Nestucca Valley Lions Club flies flags on Beachy Bridge in honor of MLK Day
Grant to aid Siletz Tribe in its efforts to return sea otters to Oregon, Washington
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians has been awarded a three-year $1.56 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support Tribal efforts to return sea otters to the Oregon and Northern California coasts, announced Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley on Jan. 21.
The grant is through the America the Beautiful Challenge, a partnership between the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and NFWF.
The competitive grant awards were made possible with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, other federal conservation programs, and private sources. The project is entitled “Bringing Xvlh-t’vsh Home: Indigenous-led Planning for Sea Otters’ Return to the Oregon and Northern California Coast.”
“I am pleased that after years of collaboration with the Elakha Alliance and others, we will now be able to take steps with other Tribal nations
STCEVC, NRFPD team up to offer
CERT training starting Feb. 18 2
County Commissioners to host public comments on proposed TLT hike 2
Variety of community activities featured in the Sun’s calendar of events 6
Proposed setback dike for Sitka Sedge SNA to be discussed on Feb. 7
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host a townhall meeting 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Kiwanda Community Center to discuss the proposed setback dike to replace the one currently in use at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.
OPRD and its partner, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, are designing a proposed setback dike to replace the tide control function of the existing dike, which has been failing.
OPRD will host a Friday, Feb. 7 meeting to discuss a proposed setback dike for Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.
In its current state, Sitka Sedge SNA features a half-mile dike and tide gate that dates back to the 1930s. The purpose of the dike was to hold back tidewater and drain the area behind the dike, but, according to OPRD, it also had the effect of holding back native fish — including coho, chum, steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout — from migrating upstream to historic spawning and rearing areas.
The informational meeting will be held in person at KCC’s facility located at 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City and will include a presentation and time for questions.
and partner organizations to return this culturally important species to their ancient home,” Pigsley said.
“This funding will enable us to build capacity and expertise to lead or participate in sea otter reintroduction and management and to elevate the role of coastal Indian Tribes in marine stewardship,” she said.
The grant will support additional planning and technical capacity within CTSI as well as the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; the Yurok Tribe; the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation; and other regional partners and collaborators.
The Tribes and partners will produce a plan for reintroducing sea otters to the Oregon and Northern California coasts.
The project will also focus on building support for sea otter reintroduction from coastal Tribes, ocean stakeholders and coastal communities in the region; completing key scientific studies; and conducting socio-economic assessments of potential reintroduction sites in the region.
“Indian people of coastal Oregon
and Northern California referred to sea otters by many different words,” Pigsley added. “These many names reflect their presence and importance to our people. We now know that they enabled rich marine and estuarine ecosystems that provided food and materials our ancestors needed for life. This grant will help us to bring these relatives home.”
Officials say sea otters have long been recognized as a keystone species that promotes the biological productivity and ecological resilience of nearshore and estuarine ecosystems. Sea otters were once plentiful from Alaska south to Baja, but have been absent from Oregon for more than a century due to the maritime fur trade.
With kelp forests declining at an alarming rate, reportedly due to ocean warming and over-predation by sea urchins, scientists consider sea otter reintroduction a part of a long-term solution to restore and maintain healthy nearshore ecosystems in Oregon. In estuaries, sea otters protect eelgrass habitat by keeping populations of small crabs, including invasive green crabs, under control.
OPRD says that, in the past 30 years, the tide gate has deteriorated. They say the dike now leaks and no longer entirely blocks incoming tides. Officials add that further decay of the dike is expected — as is eventual complete failure. As well, current rules mandate that any repair or replacement will feature satisfactory fish passage elements. Potential flooding of Tierra Del Mar is reportedly a concern — either from failure of the current dike or any dike modification.
The current proposal is a result of significant study including a hydrological analysis conducted from 2017-2019, followed by a decision in March 2020, when OPRD decided to pursue development of a setback dike. Since 2020, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership has taken the lead role in the effort to secure grants and conduct further studies on the setback dike proposal.
