Nothing lasts forever. But the iconic Ester Lee Motel in Lincoln City, Oregon comes pretty close. The motel received a new sign this week.
That got me to thinking about how many Ester Lee signs have stood in its place of prominence along Highway 101 in Lincoln City. I can recall at least six, but can only find photos of five of them.
If you have photographs and/or memories of the Ester Lee signs through the years and wouldn’t mind sharing them please comment below.
Inboard and Outboard Hydroplane Boats will return to Devils Lake in Lincoln City, Oregon, with hopes of setting new World Straightaway speed records. The record runs will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at sunset on Saturday, October 12th and Sunday October 13th, 2024. East Devils Lake State Park boat ramp will be used as the staging area for set up and launch and will be closed for public use as well as the Regatta Grounds Boat Ramp.
The annual Devils Lake Kilo is sanctioned and insured by the American Power Boat Association, and is officiated and conducted by the Columbia Outboard Racing Association based in the Portland, Oregon area. The Oregon State Marine Board and local and county authorities for the safety of the racers and other boat users have issued a permit for a partial lake closure. Devils Lake will be closed from Sand Point to south of the East Devils Lake State Park launch ramp.
This event is a true test of entrants driving skill plus the integrity of the combined set-up of the boat, motor and propeller. Calm water conditions are a necessity, as each driver will be running quality equipment with sensitive set-ups to maximize optimum speed.
Time Trial rules call for a driver, competing against a time clock, to pilot his boat through a 5/8th of a mile surveyed straightaway course. Each entry will receive six runs, three in each direction. The test shall consist of two consecutive runs, one of which shall be made in one direction and one in the opposite direction. The overall speed is calculated by averaging the best two consecutive runs out of the six runs that each entrant is entitled to run. The driver may take all his runs at one time or may after taking one run decide to wait for better conditions for his or her remaining runs.
The annual Speed Boat Time Trials were renamed the “Rockey Stone Memorial Kilo’s” in 1995 in honor of the person instrumental in setting up and organizing the event for many years and the ¼ Mile in honor of Buzz Thorsen who took leadership after Rockey retired. The event has been held since its inception in the mid 1950’s, minus a few years during which Devils Lake underwent a massive weed cleanup. The event has placed Devils Lake and Lincoln City, Oregon in the American Powerboat Associations record book many times and has historically held the esteemed respect of having the “Worlds Fastest Water.”
You can also follow our official Facebook account and www.dlwid.org for meeting agendas, updates on district projects, events, and other matters.
The election of Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance will bring back glory and greatness to our Nation
through their patriotic America First agenda. Some of the Trump/Vance policies are summarized below:
✓ Protect our border and increase Border Patrol agents to stop the dangerous illegal migrant
invasion; end human trafficking; demolish foreign drug cartels, and crush gang violence.
Promote legal immigration reform.
✓ Strengthen and modernize all branches of our military. Support Israel, financially and
politically and deport pro-Hamas radicals and seek peace in the Middle East. Negotiate an end
to the Russian-Ukraine war.
✓ Dramatically increase police funding to hire well-trained officers and restore respect for all
law enforcement, putting an end to chaos and lawlessness.
✓ Increase energy production to create more jobs for American workers to help combat
inflation and bring manufacturing back to the US, while cutting wasteful government spending
and limiting bureaucracy and overregulation.
✓ Provide tax cuts for all citizens; eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and social security, and
expand the Child Tax Credit, while protecting Medicare and Social Security benefits.
✓ Promote education reforms to increase student learning and graduation rates, and support
the rights of parents to intercede in the education of their children.
✓ Ban Chinese nationals from buying US land and industries and secure strategic independence
from China.
What kind of government do you want for the future of America? That’s what this election is all about. A
vote for Harris/Walz is a vote for the Globalist agenda: the exact opposite of “saving the soul of America”
promised by the powerful Trump/Vance ticket.
We are a Nation of, by and for “We the People” based on Truth, Justice and Freedom. If you love America
like I do, please join me in fighting for our Republic to protect our Constitutional rights by voting for the
Trump/Vance solutions.
Vote Red, don’t be Misled, on November 5, 2024! Thank you.
A. T. Ronan, Newport
Salem, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is creating a rule advisory committee to meet and discuss possible changes to electric-assisted bicycle use on state park properties and the ocean shore.
The current electric-assisted bike rules allow the devices to operate on state park trails that are over 8 feet in width and anywhere motor vehicles are allowed on the ocean shore. The proposed changes would update definitions for electric-assisted bicycles and determine new locations where they are allowed and restricted.
