Parents: would you like to reduce the chances of your teen driver being in a crash by a staggering amount? Get them into a driver education program. Oregon statistics shows that teens age 15 – 20 without driver education are responsible for 91 percent of teen driver crashes.
“If you think about the fact that we’re reaching a little over a one-third to one-half of all eligible teens in Oregon, but are only represented in under 9 percent of all crashes, it’s time to raise the flag and let people know,” said Driver Education Program Manager William Warner.
At first, Warner and teen driving safety advocates across the state were hesitant to highlight the differences because the data was so new; now they are ready to stand behind the statistics.
“We now have 4 years’ worth of data and have established some depth and breadth to our numbers,” Warner said.
Unfortunately, it’s still true that teen drivers and their families experience tragedy even if the new driver has taken driver education, but the chances are greatly reduced. And that’s reason to celebrate. ODOT’s Safety Division has a resource page for young drivers and parents, including information about getting financial assistance to take driver education for families that qualify.
October 21 – 27 is National Teen Driver Safety Week, and it presents an opportunity for parents to have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel. Oregon has what’s called graduated licensing, designed to give young drivers more time to gain valuable driving experience. That means that depending on your age, the rules change, such as when you can drive, who you can or cannot have in the car, etc.
Some rules, however, never change – the greatest dangers for teen drivers are similar to those for all drivers, and worth emphasizing:
Additional statistic: In 2017 in Oregon, 51 people were killed by 44 drivers age 15-20. Considering the data and statistics from 2013-2016, that would mean three or four of those drivers had taken driver education; 40 or 41 had not (2017 data is still preliminary).
Important information from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for National Teen Driving Safety Week, Oct. 21 – 27:
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States – ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence.
In 2016 in the U.S, there were 2,288 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver (15-18 years old), of which 814 deaths were the teen driver – a 6 percent increase from 2015.
Parents can be the biggest influences on teens’ choices behind the wheel if they take the time to talk with their teens about some of the biggest driving risks.
On Monday, October 15, 2018, at 12:53 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received from Barron, Wisconsin. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials found two adults deceased, and their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme Closs, missing. Closs is now considered endangered. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jayme Closs, or if you have had contact with Closs, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice Child Abduction Response Team tip line at 1-855-744-3879. You may also contact your local FBI office.
Note: While there is no indication that 13-year-old Jayme Closs is in Oregon, the FBI is pushing this information out across the country with the thought that she could be anywhere at this time. The FBI is requesting that local media publicize her missing poster and related information and that the public post this information on their own social media platforms.
Good evening Lincoln City, I’m Justin Werner with Lincoln City Homepage.
Autobahn 101 was the scene of Conversation with the Candidates, which was an open to the public debate between mayoral candidates. Dick Anderson, Susan Wahlke and David Dahle answered questions from the public as well as from Autobahn 101 owner Roy Barker. Barker and his band “Uncle Roy” performed after the event.
Senior Lincoln City Planner Debra Nicholson is being named Planner of the Year in Bend today for her excellence in planning.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office issued a phone scam alert notifying the public of scammers posing as law enforcement in a bid to get victims to wire money to release loved ones.
Another media outlet published an article saying the Warming Shelter had an assault occur at its property. A Homepage investigation proved this to be false.
Former Evidence Tech Molly Wehrley is newly promoted to Officer. You may remember her from our coverage of pedestrian safety enforcement.
Former evidence tech Molly Wehrley, saying she intends to “toe the line and stand between order and chaos,” was sworn in Tuesday as a Lincoln City Police officer at a ceremony at City Hall.
Wehrley spent almost a year with the agency processing evidence and property before pursuing her goal of becoming an officer. She developed an interest in law enforcement while participating as a scout in her high school “Police Explorer” program, where she was able to spend time with officers as they made traffic stops, investigated crimes and patrolled.
She said her interaction with the public and use of evidence to determine the truth drew her to a career in law enforcement and prompted her to complete her certification in the Law Enforcement Specialist program at Tillamook Bay Community College in the spring of 2017.
Wehrley, who was sworn in as an officer in Lincoln City Council Chambers, said she aspires to continue to reach out to the youth and community in a positive way. Fellow officers say she is the kind of person who can jump in during a crisis and assist in any way necessary.
An ordinance to alter rules and restrictions on where a warming shelter can be located could come before the Lincoln City City Council at its Oct. 22 meeting and allow for designation of City property as an emergency site on a temporary basis.
“I think that accurately reflects the emergency situation that our community finds itself in,” Lincoln City Warming Shelter President Patrick Alexander said Wednesday.
