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A letter of thanks from Samaritan Hospitals

Homepage Staff
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A letter of thanks from Samaritan Hospitals

Nov. 21, 2023

Dear Editor,
This is an appropriate time of the year to send best wishes and say thank you to the many people on the frontlines of emergency response who serve our county’s residents and visitors throughout the year.
To all the firefighters who respond whenever and wherever needed to take care of the people and the property in our county.
To everyone who helps our local ground and air ambulance crews respond to the many calls for medical aid and emergency transport.
To all the law enforcement agencies – from county, city, state and others – that protect and serve all of us, often at their own peril.
To the invisible but ever present emergency dispatchers who answer the 9-1-1 calls for assistance and coordinate response by the appropriate helping agencies.
All of these special people work together with our hospital emergency department staff in Lincoln City and Newport to provide care to the sick and injured. So, on behalf of hospital administration, staff and volunteers at both hospitals, I send this this heartfelt appreciation to each one of you who helps make this possible.

Lesley Ogden, MD, CEO
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and
Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital

Snow returns to the Cascades

Don Williams
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Snow returns to the Cascades

Snow is forecast for the Cascades. Several inches of snow and gusty winds are expected for the passes and above, making travel at higher elevations very difficult.
⛓ Carry chains and be prepared for winter driving conditions.
☑️ Check road conditions at Tripcheck.com or call 511.
Keep food, water, warm clothes, and an emergency kit in your car.
For the latest forecast in your area, follow US National Weather Service Portland Oregon, US National Weather Service Medford Oregon, US National Weather Service Pendleton Oregon, and US National Weather Service Boise Idaho.
#orwx

Oregon Coast Small Business Development Center offers Youth Entrepreneurship Program

Don Williams
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Oregon Coast Small Business Development Center offers Youth Entrepreneurship Program

Discover what entrepreneurship is all about with this winter’s YEP! program, the Youth Entrepreneurship Program. The program kicks off Jan. 31 with classes every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 at Lincoln County high schools — after class, but before sports and afternoon activities. Learn from expert instructors with world-class curriculum, and participate in a business plan pitch competition in the spring, featuring cash and scholarship prizes for three winning student teams!
Learn more: https://oregoncoast.edu/sharktank/

Get help with state medical, food, cash, and child care benefits

Don Williams
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Get help with state medical, food, cash, and child care benefits

The Oregon Department of Health and Human Services (ODHS) is offering another way to get help with state medical, food, cash, and child care benefits and avoid potentially high call wait times at the ONE Customer Service Center.

In a press release issued November 14, The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging people in Oregon to use new alternate contact options given high call wait times at the ONE Customer Service Center. The ONE Customer Service Center provides phone support to people in Oregon calling to apply for or get help with their medical, food, cash, and child care benefits.

“ODHS anticipates that wait times will remain high during open enrollment season for Medicare and the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. While people can apply for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) any time of year, both open enrollment events increase awareness of and interest in applying for OHP.”

“We know that many people in Oregon depend on us when they have questions about their medical, food, cash and child care benefits,” said Nathan Singer, director of the Oregon Eligibility Partnership at ODHS which manages the ONE Customer Service Center. 

“We encourage people to create or use their ONE Online account, the Oregon ONE Mobile app or online chat bot when possible.”

The press release continued, “OHP members are encouraged to respond as quickly as possible after they receive a request for information to avoid any possible delays. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and creating or logging into their ONE Online account. People can also create an ONE Online account and upload documents through the Oregon ONE Mobile app. 

The ONE Customer Service Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-699-9075, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call wait times are lowest in the morning between 7 and 8 a.m., especially on Tuesday mornings.”

 

Siletz Tribe Restoration Pow-Wow November 18

Don Williams
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Siletz Tribe Restoration Pow-Wow November 18

Siletz Tribal CouncilThe public is invited to join the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians on Saturday, November 18, as it holds its annual Restoration Pow-Wow at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City.

Pow-WowThis free event begins with a grand entry at 6p.m.

American Indian vendors with jewelry, beadwork and other items for sale will be available throughout the day.

State Representative David Gomberg will seek another term

Don Williams
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State Representative David Gomberg will seek another term

State Representative David Gomberg has filed for re-election in House District 10. The District stretches from Lincoln City to Junction City and from Philomath to Florence, encompassing all of Lincoln County and portions of Lane and Benton.

“I understand that people are hurting and that we face many challenges – rising prices, housing and childcare, climate and wildfires, healthcare, mental health and crime,” said Gomberg.

Gomberg added, “I am grateful every day that you have honored me with the responsibility of representing you in our state capitol. And I work every day to make that job meaningful, to be a voice for our part of Oregon, and to produce real results.”

 

Two beach campgrounds update their closures for 2023/2024

Don Williams
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Two beach campgrounds update their closures for 2023/2024

oregon state parksTwo popular coastal campgrounds will temporarily close through spring/summer 2024 due to construction.

Bullards Beach campground, two miles north of Bandon, closed earlier this year for about a month while construction preparation work was completed. The construction schedule changed, which allows the park to reopen temporarily for camping Nov. 13 through Jan. 1, 2024. The campground will close again Jan. 2 through May 22, 2024, to complete the project.

Beverly Beach, seven miles north of Newport, will be closed through July 1, 2024 for construction, which is an extension of the original project schedule.