For those who cannot attend the meeting in person, the meeting will be livestreamed via webinar and recorded. To join the webinar, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87005693462 or find a recording online afterward at OPRD’s YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCkqL6iVPBrfCTO27cNmCTwg. Internet speed issues in the area have made past audio and video streams of meeting content choppy. OPRD will continue to try to find ways of improving webinar audio and video quality. Visit oregon.gov/oprd/prp/pages/pla-sitkasedge-hydro.aspx learn more about the project, including a fact page.
Photo courtesy of ORPD
Being There for the Community
Free CERT training offers chance for residents to be trained and ready to help fire district, neighborhoods
By TIM HIRSCH of the Sun
Want to do your part should disaster strike? Want to develop the skill set you need to do just that?
An opportunity to equip yourself with CERT training is around the corner thanks to the efforts of the South Tillamook County Emergency Volunteer Corp and the training expertise of Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District. An introductory Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT) class will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, starting at 5 p.m. at NRFPD’s fire hall in Hebo. This first class is being billed as a chance to learn what CERT training is all about and if it’s right for you. There is no obligation to continue.
CERT teams are heralded as valuable resources to fire departments as they provide support during large fire events. They are also expected to play an important role should the big one strike.
“They do simple things like help with traffic control and change out air for firefighters,” said STCEVC President David Sears. “(CERT trained volunteers) are not going in burning buildings, but they are there as support for firefighters. The other part of CERT is should we have a catastrophic event such as a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami — or even extreme weather — we’ll have people trained with some
basic skills.”
While CERT members also commonly help with traffic control at events such as Dory Days Parade and Clover’s Day Parade, it’s the tsunami threat where they might find their greatest moment to shine.
“To have some people who know first aid and how to communicate with people will be good for (each CERT volunteer’s) family, but it’s going to be good for the whole neighborhood. In a Cascadia tsunami, we’re going to have isolated islands throughout the county (so communication will be important).”
Skills that will be taught during the course — at no cost to attendees — will include checking buildings, first aid, how to safely move those pinned by failing timbers or debris, making neighborhood assessments, and more.
“The fire department does have a need for support, and we have a need for becoming better trained. We can support them, but we’re going to get training so we can (assist) them in doing their job. If we ever have this catastrophic event, we want to have good relationship with firefighters.”
Following the Feb. 18 introductory session, classes will be held every other Tuesday at 5 p.m. at NRFPD’s Hebo fire station. Each two-hour class will feature a combination of lecture and hands-on training. For more information, contact David Sears at David.Sears@stcevc.org.
County Commissioners to host public comments on proposed TLT increase
With two town halls already held with short-term rental and lodging operators, Tillamook County Commissioners have begun the public process of considering raising the unincorporated transient lodging tax from 10 percent to 15 percent.
Commissioners have three upcoming public meetings in which the public can comment on the proposal — two hearings on Jan. 29, one at 10 a.m., at the Board of County Commissioner meeting at the Tillamook County Courthouse, room 106; and the other at 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the Port of Tillamook Bay, 4000 Blimp Blvd., Tillamook. A final public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12, 10 a.m., when
adoption is tentatively scheduled. The proposal would then go in front of voters in May.
The ordinance calls for the county to use the 30 percent available of the additional 5 percent for public safety (a 70/30 split is required by law with 70 percent slated for tourism promotion or facilities). The 30 percent of the original 10 percent would continue to go towards county road maintenance as it has since first passed by voters.
For more information on the proposed change to the TLT, visit tillamookcounty. gov/bocc/page/ordinance-74amendment-3.
In “Shedding Light on Emergency Preparedness,” published in the Jan. 10, 2025, edition of the Sun, we mistakenly reported that the standard South Tillamook County Emergency Volunteer Corp uses when stocking their tsunami sheds is “having enough on hand to supply emergency needs for 50 people for 50 weeks.” The standard is actually for three weeks. The Sun apologies for the error and any confusion it may have caused.
Pacific City’s Fun Spot!
