Contact usContact us
Thursday, December 18, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 154

February SNAP program benefits to be issued early

Homepage Staff
-
0
February SNAP program benefits to be issued early

SNAP Early

As a result of the partial federal government shutdown, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) has asked states to provide early issuance of February benefits for those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food security.

Homepage tried calling several numbers for the USDA seeking an explanation for the early issuance of benefits, but reached full mailboxes and voicemail prompts possibly due to the partial government shutdown. 

The 615,405 Oregonians currently enrolled in SNAP will see their next monthly allocation by January 20th.

“We want to be clear that these are not additional funds that SNAP recipients are receiving, but an early issuance of February benefits,” stated Self-Sufficiency Director Kim Fredlund. “Those who typically see additional funds added to their EBT card the first week of each month will see their February money by January 20, rather than at the beginning of next month.”

A notification letter is being sent to current SNAP participants this week, and DHS is asking SNAP participants to carefully budget their food benefits through February.

DHS is awaiting further direction regarding benefit issuance for January recertification that is completed or processed after January 15. The early issuance will proceed, even if the federal government shutdown ends prior to January 20.

If people are concerned about running out of SNAP benefits, they can contact 211Info to seek local food resources.

To find a local DHS office, go to www.oregon.gov/dhs and click on Office Locations.

Grants available for electric vehicle charging stations through Pacific Power

News Release
-
0
Grants available for electric vehicle charging stations through Pacific Power

Pacific Power Grants

Oregon has a goal to register 50,000 electric vehicles by 2020. Pacific Power is helping to make that electric transportation goal a reality through an electric vehicle charging station grant program. The program will help fund up to 100 percent of the eligible costs of installing electric vehicle charging stations for selected non-residential applicants.

The application cycle opens on Jan. 15, 2019. Up to $300,000 in grants will be available during this cycle with a total of $1.45 million in Oregon awarded in quarterly cycles through the end of 2019.

“As an active member in the communities we serve, Pacific Power wants to help our customers achieve their sustainable energy goals,” said Cory Scott, director of customer solutions. “The electric vehicle charging station grant program is one of the ways we’re empowering local businesses, non-profits and governments to pick up speed toward more charging options for electric vehicle owners.”

All non-residential Pacific Power customers in Washington are eligible to apply with preference given to community-focused organizations, such as 501(c)(3) and city, county and regional governments.

Applications will be accepted up to Feb. 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Recipients will be announced March 2019.

Examples of projects eligible for grants include, but are not limited to:

  • Businesses of all sizes installing chargers as an amenity for customers and employees.
  • Multi-unit housing owners installing chargers for tenants, either in support of tenant-owned electric cars or in conjunction with offering electric cars for tenant use.
  • Chargers for community car sharing programs to improve access and charging to electric cars in underserved communities.

For detailed eligibility requirements, project qualifications and application forms, please visit pacificpower.net/ev-grants.

Materials may be submitted to [email protected].

To learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles, visit pacificpower.net/ev.

Lincoln City police add bite to their bark with new K9 unit

Jim Fossum
-
1
Lincoln City police add bite to their bark with new K9 unit
Lincoln City k9
Photo illustration by Justin Werner

The Lincoln City Police Department is seeking public funding to unleash a new police dog program intended to collar criminals and provide safety and security for area residents.

With police departments expanding K9 programs around the state because they recognize the value rescue, surveillance and pursuit dogs bring to public safety efforts, the LCPD has added a K9 unit to strengthen its relationship with the community it is protecting.

“It is the goal of our K9 unit to help prevent crime, keep the community safe and add tremendous value to the Lincoln City Police Department,” the new program’s website states. “The K9 police officers are critical to police work in our small town, where the number of sworn officers is small and the transient population and area to cover can be very large.”

Police dog’s duties include searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime scene evidence and attacking targets of law enforcement.

“As with other towns and departments throughout the state, our community will be fortunate to have a dedicated police officer who acts as the handler for our K9 police officer,” the LCPD said. “Handlers are trained to work with their K9 partners and provide for their care and feeding while they are off duty.”

The LCPD said it intends to acquire its dogs through a certified training program designed for police and public safety work. Both the K9 officer and their dog will receive extensive schooling in order for the public to feel safe and interact with the animal.