  • Beverly Beach campgrounds will upgrade the park and campground power and water lines as part of the Go Bond projects, which include improvements at 11 parks around the state. 
  • Bullards Beach campgrounds will upgrade its main sewer line. The park will be closed through May 22, 2024, which is an extension of the original closure. The extension will impact existing reservations from March 15 through May 22. Campers are being notified and provided with full refunds. 

During the campground closure at Bullards Beach, there will be some areas of the park that visitors can still enjoy. The day use area, boat ramp, lighthouse and horse camp will remain open. 

All facilities will be closed at Beverly Beach through July 1.

“While we’re disappointed to extend the construction period later into the season, we appreciate the support as we complete these important infrastructure improvements” said Bullards Beach Park Manager Nick Schoeppner.

“In the meantime, we are excited to welcome folks back to the campground at Bullards Beach this fall and winter season.  It’s a great time to visit and enjoy less crowded beaches and trails and explore the community of Bandon and the surrounding area.”

Winter storms: How to safely use natural gas appliance during outages

Don Williams
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Winter storms: How to safely use natural gas appliance during outages

NW NaturalWith winter storms nearing in our area (and the inevitable power outages that come with them), Northwest Natural Gas issued some safety reminders for those with gas appliances.

Natural gas Fireplaces: Some natural gas fireplaces contain a backup battery module that can be used during a power outage to start the fireplace. Install the batteries when the power is out, then use the manual switch or remote to turn on the fireplace. While the fan will generally not operate with the battery backup, the fireplace will emit radiant heat and light. When the power comes back on, turn off the fireplace and allow it to cool, then remove and store the batteries. 

Natural gas water heaters:  Most conventional natural gas storage tank water heaters have a pilot light that continues functioning during a power outage. If the pilot light goes out, review the instruction manual for steps to relight it, or contact a technician. Tankless water heaters typically require electricity, but some can be equipped with a backup battery that operates automatically during a power outage. 

Natural gas cooktops:  Most natural gas cooktops can be used without the built-in electronic igniter. Simply use a wand style lighter to ignite the burner. When the lighter is lit, turn the gas on for the burner using the knob (and note that the clicking sound of the electronic igniter will not be present when the power is out). To be safe, always double check that the burner is turned off when finished cooking. 

 

Instructional videos for how to operate natural gas appliances during a power outage are available online at nwnatural.com. Customers seeking more information on how to operate their natural gas appliances without electricity should check their appliance manual or contact an appliance dealer.

 

Special Elections results

Don Williams
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Special Elections results

As of Tuesday night at 8p.m. here are the results of the county and city special election.

Total Voting: 12,015 Turnout: 30.72%
Approximate % Counted: 90.00%
First Report of Election Results – November 7, 2023 at 8p.m.   

Measure 21-20 Raising the transient room tax from 10 to 12 percent; Yes 8,170 No 3820

Ward 1 City Council; no candidate filed, must wait up to 14 days for county to hand count and verify Write-in candidates

Ward 2 City Council; Marci Baker (unopposed), 514

For other county elections click here.

Local celebrity survival expert urges preparedness

Rick Beasley
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Local celebrity survival expert urges preparedness

 

Biko tending the phones at Lincoln City Sporting Goods

When he’s not selling go-kits and “Prepper” supplies at Lincoln City Sporting Goods, famous survivalist Biko Wright, 33, is one of the most sought-after speakers at “skill gatherings” around the Northwest.

The survival workshops have become obligatory for many Americans worried about riots, tsunamis, wildfires and even WW III.

Wright returned from a recent gathering near Seattle where well-heeled tech workers and soccer moms in hiking boots paid up to $3,000 apiece to make fire, set a rabbit trap and create shelter from whatever was at hand.

“What really got this started was Covid,” remarked Biko, a burly ex-construction worker who lives in rural Otis with his fiancé and twin daughters in a home he built.

“People realized how vulnerable they were to civilizational collapse. What do you do when the lights go out and the highway’s shut down?”

Biko credits his fame to the wildly-popular History Channel reality show, “Alone,” where he was among 10 contestants pitted against the brutal wilderness challenges of remote Chilko Lake, British Columbia during Season 8.

Contestants are dropped in the middle of a wilderness area with no food, the clothes on their backs and 10 items of their choosing to survive for as long as they can.

At stake for the last person standing was $500,000. Some contestants tapped-out amid hallucinations and tears as they struggled for food and warmth. Biko, however, grew up near rugged Topanga Canyon, Calif., where he honed his outdoor skills by camping, backpacking, hunting, snorkeling and spearfishing. He also had a secret strategy to win: “Starvation can kill you, so I packed on 50 pounds!”

Biko lasted 73 days before producers pulled him out because of severe weight loss. Though 91 pounds thinner, he outlasted all other contestants except the eventual winner, Clay Hayes of Milton, Florida. It was worth it, he asserted.

“For one thing, I have a lot more appreciation for everything in life I really didn’t have before,” he said of the simple things he grew to miss. “I learned to push myself a lot farther.”

Biko Wright demonstrates the advantages of this backpack.

Biko enjoys his celebrity status at the well-stocked Lincoln City Sporting Goods (800 SE Hwy. 101, next to Burger King) where he dispenses freeze-dried rations, solar-powered radios, firearms, ammo and good advice on how to survive doomsday.

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