Tuesday, October 14, 2025
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Newport Sandcastle contest July 26, 2025

Newport Sandcastle contest

South Beach State Park will host its annual sandcastle competition 10 a.m. to noon July 26 in Newport.

Anyone can compete as an individual or as a team for a chance to win first, second or third place. Prizes include baskets with an assortment of beach-themed prizes with the first-place basket stocked with four tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Visitors interested in competing can sign up in person starting at 9:30 a.m. July 26 on the beach next to the South Beach day-use parking lot.

“It’s a great opportunity for visitors to share their sand sculpting skills and connect with park volunteers and rangers,” said Ranger Patrick Newhall.

Last year, 20 teams with a total of 65 competitors vied for the top spots. And as many as 190 visitors watched the sandcastles take shape.

For more information, please contact South Beach State Park at (541) 867-7451 Ext. 0.

Mussel harvest closure Tillamook Head to the north Jetty of the Siuslaw River

Mussells (photo by themarinediaries.com)


SALEM, Ore – Mussel harvesting is now closed from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to the north Jetty of the Siuslaw River (Florence) the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced today. Recent mussel samples indicate levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) – a naturally occurring marine biotoxin – is above the safety threshold.

People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest any shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

Current harvest closures and openings:


Mussels:
OPEN from the WA border to Tillamook Head.
CLOSED from Tillamook Head to the north Jetty of the Siuslaw River.
OPEN from the north jetty of the Siuslaw River to the CA border.
Razor clams: OPEN from the WA border to Cape Blanco.
CLOSED from Cape Blanco to the CA border.
Bay clams: OPEN coastwide.
Crabs: OPEN coastwide.

ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.

Silver Falls Campground reopens Camping Reservations for the Summer

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Silver Falls renovated camping areas

Silver Falls State Park is now accepting camping reservations for stays June 18 through Sept. 30. The campground reopened early after a nine-month construction closure.

All tent and RV campsites in addition to cabins 19, 21, 23 and 24 are now reservable online for stays June 18 through Sept. 30. Typically, camping reservations are released six months in advance, but these sites were held back due to planned construction. (Cabins 1-10 remained open through construction.)

Campers will return to a new accessible restroom/shower building

Silver Falls, Oregon

in the B-Loop and new pavement in A-Loop as part of the construction work.

“We’re excited to welcome campers back to Silver Falls State Park. We appreciate their patience as we worked to improve the park experience for everyone,” said Silver Falls Park Manager Chris Gilliand.



In addition to the Silver Falls State Park campsites and cabins reopening, the Smith Creek Village is now accepting reservations again through a new concessionaire. The South Falls Café and 10 Falls Supply Co. are now open daily, and the Bigleaf Market & Grill at Smith Creek Village will open soon. You can find more information about the restaurant, dining area, and lodging including 13 cabins, four group lodges and two ranches at https://visitsilverfalls.com/

Interstate 84 and U.S. 30 remain closed between Hood River and The Dalles, avoid travel near wildfire areas

Devils Lake FireAccording to an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) News release: “Fires that started Wednesday afternoon prompted closures of I-84 and U.S. 30 between Hood River and The Dalles. The closures could be lengthy depending on fire activity.

Choose an alternate route that keeps you well away from any active wildfire zones.
Stay away from closure areas—roads are not expected to reopen soon, and waiting nearby puts you and emergency crews at risk.
Expect lengthy delays if you are near closure areas—crews are reporting that eastbound I-84 traffic is currently backed up miles from Hood River.
Make sure you are using an alternate route that is suitable to the type of vehicle you drive. Some routes, like OR 216 E (Sherars Highway)—are not suitable for trucks or large vehicles.
Stay tuned to TripCheck.com for up-to-date closure information. Tripcheck also shows traffic congestion information which can be helpful when choosing your route. This Flickr album is being updated with pictures and videos from the fire area.

Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and the roads clear for emergency responders.”

If you receive a text message or email from Oregon DMV telling you to “Pay Now,” don’t click any links – it’s a scam

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If you receive a text message or email from Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requesting payment or personal identifying information, do not respond or click any links.

The best course of action is to ignore, delete and block the message.”These messages are not from Oregon DMV,” said DMV Public Information Officer Chris Crabb. “These are fake messages designed to get you to click on a link and provide personal information or send money.”

In the latest scam, scammers are claiming that you have an outstanding traffic ticket or other violation. The text cites a phony Oregon State Administrative Code and claims if you do not pay by a certain date, you will face vehicle registration suspension, suspended driving privileges, service fees and damage to your credit score.

The scam says to pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal disputes.

“Oregon DMV will never ask you for personal information or payment through an unsolicited text, email or phone call,” said Crabb. “DMV transactions should only be completed online at dmv2u.oregon.gov or in person at a DMV office.”

According to Crabb “Oregon DMV offers secure online services and sends text or email messages in some instances, but only for transactions that you start, and the messages never include links to confirm personal information or payment. We would only ask for proof of identity or payment through DMV2U or by requesting copies of your identity documents in person at a DMV office.”

New additions to Oregon Bottle Bill

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Today, at a special meeting of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) Commissioners issued new temporary rules updating Oregon’s Bottle Bill effective June, 5 through December 2, 2025. The new rules were authorized by Senate Bill 992, which the Legislature recently passed and which Governor Kotek signed into law on Tuesday, June 3.

