Human trafficking occurs in Lincoln County and it’s not like the movie Taken, where actor Liam Neeson goes on a mission to rescue his daughter from the clutches of Albanian sex-traffickers in France.
According to people who assist with human trafficking cases in Lincoln County, rural areas see parents and guardians exchanging access to their children for money, drugs or rent. Individuals use social media to make contact with juveniles — with runaways being especially at risk of becoming victims.
Oregon Department of Justice and Department of Human Services officials released statistics Thursday for a year-long period between October 2018 and October 2019, identifying 746 victims of human trafficking in Oregon.
Although Lincoln County is not listed in these statistics, human trafficking does happen here and a Lincoln County task force was created in 2019 to combat the crime of recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining a person for a commercial sex act or child pornography.
Through special training and interagency collaboration, human trafficking is being fought by teams of cooperating agencies.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has a detective assigned to the Lincoln County task force who receives specialized training and continuing education for human trafficking.
“It’s a group effort,” LCSO Detective Maleri Cates said. “Every agency we work with is key. No one agency or organization could do this alone.”
Interagency collaboration has been key to identifying victims of human trafficking — some not even aware they were victims — by building trust, opening lines of communication and being aware.
ODOJ and DHS officials will hand out awards Friday, Jan. 10 at the ODOJ office, 100 SW Market Street in Portland, honoring the efforts of those who work to prevent human trafficking, including a team which stopped a trafficking ring in Lane County recently.
“Human trafficking and the exploitation of minors, sadly, affects every corner of Oregon,” Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said. “The individuals and community members we are honoring on Human Trafficking Awareness Day represent the courage, trust, and strong inter-agency partnerships necessary to help keep our most vulnerable Oregonians, especially children, safe from traffickers.”
“A large portion of human trafficking contact originates on social media,” Cates said. She advises parents and guardians to check their children’s phones for any strange apps and be on the lookout for new jewelry or even a new phone — a prime avenue for an individual seeking to lure a juvenile into a dangerous situation.
If you suspect human trafficking, or are a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-3737-888, or text BEFREE (233733) or contact your local law enforcement agency. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office maintains a tip line at 541-265-0669.
In 2010, Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation designating January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month. Human Trafficking Awareness Day takes place this year Saturday, Jan. 11.
Contact reporter Justin Werner at 541-992-0321 or email [email protected]
National Weather Service Portland (NWS) issued a “special weather statement” Wednesday concerning a pair of cold fronts bringing frigid temperatures this weekend through early next week, but confidence is low for snow on the coast.
“Cold air is coming,” NWS Meteorologist Rebecca Muessle said Thursday. “Westerly winds will keep the coast temperatures moderate so we don’t have a lot of confidence for snow in coastal areas. We are expecting snow levels for the coast to be around 1,000 feet.”
Cold fronts will likely bring snow to the Cascades this weekend and snow levels are expected to remain well above the valley floor through Sunday, NWS officials said.
Colder air is expected to arrive early next week, and with it, a chance for snow for most of the Pacific Northwest and southwest Washington. An increasing number of NWS forecast models suggest moisture from the Gulf of Alaska will raise the chance for snow down to the lowest elevations.
Muessle said the pair of cold fronts could cause high surf conditions and NWS is looking into issuing alerts for Friday and Saturday for the coast.
“Right now it looks like 20-25 foot waves are possible,” she said. “Stay tuned to National Weather Service for alerts.”
The City of Lincoln City is holding two public forums to discuss the proposed urban renewal boundary and a list of potential capital projects to be completed at the Villages at Cascade Head, a 360+ acre parcel of land in north Lincoln City purchased by the City in 2013.
The first of two public forums is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Ace’s Bar and Grill, 3309 NE Clubhouse Dr. The second will be held 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Highway 101.
“The upcoming public forum is one step in creating the draft plan which we hope will be ready for Council consideration in July or August this year,” Urban Renewal Economic Development Coordinator Jodi Mescher said. “If City Council votes to adopt the Urban Renewal Plan for Roads End/Villages at Cascade Head area, it could be an important economic development tool to increase financing for priority projects in the new urban renewal area.”
If the Urban Renewal Plan is adopted by the Lincoln City Council, the Urban Renewal Agency can go ahead with capital projects, such as:
Construction or improvement of public facilities including streets, sidewalks, utilities, parks
Streetscape improvements
Storefront improvements
Participation with developers for property improvement
Rehabilitation of existing buildings
City staff has identified a list of potential projects to be completed and the first public forum is to discuss the draft plan and collect feedback on priority projects and projects yet to be identified.