Police dogs must remember numerous verbal cues and hand gestures. The most commonly used breeds are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound and Dutch Shepherd.

Estimated cost to start up and introduce a K9 unit is $75,000, with additional annual expenses to maintain it through its average work life of eight to nine years.

The LCPD’s K9 fund will raise money to lessen the financial impact on the city and keep citizens up to date and involved in the program, its activities and events.

In addition to fundraising efforts, the program will utilize social media to notify the public of activities of the K9 teams in their law enforcement capacities and when they participate in educational demonstrations with civic organizations or community-oriented events.

It will share links to non-affiliated K9 team pages, recognize canines that serve in other aspects of public safety and the military, share helpful tips to educate the public on the care of their own dogs and more.

Donations can be made in any manner. Checks should be made out to the Lincoln City Police Department K9 Unit to ensure donations are placed in the proper account.

Contact the LCPD at (541) 994-3636 or by email at [email protected].

DONATE HERE

New era in local government unveiled at City Hall

Justin Werner & Jim Fossum
-
0
New era in local government unveiled at City Hall
From left, Diane Kusz, Judy Casper, Mitch Parsons, Mayor Dick Anderson, Diana Hinton, Rick Mark and Riley Hoagland comprise the new Lincoln City City Council.

A new era in the governance of Lincoln City was ushered in Monday night at City Hall, where three first-time councilors and a familiar leader were pronounced fit for office during ceremonies at the City Council’s first regular session of the new year.

The night was highlighted by the swearing in of Dick Anderson as Lincoln City mayor and Mitch Parsons, Diane Kusz and Rick Mark as city councilors.

“Thank you all for wishing goodwill to those who are leaving and those who are staying for the next four years,” Anderson said.

Anderson is succeeding Don Williams for his second term as Lincoln City mayor after holding the position from January 2011 to December 2014. Anderson was a Lincoln City City Councilor from 2009-2010 and 2015 to present.

“I am always stunned by the fact that we can have elections, we can have rancor, and then we can settle down to do the work of the people,” Williams said. “I want to thank everyone here for the opportunity to serve as mayor.”

“Looking back, we’ve accomplished many things that I hope will make Lincoln City a better place to live, work and play,” departing Councilor Susan Wahlke said.

Parsons is replacing Wahlke in Ward I, Kusz is replacing Anderson in Ward II and Mark is replacing Kip Ward in Ward III. Diana Hinton (Ward I), Riley Hoagland (Ward II) and Judy Casper (Ward III) will continue their terms as councilors.

“It is an honor full of apprehension and high hopes,” Mark said. “It really was humbling to campaign and win the endorsement of so many people to sit here. I hope to live up to expectations.”

“I’m just very excited, very positive,” Kusz said. “I think we’re going to get a lot done in four years and want to thank everybody who voted. Any time you vote is important. I’m excited to go.”

“I look forward to being here and just doing great work and listening to all of your concerns,” Parsons said.

In its first action Monday, the newly elected Council:

— Approved a recommendation to request Oregon Liquor Control Commission approval for a limited (beer and wine) on-premises sales license to the Bijou Theatre;

— Directed Parks & Recreation to list Lincoln City in the Oregon Heritage Tree Program and to recognize trees of significance such as the giant Sitka spruce at Regatta Park;

— Elected Casper Council president with the role of residing over meetings in the event the mayor is unavailable;

— Adopted a supplemental funding request to the $12.6 million new police station construction budget to demolish the old building in favor of a secured parking lot;

— Closed the public hearing but left the record open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, on proposed ordinances to create standards for four-flat dwellings and tiny house (400 square feet or less) developments, and reducing existing requirements for off-street parking in Taft and Oceanlake. The Council will deliberate at its next meeting, Monday, Jan. 28.

Rick Mark, left, Mitch Parsons and Diane Kusz are sworn in as city councilors at City Hall by City Recorder Cathy Steere

Highway 101 reopened following evening traffic accident

Homepage Staff
-
0
Highway 101 reopened following evening traffic accident
Photo by R.J. Salazar

Lincoln City’s main thoroughfare was shut down at approximately 5:30 p.m. and reopened shortly thereafter following a traffic accident near Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore at 2150 SE Highway 101.

Two small cars were involved in the crash and no injuries reported, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Jim Kusz said.