The rule updates include:

Enabling stores to limit the hours they must provide redemption services;
Altering the requirements for stores participating in redemption centers; and
Enabling the opening of alternative access redemption centers (AARC).
During the Commission meeting, Commissioners heard a presentation from both staff and the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) on the updates. Commission Chair Doherty commented that, “For over 50 years, Oregon’s Bottle Bill has helped keep our state green and litter-free. The OLCC is proud of the role we play in making the Bottle Bill work. With today’s significant changes, we will ensure that our pioneering system will continue to serve communities across our state for years to come.”

The legislation and rule changes also allow stores to limit the hours they accept returns from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Stores will no longer be required to provide redemption services during all the hours they are open. Further, dealer redemption centers in the City of Portland will only be required to accept OBRC “green bag” program redemptions.

One of the largest changes is the creation of Alternative Access Redemption Centers, which enable non-profits to open redemption centers. To that end, SB 992 also includes some changes to convenience zones that will be a part of the approval process to ensure that redemption centers serve the stores and the community.

The OLCC is charged with ensuring that Oregonians have access to obtaining their deposits on redeemable beverage containers. 

This summer, commission staff will utilize the rulemaking process to get feedback from industry and the public about these temporary rules. The temporary rules will be made permanent later this year as they expire December 2, 2025.

In addition to implementing the rule changes authorized by Senate Bill 992, the Commission also approved canned wine, cider over 8.5% ABV, sake and mead for redemption. Starting July 1, cans of these beverages will carry a redemption value and will be accepted at all redemption centers. Wineries that sell canned wine will only be required to accept the containers they sell.

Area of mid-coast reopens to razor clam harvesting



Area of mid-coast reopens to razor clam harvesting

Razor clam harvesting is now open from the Washington/Oregon border to Cape Blanco, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

Razor clamming had been closed from Cascade Head to the California border. But marine biotoxin levels have tested below the alert level in the area that reopened (Cascade Head to Cape Blanco). Biotoxin levels remain elevated from Cape Blanco to the California border so this area remains closed.

People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.


ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. Visit MyODFW.com for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits.

Free Fishing and Crabbing June 7 and 8

 

fishing lincoln city
(photo by James Scrutton)

Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, 2025.

No fishing/shellfish licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required on these days. Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free. Oregon State Parks also offers free parking and camping on Saturday, June 7.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the  Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for regulations. Remember to check MyODFW.com for any in season regulation changes, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The Recreation Report is updated weekly and features the best bests for fishing for the upcoming week. Expect lots of rainbow trout to be stocked in Oregon’s ponds and lakes for the weekend; check out the trout stocking schedule for more information and stocking locations.

Crabbing and clamming  
Free Fishing Weekend is also a great weekend to try clamming or crabbing. MyODFW.com has all the information you need to get started clamming or crabbing including maps of locations and how-to’s.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat. As of today, razor clamming is open from Cascade Head (just north of Lincoln City) to the Washington border but closed south of Cascade Head to the California border due to elevated levels of domoic acid. Crabbing is open coastwide.

Closures can happen quickly and may change before Free Fishing Weekend. Remember to call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check their Shellfish page before you go. 

Photos: Coast Guard at Wade Creek Pullout

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Photos by Rick Beasley

GIMME A BREAKER! A 47-ft. U.S. Coast motor patrol boat from Depoe Bay recently took on a storm-tossed surf at Wade Creek Pullout, an unimproved state park located a mile south of Beverly Beach State Park on Hwy. 101.

Photos by Rick Beasley

The site, popular with rockhounds and anglers, is sometimes used as a training ground to keep the four-person crews ready for close-in water rescues. (Photos by Rick Beasley)

Oregon DMV unveils new self reporting feature

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Drivers involved in a collision can now complete and submit the report to The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using a new online service. All that is needed is an internet connection and the ability to log onto DMV2U.oregon.gov. Get the details on the DMV Collision Report webpage.

“DMV is focusing on more self-service options,” said DMV Administrator Amy Joyce. “The new online option for the Oregon Traffic Collision and Insurance Report is part of DMV’s  menu of online services that are available 24/7 at DMV2U. The online collision report saves customers time as they no longer need to submit the form by mail, fax or at a DMV office. Customers can save and return to the report later and it will be available for 30 days.”

As a reminder, by law, you must file a collision report (formerly called an accident report) with Oregon DMV within 72 hours of a motor vehicle collision when any of the following are true:

Injury or death resulted from the collision.
Damage to your vehicle is over $2,500.
Damage to anyone’s property other than a vehicle involved in the collision is over $2,500.
Damage to any vehicle is over $2,500 and any vehicle is towed from the scene.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)’s Crash Analysis & Reporting Unit recorded 46,762 reportable crashes on all roads in Oregon in 2023. Oregon DMV staff annually process about 200,000 Oregon Traffic Collision and Insurance Reports. It is hoped that the online collision report will  improve the collection of collision data, which other ODOT divisions use to plan and build safety projects, and which DMV’s Transportation Safety office uses to distribute federal grant money and other resources.

The collision report on DMV2U can be filled out using smartphones and other devices, and sender will immediately receive a confirmation email and reference number. “We strongly recommend to download a copy or print the report submitted. The online collision report meets ADA requirements and saves time.”