The Council moved Monday evening to allow City Manager Ron Chandler to designate a site for temporary use during a special workshop at City Hall. Proposals for buying or building a shelter for eventual longtime use were also discussed.
Alexander said various sites exist that could serve effectively as a shelter for the coming winter. He said the most efficient site for both clients and volunteers would be the continued use of Taft Hall, located at 1206 SE 48th Place.
Taft Hall has served as site for the Shelter for the past couple of years, but its legal inability to host clients overnight caused the Council to drastically reduce grant funding at its Sept. 10 meeting.
Zoning issues eliminated First Baptist Church at 1333 N.W. 17th St. as a site to replace Taft Hall because it lied within the Oceanlake Plan District zone, which does not comply with “Accessory Use” requirements.
Alexander said the offer of an alternative site in the form of the old fire department building showed the city is fully engaged on the warming shelter issue, but that the building at SW 4th Street has no insulation, running water or bathrooms.
The fourth floor of City Hall, where Career Tech Charter School resides as a renter from the City, was also mentioned as a possible replacement site.
“I was really encouraged by the direction of the [Oct. 15] workshop,” Alexander said. “We look forward to working with city staff to find a timely solution.”
Councilors met Monday to research and evaluate the homelessness situation in Lincoln City and discuss “funding, zoning and intergovernmental cooperation” on homelessness services in what Councilor Judy Casper said was “an effort to provide stable facilities that meet the needs of this everlasting, changing, growing population.”
Since opening in November 2017, the Lincoln City Resource Center & Emergency Warming Shelter has provided more than 6,806 meals, 1,071 showers, 357 loads of laundry, 40 bus tickets and 15 birth certificates to its daytime clients. The Shelter provided 396 overnight stays last year, providing 1,179 meals to its guests.
In addition, it provides warm clothes, shoes, toiletry and feminine hygiene products free of charge. The Shelter also offers job placement services, mental health and housing assistance, and works closely with Safeway, rehabilitation centers, and county and state assistance agencies. It also partners with hair stylists and dentists to provide free care on selected dates throughout the year.
Police and Lincoln City Warming Shelter officials disputed Wednesday a published report that alleged an assault occurred at approximately noon at the shelter at 1206 48th Place.
Witnesses, police and paramedics confirmed to Lincoln City Homepage, which was on the scene, that there was no evidence of assault and that the individual, a veteran allegedly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), came to the resource center bloody and seeking help.
Police said they believed the man, approximately 50 and dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, had fallen down and cut and bruised himself.
“No incident arose at the Center today,” Lincoln City Resource Center & Emergency Warming Shelter Program Director Amanda Suzanne Cherryholmes said. “A man, veteran with PTSD, came in bloody saying that someone had beat him up. We called the police, and they came to the Center and then called paramedics to take him to the emergency room. We were simply good Samaritans with a safe place for him to go and we connected him to the services he needed.”
Cherryholmes said she appreciated the “close working relationship” between the shelter and the police.
“The veteran was able to get the help he needed promptly,” she said.
USGS scientists have determined that nearly half of Americans are exposed to potentially damaging earthquakes based on where they work and live. Still others will be at risk when traveling. Everyone, everywhere, should know how to protect themselves during an earthquake. Don’t leave it to luck.
Be prepared and join millions of people participating in Great ShakeOut earthquake drills worldwide on Oct. 18. During the drill, participants practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” This is the recommended safety action to take during an earthquake.
USGS map showing (1) the locations of major populations and (2) the intensity of potential earthquake ground shaking that has a 2% chance of occurring in 50 years.
Shake It Like It’s Real
Mark your calendar and register to participate so that you know how to protect yourself, those you love and your community. Families, schools, businesses and organizations can all sign up and get involved. There are many ways to participate, and a variety of resources and tips are provided online. This includes pre-made flyers, drill broadcast recordings, drill manuals and more.
The History of ShakeOut
The USGS is a proud founder and supporter of ShakeOut. The ShakeOut began in California in 2008 and has since spread to other states and is now international as well. People and organizations in all U.S. states and territories and most countries can register their drills through the ShakeOut site.
What’s Your Exposure to Earthquake Shaking?
To learn about your exposure to ground shaking from an earthquake near you, check out the recently released 2014 USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps. These maps reflect the best and most current understanding of where future earthquakes will occur, how often they will occur and how hard the ground will likely shake as a result.
What to Do During the Drill
Most people will hold their ShakeOut drills at 10:18 a.m. local time on Oct. 18 (though drills can be held anytime and on other days if necessary). If you are indoors, you should “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Drop where you are onto your hands and knees, then crawl for cover under a nearby sturdy desk or table and hold on to it securely. If you are not near a desk or table, crawl against an interior wall, then protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and kitchen cabinets filled with heavy objects or glass.
