Saturday, Aug. 11, Explore Lincoln City and mayoral candidate Susan Wahlke held the Lincoln City Sandcastle Contest at Siletz Bay. Hundreds if not thousands turned out for the event and everyone Homepage talked to said it was amazing.
Bret Lucich was on the microphone for the contest, announcing winners and providing commentary. He threw taffy to kids on the beach from the Taft Dock.
Tourists Terri Richard and Kaley Jones from Spokane, Wa. said “This is awesome! We’re so happy the sun came out.”
The winners are:
Best Mermaid: The Murray Family.
Best Chowder Head: Mineer & Shaffer families.
Best Sea Creature: The McCauleys.
Best Squid: Cliff & Morrise.
Best Traditional: Jessica and Patrick Beesley.
Best Dog: Shawn & Joci.
There were reports from some sandcastle builders that their creations were washed away as the tide came in.
Lincoln City Homepage was allowed to attend the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) executive session as news media Friday, Aug. 10, in Salem, where the commission voted to launch a full investigation to determine whether the news site was illegally excluded from a Lincoln City City Council special session.
Homepage Publisher Justin Werner
OGEC ruled in favor of the multimedia news company by deciding to investigate the City Council’s involvement based on a preliminary report that states: “There appears to be a substantial objective basis to believe that a violation of the executive session provisions of Oregon Public Meetings law may have occurred on 6/04/2018 when an executive session was held by the City Council from which a member of the media was excluded.”
The preliminary report also states: “should this case be moved to investigation the Commission would investigate whether the complainant was a representative of the news media in accordance with the AG (Attorney General) Opinion.”
In other action, Lincoln City resident Jerry Warner’s ethics complaint against Lincoln City Public Works Director Lila Bradley and her husband over their Beach Club property was dismissed in the preliminary review phase.
Lincoln City Homepage is pleased to announce an exciting new feature designed to enhance its dissemination of the news in the form of an audio version of its posts.
Beginning today, many of the site’s news, feature and sports stories will be accompanied by a verbatim reading of the post by Homepage Publisher/Editor Justin Werner and others.
For convenience purposes and the benefit of its readers, Homepage hopes to assist those with vision and/or reading difficulties by easing their access to information by providing oral presentation of its reporting in addition to its usual verbal and visual delivery.
Hilary Harrison, health education coordinator for mental health at Samaritan Health Services, was named to the National Council for Behavioral Health’s list of Top 20 Mental Health First Aid Instructors for the second quarter of 2018.
One in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care. Just as learning CPR helps those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a five-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.
Each quarter, the National Council recognizes the instructors who train the most people in this vital action plan to support someone who is having a mental health or substance use issue.
“Our instructors are an essential part of the Mental Health First Aid movement,” said Betsy Schwartz, vice president of public education and special initiatives at the National Council for Behavioral Health. “They’re the ones on the ground equipping people with the information and skills they need to support others. I can’t tell you how proud I am of them, and of our Top 20 Instructors in particular. They go above and beyond, and their work is worthy of recognition and our utmost thanks.”
Harrison is passionate about her role in mental health education and as an instructor for Mental Health First Aid.
“I know these trainings help increase people’s knowledge about mental illness and decrease the stigma many feel about getting help,” Harrison explained. “The most rewarding part is when people tell me how taking the class helped them better understand someone’s situation or have a conversation with someone, potentially preventing a suicide.”
In just 10 years, Mental Health First Aid has become a full-blown movement in the United States with more than 1 million certified Mental Health First Aiders, and that number is growing every day.
Samaritan has been offering Mental Health First Aid since 2014, certifying more than 2,300 people in both adult, youth and veteran focused curriculum.
“We are proud to have trained school staff, local church leaders, city employees, law enforcement and other organizations, as well as our own employees and community members,” said Harrison.
For more information or to participate in a Mental Health First Aid training, visit samhealth.org/MentalHealthFirstAid or contact Samaritan Health Education at 541-768-6811.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In the following new feature to appear periodically on Homepage, senior reporter Jim Fossum goes on the prowl to hunt down Tigers of yesteryear who have excelled academically and/or athletically at Taft High 7-12. In today’s premier post, we feature 2011 grads Brad and Zach Ehrenfelt, honor students and star athletes who happen to be twins.
