in the background and gorgeous green eyes to charm you with. I love to be held and sit on your shoulder. I also love playing with just about any toy you offer me and wrestling with my brothers and sister. I’m just a really sweet kitten. I’m a 12 wk old neutered male and ready for my forever home. Check me out! Here is the link to our online adoption application. https://unitedpaws.wordpress.com/online-adoption-application/