From Cutler City to Voyage Avenue the sidewalks were filled with children (of all ages) seeking sweet treats and displaying their costume making skills.
The weather was perfect for strolling neighborhoods and businesses while wearing sometimes unwieldly costumes.
Inflatable costumes were out in force
Many local businesses opened their doors to share in what seemed like a deep breath of freedom after covid restrictions essentially derailed all merriment.
Offices of Taylor and Taylor realtyTaylor and Taylor Realty Co.
Voyage Avenue was like a Hollywood movie version of Halloween revelry.
Kids and parents walked safely through the welcoming neighborhood. Beyond the candy gathering, I saw so many neighbors visiting each other, all smiling and looking very happy. There truly seemed to be a sense of saying “hello” to old friends after being quarantined from each other for so long.
Homeowners welcomed hundred of children tonight
Some adults found time to dress up and entertain kids and each other.
Admittedly, the nose did scare a few kids.Captain Debbie behind the fishing game at Taylor and Taylor.
Many took to social media to also point out how well behaved teenage trick or treaters behaved.
Jodi Smith-Howells on Facebook noted, “But what stuck out to me is how sweet and kind all the teens were! They were helping the little kids and were so polite. I talked to several neighbors and they thought the same thing.”
An inflated T-Rex helped corral kids.
Whether or not Halloween is your bag, I believe it can be said (to paraphrase Dickens) that Lincoln City knows how to keep Halloween well.
Today marks the beginning of open enrollment for 2024 private health insurance, a crucial opportunity for Oregonians to secure the coverage they need. Open enrollment, the exclusive time of year when individuals can explore and sign up for private health insurance, runs from now through January 16, 2024.
Oregonians who enroll by December 15, 2023, will receive coverage starting on January 1, 2024. Those who enroll by January 16, 2024, will receive coverage starting on February 1, 2024.
“We understand that health insurance can be confusing, but we’re here to help you every step of the way. We work with partners across the state to provide in-person and virtual support to help you find the plan that meets your and your family’s needs,” says Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace.
“This open enrollment period, we are able to offer more financial assistance than ever before and our partners can help Oregonians determine what assistance they qualify for.”
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov.
Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers announced a ribbon cutting ceremony for invited guests and members of the press at its Lincoln City Hope Center on November 1, 2023 at 10a.m. The property is at 3454 NE Hwy 101.
Behind the subdued exterior of the building lies a myriad of beds, offices and services to help raise people out of homelessness.
In a Lincoln City Homepage exclusive interview, Facility Director Ashley Cushing spoke to me about the facility and gave me a private early tour.
According to Cushing, “The men’s and women’s emergency shelters will be ‘low barrier’ meaning there will be no Urinalysis (UA)/drug testing. They can come in and be here anywhere from one night to thirty days. We can extend that if it makes sense. Maybe someone will be waiting on a treatment bed or relocation or an apartment.”
She continued, “If they join our program we are putting them up in our top building (for women) and men would stay in this building.
Resident’s beds
Men’s re-entry is all in the same building. They can stay six to twelve months but we’re not asking them to leave if they are taking steps toward self sufficiency. That could be pushing two years-if it really took that long.
Before we ask anyone to leave we want to really ask ourselves, ‘is this going to make someone homeless?'”
The facility was bright and clean sporting fresh paint jobs and all new equipment with Cushing continually apologizing for the “mess” of renovation while they were getting ready for the grand opening. Her excitement and enthusiasm for the program was as obvious as the bright yellow exterior paint job
Common dining area
There is a communal kitchen and dining room for residents to cook their own meals. Currently, all foods on site have been donated by Food Share.
Kitchen area for meal preparation.
The facility also has clothes washers and dryer for clients to clean their clothing. And multiple showers for personal hygiene.
Laundry room.
As to what is asked of the residents in order to continue living at Hope, Cushing said,
“When they join the ‘program’ we need to get a clean UA. We have program requirements so case management can create an individualized re-entry program plan. We help them get documentation they might need like a Social Security card, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc…to help them start applying for housing.
We also help everyone here get a food handlers card. We have workshops that are required, self improvement classes. We will host things here on site and we will have outside agencies come in to teach classes from recovery to financial empowerment to parenting-it could even be an art class. We want to keep people busy.”
I asked if the residents will be asked to contribute anything to their upkeep. Cushing said,
“When they join the program they pay a ‘Due.’ A ‘Due’ is two hundred and fifty dollars per month. We don’t turn anyone away if they don’t have it; we have scholarships.”