Call it “a twin thing” . . .
They do.
Bradley and Zachery Ehrenfelt were born two minutes apart in Lincoln City on June 14, 1993.
Sons and the only offspring of virtual lifelong local residents and Taft High graduates Shawn (1984) and Anita (1985) Ehrenfelt, the fraternal twins played the same sports, excelled in the same subjects, shared the same friends, graduated from the same college and will soon attend the same doctoral school – well, sort of.
“Their competitive nature as twins helped them a lot,” mother, Anita, said. “We were so proud and sad the day they went off to college, but even more proud the day they graduated.”
After studying subject matter such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, psychology and physics at Oregon State in pursuit of becoming physical therapists like their mom, the personable 25-year-old siblings are about to embark on post-graduate education at the University of St. Augustine For Health Sciences in search of certification as Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT).
But, like many of the maladies they’ll attend to, there’s been an unexpected twist. Both applied for and were accepted at the renowned physical therapy school with four campuses throughout the United States, but about as far apart as imaginable.
ZachBrad
Zachery Ryan Ehrenfelt, who hopes to one day establish residency as a physical therapist in his home state, will seek his DPT degree at the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, Calif., near San Diego. Bradley Shawn Ehrenfelt, who hopes to practice physical therapy in Bend, will pursue his DPT certification at the St. Augustine campus in Miami.
Go figure!
Upon graduating from Taft in the spring of 2011 as honor students and star athletes, both boys enrolled at Oregon State in Corvallis, where both graduated in June 2016 – Brad with a degree In Kinesiology; Zach with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science.
Both went their separate ways immediately following college to work in their respective fields for about two years – Brad as a physical therapist aide in Spokane, Wash., and Zach at a physical therapist clinic in Salem.
Those who know them — including the brothers themselves — credit their sibling rivalry as twins for their competitiveness and undeniable drive to success.
“Having a twin brother is a special experience,” said Zach, a power-hitting right-handed catcher, pitcher and center fielder who batted left-handed for the Tigers. “You create this bond that becomes inseparable. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without my brother because he has always been there for me and we still remain very close, even though we are thousands of miles apart. Growing up with a twin makes you overly competitive about every aspect of life. You never want to come in second because you will never hear the end of it.”
Brad, who manned the infield as a diminutive, scrappy, slap-hitting second baseman, concurs.
“Growing up with a twin, you are never bored,” he said. “You always have someone to play with who pushes you to be better. One thing that I really enjoyed coming from someone who is very competitive was that every day, everything we did together was a competition. It still is to this day.”
Brad and Zach’s father, Shawn, who has worked at North Lincoln Sanitary Service for more than 30 years, was also a baseball coach, manager and tournament organizer who often served as a one-man grounds crew manicuring the mound and plate at Kirtsis Park for youth and adult baseball, softball and mushball games while his kids grew up and attended school.
“He’ll tell you those were the best years of his life,” said Anita, an assistant therapist at Benchmark Physical Therapy in Lincoln City. “It was always fun watching the boys play and excel in baseball.”
The attention their hard-working father afforded them was never lost on the boys.
“I am extremely grateful for my dad because he sacrificed many hours when we were in high school by being our baseball coach,” Zach said. “That man would get up for work around 3:30 or 4 a.m. and sometimes not get home from an away game until midnight or later, then turn around and go to work a few hours later.”
The twins led Taft on the diamond in various ways, mental and physical, their head baseball coach, Tracey Taylor, said.
“Zach and Brad were very driven people,” he said. “They were leaders — Brad vocally and emotionally; Zach with actions.”
Twin terrors to opponents, the highly decorated players also brought their talents to the classroom with soaring GPAs to go with their lofty batting averages.
“They were very good students who led in school and on the field by example, always willing to help and go the extra mile to be better,” Taylor said. “Their work ethic was unmatched. What they brought to Taft was an energy and discipline to be better.”