Photo by R.J. Salazar

New technology to propel Lincoln City police station into 21st century

Justin Werner
-
0
New technology to propel Lincoln City police station into 21st century

Lcpd new building

The opening of Lincoln City’s new police station will not only bolster public safety but launch the law enforcement agency into the 21st century with several state-of-the-art improvements and innovations.

Police Chief Jerry Palmer spoke about the building and its many groundbreaking features in detail Monday morning, explaining how new technology will modernize the local police force.

Palmer said officers and administrative staff will sport key fobs (entry devices) that will allow access into secure areas and police vehicles. The wearables can detect when an officer is in an area and allow access to a door or locked container.

The station will also feature bullet-proof glass windows and various building materials that Palmer said have undergone ballistics tests.

“Old dogs like me are going to have to get used to it,” he said of the low-voltage fobs and the row of glass windows to be installed in front of the chief’s office.

Also included in the $12.6 million facility’s opening will be gender-neutral locker rooms similar to the ones being used in Dallas (Texas) to facilitate end-of-shift communication between male and female officers.

Palmer said there will be separate changing rooms, but officers will be able to discuss events of the day in a mutual locker room, which wasn’t possible in separate women and men’s rooms as they exist in the current building.

The biggest challenge the department will face is a lack of administrative staff needed to evaluate body cameras and all the data they produce. With the new layout, there is ample room for additional support and administrative staff, he said.

“Someone will need to go through the footage and sort it,” Palmer said.

The openness of the design and a robust WiFi system will give personnel the ability to work from virtually anywhere in the building, he said. Multiple briefing rooms and line-of-sight will make collaboration easier for all involved.

Palmer said funding for demolishing the existing station would need to be obtained but the plan is to have that area as secure parking.

Lincoln City Police Station

Palmer said the new station, which will be adjacent to the current one at 1503 SE East Devils Lake Road, could be completed as early as December of this year.

“Emmerick Construction has a reputation for coming in early,” he said.

‘Weedman’ Biggar arrested on stalking charge

Justin Werner
-
1
‘Weedman’ Biggar arrested on stalking charge

Eddie Biggar Weedman

Lincoln City Police arrested well-known cannabis advocate Eddie ‘Weedman’ Biggar around noon today at the Nelscott Strip on an outstanding warrant for stalking.

“We’re holding Eddie Biggar on stalking,” Lincoln City Police Chief Jerry Palmer said of Monday’s 11:30 a.m. detainment of the Toledo native on a misdemeanor warrant issued out of Lincoln County Circuit Court.

After working for Cannamedicine in Newport, where visitors would take their picture with the “Weedman,” the City of Newport denied him a business license and Biggar came to Lincoln City to pursue his entertainment career performing at weddings and parties.

“I love Lincoln City,” Biggar, 53, said. “It’s way more chill than Newport.”

Biggar, a divorced father of five, was recently hired by Rene’s Herb Store in Nelscott to promote the cannabis business with his unique style of dancing and sign waving while dressed in a suit designed with pot leaves to attract customers.

The popular public figure and military veteran has been featured in numerous newspaper articles such as Legal pot dealers find home: Oregon’s Cannabis Coast in the Salem Statesman Journal and Snubbed ‘Weed Man’ rolls to Lincoln City in the Newport News Times.

“Weedman” maintains a website, goweedman.com, where he sells hoodies and T-shirts and touts himself as a “cannabis ambassador.” The website features press pieces about him, YouTube videos and drone footage.

The former pizza delivery man has co-hosted a cannabis talk show on Salem public access, as well as Eugene Cannabis TV and Cannabis Common Sense.

Homepage is pursuing comment from Biggar on his arrest by Lincoln City officers Hayden Tolzman and John Goodman at the south 3200 block of Highway 101.

Bail was set at $15,000.

Newport Police use spike strips to chase down Lincoln City man

Homepage Staff
-
0
Newport Police use spike strips to chase down Lincoln City man

Mosqueda

The use of spike strips led to the arrest early Saturday of a wanted probation violator from Lincoln City who led police on a high-speed chase through Newport in a suspected stolen vehicle.

Upon initiating a traffic stop on Ruben Mosqueda, 24, at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the Walmart parking lot, Newport Police learned that a 2001 Honda Civic was reported stolen out of Vancouver, Wash. The vehicle sped away from officers, prompting a high-speed pursuit.