She continued, “We have other funding streams we can look at like OHP (Oregon Health Plan) Flex funding, outside agencies will help support or they (the client) can help fund their own stay.
It’s really so that people are invested in themselves, are having on-time’ payments again. That gives us the ability to give a rental reference.
We don’t want to create barriers to entering the program.”
I asked if there were any other requirements of the clients while staying on site;
“There are volunteer hours. If they are not employed or only working part time-it’s ten hours. If they work full time-it’s five hours. They can get their hours here or at an outside non-profit-their choice.”
According to Communications Manager Bethany Verrett,
“This facility seeks to provide navigation services, low-barrier emergency shelter, and a long-term Re-entry Program for the people in the community experiencing homelessness.”
Cushing said, “I’m so excited to be opening up the doors to the Lincoln City Hope Center.
There can be many challenges living in a rural community but having a safe place to sleep should not be one of them. We plan to offer services that are targeted to the population that we serve; by partnerships with several local programs that will be able to refer individuals and families to our emergency shelter.
I want to personally thank everyone who believes in our mission. We are so thankful for past, present, and future support!”
Communications Manager Bethany Verrett continued,
“Helping Hands first opened a facility in Lincoln County in 2006, opening up a men’s shelter and later a women’s shelter. In 2019, the opportunity to partner with the community in a closer way presented itself when the City of Lincoln City identified homelessness as a critical priority and offered to purchase a facility to donate to Helping Hands.
The property was transferred to Helping Hands in 2020.
After extensive renovations, the newest Hope Center is open and ready to bring care for the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Lincoln City and the surrounding communities.
A sign for encouragement at the entry
CEO Mike Davis offered, “This has been a long and difficult project to finish because of many unanticipated needs that had to be addressed, The community partnership has been a key part of getting us to this day.
Thank you to The City of Lincoln City, The Roundhouse Foundation, Project Turnkey 2.0, and the Oregon Community Foundation; your support allowed us to make the necessary renovations.”
Verrett said, “There will be a Grand Opening for community partners and stakeholders before the end of November, and then the Hope Center will begin accepting referrals, processing intakes, and providing services.
For more information about Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers, you can visit our website at www.helpinghandsreentry.org.
To learn more about becoming a referral partner for the Lincoln City Hope Center, please email [email protected]
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) today announced they are starting to close the Old McKenzie Pass Highway, OR 242, for the winter season.
They did emphasize that only the west side will be closing at this time.
A press release dated 10/27/23 states “On the morning of Monday, Oct. 30, crews will close the highway from the western gate at OR 126 to top of the pass at Dee Wright Observatory.
McKenzie pass roads
The east side of the highway from the observatory to Sisters will remain open until weather becomes too severe or until Nov. 9, whichever comes first. Weather on each side of the pass varies, and it’s not uncommon to close or open each side of the highway separately.
McKenzie Pass is a secondary, scenic highway. Weather, costs and logistics make it impractical to maintain for travel year-round. In the winter, we focus our staff and resources on main highways to keep them plowed, open and safe.
When the highway is closed, it is closed to all users and is not maintained. Travelers going past locked gates and closure signs could encounter hazards and working equipment on the road, and there are no services or cell coverage.”
Every year, McKenzie Pass opens and closes with the seasons. Dates vary depending on road and weather conditions.
McKenzie Pass became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 with the completion of the Clear Lake-Belknap Springs section of Oregon 126.
Even during its time as the main route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, the narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months.”
To see what routes are open over the mountains, and to view current road and weather conditions visit TripCheck.com or call 511.
More information on McKenzie Pass, OR 242, can be found on their website.
Important information for opening of OR 242 next year:
As a part of a federal grant, the east side of McKenzie Pass will be repaved in 2024. The timing of paving will depend on the weather, and crews will start as soon as they are able. This will mean that the west side of the highway is completely inaccessible until the paving is complete.
ODOT asks that travelers do not attempt to enter the construction zone next year while the highway is being repaved.
They add, “This can be dangerous for you and the crews and could also extend the time it takes to complete the work. We are looking forward to making this route smoother and safer for everyone.”
For more information, contact Kacey Davey, 541-280-2716
WILSONVILLE (Oct. 20, 2023) – The Oregon Athletic Officials Association and the Oregon School Activities Association are recruiting officials for the high school winter sports seasons.
There is an immediate need for officials in basketball and wrestling.
