Pacific City
SUN
NVSD plans to launch hybrid education model by end of March................................ 4
Anglers can fish for free, Feb. 13-14
PCJWSA in the midst of upgrade to automatic water meters.........................5
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Grateful Grub, School and Fire Districts win Chamber awards................10
Vol. 15, No. 362 • February 12, 2021 • FREE!
Tillamook County maintains its ‘Lower Risk’ status
Ready to Dig In
A ceremonial groundbreaking event for the upcoming Pacific City Skatepark was held the morning of Feb. 12 School District to leverage contingency funds for CTE building
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n the near future, high school students at Nestucca Valley School District can look forward to expanded options — and perhaps just as important, new facilities — when it comes to vocational education and enrichment. The NVSD Board of Directors, at its Feb. 8 meeting, gave a thumb’s up to investing funds left over from the district’s contingency fund to build a new career tech lab for high school students. The contingency fund currently has about $3 million. As articulated in the bond measure verbiage, voters gave permission for the district to not only restore the original Nestucca Elementary
footprint and to expand the campus, but also to give approval to any improvement to district facilities. Hence the most recent plan to improve upon district facilities. Cue the CTE program and perhaps more, too. The move paves the way for an exploratory process — as well as for programming discussions — for a new facility, a process funded by a $125,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Education. According to NVSD Superintendent Misty Wharton, the plan is for placing a preengineered metal building on site. Currently, an
approximately 8,000 square foot building that dates to the 1960s occupies the space. “It’s time for an upgrade,” Wharton told the Sun. “(We) definitely want some fabrication shop (abilities) whether that be wood or welding (or some other discipline).” Whatever shape the facility ends up taking, one thing that will be a critical component is a computer lab says Wharton. To date, the district has already launched a CTE Advisory Committee that is discussing the long-term goals for the career tech program. The Board will still need to approve expenditures for the actual construction once a plan is developed.
Governor Kate Brown announced on Feb. 9 that 12 counties improved in risk level, with 10 improving from Extreme Risk for the first time since November, effective Feb. 12. Locally, for the second straight twoweek period, Tillamook County will be in the Lower Risk category, which will allow its many bars and restaurants to continue with dine-in service. County risk levels under the state’s public health framework aim to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread — Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk — and assigns health and safety measures for each level. Effective Feb. 12 through Feb. 25, there will be 14 counties in the Extreme Risk level, 11 at High Risk, three at Moderate Risk, and eight at Lower Risk. “Thanks to Oregonians who have stepped up and made smart choices, we have made incredible progress in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives in Oregon,” said Governor Brown. “This week we will see 10 counties move out of Extreme Risk, including the Portland tri-county area, for the first time since November. This is welcome news, as we’ll start to see more businesses open up and Oregonians being able to get out a bit more. “It’s also incredibly important that we continue to remain vigilant and protect our neighbors and loved ones as we face virulent new strains of COVID-19. This means continuing to wear masks, keep our physical distance, and avoid indoor gatherings. If we want to keep businesses open, reopen schools for in-person instruction, and stay safe, we must keep up our guard. Until vaccines are more widely available, case counts could go back up if we don’t keep following safety measures.” The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week’s data will provide a “warning week” to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced Feb. 23 and take effect Feb. 26. Updates to Warning Week data and county risk levels will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov. SPORTS GUIDANCE Brown announced on Feb. 10 that the Oregon Health Authority will be revising its guidance for outdoor sports, as well as the exemption for college athletics. Beginning this week, outdoor contact sports will be permitted to resume with health and safety protocols in place based on county risk level In Lower Risk and Moderate Risk counties, practices and games for outdoor contact sports, including high school football, can resume following health and safety guidance to be issued by the Oregon Health Authority. In High Risk and Extreme Risk counties, where COVID-19 remains more widespread, schools and other sports organizations can opt-in to resuming outdoor contact sports with additional protocols in place. In such counties, sports organizations must offer on-site responsive testing for symptomatic individuals and close contacts, contact information for contact tracing, and a waiver identifying health and safety risks and a commitment to isolation and quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.
PACIFIC CITY AND TILLAMOK ARE FOR LIMITED INDOOR DINING we are open! OPEN
Pelican Brewing Company’s Pacific City and Tillamook locations are now open for Seated Indoor Dining. All three of our locations are still open for Curbside, Takeout, and Weather Dependent Patio Seating. Fly over and choose your favorite way to enjoy Pelican’s award-winning beer and beer-inspired cuisine. Check out PelicanBrewing.com to stay up to date on all our current offerings and dining options.