We look forward to bringing the fun back starting Valentines Day. Want to join our team in 2025 email us at management@pc-pour.com
Pay your bill online and schedule monthly payments. Monitor your energy usage monthly, daily or hourly. Report a power outage at your service location. View up to 24 months of your energy billing history. Receive important account notifications via email or text. For more details about SmartHub and to sign up, visit tpud.org.
Teaming with Energy
Three Capes Relay invites runners to take on a course taking them from Cape Meares to Pacific City
Through the years, Tillamook County’s Eva Manderson has been a participant on numerous Three Capes Marathon Relay teams.
“I love the fun of doing a relay,” she said. “It’s a motivation to get out there with everyone else who’s running or walking, but it’s even better to do it with a team.”
This year’s Three Capes Marathon Relay will test the fitness of runners of all abilities with a course running from Cape Meares Lake to Cape Kiwanda on Saturday, Feb. 22.
The Three Capes Marathon Relay is a 26.2mile course that challenges runners with a total of 2,584 feet of elevation gain during its course that takes runners from Cape Meares Lake, through Oceanside, along Netarts Bay, up to Cape Lookout, past the dunes of Sand Lake and finally to Pacific City’s famed Cape Kiwanda.
REGISTRATION is now open for the Three Capes Marathon Relay, which finishes in Pacific City. To sign up, visit https:// threecapesrelay.oregoncoastalflowers.com.
opportunity to broaden your horizons and become a student of the sport.”
With Auto Pay you can choose to automatically pay your monthly bill directly from your bank account or credit card. Many customers choose this option and combine it with Budget Billing to make their monthly payment predictable. If you would like to sign up for this option, stop by the Tillamook PUD office, call 503-842-2535 or email us at service@tpud.org to receive an Auto Pay form.
The rugged course, with plenty of hills, passes through or runs adjacent to six state parks, two National Wildlife Refuges, multiple Tillamook County Parks, and boasts stunning vantage points of the Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Local spectators are encouraged to come out and cheer participants along, but: “Caution: runners on the road!”
“I’ve been on a number of great teams,” Manderson said. “We don’t get too serious. I like it because it’s the first run of the new year and usually gets me motivated to do more.”
In the 2024 race, Manderson’s team was named: “Nobody Dies.”
Registration is taken all the way up until the night before the event. Participants can choose between running the race as a solo marathon, a two-person team, or a five-person team. The course is separated into five legs that vary in distances from 4.37 miles to just under seven miles. Team categories include: family, business, school, or Clydesdale.
Cost for registration is $339 for a five-person team, $165 for a twoperson team, and the solo marathoner is $95. Every participant will receive a custom Three Capes Relay Medal when crossing the finish line. Register prior to February 6 to receive a race t-shirt. Register online at https://threecapesrelay. oregoncoastalflowers.com.
High school and middle school teams can receive a discount by using the code: “High School Runner” when registering to receive 30 percent off the team fee.
The Three Capes Marathon Relay is hosted by Ultimook, a nonprofit that supports local youth running programs and young long-distance runners develop in both mind and body.
One of the programs under the Ultimook umbrella is the Ultimook Running Camp: a week-long high school cross country training camp hosted at the Hydrangea Ranch in Tillamook.
“It’s hard to know whether you’re training hard until you’ve surrounded yourself with better runners,” Ultimook Running Camp Director Drew Wasmund said. “This camp is an unbelievable
Each day of camp is highlighted by a different type of run and training via sand, hills, or trails with workouts tailored to all levels from beginner to all-state runners.
“The Ultimook Running Camp is a legend of the Northwest. It’s rugged beauty, old-school grit,” Ultimook Running Camp Founder Patrick Zweifel said.
Many athletes note the Sasquatch Games as a favorite, memorable experience at camp. The Sasquatch Games facilitates teamwork and leadership through activities such as a: geocache run, log carry relay, paintball biathlon competition, and the chocolate milk mile.