During the drill, look around and see what objects could fall during a potential earthquake, and make sure to secure or move those items after the drill.
If you happen to be outdoors in a real earthquake, move to a clear and open area if you can do so. Avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles and items that can fall on you. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road and set the parking brake. Do not shelter under bridges, overpasses, power lines or traffic signs. Make sure to remain inside the vehicle until the shaking has stopped.
ShakeOut GIF showing what to do in an earthquake if you are near a sturdy desk or table.
ShakeOut GIF showing what to do in an earthquake if you are in a stadium or theater.
ShakeOut GIF on what to do during an earthquake if you are near the shore.
ShakeOut GIF on what to do during an earthquake if you are driving a car.
USGS Science in ShakeOut
The USGS has created and provides information tools to support earthquake loss reduction, including hazard assessments, scenarios, comprehensive real-time earthquake monitoring and public preparedness handbooks. USGS also develops earthquake scenarios that help shape preparedness exercises such as the ShakeOut. USGS earthquake research helps emergency managers understand where earthquakes occur and valuable information about the potential damages and losses.
The original ShakeOut was based on a comprehensive analysis of a major earthquake in southern California known as “The ShakeOut Scenario.” That project, completed in 2008, was led by the USGS and many partners as a demonstration of how science can be applied to reduce risks related to natural hazards. The concept and organization of a public drill came out of the collaboration between the USGS, the Southern California Earthquake Center and other partners of the Earthquake Country Alliance.
The success of the 2008 ShakeOut drill inspired other states and countries to want to participate. The third Thursday of October each year is now International ShakeOut Day, with more countries joining each year. ShakeOut’s growth is coordinated by SCEC (which also manages ShakeOut websites globally) with the support of many agencies and partners across the nation, including the USGS, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Science Foundation, the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and several others.
ShakeAlert is Open for Business!
The 2018 Great ShakeOut earthquake drill will provide an opportunity for communities along the West Coast to envision how the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System will be used in the future. ShakeAlert detects significant earthquakes so quickly that alerts can reach many people before shaking arrives. In late September, the U.S. Geological Survey and ShakeAlert partners released ShakeAlert version 2.0, which more accurately detects earthquakes for issuing ShakeAlerts and minimizes false alerts.
“ShakeAlert is a critical investment in reducing risk for our nation’s future,” said USGS Director Jim Reilly. “Our country’s first public earthquake early warning system will allow citizens, institutions, and managers of essential infrastructure to take timely actions that will save lives and property.”
The public is already benefiting from ShakeAlert with nearly 40 pilot users in over a dozen sectors, including transportation, education, health care, and utilities across California, Oregon, and Washington, who are testing automated actions such as slowing down trains and and other protective actions that benefit the public.
The USGS and its ShakeAlert partners stress that ShakeAlerts complement existing tools that contribute to risk reduction. To learn more about ShakeAlert, follow us on Twitter or visit the ShakeAlert website.
Taft High seniors compete in their final game Tuesday night against Warrenton
PHOTOS BY LON FRENCH
Taft High bid farewell to six graduating players Tuesday night in a 3-0 league home loss to Warrenton on Senior Night in the high school gym.
Savannah Russo
Lilly Salsbery, Charlotte Huppert, Savannah Russo, Maleah Smith, Jazmyn Cornejo and Autumn Barela played their last home games for the Tigers, who finished the regular season 2-16 overall and 1-7 in the five-team Coastal Range League. Second-place Warrenton improved to 11-5, 6-2.
The Tigers fell 25-18, 25-14, 25-18, but still play in a 5 p.m. playoff game Thursday against Warrenton at Willamina.
Taft’s season was salvaged on Oct. 4, when the Tigers defeated Clatskanie 3-1 at home for their first league victory following 37 defeats since a 3-1 home win over Horizon Christian-Tualatin on Oct. 5, 2015. The win snapped a 29-match overall losing streak.
Taft Coach Kelsey Hart’s media comments
“Last night was a great game for us, despite not ending in a win. The girls kept their attitudes up, and didn’t let long point streaks from the other team beat them down.
“My setters, senior Lilly Salsbery and freshman Lily Hatton, did a great job giving the ball to all of our different hitters, as well as giving us some very aggressive serves. Outside hitter Charlotte Huppert had a good hitting night, giving us some kills at very helpful times. Savannah Russo, our other outside hitter and a phenomenal night, leading our team with 8 kills. She moved the ball around and kept the other team on their toes.