The committee will meet online 11 a.m. Thursday, October 17 and will hold three additional meetings through 2024 to review and discuss the proposed rule changes. The meeting dates will be announced after the first meeting. The meetings are open to the public and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkqL6iVPBrfCTO27cNmCTwg.
The meeting agenda will include discussions on the impacts the proposed rules would have on visitor safety, recreational uses and conflicts, operational best practices and accessibility. The committee will also discuss the potential economic and fiscal impact of proposed changes.
Committee members, appointed by OPRD, include individuals from around the state who enjoy electric assisted bicycles for recreation and others who enjoy other forms of recreation in state parks and the ocean shore. The committee also includes individuals from other agencies, natural resource specialists, law enforcement, transportation specialists, non-profit organizations, and business owners.
After the committee reviews the proposed changes and staff make updates based on feedback and recommendations, the proposed rule will be open for public comment in early 2025. More information about this rulemaking is available on the OPRD website: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-Rule-2024-EBikes.aspx.
Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Jo Niehaus, at least three days in advance of a meeting, at [email protected].
Letter to the Editor,
Twenty years and five terms should have been enough time for Commissioner Claire Hall to find viable solutions to Lincoln County’s escalating crime, addiction and homelessness problems but instead they have only worsened. Hall claims “all is well” but it clearly is not!
Our county deserves a challenge to the old attitude “it’s always been done this way”.
Rick Beasley is the right candidate to change this downward slope and scrutinize our counties overall $200 million ($50 million general fund) budget. Rick will work hard to ensure that our tax dollars are spent wisely, not frivolously on one commissioner’s favored projects. (Did you know that Lincoln County ranks 5th in the state for property taxes?)
When asked what the number one factor effecting our county was, Hall quickly replied, “climate change”. Really? I guess that’s why Lincoln County ranks 9th out of 36th in the state for the number of electric charging stations.
As our Commissioner, Rick will give us common sense solutions. He said, “What I advocate for is a balanced approach—one that integrates mental health, addiction treatment, housing and job training, while ensuring that law enforcement upholds public safety.”
Still undecided about which candidate is more committed to Lincoln County’s future? Please read what Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers has to say about Rick:
“I have known County Commissioner candidate Rick Beasley for over 30 years, and I am wholeheartedly endorsing him for Lincoln County Commissioner,” Landers said in a statement. “Rick’s proven commitment to our county and the issues surrounding county government, including public safety, make him an ideal candidate. Lincoln County needs a fresh perspective and an effective leader who can address key issues and provide guidance and prioritization for the county’s budget. I am confident that Rick will represent all citizens fairly and ensure our county thrives for.
Bill Klein
Sunday October 6 saw the return of the annual Oregon Right to Life “Life Chain.”
Held in both Newport and Lincoln City in front of their respective city halls groups of volunteers gathered to voice their support for the unborn.
Approximately 2 dozen prolife supporters silently held signs ranging from “Jesus Forgives and Heals” to “Life, the first inalienable right.”
For the most part passers by showed support for the gathering with many honks and thumbs up of approval. Those that held a differing viewpoint were, as usual, vulgar- bravely screaming obscenities from their moving vehicles.
Phil Magnan, retired Pastor of Calvary Chapel in Lincoln City had this to say about why he and the others gathered; “(We are) Being a visible presence of all those who want children to be treated with dignity, respect and love.”
Life Chain is a national event held every year on the first Sunday of October.
For more information go to their website here
Friday night was Homecoming for Taft 7-12 Football and the students and town celebrated everything tiger with the annual Noise parade on Highway 101.
At approximately 4p.m. students, parents, police and fire personnel gathered at Lighthouse Square to festoon their vehicles in pink ribbons and window markers in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.
At 4:30p.m. the procession started heading south. Along the way cars pulled over, businesses stopped and people came out to celebrate their kids.
The parade was led by an officer from the Lincoln City Police Department followed closely by an engine from North Lincoln Fire and Rescue. Their respective lights flashed and twirled and their sirens bellowed out a greeting to everyone along the parade route.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.
Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee.
“The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation. Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees.
“We know that raising fees by any amount can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly. We try to keep costs and fees as low as possible to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our commitment to stewardship and recreation,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption.
OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase.