“I believe leadership and teamwork are the keys to great team success,” Zweifel said. “The primary focus of the Ultimook Running Camp is to build better leaders and facilitate great teamwork. The Sasquatch Games is the ultimate team building exercise and the highlight of camp. The moment you put your team in front of yourself is the moment that special things begin to happen for your team and yourself. Our hope is that you take this energy back home to your teams and lead them to a state championship!”
This year two sessions of the Ultimook Running Camp will be held: Aug. 3-9 and Aug. 10-16. Register online at ultimookrunningcamp.com.
Upcoming events and programs hosted by Ultimook include Ultramook 30K/50k (July 12) and the Ultimook High School Cross Country Race (Sept. 6).
Photo by Tim Hirsch
Calendar Events of
YOGA
Jan. 25, 9 a.m. Kiwanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. $10 per class. Call 541-450-0655.
BEACHCOMBING EXPLORIENCE
Jan. 25, 3 p.m. SW 33rd St. Beach Access, Lincoln City. Hunt for gemstones, petrified wood, agates and more with a local expert. Free and no registration required. Call 541996-1274.
Jan. 27, 29, 31 and Feb. 1, 9 a.m. Kiwanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. $10 per class. Call 541-450-0655.
PACIFIC CITY WALKING WONDERS
Jan. 27, 29 & 31, 10 a.m. Meet at Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. For more information, visit https://tillamookcountywellness.org/movewell/walking-groups/ or contact coordinator Kathy, 503-801-7448 (text).
STITCHERS
Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Community of people who make things for others. All levels welcome. $6 admission. Call 503-965-7900.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC
Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Free blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels check. Visit kiawanda.com.
SOUTH COUNTY FOOD PANTRY
Jan. 28, 12:30-6 p.m. Nestucca Valley Presbyterian Church, 35305 Brooten Rd., Pacific City. UKULELE JAM WITH ALAN
Jan. 28, 4 p.m. South Tillamook County Library, 6200 Camp St., Pacific City. Call 503965-6163.
Jan. 29, 9 a.m. Tillamook County Courthouse, 201 Laurel Ave., Room 106. Also available via teleconference live video at tctvonline.com or teleconference at #971-254-3149, conference ID: 736-023-979 (listen only). For agenda, visit tillamookcounty.gov.
‘YOU DO SPEAK ENGLISH, DON’T YOU?’
Jan. 29, 2 p.m. Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd St., Tillamook. Family-friendly cabaretstyle variety show by Mark and Helena Greathouse. Free and open to the public. Visit tillabook.org.
BRUSH AND BREW
Jan. 29, 6-8 p.m. Pelican Brewing, 33180 Cape
Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Paint and decorate your own homemade mug. $55 includes $10 gift card. Register at https://lessonsandclasses.as.me/.
Feb. 2, 6 p.m. Tillamook Coliseum Theater, 310 Main Ave., Tillamook. Message of hope, worship music, and prayer. Visit livingwatercoast.com.
STITCHERS
Feb. 3, 4-9 p.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Community of people who make things for others. All levels welcome. $6 admission. Call 503-965-7900.
YOGA
Feb. 3, 5, 7 & 8, 9 a.m. Kiwanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City.
$10 per class. Call 541-450-0655.
PACIFIC CITY WALKING WONDERS
Feb. 3, 5 & 7, 10 a.m. Meet at Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. For more information, visit https://tillamookcountywellness.org/movewell/walking-groups/ or contact coordinator Kathy, 503-801-7448 (text).
STITCHERS
Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Community of people who make things for others. All levels welcome. $6 admission. Call 503-965-7900.
PACIFIC CITY-NESTUCCA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING
Feb. 4, noon. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Local concerns and business matters. Email pcnvchamber@gmail.com.
Feb. 5, 9 a.m. Tillamook County Courthouse, 201 Laurel Ave., Room 106. Also available via teleconference live video at tctvonline.com or teleconference at #971-254-3149, conference ID: 736-023-979 (listen only). For agenda, visit tillamookcounty.gov.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MOVIE
Feb. 5, 6 p.m. Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd St., Tillamook. “The Wiz (1978).” Free -
popcorn provided. Visit tillabook.org or call 503-842-4792.