While the popular twins left a legacy of leading the Tigers into the baseball playoffs for the first time since anyone could remember, they took away and maintain fond memories of their time at Taft.
“Obviously, all the personal accolades are fun to look at now, but creating lifelong bonds with my teammates is something I’ll never forget,” Zach, an All-State player, said. “All I can ever remember is being at the ballpark, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since. What I remember best about Taft and living in Lincoln City is how close-knit the community was. Everyone looked out for each other, and when you needed help, someone was always there.”
Most prominent of which were his loving and devoted parents, he said.
“Obviously, it’s because of seeing how hard they work every day to be able to provide for our family and allow my brother and I to live the life any kid should have,” Zach said. “Growing up, a lot of times you dislike your parents because of the rules they set or because they make you do things you hated, but looking back, I am so glad they were tough on us because I would not be the man I am today without it.”
Not surprisingly, Brad’s favorite sport was also baseball “because I wasn’t a very big kid growing up and baseball was a sport that it didn’t really matter how big you were. Being able to play for my dad and, obviously, being able to play with my brother, are two great memories I have.”
While attending Oregon State, Brad worked as an equipment manager for the Beavers football team. He was able to travel to all the Pac-12 schools and bowl games in San Antonio and Hawaii. While in Corvallis, he met Samantha Cant in his Psychology 202 class.
“We haven’t stopped talking since,” said Brad, who married Samantha, 26, this summer after moving to Spokane, where she attends pharmacy school at Washington State. Now, besides his studies, his time is devoted to being a newlywed.
“She is everything to me,” he said. “Without her, I wouldn’t know what to do. She pushes me to be my best and always keeps me in line, which is a tough task. I know this sounds cheesy, but she really does complete me. We definitely complement each other.”
While Brad attends school in southeastern Florida beginning Sept. 5, Samantha, who is in the top 10 percent of her class, will continue her four-year pharmacy program in the Great Pacific Northwest.
“This year, we got to watch one of the twins marry the love of his life, and then watch them both head out for graduate school to finally pursue their dream of becoming physical therapists,” Anita said.
Like his brother, Brad cites his mom and dad, along with his wife’s parents, Chuck and Rena, and local physical therapists Nolan and Lars Kellow, for being positive influences in his success.
“I wouldn’t be here without their love and support,” he said.
Teaming together — as they always have — the inability of people to perform physical activities in their daily lives promises to be alleviated by two aspiring healthcare professionals who happen to be twins.
“What an amazing ride it has been,” Anita said. “We wouldn’t have traded it for anything. Having twins was our greatest accomplishment. Watching them grow was even better.”
K2’s center field at Kirtsis Park was home to games, a dunk tank, bounce house, citizens, police, fire, medical and military personnel from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, for the first-ever Lincoln City National Night Out (NNO) in the name of neighborhood camaraderie.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Master of ceremonies and event organizer Boone Marker manned the microphone, announcing events when he wasn’t secretly collapsing the dunk-tank seat. Marker had the idea and the Lincoln City Community Center hosted the event.
Boone Marker
Lincoln City Police Department officers mingled with citizens, played soccer and gave a tour of a police cruiser. North Lincoln Fire & Rescue (NLFR) handed out fire safety information and goodies bags to the kids. The Oregon Army National Guard set up a mobile rock-climbing wall.
One of the biggest attractions was the dunk tank, where for $1, kids and adults threw softballs at a target to submerge willing volunteers, such as Mayor Don Williams, Chief of Police Jerry Palmer and local celebrity Heather Hatton. For $5, contestants were allowed to push the target, guaranteeing a dunk. The dunk tank and corresponding raffle raised money for the Parks & Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund.
NLFR Safety Officer Jim Kusz paid to dunk Chief Palmer to the amusement of the crowd.
Lincoln City band Schroondonk provided live music and was considered “great” by many event-goers. The band played a full set, including Sublime’s “What I Got,” which had kids and adults dancing.