The Civic traveled west on NW 25th Street to NW Oceanview, then turned south as the chase continued with speeds reaching 60 mph. Responding officers set up spike strips near the intersection of NW Spring Street.

Mosqueda hit the strips, which deflated both passenger-side tires, but the pursuit continued through the Nye Beach area, then onto Highway 101. Mosqueda left the highway just north of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and led police through Yaquina Bay State Park, coming to a stop on the north side of the park.

Newport Police and Lincoln County Sheriff’s officers initiated a high-risk traffic stop and took Mosqueda into custody without incident. Further investigation revealed Mosqueda had an active probation violation warrant for his arrest out of Hood River County.

Mosqueda was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges:

  • Attempt to elude police (felony)
  • Reckless driving
  • Possession of a stolen vehicle
  • Unauthorized use of a vehicle
  • Warrant for probation violation

Bail was set at $165,000.

Leave your mark on new hospital with beam signing

Mary Jo Kerlin
-
0
Leave your mark on new hospital with beam signing

beam signing hospital

Everyone is invited to leave their mark on the replacement Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital by signing well wishes on the final support beam before it is put in place during a topping-out ceremony. This construction milestone will happen Friday, Jan. 25, unless there are high winds or icy conditions.

During the week leading up to the topping-out ceremony, the beam will be available to sign at the southwest construction entrance off 28th Street, next to the hospital’s south entrance. Dates and times that it will be available are Monday, Jan. 21, through Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, Jan. 25, 7 to 11 a.m.

At 11 a.m. on Jan. 25, the Skanska USA Building team will host a meet-and-greet with refreshments in the hospital’s Education Conference Room. Shortly before noon, the group will move to the south entrance to watch the final beam be put in place. While it is difficult to pin down the exact beginnings of this construction tradition, most agree that it symbolizes good luck for future occupants, continued growth and a safe workplace.

For questions, contact Mary Jo Kerlin, Marketing & PR coordinator, at 541-557-6208 or [email protected].

Tigers turn in total team effort at Waldport wrestling meet

Jim Fossum
-
0
Tigers turn in total team effort at Waldport wrestling meet

Eleven of 19 Taft High wrestlers placed fifth or better Saturday, led by seniors Cody Knott and DeVon Lindquist, who defeated State-level competitors from Class 6A Grants Pass for individual titles in the Alsea Bay Classic at Waldport.

“Taft wrestling may have pulled off one of our best performances at a tournament in modern school history,” Coach Robb Ellis said.

The Class 3A Tigers placed third among 14 teams overall with senior Jace Fosveit, junior Jace Phippen and sophomore Jose Flores taking second.

Senior Autumn Barela went 4-1 and claimed second in the girls bracket.

Senior Biz Byrum placed third, senior Jacob Mayoral and junior Elin Fitch fourth and senior David Jin and sophomore Willam Calderon fifth.

“We’re pretty amazed as coaches right now,” Ellis said. “The vibe on the team is family-like, and we are just sitting back and watching these kids wrestle well. It is a blast.”

The Tigers will wrestle in a series of dual matches, including competition at Taft on Thursday, Jan. 31, in preparation for the District and State tournaments.

“I think a big thing for the team has been how, as a head coach, I have shifted my focus a lot on improvement.” Ellis said. “I constantly tell the team, “Don’t focus on if you won or loss, focus on how good your opponent was and how well you wrestled him.

“For some wrestlers, if they are a new wrestler and facing a State tournament-placer from last year, and they make it into the third round without getting pinned, that is amazing. I like to tell the wrestlers that sometimes the best match they ever wrestle, they still lose. I would prefer that they lose some of their matches if it was tough competition.

“If you win all your matches because you drew wrestlers that weren’t talented in your bracket, that may make your record look impressive, but when you get to the District tournament and spent the whole season never facing solid opponents, it will hurt you.

“I think this focus of mine, and the focus on getting just as excited when our newer guys when as our experienced guys, is really helping the whole team vibe. We are really building a family atmosphere and it will help us continue to wrestle well.”

DeVon Lindquist
Cody Knott
1...153154155...246Page 154 of 246

Real Estate Agents

Fitness and Exercise

Client name

client-image

Real Estate Photography

spot_img

Client name

client-image

Food and Beverage

Beach Equipment Rental

© 2022 Lincoln City Homepage. All rights reserved.