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Lincoln County Judge Bachart to run for re-election

Justin Werner
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Lincoln County Judge Bachart to run for re-election
Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart
Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart is running for re-election

Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart has announced she will run for re-election against Lincoln City lawyer Russ Baldwin in the May 19 Primary Election.

“I am seeking re-election because I want to continue to serve the community I grew up in and the community in which I have chosen to raise my own family,” Bachart said. “During my 12 years on the bench I have presided over every type of case, including criminal, civil, family law, probate, juvenile, fish and game and traffic.”

Appointed by Governor Ted Kulongoski in 2008, Bachart –the first female circuit court judge in Lincoln County — has been elected to serve two additional terms as a judge. Before that, she spent 11 years in the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor with the majority of her workload being child sexual and physical abuse cases.

Bachart went straight to work in 2008, implementing Domestic Violence Court and in 2020 she took over Lincoln County’s Drug Court. She said she has been particularly rewarded by involvement in those cases because domestic violence and addiction threaten family stability and feels the community has been made safer by the operation of those specialty courts.

Born and raised in Toledo, Bachart has been married to her husband, Mark, for 24 years and they have two children, Ally and Luke.

“It has been incredibly enriching to learn the individual stories of those appearing in front of me and the challenges they have overcome,” Bachart said. “I am humbled daily by the courage of those appearing in my courtroom. I am proud to create an environment where people feel safe, heard and are treated with dignity and respect.”

Bachart has served on several statewide and local committees:

  • Oregon Council on Court Procedures
  • Oregon Judicial Department Judicial Education and Leadership Committee
  • Oregon Supreme Court Council on Inclusion and Fairness
  • Criminal Jury Instruction Committee
  • Lincoln County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council
  • Lincoln County Courthouse Security Committee
  • Pretrial Services Implementation Team

She has also presided over nearly 200 jury trials since taking the bench.

Bachart has a website, judgebachart2020.com, where the public can learn more about her campaign.

“I have cherished the opportunity to serve members of my community as one of your judges and ask for your continued support.”

Gov. Brown rolls out new measures to combat COVID-19

Justin Werner
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Gov. Brown rolls out new measures to combat COVID-19

Brown COVID-19

Gov. Kate Brown unveiled new measures to combat COVID-19 during a live stream Thursday morning that includes banning large gatherings and other social distancing measures to slow the pandemic.

The aggressive measures are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oregon Public Health experts, epidemiologists and health professionals and are designed to prevent a widespread outbreak of COVID-19.

Brown called the spread of COVID-19 a “rapidly evolving crisis” and wants to prevent a massive outbreak by slowing the spread with new policies, such as canceling all gatherings over 250 people for four weeks until April 8. This measure applies to organized gatherings such as events and weddings but not grocery stores, shopping centers or schools.

Using CDC guidelines as a base, Brown said Oregon has issued detailed recommendations for workplaces to immediately implement social distancing measures to protect employees that includes increased physical space, limited travel and staggered work schedules.

Health experts said the “older population” and “at-risk” individuals should stay home as much as possible. Long-term-care and assisted living facilities are following already established guidelines and have limited access to essential personnel only.

Brown and top health officials said they need to focus on treating those hardest hit by the disease and stressed most Oregonians will suffer mild symptoms and recover while high-risk individuals may need more intensive care. The Governor said she wants to preserve hospital capacity for those that need it.

Brown said public schools will stay open, but all activities and gatherings, such as field trips, parent meetings and competitions will be canceled. Brown said school closures will be used as a last resort.

The Governor said she will be meeting with business leaders to provide assistance on how to ride out COVID-19.

OREGON CASES

U.S. CASES

GLOBAL CASES

Hitselberger running for Lincoln County Commissioner

Justin Werner
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Hitselberger running for Lincoln County Commissioner
Joe Hitselberger
Joe Hitselberger

Thirty-nine-year-old Newport resident Joe Hitselberger has filed to run for Lincoln County Commissioner, opposing the incumbent, Claire Hall.