Becoming a high school official has several benefits including staying involved in athletics, maintaining good physical condition and earning money, according to OAOA Executive Director Jack Folliard.
“Oregon has an urgent need for officials in all sports,” Folliard said. “Officials provide valuable service to high schools and students, make a positive impact in the community and build relationships.”
Those interested should visit www.newofficials.org.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will livestream a virtual meeting Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. to present draft drone take-off and landing classification criteria to be used in future park drone use maps. The agency will then invite the public to share their views on the criteria from Oct. 23 through 5 p.m. on Dec. 29.
The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube for the public here.
Although the formal rulemaking process for drone take-off and landing began in 2021, the agency temporarily stopped in April 2022 to form a work group and explore the matter in more detail.
The work group included various partners including conservation groups, drone users, state and federal agencies and met from June 2022 through the summer of 2023.
OPRD’s region resource and Geographic Information Services (GIS) staff, alongside park managers reviewed the draft criteria and applied them to three sample areas, one from each region of state parks.
Feedback will be reviewed by agency staff and the work group as part of a final report to the OPRD Director Lisa Sumption, who will then decide whether to direct staff to resume public administrative rulemaking or do more work on the proposals.
Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Jo Niehaus at least three days in advance of the meeting at 503-580-9210 or [email protected] .
Be sure to subscribe (free) to Lincoln City Homepage to receive story updates as they happen!
Graham Scrutton, son of Lincoln City residents James and Lynn Scrutton will be flying to Israel in early November to assist the Israeli Defense Force as a civilian volunteer.
Graham is a Wildland Fire Fighter currently stationed in Sacramento, California. He recently sent out a letter to his friends and family saying,
“Hey all, for anyone who knows me… throughout my life I have given almost a year of my time as a civilian volunteer for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Most of you are likely now aware of the war that has started against the terrorist organization Hamas due to the inhumane attack they launched against Israeli civilians. I’m not going to say anything about the politics or history, just the facts of the current situation.
This attack came as a surprise and with that, the IDF has called up in a matter of days over 360,000 reserve soldiers, many of those being in the infantry and armor corps. Currently, the army does not have what it needs to equip everyone with modern body armor or helmets or personal trauma kits.
Due to the threats from the Iranian government and it’s proxies most of the IDFs defense budget goes towards the air force and intelligence branches leaving the infantry using a mix of equipment that is either outdated or ineffective against modern weapons.
Scrutton receiving an award from a base commander.
I’m working with my military contacts in Israel who are connected to these frontline units directly to help secure this equipment or the funds to purchase more. I’m asking anyone who supports Israel and it’s right to self determination to partner with me in funding my ability to acquire this much needed equipment”
When asked about his relationship to Israel he said, ” Back in 2013 Hamas attacked some Israelis and there was quite a bit of anti Semitism going on in the world. And as an American I didn’t think that was right. I made my way over there to enlist in their military but, not being a citizen I was not allowed to, so I joined as a civilian volunteer with the military through a separate organization.
I’ve done that repeatedly since. Then, in case there ever was a war, I would have all of my paperwork done and be able to provide assistance.
I’ll be delivering it personally as well as purchasing what I can with my own finances. I am flying to Israel November 16, 2023 to deliver the equipment and volunteer my service once again as a civilian to the IDF so I have about five weeks to get this done.”
When asked about relations he has with Israelis he admits that this matter has become personal. “I’m a little more connected now. A little more personal; because I have friends who have been called up (for military service). I also have a girlfriend in Israel-who is in a protected place there. I know many people who know many people that have been killed.”
I asked him for his thoughts on why Hamas decided to strike when they did.
“Because Hamas is a proxy of the Iranian regime and Israel is working toward a peace treaty with Saudi Arabia, that poses a threat to the Iranian regime. Hamas’s (incursion) was a way to stop any peace treaty from going through and any normalization from happening.
By starting this conflict, that has worked. Currently normalization is on hold indefinitely according to Saudi Arabia government-from what I understand.”
He continued, “This has been years in the making.”
Scrutton (fourth from left) with military friends.
When asked what his Israeli friends are thinking at this time, he replied, “They just want to have peace, they want to have a family. A lot of people in the world just don’t understand what is going on.”
In conclusion to his letter Graham added, “If anyone is willing to donate money to help me purchase gear or donate gear I’ll personally ensure it’s delivered and your assistance will be used and distributed to those who are at the greatest risk in this war.
Representation of gear needed.
