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Thanksgiving meal services a success in Coos Bay BY NATE SCHWARTZ News Editor

The Holidays can be a tricky time for many. What is normally a time of giving, togetherness, and joy for some, can often be isolating and cold for those without the resources or family needed to make the season bright. To help combat some of that need, local institutions often fill in the gaps for folks who could use the help. The Coos Bay Corps of the Salvation Army and the shelter at South Coast Gospel Mission are two such institutions that step up each year to provide hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to those who need it most. Whether a homebound senior who struggles to cook a large meal, or a family who can’t afford the fancy fixings we all

know and love, all are welcome and all are fed. “To-go totals would probably be closer to 310, and then about 200 people in the gym… 500550 meals went out,” estimated the Salvation Army’s Major David Kauffman. Delivered almost entirely by volunteers, the to-go meals were a huge part of the operation this year. Many recipients were mobility impaired or did not have the transportation available to attend in-person service. Others just prefer to keep their level of need private. “There’s people that are shut in, people that for whatever reason can’t get around… We really appreciated the

See Thanksgiving Continued on Page 3

Drains to Bay: stormwater pollution awareness and action campaign

County commission discuss budget shortfalls, jail cutbacks & departmental layoffs

BY ALEXA CARLETON, Outreach Program Manager Coos Watershed Association

The Coos Watershed Association and Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians have a message to share with the Coos watershed community: stormwater runoff is harming our local waterways, but there is something we can do about it. We are sharing this message through public art: specifically, through custom-made storm drain stencils that feature a lineup of local critters impacted by water pollution, such as lamprey and salmon. The designs feature text stencils as well, emphasizing that stormwater runoff “Drains to Bay,” and there is “no filter.” You will also see “Water Is Life” stencils in either hanis or miluk (the native, ancestral languages of the Coos Bay and North Bend Area) as a way to emphasize the significance of clean water to the people who have called this home since time immemorial. This summer, with the help of volunteers, we painted eight designs along Newmark in downtown Empire, two at Mingus Park, three at North Bend City Hall, and one in downtown Coos Bay. We

BY DEAN BRICKEY

For The World

hope to expand this project next summer, so be on the lookout for more “art with a message” in the future! What is stormwater and why

does it matter so much? When it rains on paved surfaces in the Coos watershed, this runoff picks up oil, gas, pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, and garbage (anything

COQUILLE — Responding to an expected $4 million budget shortfall, Coos County commissioners voted at a work session Monday Dec. 2 to close one of two pods at the Coos County jail on Feb. 1, 2025. That was one of three steps Commissioner John Sweet proposed. Commissioners also voted to meet with department heads on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to determine five to seven more employees to lay off by Feb. 2 and asked Sheriff Gabriel “Gabe” Fabrizio to calculate

that is found on our landscapes) and transports it into the bay via storm drains/catch basins. When

See Budget Continued on Page 8

See Drains to Bay Continued on Page 5

North Bend seeking business for Historic Storefront Coast Development Council, Inc., and other development On Union Ave, just off the partners like CCD Business or main strip in North Bend sits the SWOCC’s Small Business former Bay Cleaners building. Development Center. The city is The historic façade, which has pushing for local start-ups and been purchased by the City with minority-owned businesses. state grant funds, is in the midst Previous proposals saw a of a robust renovation. The tortilla factory vying for the North Bend Urban Renewal space, but the project fell Agency is seeking Expressions through leaving the opportunity of Interest (REOI) from local available. Bay Area Cleaners entrepreneurs and small business operated in the building for hopefuls. about a decade, followed by “We’re looking for a visionary another decade of vacancy. The tenant who is ready to help bring City and Main Street association this gem back to life and hopes for proposals that will contribute to economic thrive in a downtown revitalization of downtown North environment and bring foot Bend,” states the City. traffic to the area. The 1930 sq. ft. location, set The City of North Bend has right across the street from the been pushing hard to revitalize North Bend Public Library, is properties, both residential and due for a whole slate of upgrades commercial. In the spring of to the structure. In addition to a 2024, a new restaurant opened in face-lift to the façade, a new roof the adjacent building but has will be soon installed. A small since had to close doors for a off-street lot is being planned to reevaluation, citing unforeseen ease parking issues, and expenses and an overhead that restrooms are being brought to was above their predictions. This compliance with ADA codes. is despite decent reviews and Priority for a lease is being community support. given to businesses who have This is certainly not an approved plans with the indictment of Main Street’s Southwestern Small Business potential, however, with another Development Center, the South two restaurants opening in 2024

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and continuing off of strong starts. The Tin Rooster, which opened in February, and North 40’s North Bend location, which launched in May, have both adapted to their historic locations and seem to be serving the community well, with both also garnering positive reviews and support. The submission deadline for

REOIs is the last day of the year, Dec. 21st, 2024. The city hopes to review proposals and come to a decision by the end of January 2025. If all goes as planned, the lease should begin April 1, 2025 with a tentative move-in set for May 2025. All of this is subject to renovation efforts going smoothly. If you think you have the right

idea to revitalize this historic storefront and bring fresh ideas to downtown North Bend, you can reach out to Stephanie Wilson, North Bend’s Main Street Manager, with your questions, tour requests, and development proposals: swilson@northbendcity.org (541) 756-8734

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