Hitselberger said he grew up in Lincoln County with his family running a farm near Seal Rock. He is an Oregon State University graduate, holding degrees in Animal Science and Fisheries & Wildlife. Hitselberger moved to Alaska for a few years and took a job as a habitat biologist with Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game.

He moved back to Lincoln County and began working for the Department of Forestry up until he and his wife, Taryn, opened their own business. Wolf Tree Brewery started off small at first, Hitselberger said, only brewing a couple of kegs a week, but has since expanded distribution, delivering beer up and down the West Coast. Wolf Tree Brewery has an award-winning “Spruce Tip Ale” as their flagship beer and was recently featured in a Willamette Week article.

Joe Hitselberger Lincoln County Commissioner
(Photo by Martin Cizmar)

Hitselberger said his wife has been a great help during his campaign.

“My wife is incredibly supportive,” he said. “She’s an integral part of the business and she supports my political aspirations. She’s my biggest supporter for sure.”

He and his wife are also expecting a new child.

“I have a vested interest in the community with a baby boy on the way and as a business owner,” he said. “If I’m elected, I want to work hard and do what I can for the community.”

Asked why he wants to run for County Commissioner, Hitselberger said:

“Politics is something I’ve been interested in for awhile. I think that being on the Board of Commissioners is a great opportunity to help shape Lincoln County for the next decade.

“The County has seen a lot of growth and change and I think the leadership needs to change as well.

“We can’t have people on the board for 20 years. We have to change and grow.”

Hitselberger ran for the County Commissioner seat once before in 2014, but lost to incumbent Terry Thompson in a race that featured two other candidates, one of which was current Lincoln City Mayor Dick Anderson. Thompson was defeated by lifelong friend, Kaety Jacobson in 2018.

Hitselberger said he wants to be visible and is trying to “get out there” and show why he can be a benefit to Lincoln County. He plans to attend meetings and candidates forums so the public gets a chance to meet him. He also maintains a Facebook page, Joe Hitselberger for County Commissioner.

Lincoln County Commissioner Position 2 — a four-year-term — will be on the ballot May 19 for the Primary Election. Also running for the seat is David M. Davis, Edward M. Johnston and Betty Kamikawa. Claire Hall is the incumbent.

Oregon announces four new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases

News Release
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Oregon announces four new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases

COVID-19

Oregon now has a total of 19 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since Feb. 28 after the Oregon Health Authority announced four new presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus today.

OHA confirmed one new case each in Polk, Marion, Umatilla and Deschutes counties. None of the new cases involved travel to a country where the virus is actively spreading. The Polk, Marion and Deschutes cases had no known close contacts with confirmed cases, so they are considered community-spread. The Umatilla County case is a close contact with that county’s first case.

OHA and Polk, Marion, Umatilla and Deschutes counties are working to identify and isolate any individuals who may have been in close contacts with the cases in the last 14 days.

“I know it’s difficult to learn that we are seeing more active community spread of COVID-19, but this is something we’ve been expecting,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed, health officer and state epidemiologist, OHA Public Health Division. “It’s a good reminder to take steps to protect yourself, and vulnerable friends and family members, by washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you’re sick.”

Health officials continue to urge all Oregonians to take steps to protect those who are most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19. Those considered “high risk” include adults 60 and older, or anyone with a serious health condition, including lung or heart problems, kidney disease, or diabetes, or anyone who has a suppressed immune system.

People vulnerable to complications should follow federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to stay home as much as possible and avoid gatherings.

Every resident should take these basic steps to protect those most at risk:

  • Never visit a hospital or long-term-care facility if you have a fever or cough illness.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home if you feel ill.

The COVID-19 virus spreads like the flu, when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes close to another person (close means about 6 feet).

After someone contracts COVID-19, illness usually develops within 14 days. Symptoms mirror those of the flu, including fever, cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat and general feelings of illness. That has made it more difficult for health officials to identify sick individuals and stop the virus from spreading.

As testing capacity increases — with Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics online, and clinical laboratories at some Oregon hospitals expected to begin testing by next week — officials expect the number of people who test positive with COVID-19 to rise.