The Villages at Cascade Head, previously a bankrupt vacant development, was purchased in 2013 by Lincoln City for $2.5 million.
For over 20 years the vision for 1,800+ homes at the Villages at Cascade Head has been troubled by foreclosure, developer concerns and expiring city planning approvals.
City officials have long-held to the idea that the Villages at Cascade Head will be an economic boon to Lincoln City but have struggled to advance the multi-million dollar investment despite spending an additional $2 million into the site for planning, utilities and other costs typically paid for by developers.
According to sources, developers have put in over $10 million to develop the Villages.
Developers are skeptical on a city-controlled situation where the City can drop hundreds of lots at any given time with a vote from the council. Builders believe they could not compete and the unknowns are too much to risk large amounts of money.
“If the City can sell lots at will or rezone adjacent properties it reduces the value and makes it unattractive,” a prominent Lincoln City developer who requested anonymity said.
Former Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams, who won in a 2014 landslide election, called for a sale of the Villages as part of his campaign.
“I don’t believe the City should be in the land development business,” Williams said. “We were assured repeatedly that we weren’t going to do this, but here we are in the land development business.”
Whatever the City decides to do, it will impact property values for improved and unimproved property throughout Lincoln City and North Lincoln County.
The City of Lincoln City — through Explore Lincoln City — is looking for a public relations firm to help it project a positive image to the public in order to achieve its goals.
From the City of Lincoln City’s website:
Explore Lincoln City proposes to retain a highly qualified, capable firm to act as the full-service PR agency of record. Special consideration will be given to those agencies with proven destination marketing experience. The successful agency will work with Explore Lincoln City to leverage earned media in target markets to promote Lincoln City as the preferred beach vacation destination on the Oregon Coast. Priorities include activities that will inspire consumers to visit, experience, stay, and return to Lincoln City.
The notice posted on the City website requests qualifications from prospective public relations firms and lays out the scope of work to be performed. Funds for the position will come from Lincoln City’s transient room tax and must be authorized by the Lincoln City Council.
Explore Lincoln City intends to evaluate submitted proposals and will possibly interview firms before making a final selection. The selected PR firm will negotiate with Explore Lincoln City on fee and contract conditions.
The resulting contract will have an initial term of five months through June 30, with three additional one-year extensions thereafter subject to mutual agreement of all parties.
Public relations professionals write press releases, connect key officials with interviews, arrange press conferences and create newsletters.
Excerpt from Explore Lincoln City’s public relations services plan. The term “earned media” means publicity that is not paid for with advertising.
Public relations is not a licensed field and can draw professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Explore Lincoln City will receive proposals until 5 p.m. Jan. 24. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
New year baby Hudson Kai Canchola with his parents before leaving the hospital
Every newborn is special, but tradition gives more emphasis on the first baby of the new year. At Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, the first baby born in 2020 was Hudson Kai Canchola, who arrived at 10:41 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1. He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces at birth and was 19.5 inches long.
Parents Tori Clark and Ashton Canchola said their new son’s middle name means “ocean” in the Hawaiian language. He will be welcomed to his Neotsu home by older brother Gabriel, who turns 4 years old in March.
Dr. Meredith Mann assisted in the delivery, which came very quickly, Clark said. She labored for just a few hours and the delivery took a matter of minutes. Her first child also was in a hurry to see the world, but baby boy number two was even quicker, Canchola said, laughing.
Clark has been an emergency department technician at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital for the past two years while Canchola works at Kenny’s IGA, his family’s business in Lincoln City.
Keeping with tradition, a large gift basket was presented by Leslie James, development specialist for the North Lincoln Hospital Foundation to the family. It included such things as stuffed animals, baby blankets, baby comb and brush, Binky Buddy, burp cloths, and more.
Another present, given by Sherri Nordyke on behalf of her non-profit organization, Clara’s Closet, was a “baby shower in a box” – diapers, wipes, infant development toy, book, pacifiers, Lovey animal blanket, baby hygiene kit, hand-knit sweater and hat, hand-knit blanket, blanket, receiving blankets, bibs, burp cloths, Halo SleepSack, newborn clothing, thermometer and infant safety kit.
