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Local health educator named top 20 Mental Health First Aid instructor

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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.

Ehrenfelt twins share soothing journey to ease patients’ pain

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.

Ehrenfelts

 

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.

Zachery Ehrenfelt
Zach
Brad Ehrenfelt
Brad

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.

osu grads

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.”

Lincoln City shows up for ‘National Night Out’

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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.

Lincoln City National Night Out 2018

Lincoln City National Night Out was the “best fun all year,” according to children close to the matter.

Posted by Lincoln City Homepage on Tuesday, August 7, 2018

From the NNO website:

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
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.

Mitch Parsons, Lincoln City Council Candidate for Ward One interview with David Dahle of Lincoln City TV at Kirtsis Field for National NIght Out

Mitch Parsons, Lincoln City Council Candidate for Ward One interview with David Dahle of Lincoln City TV at Kirtsis Field for National NIght Out

Posted by Lincoln City TV on Tuesday, August 7, 2018

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.”

Coast Guard aircrew hoists man who fell off God’s Thumb cliff

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A Coast Guard aircrew hoisted a man who slipped and fell 100 feet off a cliff at God’s Thumb, near Lincoln City, Tuesday afternoon.

The man was hoisted by a Coast Guard Sector North Bend aircrew at 6:22 p.m. and then safely transported to Toledo.

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.

Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ali Flockerzi 
U.S. Coast Guard District 13

UPDATED: Health advisory for fecal bacteria – Seal Rock State Park Beach

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Seal Rock

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 Air National Guard promotes first woman to general officer

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brigadier general
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.

brigadier general
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.

‘Onyx’s Great Adventure’ is the perfect fundraising storm

Onyx

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.”

Ron Storms and OnyxWhile 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.

Team Ronyx

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.

Canine Partners for Life

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.

Ron Storms

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.

Meghan Shreiner

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.”

Expected Departure Date: March 9, 2019

 

 

ONYX’S GREAT ADVENTURE

CANINE PARTNERS FOR LIFE

Whale Trail sign dedication and community celebration

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acs oregon chapter

We invite all residents and visitors of Newport and Lincoln County to a Community Celebration at Don Davis Park, 840 W. Olive Street in Newport on Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 10 am to 1 pm.

This community celebration is being held by the American Cetacean Society – Oregon Chapter along with a Whale Trail Interpretive Sign Dedication. The event is free outside in the park so please dress accordingly.

This is a standing event, wheelchairs can be accommodated on the sidewalk.

Refreshments will be served following the speakers. The Newport Performing Arts Center has donated use of their parking lot which is across the street from Don Davis Park.

Several years ago the American Cetacean Society (ACS) – Oregon Chapter partnered with the Oregon Marine Reserves Partnership and it’s other nonprofit members to bring The Whale Trail to Oregon. The Whale Trail has over 90 sites along the west coast where people can observe whales and other marine mammals from shore.

Five sites in Oregon were added to existing sites in British Columbia, Washington and California. In addition to Don Davis Park in Newport, the other sites are Cape Falcon Marine Reserve and Protected Area, Cape Perpetua, Sea Lion Caves and Battle Rock Wayside Park in Port Orford.

american cetacean society

The first official Whale Trail Interpretive Sign is being installed at the Don Davis Park site. We invite the community to come out and celebrate the sign dedication with us. Goals of this project are to increase awareness of the area as a place to view whales and other wildlife, complement the existing whale art sculpture, build community and educate park visitors.

The Whale Trail network of viewing sites helps to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and the marine environment. It encourages intentional travel while also connecting with the casual passerby.

Sponsors of the Don Davis Park Whale Trail interpretive sign are the City of Newport, American Cetacean Society-Oregon Chapter, Hallmark Resort Newport, Point Blue Conservation Science, and The Whale Trail.

Sponsors of the Community Celebration include Anchor Pier Lodge, Fred Meyer Newport, JC Thriftway Newport, Marine Discovery Tours, and Safeway Newport.

Speakers at the celebration include Dr. Bruce Mate, Director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, Dr. James Sumich and Dr. Leigh Torres also of the Marine Mammal Institute, Charlie Plybon of Surfrider Foundation and the Oregon Marine Reserves Partnership, Donna Sandstrom, Executive Director of the Whale Trail, Colleen Weiler of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Kaety Jacobson, incoming Lincoln County Commissioner, and Joy Primrose, American Cetacean Society-Oregon Chapter President.

“The Only Thing That Is Certain Is Change” (Heraclitus, 500 BC). And so it is with the natural world and our interactions with it. We are the keystone species on this planet that influences every living thing, including their futures. We must live responsibly, which means embracing all parts of the earth’s ecosystems with respect, even those that we do not yet understand. “The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become.” (Heraclitus, again) and collectively our choices also become the earth’s fate and our destiny. – Bruce Mate, Director, Marine Mammal Institute

 The Whale Trail is a Seattle based nonprofit conservation group founded in 2008 to promote recovery of the endangered southern resident killer whales through public education and awareness. Since then, its mission has expanded to inspire stewardship of all marine mammals. For more information, check out the Whale Trail at http://thewhaletrail.org .