Increases in base rate by site type:
$2 increase for misc. sites (includes teepees, meeting halls and other facilities)
$3 increase for tent sites (includes horse tent sites, horse group sites, group tent) and primitive sites (includes overflow, fly-in and walk-to-sites)
$4 increase for RV sites (includes full hookup, electrical, horse RV and group RV sites)
$5 increase for cabins and yurts (includes rustic, mini, totem, and deluxe sites)
(Seasonal rate increases were adopted in 2020. The seasonal adjustments will be added to the new base rates. As in previous years, summer rates are $2 more for tent sites, $3 more for RV sites and $5 more for cabins/yurts.)
Jan. 1, 2025:
OPRD will increase its reservation fee from $8 to $10 per site starting Jan. 1, 2025. This fee has not been increased since 2010.
Daily parking permit fees will increase from $5 to $10 at the 25 parks that charge a fee for day-use parking. Parking permit fees were last increased in 2009. The annual parking permit and the two-year permit fees remain the same at $30 for the annual permit and $50 for the two-year permit.
July 1, 2025:
OPRD will expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites (required by state law) to all site types for out-of-state campers.
New camping rate ranges replace the existing ones. These ranges set the lowest and highest fees that OPRD can charge over time. It gives OPRD’s director the ability to change fees in the future as needed. The last rate range update was adopted in 2018.
OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.
OPRD does offer a few resources and programs to help increase access to Oregon State Parks.
Most Oregon State Parks offer free day-use parking. Current exceptions include this list of 25 parks online.
We also have special access passes for free camping and day-use parking permits for:
Oregon foster parents, guardians and parents who have adopted Oregon foster children.
U.S. veterans with a service-connected disability.
Active duty U.S. military on official leave.
Next month, OPRD will open public comment on a proposal designed to give OPRD’s director more flexibility to decide which parks charge for day-use parking. The proposal would require day-use parking permits at all parks unless otherwise noted. The director would have the authority to waive the permit requirement as needed. There are no plans to charge at all parks, and OPRD would consider any changes carefully.
OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines ‘Pwn’ as; “The sense of ‘own’ that means “to have power or mastery over (someone).” It has also been used to describe the act of gaining illegal access to something.
The internet – where you can find cat videos, online shopping, and a never-ending stream of memes. But beware, folks! The web is also home to hackers, phishing scams, and other online threats that’ll make your head spin (and not in a good way). So, grab a snack, put on your thinking cap, and let’s dive into the world of online safety – minus the snooze-inducing bits.
Why Online Safety Matters (Besides Not Getting Hacked)
Online safety is like wearing a seatbelt while driving – it’s a good idea, but you hope you never need to use it. In all seriousness, if your personal info or finances fall into the wrong hands, it can lead to some serious consequences, including identity theft, financial loss, and the occasional existential crisis.
Basic Online Safety Tips (No, Really, They’re Basic)
Use Strong Passwords : Don’t be that guy who uses “ilovecats123” as your password. We know you love cats, but come on.
Password Tip: If you’re struggling to come up with strong passwords, try using a passphrase – a sequence of words that are easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess. For example, “Ilovemypizza1987” might be a bit too obvious, but “GiraffesEatLeavesInJuly” is a great example of a passphrase that’s both memorable and secure!
Advanced Online Safety Measures (For the More Adventurous)
Protecting Yourself from Social Engineering (Don’t Be Fooled)
Teaching Online Safety to Children (Before They Figure It Out Themselves)
Online safety is now firmly in your grasp. Remember to safeguard yourself daily by implementing these protective measures consistently, or as we like to call it, “not getting hacked”. With this knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to face any emerging cyber risks head-on – and that’s truly empowering!
For more information about internet safety, website design and hosting or any high tech questions visit www.wernerhost.com
At the Lincoln County Commission meeting Wednesday September 18, Commissioner and Board Chair Casey Miller called into question if and why Commissioner Hall and Commissioner Jacobson had held a “serial” meeting along with county attorney Kristin Yuille.
It is alleged that the two commissioners met with County Attorney Kristin Yuille to discuss a matter that was before the commission and was being discussed between a stakeholders group consisting of citizen activists, County Sheriff Curtis Landers, District Attorney Jenna Wallace and Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart et al. And that they not only had a serial meeting but they came to a conclusion without including Commissioner Miller or holding a public meeting.
The matter at hand is a directive from the state legislature (HB4002) that was in response to the legislature overturning the voter initiative Measure 110 that all but legalized drug use in Oregon. Everyone with half a brain knew what would happen and sure enough it did. Crime ran rampant, drug use soared and neighborhoods were destroyed. The initiative was sold to voters who bought the lie that drug addicts would voluntarily seek treatment.
Well, it never happened. No one caught paid the $100 fine and hardly any addicts took advantage of treatment. They did what addicts do-they continued using.