In addition, this year’s new year baby received a plush commemorative baby blanket embroidered and donated by Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE), which is now doing laundry service for the hospital. Included with the gift were heartfelt notes from the women who helped make the blanket. The following are just a few of the thoughtful sentiments:
“My heart was filled with joy and hope for the newborns and their families. Wishing them a life full of love and happiness!” – Suzanne
“Even though I don’t have children, I know what a blessing a baby can be. I loved that I played a part in making memorable keepsake blankets for someone’s precious new arrival.” – Rebecca
“It brings me joy to make these baby blankets, to give the newborns a little bit of love. It reminds me of my own children and grandchildren, and I love making new families happy.”- Rosa
National Weather Service Portland (NWS) issued a high wind warning along the central and northern Oregon coasts until 10 p.m. Friday.
Winds 30-40 mph are predicted with gusts up to 60 mph possible along beaches and headlands.
NWS says travel may be difficult for high-profile vehicles and high winds can blow down weakend tree limbs potentially causing scattered power outages.
People should avoid being outside in forested areas due to trees and branches that could be blown loose and cause injury.
With the new year, comes the implementation of new laws approved by the Oregon State Legislature in 2019.
You have heard me observe before that about 2000 proposals were introduced during the legislative session. Oregon lawmakers passed about 750 bills – the great majority with bi-partisan support. Many took effect on January 1st. Here’s a sampling of some of the most important of those new laws:
HB 3427 also known as the “Student Success Act” dedicates over $1 billion per year to early childhood and K-12 education to help Oregon schools confront their many diverse challenges. The measure is funded with a roughly one-half percent tax on corporations with more than $1 million commercial activity in Oregon. (I successfully argued to exempt smaller businesses, fuel, groceries and health care, and increase deductions for low-margin companies while maintaining the investment in our schools and kids.)
SB 256 prohibits the production of oil, gas or sulfur in the Oregon territorial sea. The “territorial sea” is defined in statute as the waters and seabed extending three geographical miles seaward from the coastline in conformance with federal law. (I was a chief sponsor of the bill along with Senator Roblan and Representative Brock-Smith.)
HB 2509 bans stores and restaurants from providing single-use plastic bags at checkout, and requires them to charge at least five cents per bag if they provide paper or other alternatives, beginning in 2020. (I was a sponsor.)
SB 90 prohibits restaurants from giving customers single-use plastic straws unless the customer specifically requests one.
HB 2005 sets up a system for paid family leave so Oregon workers can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child or sick family member, or to recover from a serious illness or domestic violence. The leave would be paid for by a state insurance fund that employers and employees contribute less than 1% of their paycheck to, similar to worker’s compensation. Employers with fewer than 25 employees will not have to pay into the fund but their employees will still be eligible. The state will begin collecting funds in 2022 and employees will be able to begin collecting benefits in 2023. (I successfully argued to exempt smaller employers and allow compensation to businesses with fewer than five workers if key employees take family leave.)
SB 861 provides for prepaid postage on ballots, allowing Oregonians to vote by mail without paying for a stamp starting in 2020. (I have consistently supported efforts to make voting easier. But I opposed this bill believing the $3 million cost could be better spent elsewhere.)
SB 608 caps annual rent increases at 7% plus the change in consumer price index (this year about 3%). The bill also prohibits landlords from evicting month-to-month renters without cause after 12 months of residency. (I opposed the bill believing it would harm our fragile coastal housing market by encouraging more landlords to shift from housing to nightly rentals.)
SB 320 would allow Oregon to stay on daylight savings time year-round, but only if the federal government passes a law allowing the switch and Washington and California also agree to change. The bill would exempt the sliver of Eastern Oregon that operates on Mountain Time.
SB 3 allows community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. The bill will expand opportunities for students in Oregon’s 17 community colleges – many of which operate in some of the most rural reaches of the state. Colleges would have to gain approval through the Higher Education Coordinating Committee by showing that new programs will address a workforce need not being met.
HB 3415 requires institutions of higher education to adopt written policies on sexual harassment and assault. It also requires staff to receive evidence-informed annual training. These new requirements will begin with the 2020-2021 school year. Nationally, 1 in 5 women, 1 in 14 men, and 1 in 4 transgender students experience sexual assault while in college.
SB 5510 funded the Department of Fish and Wildlife and included a number of fee increases. For the past six years, the cost to fish and hunt has gradually increased. A fishing license will cost Oregonians $44 in 2020, up from $41 last year. A hunting license will reach $34.50, up from $29.50 in 2014. The cost of tags is also going up. An adult angling tag — required if fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut — will reach $46, up from $40.50 in 2019 and $26.50 in 2014. The increase was fueled by a $32 million shortfall in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife budget back in 2014, caused in part by the long-term decline of anglers and hunters buying licenses. (I voted no on the measure.)