The American Cetacean Society protects whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats. The non-profit organization was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in San Pedro, CA. Information on the ACS can be found on the website: www.acsonline.org. You can also find us on Facebook at American Cetacean Society-Oregon Chapter

Contact Joy Primrose, ACS Oregon Chapter President at [email protected] or (541) 517-8754 for more information. 

Bring Your Family to the Siletz Pow-Wow

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Siletz Pow-Wow

The annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow, held by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, will take place Aug. 10-12 in Siletz. The public is invited to attend this free family-friendly event, a tradition for the Siletz people and other American Indians.

All events, except the parade, take place at the Pauline Ricks Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds on Government Hill in Siletz.

“Everyone is invited to experience our pow-wow and learn about American Indian culture and dance,” said Buddy Lane, Tribal cultural education director and Pow-Wow coordinator. “Come join us at our annual celebration.”

The celebration will start with the crowning of the 2018-2019 Siletz Royalty on Friday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m. Participants dressed in all dance styles will enter the arena at 7 p.m. during the first Grand Entry, followed by preliminary rounds of competition for youth and teens.

A parade winds through downtown Siletz at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11. This hometown event includes Tribal royalty, drummers, dancers, equestrian units, vintage cars and floats.

Pre-registration is available by accessing a registration form on the Tribe’s website – ctsi.nsn.us; picking one up at the Tribal administration building, 201 SE Swan Ave. in Siletz; or by contacting Lane at 541-444-8230 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1230.

Registration also is available the morning of the parade at 8 a.m. at the Tribal administration building. If you are not registered by 9 a.m., you cannot take part in the judging, which starts at 9 a.m. You can, however, still participate in the parade.

Allivea Hernandez
Allivea Hernandez at 2017 Pow-Wow

The parade is followed by a Grand Entry at 1 p.m. at the Pow-Wow grounds. Competition dancing for youth and teens continues in the afternoon. Competition dancing after the 7 p.m. Grand Entry continues with Golden Age and adult categories and the finals for youth and teens.

On Sunday, Aug. 12, the final day of the pow-wow, a Grand Entry takes place at noon. This session will end with awards for the Golden Age, adult, teen and youth category winners. Prizes range from $25 to $600.

A variety of food and Native arts and crafts and jewelry will be offered for sale by more than 50 vendors on the pow-wow grounds.

“Come and see the variety of vendors at our annual summer pow-wow. Many facets of indigenous America are represented both in craft and food,” said Lane. “There’s a lot to look at and experience, there’s something for everyone here.”

A free shuttle will be available from various parking lots in Siletz to the pow-wow on Government Hill. Signs will be posted. Parking is extremely limited at the pow-wow grounds, so the shuttle is the best way to get there.

This is an alcohol- and drug-free event. Listen carefully to the pow-wow announcer, who will tell you when you can and when you should not take photos. The announcer also will explain the significance of the events taking place in the dance arena throughout the pow-wow.

Pow-Wow Schedule

 

Friday, Aug. 10

6 p.m. – Royalty Crowning

7 p.m. – Grand Entry

Saturday, Aug. 11

10 a.m. – Parade

1 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Grand Entry

Sunday, Aug. 12

Noon – Grand Entry

Siletz man arrested after high-speed pursuit in Lincoln City

jackson

Lincoln City Police have arrested Nelson Leonard Jackson, 33, from Siletz, for Felony Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, Driving While Suspended and a Felony Warrant for Probation Violation (theft in the first degree).

Lincoln City Police Chief Jerry Palmer was in the parking lot of City Hall when he observed Jackson driving a black 2000 Chevrolet S10 pickup displaying a license plate with expired tags from 2015.

A traffic stop was initiated as Jackson exited the parking lot onto SW Harbor, but Jackson failed to yield and accelerated away in an attempt to elude Palmer. Jackson traveled along side streets from SW 10th to SW 17th, then proceeded at high speed southbound on Hwy 101.

Due to heavy traffic, Palmer had responding officers discontinue active pursuit.

Jackson was then observed turning onto SE 32nd Street, where he continued to drive recklessly.

Officers lost sight of Jackson’s vehicle, but started encountering citizens pointing them in the direction Jackson was going.

Jackson’s vehicle was observed heading southbound on High School Drive and Officer Zachary Rigg managed to position his patrol vehicle near High School Drive and SE 48th Street in an attempt to block Jackson’s vehicle. Jackson swerved past Rigg’s vehicle and turned east on SE 48th, prolonging the pursuit on Schooner Creek Road at speeds in excess of 70 mph.

Jackson finally yielded to Rigg on Schooner Creek road.

Additional LCPD officers arrived on scene and Jackson was taken into custody without further incident, He was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail, where he is awaiting arraignment.

Jackson’s bail was set at $130,000.