“Freshman middle hitter, Shelline Nerup, had an amazing kill from the right side during game three; she sliced the ball cross court and put a vicious snap on it. We’ve been waiting for that type of swing from her, and I can’t wait to work with her on it to make that how she swings for most of her attacks. It was a glimpse into what kind of hitter she’ll be as she progresses through the rest of her high school career.
“Senior Autumn Barela came up from the JV team to participate in Senior Night with the Varsity team, and started in her first ever Varsity game. She had expressed some worry about it, but right out of the gate she had some amazing passes, and one dig of a hard hit ball that went perfectly to our setter zone.
“Jazmyn Reyes-Cornejo, a senior defensive specialist (back row passer) did a great job coming off of having a broken pinky, and being confident to go in and give us some great defensive passes and digs, which we needed against the hard-hitting offense from Warrenton. Our freshman libero, Addie Gates, did a great job going in and running our back court for all three sets, she has grown as a libero and a passer quite a bit this season.
“Sophomore middle blocker, Keeara Harmon had a great blocking night. While she didn’t have any stuff blocks, she did get her hands on WAY more balls to slow them down, which allowed our defense to pick them up and get the ball to our setters. She has gotten so much better from the start of this season to now, not just in her blocking, but in her confidence on the court.
“Jordyn Ramsey, one of our sophomore defensive specialists, did a great job getting balls up in the back row, and giving us some extremely consistent, and deceptively aggressive serves. Freshman Logan Jack came off the bench to play right side hitter in game three, and had some great defensive saves.
“As it was Senior Night, and what the girls thought was their last game of the season, the girls were understandably emotional in the post-game huddle. Had it been our final game, despite it being a loss, I think it would have been a good game to end our season on.
“The girls played like a team, kept their attitudes up, embraced players who aren’t always on the court, didn’t cast blame on themselves or others, etc. They put together all of the skills we’ve been working hard on.
“I’m a very proud coach, and have loved seeing every minute of their growth this season. This season we saw our first league win in four years. The girls finished in second place at a competitive tournament. I would be happy with how our season ended if this was our last game. But it’s not! Taft will be playing in a playoff game against Warrenton on Thursday at Willamina High School. The winner of that game will play second-place Willamina. We’ll be looking to have fun playing one more match, and doing our best to get to the Willamina game.”
Real market value in Lincoln County is up approximately 6 percent for the third straight year, according to figures released Tuesday by the Lincoln County Assessor’s Office.
Real market value, which includes factoring in the value of new construction and development, is the price property would sell for in a transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller on Jan. 1 of the assessment date for the tax year.
The countywide assessed (taxable) value has increased by about 4 percent, figures show.
Property tax statements for Lincoln County for 2018-19 will be mailed by Oct. 25, with initial payment due by Nov. 15.
Most property owners will see a typical 3 percent increase in their assessed value due to Measure 50 – a constitutional amendment approved by Oregon voters in 1997.
When Measure 50 was first implemented, a “maximum assessed value” was assigned to each property that equaled its 1995 value minus 10 percent. For the years following, each property is assessed on the lesser of its maximum assessed value from the previous year plus 3 percent, or its real market value. So, as long as the real market value remains higher than the maximum assessed value, the assessed value is allowed to increase up to 3 percent.
This is the most common scenario, however, there are situations where a property’s assessed value might increase more or less than 3 percent for two primary reasons:
1) New construction, development or other changes to property considered an “exception” event may add to or lower the property’s assessed value.
2) If, following a market downturn, a property’s real market value falls below its maximum assessed value, the property is assessed at its real market value. The assessed value might fluctuate up or down annually with the market, with no limitation, until it returns to or above the maximum assessed value. At that point, the assessed value will once again be restricted to 3 percent annual growth under Measure 50.
For 2018, approximately 19 percent of properties in Lincoln County are assessed at their real market value, down from 22 percent last year. With increasing market values, these properties may see assessed value growth of more than 3 percent.
Full Lincoln County property tax payments made by Nov. 15 will receive a 3 percent discount and two-thirds payments will receive a 2 percent discount. At least one-third payment must be received by Nov. 15 to avoid delinquent interest charges. For those making one-third payments, the second payment will be due by Feb. 15, and the third payment will be due by May 15.
Payments can be made electronically online, mailed with a postmark on or before Nov. 15, or dropped off at several locations, including participating local bank branches, a drop box located at the courthouse parking lot, or in person at the tax office located in room 205, on the second floor of the County Courthouse.
Property tax statements for Lincoln County for 2018-19 will be mailed by Oct. 25, with initial payment due by Nov. 15.