SB 420 allows a person to apply to set aside convictions for marijuana possession, delivery and manufacture if conduct upon which conviction was based is no longer a crime.
SB 445 would require the Oregon Invasive Species Council to submit a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly, revises the Council membership, and appropriates funds to the Council. “Invasive species” is defined as nonnative organisms that cause economic or environmental harm and are capable of spreading to new areas of the state. Invasive species does not include humans, domestic livestock or non-harmful exotic organisms.
HB 2576 allows you to transfer the plates and registration from a vehicle that is totaled or substantially altered to a new vehicle. It also allows a special interest plate to be transferred from one vehicle to another qualifying vehicle.
HB 2393 strengthens Oregon’s “revenge porn” laws by making it a crime to distribute intimate photos or videos of a person without their consent. Previously the law only covered posting such content to a website, but now includes other methods of electronic dissemination such as text message, email and apps. It allows victims to sue for up to $5,000 in damages.
HB 2328 will make it easier for police to put car thieves behind bars. A 2014 court decision said that prosecutors have to prove a person had knowledge the vehicle they were driving was stolen. Now, they merely have to show that the person disregarded a “substantial and unjustifiable risk” that the vehicle might be stolen.
SB 485 requires the Oregon Health Authority to work with education entities on a plan to responding to youth suicides. According to the 2017 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey, suicide is the second leading cause of death among Oregonians aged 10 to 24 with 107 recorded fatalities in 2017.
SB 998 allows bicyclists to yield, rather than come to a full stop, at stop signs and traffic signals. (I opposed the bill, concerned that it would affect traffic safety.)
HJM 8 urges Congress and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to adopt and enforce stringent regulations for accuracy in wine labeling, packaging, and advertising. The measure also urges states to enter into mutual agreements for the reciprocal enforcement of wine labeling, packaging, and advertising laws. (After discovering the California-made “Oregon Coast Pinot Noir”, I was chief sponsor of the measure.)
SB 47 will increase the cost of floating Oregon’s waterways with a raft, kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Anyone paddling a non-motorized boat over 10-feet long will need to purchase a Waterway Access Permit for $17 annually or $30 for two years. A $5 weekly option will also be available. Boaters under age 14 won’t need one. For the past decade, Oregon has seen a growing number of non-motorized boaters at facilities funded largely by motorized boaters. Revenue from the new system will go into a fund to improve boat ramps, parking lots and even purchase land to improve access to Oregon’s waterways. The permit replaces the previous $5 invasive species permit.
SB 1 establishes a System of Care Advisory Council to improve the effectiveness and efficacy of state and local services to children with distinctive mental, or behavioral health needs.
SB 9 allows pharmacists to prescribe emergency refills of insulin and related supplies instead of requiring patients who run out to wait for their doctor’s office to open to get a new prescription.
SB 579 waives the 15-day waiting period between Death With Dignity Act requests when the attending physician determines, with reasonable medical judgement, that the person will die within 15 days of making the initial request. It also requires a medically-confirmed certificate regarding the patient’s probability of imminent death to be included in the medical record.
SB 69 requires the Public Utility Commission to establish a plan to provide low-income Oregonians assistance for accessing broadband internet services. To quality, a family must demonstrate its income or participate in government assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
SB 664 requires school districts to provide instruction about the Holocaust and genocide. It also directs the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to school districts on implementing the curriculum. These new instruction requirements will apply beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. (I was a co-sponsor of the bill.)
HB 2015 allows undocumented residents and Oregonians who cannot find their original birth certificate to obtain driver’s licenses. Those who can’t provide documentation of citizenship will not be added to the voter rolls.
SB 870 adds Oregon to the National Popular Vote Compact. States belonging to the compact agree to award their electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote. The compact will take effect once states representing 270 electoral college votes join. Oregon brings the total to 196 votes. (I co-sponsored the bill.)
HB 3216 allows you to sue a person who “summons a police officer” as a way to discriminate, harass, embarrass, or infringe on your rights or expel you from a place where you are lawfully located.
SB 665 permits school districts to adopt rules to allow trained school personnel to administer naloxone and similar medications if a student or other individual overdoses on opioids at school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity. Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. In 2016, there were 312 opioid-related overdose deaths in Oregon.