TAI CHI
Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. $10 per class/first class free. Call 503-510-0588. BINGO
Feb. 6, 1-4 p.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Visit kiawanda.com.
SPRINGTIME BLUES WITH HELEN BEAMAN Feb. 6, 2 p.m. Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd St., Tillamook. Myths and facts on seasonal patterns of depression. Visit tillabook.org.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH RECEPTION
Feb. 7, 5-7 p.m. Bay City Arts Center, 5680 A St., Bay City. Lisa Allen and BCAC Board of Directors. Open to the public. Visit baycityartscenter.com.
BIRD WALK
Feb. 8, 9-11 a.m. Friends of the Wildwood Open Space, Lincoln City. Guided bird walk on the Head to Bay Trail. Free and open to the public. Call 541-994-2131.
PACIFIC CITY-WOODS CAC
QUARTERLY MEETING
Feb. 8, 10 a.m. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. Visit pcwoodscac.org.
TILLAMOOK ARTISAN MARKET
Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tillamook First Christian Church, 2203 4th St., Tillamook. Local crafts and small businesses. Call 503-812-0731.
OASIS ENSEMBLE
Feb. 8, 2 p.m. Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy. 101, Lincoln City. Concert featuring flute, cello, and piano. Tickets $20. Visit lincolncity-culturalcenter.org.
OREGON’S BLACK HISTORY: 450 YEARS IN 45 MINUTES
Feb. 8, 3:30 p.m. North County Recreation District, 36155 9th St., Nehalem. Highlighting key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history. $10 admission. Visit ncrd.org.
LUCA CIARLA & IL VIOLINO
Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy. 101, Lincoln City. Unusual arrangements of traditional Italian folk tunes, Mediterranean music, and original compositions. Tickets $15-$30. Visit lincolncity-culturalcenter.org.
BEACHCOMBING EXPLORIENCE
Feb. 9, 3 p.m. SW 33rd St. Beach Access, Lincoln City. Hunt for gemstones, petrified wood, agates and more with a local expert. Free and no registration required. Call 541996-1274.
To have your event added to the Sun’s calendar, email information to tim@pacificcitysun.com
UKULELE JAM WITH ALAN
Jan. 28, 4 p.m. South Tillamook County Library, 6200 Camp St., Pacific City. Call 503-9656163.
Photo by Tim Hirsch
‘Managing Forests for Bird Conservation’ webinar to focus on bird populations in forested landscapes
Seven Capes Bird Alliance, alongside Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance, Coast Range Association, Sierra Club Oregon Chapter, and Wild Salmon Center, recently announced the third webinar in a series on the connections between coastal forests and marine ecosystems. This free threepart series, “Timber & Tides,” explores these interwoven environments and why their conservation is critical now more than ever.
Held on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6-7:30 p.m., “Managing Forests for Bird Conservation,” features a presentation by Matthew Betts, who will share research on bird populations in forested landscapes. He will discuss how intensive forest management influences bird abundance in the Oregon Coast Range. Betts will share findings from a long-term ecological research project focusing on how old-growth forests impact microclimate and bird population trends and will conclude with research on tropical hummingbird species, examining how landscape fragmentation affects their populations. The webinar is free, but preregistration is required. To register, visit
sevencapes.org/timberandtides.
Betts completed his PhD in Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick and conducted postdoctoral research at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where his research focused on population and molecular ecology. He is currently professor and Ruth Spaniol Chair of Natural Resources Conservation in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. He has taught classes on forest biodiversity and management for 16 years.
Betts’s research focuses on plant and animal responses to forest management activities at local, regional, and global scales. He is lead investigator for the Oregon Intensive Forest Management project, lead scientist for the HJ Andrews Long-term Ecological Research Program, and director and founder of the OSU Forest Biodiversity Research Network. The author of more than 140 peer-reviewed publications, his work has been profiled in the New York Times, Washington Post, National Public Radio, CBC, National Geographic, and Scientific American.