Mayoral candidates David Dahle and Susan Wahlke were in attendance, along with City Council hopeful Mitch Parsons, and current City Councilors Diana Hinton, Dick Anderson and Riley Hoagland. Dahle conducted an interview with Parsons at the event.
Younger children climbed up an inflatable rock-climb slide and jumped around inside the bounce house to the smiles of onlooking parents.
Fruity the Clown (Kathy Santos) made balloon animals on request, such as swords, flowers and a dog on a leash. All the kids seemed to have visited her, as balloon animals could be seen in the hands of virtually every child.
“I like to see children smiling and having fun,” Santos said.
NW Natural, Sysco Foods, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, and Kenny’s IGA provided hot dogs, chips, watermelon, cookies and soda for hungry participants, and Driftwood Public Library, American Red Cross, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts had booths set up to share information.
Raffle prizes were donated from numerous local businesses. Bijou Theatre, Eleanor’s Undertow, Hwy 101 Burger, Mo’s, Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, Kyllo’s, Black Squid Beer House, Thai Bay, Autobahn 101, My Petite Sweet, Granny’s Attic, Beach Club & Event Center, Game Over, LuLaRoe and the Lincoln City Community Center all donated prizes.
The event was deemed a success by many individuals Homepage spoke with.
“This is such a great event,” Lincoln City resident Debbie Donner said. “Our grand daughter loves it. This is just wonderful.”
A North Lincoln Fire & Rescue (NLFR) crew contacted Coast Guard Sector North Bend Command Center personnel at approximately 1:30 p.m., requesting helicopter rescue assistance.
Sector North Bend personnel dispatched the aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, who helped the NLFR crew locate the individual, who fell approximately 100 feet down the cliff.
The Lincoln County Technical Rope Rescue Team encountered difficulties during their rescue attempt and requested further assistance from the Coast Guard crew to help hoist him to safety.
The man was reportedly in stable condition at the time of the hoist.
Recreational use health advisory for water contact at Seal Rock State Park Beach lifted August 10
Testing shows fecal bacteria levels have subsided
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a recreational use health advisory for contact with marine water at Seal Rock State Park Beach, located in Lincoln County. The health authority issued the advisory August 7 after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.
Results from later samples taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. However, officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.
The Oregon Health Authority issued a public health advisory Aug. 7, for higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Seal Rock State Park Beach.
Water samples indicate higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted. This applies especially to children and the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to waterborne bacteria.
Increased pathogen and fecal bacteria levels in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources such as stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems, and animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.
While this advisory is in effect at Seal Rock State Park Beach, visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Even if there is no advisory in effect, officials recommend avoiding swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.
Although state officials advise against water contact, they continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory. Neighboring beaches are not affected by this advisory.
The status of water contact advisories at beaches is subject to change. For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).
Since 2003 state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state organizations participating in this program are the Oregon Health Authority, Department of Environmental Quality, and Parks and Recreation Department.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (left) administers the oath of office to newly promoted Brig. Gen. Donna Prigmore (right) as her father Mr. Gerard Houde (center) holds the family bible during her formal promotion ceremony, Aug. 5, 2018, at the Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon. With the promotion to brigadier general, Prigmore became the first woman promoted as a general officer in the Oregon Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
Oregon Air National Guard Col. Donna M. Prigmore was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in a ceremony, August 5, 2018, at the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown officiated the oath of office, as Prigmore became the first woman in the Oregon Air National Guard to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general and the first female in the Oregon National Guard to become a general officer as a traditional, part-time Guardsman.
Prigmore follows in the footsteps of Oregon Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Julie A. Bentz, who was the first woman in the Oregon National Guard to become a general officer. Bentz is currently serving on active duty as vice director of the Joint Improvised-threat Defeat Organization (JIDO).
With the promotion to general officer, Prigmore will serve as the Oregon National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General – Air, which commands and ensures the readiness for both of Oregon’s flying F-15 Eagle units located in Portland and Klamath Falls.
Oregon Air National Guard Col. Prigmore has her new brigadier general stars donned to her uniform by her sons, Nathan and Brian Prigmore.