To learn more about these bills, visit the Oregon Legislative Information System. Select the 2019 Legislative Session and then search for bills by number, key words, or sponsor.
Most of these measures are policy proposals and not part of the biennial state budget. In that budget, we addressed housing and health care, veterans and small business, public safety, transportation, and efforts to better collect money owed to the state.
The Golden Man atop the Capitol building in Salem
I look forward to returning to the Capitol in February for the one-month “short” session. I’ll continue fighting for rural and coastal Oregonians, creating an environment in which local businesses thrive, livability for seniors, workers, and families, dealing with housing and homelessness, fixing our state’s health care system, and addressing the very real threat that climate change poses to our communities and our state.
National Weather Service Portland (NWS) issued a beach hazards statement Thursday calling for a higher chance of sneaker waves, making it the third such advisory from the agency since Christmas.
The latest warning is in effect until 3 a.m. Jan. 3 and is for the north and central Oregon coasts.
According to NWS officials, the reason for a sneaker wave warning is due to an Alaskan low pressure system producing a large westerly swell.
“The swell has a lot of energy with it,” NWS Meteorologist Treena Jensen said. “The wave frequency is high but does not trigger our high surf warning.”
Sneaker waves can run up significantly farther on beaches, knocking people off their feet and quickly pulling them into the ocean. Beachgoers are reminded to stay off rocks, logs and jetties and keep kids and pets out of the surf zone.
If you see someone swept into the sea do not follow them in. Call 911 and keep track of them until help arrives.
You may have heard that timing is everything. And in many walks of life, that may be true – but not necessarily when it comes to investing.
To understand why this is so, let’s look at three common mistakes investors make:
Selling investments and moving to cash when stocks are predicted to drop – If you follow the financial news on cable TV or the internet, you’re eventually bound to discover some “experts” who are predicting imminent, huge drops in the stock market. And on rare occasions, they may be right – but often they’re not. And if you were to sell some of your stocks or stock-based investments based on a prediction and move the money to cash or a cash equivalent, you could miss out on possible future growth opportunities if the predictor was wrong. And the investments you sold still could have played a valuable part in your portfolio balance.
Selling underperforming assets in favor of strong performers – As an investor, it can be tempting to unload an investment for one of those “hot” ones you read about that may have topped one list or another. Yet there’s no guarantee that investment will stay on top the next year, or even perform particularly well. Conversely, your own underperformers of today could be next year’s leaders.
Waiting for today’s risk or uncertainty to disappear before investing – Investing always involves risk and uncertainty. Instead of waiting for the perfect time to invest, you’re better off building a portfolio based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
All these mistakes are examples of a risky investment strategy: trying to “time” the market. If you try to be a market timer, not only will you end up questioning your buy/sell decisions, but you also might lose sight of why you bought certain investments in the first place. Specifically, you might own stocks or mutual funds because they are appropriate for your portfolio and your risk tolerance, and they can help you make progress toward your long-term financial goals. And these attributes don’t automatically disappear when the value of these stocks or funds has dropped, so you could end up selling investments that could still be doing you some good many years into the future.
While trying to time the market is a difficult investment strategy even for the professionals, it doesn’t mean you can never take advantage of falling prices. In fact, you can use periodic dips in the market to buy quality assets at more attractive prices. Suppose, for example, that you invested the same amount of money every month into the same investments. One month, your money could buy more shares when the price of the investment is down – meaning you’re automatically a savvy enough investor to take advantage of price drops. While your money will buy fewer shares when the price of the investment is up, your overall investment holdings will benefit from the increase in price.
Buying low and selling high sounds like a thrilling way to invest. But in the long run, you’re better off by following a consistent investment strategy and taking a long-term perspective. It’s time in the market, rather than timing the market, that helps keep portfolio returns moving in the right direction over time.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Edward Jones Financial Advisor Wendy Wilson.
National Weather Service Portland (NWS) has issued a high surf advisory through Wednesday evening for north and central Oregon coasts in addition to an enhanced sneaker wave advisory expiring Tuesday night.
The new advisory calls for breakers up to 25 feet from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 10 p.m. Wednesday.
According to NWS, destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties and other structures unexpectedly. People can be swept into the ocean by fast moving waves and encourage beachgoers to stay well back from the water’s edge and be alert for exceptionally large waves.
In addition to the high surf advisory, sneaker waves are still possible through Tuesday night. The ocean can surge up the beach, lifting or rolling logs and killing anyone caught in their path.