The legislature tasked counties to form coalitions to best decide what to do with “Deflection” funds that were allocated to them. The deadline for submission of their plan is September 20, 2024. The amount in question is just over $381,000.
What Is “Deflection?”
“Deflection serves as a community-centered practice by which law enforcement or other first responders make…handoffs to community-based treatment and/or other services for people who have substance use or mental health disorders. Deflection presents an alternative to arresting people who might otherwise either enter the justice system or receive no assistance to address their needs.” — definition courtesy of the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network.
Oregon’s HB 4002, signed April 1, encourages law enforcement to engage in deflection, in coordination with a new system of local deflection programs. A $20MM grant program was established within the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to support the establishment of new deflection programs.
The stakeholder group that has been meeting for months to figure out a plan to help our community deal with the addicted class has formulated a plan-and this seems to be a problem for Hall and Jacobson. Why? Why would they try to derail a plan that has the full support of the community, the sheriff, a circuit court judge and the district attorney?
Apparently those two still have a latent beef with the DA’s office that would take too long to explain here. Hall and Jacobson want the program administrator to be part of the probation department under County Corrections – and no one knows why because they haven’t discussed the matter in public or with any member of the stakeholder’s group.
Judge Bachart, fresh out of surgery on her leg and needing a knee scooter to get around said she was forced to sign up to speak during public discussion time as this was her only chance to address the two sneaking commissioners. “(Speaking in particular to Hall and Jacobson), I’m here today because this is the only forum I have to speak with you. I have sent you (Hall and Jacobson) emails. I have tried to reach out to Administrator Johnson. I have heard absolutely no response. From the presiding Judge of Lincoln County I have tried to reach out to you (Hall and Jacobson) because I want to discuss the Deflection Program and the work that we’ve done on it. I’ve been completely ignored-not even a ‘thank you for your email.’ So, I’m here less than 24 hours after having surgery because it’s the only way I can reach you.”
It was at this point the judge was rudely interrupted by someone, off camera, from the board dais. It’s easy to imagine the fear at being called out for their unscrupulous behavior making them want to silence the judge. However, Commissioner Miller valiantly stuck to his role as Chair and allowed Judge Bachart to continue.
“Sitting at a table we have treatment providers, people in recovery, a defense attorney, we have the District Attorney (DA) and the Chair of the Board of Commissioners (BOC). As a group we came up with a plan.
If you don’t have the trust of the DA and law enforcement, there is no one to deflect to. If you don’t roll out this program as agreed upon by the people actually doing the work; this program will fail.”
Next, begging for time before the high and mighty Board of Commissioners, came Sheriff Curtis Landers. “The Deflection partners have been meeting since April. I want to say I’m disappointed as your elected Sheriff that I have to present my concerns via a three minute public comment period and it was not placed on the agenda as requested by Chair Miller for an open and transparent discussion. I’m not even sure a decision has been made as I’ve heard conflicting accounts from Commissioners and County Counsel (Yuille). I’m also not sure why legal counsel is even involved at this point. I would like to point out that she (Yuille) has not participated in our discussions.”
Next to plead for an audience with Hall and Jacobson, et al was Lincoln County’s District Attorney Jenna Wallace. “I have never seen the level of cooperation as I’ve seen in this Deflection Workgroup.” She said, “I was really saddened to hear Miss Yuille had indicated that Commissioners Hall and Jacobson had already made the decision to place the position (Deflection Coordinator) in Probation (County Corrections office).
At this point DA Wallace made a point to say, “Commissioner Hall, you’re shaking your head. That’s what Counsel Yuille indicated multiple times in the meeting. I asked her (Yuille) ‘Have you met with each Commissioner separately and they have said that the position is going to the Department of Probation and she said ‘Yes’.”
Between the stunned silence of Yuille and Jacobson and the rapid, repetitive glances from Hall to Yuille as if the Commissioner was seeking a lifeline on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” the audience either shook their heads in utter disbelief that three elected officials entrusted by the voters of Lincoln County with law enforcement and justice had to grovel for a few minutes of Commissioner Hall and Jacobson’s taxpayer funded time or else they applauded the three and their impassioned desire to help those struggling with addiction to reenter society.
According to County Commission Candidate Rick Beasley, who also attended the meeting, “If this is an example of how “Claire Cares”-then I don’t know how Lincoln County voters can trust her.”
At the end of the meeting Commissioner Hall (who couldn’t seem to flee the room fast enough) collided with the wall adjacent to the exit door which barely missed hitting the Commissioner on the behind on the Commissioner’s way out the door.