Stay informed

Publisher’s Note:

There are 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lincoln County. 

Meanwhale in the Pacific: Northern migration of Grays set for mid-March

Justin Werner
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Meanwhale in the Pacific: Northern migration of Grays set for mid-March

Gray Whale

Spring Whale Watch Week returns to the Oregon Coast as more than 25,000 Gray Whales migrate north to Alaskan waters with some new additions this March.

The Gray Whales are headed north after spending the winter off the coast of Baja Mexico, using warm-water lagoons to raise their calfs. The first large groups of whales swim by Oregon mid-March and continue into June.

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OSPR) officials said due to low volunteer turnout and impact of the Covid-19 situation, not all watching spots will be staffed to assist the public in spotting whales. OSPR said it is prioritizing visitor health and will not be providing shared binoculars at viewing sites.

Spring Whale Watch Week runs March 21-29.

Depoe Bay’s newly renovated Whale Watching Center will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and the center features interactive exhibits and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

A live stream from Depoe Bay will be provided by OSPR on their YouTube channel each day during the event.

More information about the agency’s response to COVID-19 is on the official FAQ page on the Oregon State Parks website.

For more information about parks and campgrounds on the coast, visit oregonstateparks.org.

gray whale depoe bay

Oregon Rep. Gomberg to hold town halls

Justin Werner
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Oregon Rep. Gomberg to hold town halls

UPDATE 3/13: 

On Wednesday, I wrote to announce a series of eight public meetings where I could answer questions about the recent legislative session. In just a few days, our health environment has changed.

Communicating, listening to, being available, and answering questions for the people I represent are paramount to me. But more important is protecting your health and well-being.

Governor Brown has asked that we suspend public gatherings of more than ten people, especially if participants are over age 60. There are no confirmed Coronavirus cases in our district – yet. But to be prudent and cautious, I am cancelling our Town Halls and will re-schedule as soon as appropriate. As always, I’m happy to hear from you by email and will answer your questions there.

By now you are certainly aware of the quickly evolving public health situation. Do not panic! The majority of Coronavirus cases are mild with symptoms similar to the common cold. Should you begin to feel unwell, call your primary care provider right away.

All of us are quickly learning how to deal with this new challenge. We each need to act responsibly to protect our family and community.

  • Limit personal contact. No hand shaking. Keep a polite distance from co-workers or customers. Avoid gatherings.
  • Practice good personal hygiene. Cover your cough. Use sanitizer. Wash your hands frequently. Try not to touch your face often.
  • If you feel sick, stay home! If you need to see a doctor, call first. Get instructions. Going to a clinic or emergency room could infect others.

Questions? Dial 211. 211 Info, the statewide social and community services information and referral phone line, has partnered with the Oregon Health Association to provide an information hotline for Oregonians looking for additional information on Coronavirus. The phone line is available 7 days a week from 8 am to 11 pm if you want to speak to a Community Information Specialist.

About eight out of 10 of those who are infected will have mild symptoms. The best step for those individuals is to stay home, health authorities report. “The vast majority will recover without needing intervention,” according to Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer.

Our goal is to protect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions who are most susceptible to the virus.

I’m also concerned about the economic consequences of Coronavirus for our Coastal and Coast Range businesses.

“The more it spreads in the U.S., the higher is the potential ultimately to be some sort of recession catalyst, a coordinating event where everyone gets scared and pessimistic at the same time due to the uncertainty of the nature of the disease,” said state economist Josh Lehner, “where everyone pulls back and they don’t go out to eat, they don’t go to the movie theaters or do this other sort of stuff and so consumer spending overall drops.”

Please remember to support our local, small businesses and the people who work for them. One suggestion is to buy gift certificates now so that our businesses can stay viable. They can keep the lights on and you can celebrate when this all passes.

My staff and I are receiving daily briefings. And while the legislature has adjourned, I serve on the Emergency Board where funds have been allocated for Corona Response.