She most recently served as Director of Strategic Plans and Programs for the Oregon Air National Guard. She has more than 35 years of military service since beginning her Air Force career in 1982 on active duty before transitioning to the Air National Guard four years later. She served as the vice commander for both the142nd and 173rd Fighter Wings, and has more than 12 years of command level experience. In previous assignments, she was the 142nd Fighter Wing Mission Support commander and deputy commander, services flight commander, wing inspector general, cost analysis officer, chief of public affairs and the division chief of Strategic Vision and Communications at the Pentagon. She also served one year as the executive officer for the vice chief of staff National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C. In her civilian career, she is the senior manager, Passenger Terminal Experience at the Port of Portland.
In addition to graduating from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Prigmore has earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma State University. She has completed military training at the Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air Base, in Tennessee, and the Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College through the distance learning programs at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Ron Storms, Meghan Shreiner and a black lab named Onyx, plan to travel by bike and cart, March 1, 2019, from Lincoln City to Pennsylvania to raise money for Canine Partners for Life, who provide service dogs to those who can’t afford one. The trio’s journey, called Onyx’s Great Adventure, will be live streamed and documented on their Facebook page and website.
“We are incredibly honored Ron chose Canine Partners for Life as the beneficiary of this extraordinary fundraiser!” Janie Cramer, Executive Director at Canine Partners for Life said. “Ron’s generosity will enable us to continue to place service dogs with individuals who have disabilities, providing them with a more independent and fulfilled life. Along with the financial support, the increased exposure this fundraiser will bring to our mission is priceless. We have already began to spread the word about Ron and Onyx and are eager to cheer these two on.”
While exploring the dock at Taft Bay, Homepage observed a dog jumping into the water and bringing back a very large plank to its master. After noticing the dog’s owner wearing a bright yellow t-shirt with “Team Ronyx” emblazoned on it, further investigation was required.
In talking with Storms it was revealed that he is a construction contractor that has been preparing for and promoting a cross-country fundraiser using his own money.
Storms will be peddling his hybrid road bike with an attached dog cart nearly 3,000 miles to raise awareness for service dogs who provide support and assistance to their owners. Shreiner will be driving within 30 miles of the bike and cart, in a truck with a custom camper box that will provide sleeping accommodations, haul their gear, merchandise and other necessities.
It costs approximately $30,000 dollars and 3 years to acquire, train, feed, foster and prepare a service dog for the job of assisting owners in their day to day lives. If Onyx’s Great Adventure pays for just one service animal to be placed with a new owner then their goal will be met.
Onyx’s Great Adventure is challenging each state collectively, to donate $10,000 or more and for the next state to donate more than the previous state.
Supporters of Team Ronyx can pledge a donation to the “A Penny a Mile” campaign where for a $30 donation, supporters can sponsor Storms and Onyx to cycle from Lincoln City, Oregon to Cochranville, Pennsylvania.
Storms has raised dogs all his life and has always has a special place in his heart for those with special needs. He grew up with a close relationship with his mentally handicapped Aunt and always felt compassionate about those with special needs. He is ready to take this journey to help others.
Onyx is a unique dog who carries many personalities but always aims to please and have fun. He loves swimming, fetching and playing. He can bee found on the beach fetching his special boards, sticks and balls and enjoys hiking in the woods. He is excited to jump off ledges, bridges and other obstacles to fetch logs, sticks or rocks. He can be seen riding around Lincoln City in his orange dog cart.
Shreiner met Storms and Onyx in 2015 and heard about his idea for a fundraiser and said she wanted to be involved in some way. Shreiner is now behind the scenes building websites, taking photos and managing social media to help promote Onyx’s Great Adventure. She has always had a passion to help others in need.
“If one person receives one service dog out of all this then I will consider it a success,” Storms said. “Its already a success because we’ve raised money and awareness and we haven’t even left yet.”
While exploring the dock at Taft Bay, Homepage observed a dog jumping into the water and bringing back a very large plank to its master. After noticing the dog’s owner wearing a bright yellow t-shirt with “Team Ronyx” emblazoned on it, further investigation was required.
