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Coos Bay-North Bend area receives a visit from White House advisor Mitch Landrieu.

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Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2023

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Man arrested for recording girls at Coquille High School BY DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

A Coquille man is behind bars after he was allegedly caught recording juvenile girls going to the restroom and changing clothes at a sporting event at Coquille High School. Sgt. Doug Miller with the Coquille Police Department confirmed Patrick Laird, 59, was arrested and charged

with encouraging child sex abuse II and invasion of personal privacy in the first degree. Both charges are Class C felonies. Miller said the incident occurred December 15 and police got involved after an emergency caller reported an altercation at the school. During the investigation, officers learned a man had been found in the girl’s restroom using a cell

phone to record teen girls changing clothes and using the restroom. The recording took place during a sporting event and involved girls from different schools throughout Southern Oregon. Miller said when some of the girls realized they were being recorded, one of the teens told her father, who went into the restroom, confronted Laird and forcibly detained him. Other parents

then called 9-1-1, which led the police response. When police arrived, Laird appeared to have injuries, but he refused to discuss them with officers. After the investigation, Laird was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail. Miller said the investigation into the incident is continuing and additional charges

are possible. The police department is working with the Coquille School District to investigate the incident. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Officer Aaron Mayo at amayo@ cityofcoquille.org or to call the police department at 541-396-2114. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.

Shop with Heroes provides gifts for Coquille children BY BREE LAUGHLIN The World

The Coquille Police and Fire Department’s Shop with Heroes Program provided gifts for local children and made lasting memories for everyone involved. Thanks to community donations, they were able to take local children and their chaperones to WalMart to purchase Christmas presents on Dec. 16. When they returned to Coquille, the children had lunch provided and also had the opportunity to meet Santa. “During the winter season, and especially around the holidays, it’s very nice that the kids have something to look forward to,” said Tobia Cochran, Police Service Please see HEROES Page 3

Local organizations Torrey Contreras is collaborate on warming center Bandon’s new city manager BY NATE SCHWARTZ The World

In a huge collaborative effort, the Coos Bay branch of the Salvation Army will be opening the doors of its gymnasium as a warming center during severe weather this winter. The proposal was done in partnership with the Nancy Devereux Center, and

supported by the city of Coos Bay and the Coos Bay Fire Department. The warming center will look to provide refuge for the unhoused community during the harshest time of year. Salvation Army Major David Kaufmann, officer and executive director of the Coos Bay Corps, was eager to spread the word on the community service initiative. “We’re partnering with the Devereux Center, they are going to be providing a hot meal in the evening and breakfast in the morning. We can prep and help support that through the Hope Market, our food pantry,” Said Kaufmann, while describing the services available, “People can stay warm and out of the weather, there will be nice cots to sleep on. We’ll provide services like internet, people can charge their phones up. Anything a person could need.” Multiple local agencies have provided goods and support for the initiative. Coos Health and Wellness has been a massive proponent of the initiative, alongside North Bend Medical Center. Both medical centers helped to donate cots and blankets for the warming center. Coos Health and Wellness also

BY BREE LAUGHLIN The World

Bandon’s new city manager, Torrey Contreras, introduced himself to members of the community during a recent Bandon Chamber of Commerce event. Contreras was invited

to speak and answer questions from members of the local business community during the chamber’s holiday celebration on Dec. 13. The new city official came to Bandon after working as the Senior Assistant City Manager in Cerritos, Calif.

Contreras said he was planning a dream golf trip with friends when he came across the job posting for the Bandon city manager position. After talking with friends, and visiting the community with his Please see BANDON Page 8

Please see WARMING Page 2

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