A new Special Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response has been appointed by legislative leadership. (They will hold virtual meetings.) The committee will “identify actions to support short-term economic relief to low-income workers and small businesses.” The committee also will make budget recommendations and suggest changes to Oregon law that might be needed “to assist with the public health emergency.”

Hopefully we’ll be able to gather again before too long. In the meantime, please stay safe, wash your hands, and take care of each other.

————————————————————————————————–

Oregon State Representative David Gomberg will be holding a series of town halls in March and April where the public is invited to share concerns, ask questions and review the recently concluded legislative session.

“I try to get to every corner of our sprawling district regularly,” Gomberg said in a recent newsletter. “Interacting with constituents like you is the best part of my work as a local legislator.”

The town hall schedule is as follows:

Waldport Chamber of Commerce 

Thursday, March 12

Waldport Community Center

265 NW Hemlock (Hwy 34), Waldport, OR 97394

12-1 p.m.

Mid Lincoln County Town Hall

Saturday March 21

Newport Library, McEntee Meeting Room

35 NW Nye St, Newport, OR 97365

3-4 p.m.

Southern Tillamook County Town Hall

Saturday March 28

Kiawanda Community Center, Faye Jensen Hall

34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr, Pacific City, OR 97135

10-11 a.m.

North Lincoln County Town Hall

Saturday March 28

Driftwood Library Community Room

801 SW Hwy 101 Ste 201, Lincoln City, OR 97367

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Western Polk County Town Hall

Sunday March 29

Falls City Community Center

320 North Main Street, Falls City, Oregon 97344

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Western Yamhill County Town Hall

Saturday April 4

Sheridan Public Library Public Meeting Room

142 NW Yamhill St, Sheridan, OR 97378

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Lincoln City Kiwanis Club

Thursday April 30

Ace’s Bar and Grill

3309 NE Clubhouse Drive, Lincoln City. OR 97367

12-1 p.m.

Toledo Chamber of Commerce

Thursday April 16

Elks Lodge

123 SE Alder St, Toledo, OR

12-1 p.m.

David Gomberg is an Oregon small business owner, kite flier, and a Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 10 since January 14, 2013. Wikipedia

New Lincoln City park named ‘Ours’

Justin Werner
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New Lincoln City park named ‘Ours’

The Lincoln City City Council voted to name a new park located at SE 3rd Street and Keel Avenue “Nesika Park” at Monday’s meeting at City Hall.

(Nes-i-ka)

Councilors chose the name Nesika Park, which translates to “ours” in Chinook Wawa according to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, out of six names recently narrowed down from 83 the public submitted during a “Name Our New Park” event.

Some councilors wanted the name to be Osprey Park, and voted accordingly, but ultimately Nesika Park passed after a 5-2 vote, with councilors Mark and Casper voting “no.”

Multiple councilors and Mayor Dick Anderson mentioned a need for the name to be pronounced correctly and directed Parks and Recreation Director Jeanne Sprague to provide materials for the public to that end. Anderson also wanted to make sure the Siletz Tribe was consulted and had approved the use of the name Nesika Park.

Sprague said she contacted the Tribe and Tribal Council members had no issue with the name as long as the translation and pronounciation were correct.

The project used a method of tree removal that minimized damage to other trees and the environment, Parks & Recreation staff said.

Lincoln City was the first city in Oregon to be funded for this park project via a grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Disney Corporation.

Follow Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Facebook page for additional information.

Newport hospital project enters third and final phase

Mary Jo Kerlin
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Newport hospital project enters third and final phase

Newport Hospital

This week, the Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital construction project is entering its third and final phase.

Beginning Monday, March 9, the building on campus known as the “1951 building” will be closed to all visitors and patients. Services previously located inside that building can now be found inside the hospital. The public can continue to access the hospital via the west entrance, which connects to the SPCH Galleria, until March 30. The Emergency Services entrance also continues to provide public access to the hospital.

Beginning the week of Monday, March 9, remodeling will begin on the area behind the clinic located on the second floor of the new hospital building; this was used as a temporary area for infusion services. There may be a bit of construction noise and foot traffic during this time, but all attempts will be made to minimize disruptions. This is expected to last approximately 90 days.

