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December 27, 2023
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YEAR IN REVIEW
Courtesy photo from ODOT
The ‘perfect storm’ WILL LOHRE JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc. A cold front blasted through Oregon that brought freezing rain and snow to different parts of the state. In Lincoln County, a combination of water saturation, freezing temperatures, and high winds created the perfect storm. While it wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary for the winter season on the Oregon coast, the storm still became disruptive. It caused temporary road closures and power outages as ice, and downed trees and branches obstructed infrastructure. Lincoln County Emergency Contact Virginia Demaris described what made the storm tumultuous. “If you look historically at Lincoln County during our winter season, this could be viewed as a typical event where we have an over saturation of water and then also the windstorm,” Demaris said. “What kind of complicated matters was having that freezing event prior to, so that really sort of changes the soil capacity in the trees and then you add that atmospheric river, moisture levels to the ground, and then wind, that just makes for the perfect storm.” The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) urged drivers to be watchful for unstable hillsides along Oregon roadways following a landslide along Highway 18 just north of Lincoln City. It was later reported the highway was partially blocked following the landslide at around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, Dec. 24. Crews were able to reopen the highway later in the day.
TOP 10 STORIES OF 2023 In this edition The News Guard looks back at the stories of 2023 that effected our community, including law enforcement activities, the surge in drug abuse, efforts to deal with the challenges of homelessness, economic development, weather issues, ocean and environmental projects, the impact of wildfires, and partnerships that define the essence of our community. During 2023, public safety agencies conducted a number
of operations including the investigation of a reported robbery with a surprising twist, a series of arrests following online child luring probes, and local firefighters stop a dangerous beach fire in which juveniles were charged with starting. Here is a short synopsis of the top 10 stories along several others that made the honorable mention list due to their impact on the area. You can read the full articles at thenewsguard.com. Jeremy C. Ruark Regional Executive Editor Country Media, Inc.
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Fentanyl overdose crisis WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc. Oregon faced an overdose crisis in 2023. According to Oregon Health Authority (OHA), drug overdose deaths in Oregon more than doubled between 2019 and 2021. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is at the heart of this crisis and has now surpassed methamphetamine as the most frequent drug involved in overdose deaths. An issue briefing from the OHA to the Oregon Governor’s Office revealed staggering statistics on the crisis. “Fentanyl overdose deaths increased nearly 600% between 2019 and 2021, from 71 to 509, respectively. In 2021, more than half (54.6%) of overdose deaths involved more than one drug and/or alcohol,” the report said. Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers reported that he has “very much so” seen a rise in both dealing and fentanyl use in his county. The county has also had deaths due to the drug. Landers also gave reasons why the drug is becoming more common. “It seems to be easily obtained and cheap to produce and purchase,” Landers said. “It also provides a “better high” for the user looking for or addicted to other opioids.” Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC website. Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Its illicit form is often added to other drugs to make them more potent, cheaper to make, and more addictive.
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Helping the homeless STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc. Development of an emergency shelter and transitional housing in Lincoln City was a step closer in 2023. Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers was awarded $977,000 in Project Turnkey 2.0 grant funding to complete the final phase of renovation to a building donated by the City of Lincoln City in 2019 for the purpose of creating emergency shelter and transitional housing. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced the first emergency housing site for Project Turnkey 2.0, the second iteration of the state-funded grant program.
Increase in human-caused fires seen JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
A “specific increase in human caused fires” across the state during the summer of 2023 was reported by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). “The human-caused blazes range from campfires, escaped debris burning, industrial operations, folks working in the forest, and we are also concerned about vehicles, such as RVs and trailers, dragging chains that can spark a fire,” ODF Public Affairs Officer Derek Gasperini said. One of the state’s largest wildfires this summer has burned more than 15,000 near Agnes in
southwest Oregon as of late last week. The cause of that fire was under investigation and human activity had not been ruled out. Hundreds of fire crews battled the blaze on the ground and from the air. Public safety restrictions were in place surrounding the fire. Fire agency officials said the wildfires can move rapidly and can be dangerous, so visitors and residents need to be aware and pay attention when the fires are close to communities. “Be aware,” Gasperini said. “Pay attention to local news outlets. The wildfires are a concern throughout the summer. Know the evacuation routes and the backup routes,” he said.
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
Twist in reported robbery JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc. An armed holdup triggered a police manhunt in northwest Lincoln City June 15. A lone suspect reportedly entered the TLC Credit Union at 2004 NW 36 Street, demanded money and fled. Officers responded to the area, performed an extensive search, but no one was found. “After several months of rigorous and thorough investigation of the incident, the detectives were unable to substantiate the reported robbery and it appeared the report was a ruse to cover a theft of monies from the restaurant by the employee,” LCPD Lt. Jeffrey Winn said.
TheNewsGuard.com
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