A full personal trauma kit costs $150 for me to build and full body armor more than $350. If anyone has used body armor, vests, ballistic helmets, or sealed trauma medical supplies to donate I can pay for shipping to myself to repack it and deliver it. Everything I do will be itemized, recorded, and accounted for.
Scrutton (right) atop military tank.
I know this is a lot to ask, but I just don’t want anymore of my friends, their families, their friends, or civilians to be killed so I’m more than happy to put myself in harm’s way and to do whatever I can to hopefully prevent any more than has already happened.”
Graham estimates that he will need to raise approximately 8,300 dollars to secure the gear he needs. You can reach him at: [email protected] or 971-312-2941
According to a press release from the Lincoln County Commissioner’s office, a temporary emergency warming shelter, in cooperation with the Lincoln City City Council, is to be erected in Lincoln City.
Starting in November a “Military grade tent with floors and heat” will be set up behind a house at 4225 N Hwy 101 across from the Wildflower Grill.
According to Lincoln City city manager Daphnee Legarza “This (sic) city does not own this property. I believe Lincoln County is in the process of acquiring this property.
At the September 25th Council meeting, Council discussed and funded the proposed county-wide winter shelter program.”
When asked if neighboring property owners or businesses had been notified about this matter, Legarza replied, “It is my understanding that Lincoln County is providing information to the public in regards to their emergency warming sheltering program.”
Mayor Susan Wahlke said that according to her conversations with county commissioner Kaety Jacobson, there was doubt that the sale of the property would be completed as planned.
Commissioners (left to right) Miller, Jacobson, Hall
A call to the commissioner’s office was responded to by public information officer Kenneth Lipp who said, ‘That’s news to me.” He proceeded to check with the involved parties and called back to assure that the sale was going forward and the shelter would be erected.
As to the shelter, Lipp confirmed that the tent was an “emergency” shelter and would be replaced by a permanent building.
But, the building will not remain a warming shelter. Rather it would be turned into “Housing for mental health.”
When pressed as to what “Housing for mental health” meant Lipp replied, “It’s housing for people who need support. It’s not going to be a treatment facility. It will be a 28 unit apartment complex, a project that’s being undertaken with the Housing Authorities of Oregon.
It’s (for) people with serious mental illness but can still function independently. They would probably be clients of the county but not receiving help there from the county.”
When asked if the occupants would in any way have involvement with the criminal justice system he replied, “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some intersection there. They wouldn’t be referrals from probation.”
I live on the shore of Devils Lake. I’ve watched daily as the mats of grass have grown. I’ve watched the soaring Peregrine falcons, that used to find fish daily beneath the surface of the lake, leave and not come back because the fish are no longer visible to them.
I’ve seen boats and jet skis become stalled because the vegetation clogs their engine water intakes.
I’ve rescued about half a dozen people including a young girl on a round float that got high centered on a patch of weeds and was too terrified to climb into the water because of the horrifying fingers of thick vegetation that surrounded her.
All summer long the Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) has been fighting a battle against the grasses and weeds that have clogged much of the lake.
DLWID’s lone grass harvesterA small percentage of the daily harvesting of elodea
A waterborne grass harvester is also being used with some success but against the total square footage of the lake it can only make a superficial impact.
And while the desire and the knowledge of what needs to be done is available, what appears to not be available is the ability of the various government agencies with their respective fingers in the Devils lake pie to cooperate to save the lake and the creatures that depend upon it for life.
To explain all the aggravating infighting would take too long for this piece.
DLWID is tasked with maintaining the lake’s health but without the cooperation of the State of Oregon’s various agencies that have a say in how that health is achieved, and the much needed money to fund what needs to be done, this lake is never going to recover.
Senator Anderson and Representative Gomberg are both well versed in the struggles going on with the lake and have been helpful but it seems that this might best be a job for Governor Kotek to organize a get together of every agency that has a say in the lake’s maintenance
It’s time for all stake holder government agencies to set aside their egos and work to repair and protect this treasure in Lincoln City.
Today marks the beginning of open enrollment for 2024 private health insurance, a crucial opportunity for Oregonians to secure the coverage they need. Open enrollment, the exclusive time of year when individuals can explore and sign up for private health insurance, runs from now through January 16, 2024.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) today announced they are starting to close the Old McKenzie Pass Highway, OR 242, for the winter season.
OPRD’s region resource and Geographic Information Services (GIS) staff, alongside park managers reviewed the draft criteria and applied them to three sample areas, one from each region of state parks. 