Beginning Monday, March 16, construction fences will go around the perimeter of the 1951 building. The building will be permanently closed to everyone except crews that will begin clearing out the structure and performing abatement. Again, the west entrance to the Galleria will remain open until March 30.

During the week of March 30, demolition will begin on the 1951 building and the west entrance to the hospital galleria will be closed to everyone. At this time, the only public entrance into the hospital and clinics will be via the Emergency Services entrance.

Once the 1951 building is removed, the second half of the main parking area will be completed, essentially marking the end of this years’-long project.

Watch for announcements about a community celebration being planned for early autumn.

NWS issues ‘special weather statement’ for snow in the passes

Justin Werner
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NWS issues ‘special weather statement’ for snow in the passes

Oregon Coast mountains snow

National Weather Service Portland (NWS) issued a “special weather statement” Friday calling for up to 1.5 inches of snow for the coast range passes tonight into Saturday.

NWS officials said snow was possible across the coastal range passes and warns drivers to expect “winter-type” conditions and to slow down.

Snow accumulations are expected to be light with .05-1.5 inch total amounts for elevations above 1,500 feet. Heavier showers may drive snow levels down to around 1,000 feet at times and may cause winter weather driving conditions and NWS says to be cautious.

Call 511 for the latest road conditions and check tripcheck.com for cameras and live updates.

Then there were six: city council to choose new park name

Justin Werner
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Then there were six: city council to choose new park name

New park in Lincoln City

Lincoln City City Councilors will decide what to name a newly created park located at SE 3rd and Keel during Monday night’s regular city council meeting.

Parks and Recreation Ambassador LoRee LaFon organized the “Name Our New Park” contest and 83 entries were received and narrowed down to six names by City Manager Ron Chandler and Parks and Recreation Director Jeanne Sprague. The winner of the contest will receive a year-long pass to the Lincoln City Community Center.

Councilors will take the following principles into account while choosing a name:

Does the name engender a strong positive image?

Is the name appropriate with regard to the park’s location and history?

Does the name have historical, cultural or social significance for future generations?

Does the name commemorate places, people or events of continued importance?

Does the name have symbolic value?

Does the name have broad public support?

The park name finalists are:

Birdsong Canyon Park

This name would bring awareness to the number of bird species we have in Lincoln City and could encourage park visitors to learn about the birds they might hear or see while visiting the park.

LakeWood Park

LakeWood Park gives nod to the heritage of area. Adventure your own imagination in story and exercise your soul in Nature within the Parks beautiful wilderness.

Moss Ridge Park

Along the SE corner of this area there is a beautiful area of mossy hillside. Due to the wetlands to the south, there is a break in the canopy that allows the sun through to the forest floor. On summer days and (the rare) clear winter mornings, this offers a sunny, protected, and welcoming area for walking and mushroom foraging.

Nesika Park

This is from the Chinook language meaning “Our Place” I think it is a PERFECT name for our new community park, celebrating the past and future.

Osprey Park

Lincoln City hosts at least 3 nesting pairs of Osprey who return each year to rear their young. In the spring of 2019, the pair that has nested at the mall every year returned to find new light fixtures that would not hold their annual nest. After scouting the neighborhood, they built a new nest directly adjacent to the new park, across SE 3rd in the wetland on top of a tall tree. This pair, that mates for life, is now part of the park’s neighborhood, and the young are heard calling for their food for many blocks around as the parent’s fish from the lake. I would like to suggest naming the new park in honor of the natural setting and its other inhabitants who call this neighborhood “home.”

Raptors’ Roost Nature Park

I believe there are several birds of prey that nest in that area: osprey, hawks, owls, etc. Hopefully the park will be built in a manner that protects their homes.

The naming of the park will bring an end to a six-month-long process but the city council does have the option to reject all the names, however, this scenario is unlikely.

Lincoln City was the first city in Oregon to be funded for this park project via a grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Disney Corporation.

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