The Oregon Marine Board has issued a safety advisory concerning waterway obstructions. Heavy wind and rain from winter storms cause trees to plunge into Oregon rivers. Trees become obstructions, a risk for all boaters, including paddlers, rafters, and drift boats," according to the Marine Board. Some of these obstructions will become more dangerous as river levels drop, requiring boats to portage around the obstructions for safe navigation. ...

When I was an intern for Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, I had a front row seat to see just how important it is for our state’s priorities and values to be represented on the powerful Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding the federal government. Now, as chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment, I’m working hard to continue Senator Hatfield’s legacy and ensure that Oregon has a strong voice in the nation’s spending decisions, including investing in vital projects that meet our state’s diverse needs, from building wildfire resiliency to boosting affordable housing. ...

Artists are invited to compete in one or all three of ODFW’s 2025 stamp art competitions. The winning artist in each contest receives a $2,000 award and winning artwork is used to produce collector’s stamps and other promotional items with sale proceeds benefitting Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. For more information on contest rules and to order stamps and art prints, visit: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/stamp_contest/index.asp ...

World governments and other leadership bodies are taking vital steps to protect the ocean but more progress is urgently needed, Oregon State University (OSU) scientists reported at the eighth Our Ocean Conference in Athens, April 17. “Highly protected areas can safeguard against destructive activities such as high-impact fishing, mining and drilling, allowing marine life to recover and in many cases support nearby human communities,” OSU’s Kirsten Grorud-Colvert said. “We’re honored to be invited to share this evidence with world leaders – they are making decisions...

The police blotter is an excerpt of a public record of incidents as reported by law-enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty. The information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For a list of missing items found in the Brookings area, you can visit the police services page of the city of Brookings website at www.brookings.or.us/134/police-services and follow the link near...

An evening of music with Homemade Jam. Willow Owings, her dad Chris Vorster, and son Zane will delight you with lively and heartfelt tunes, stellar vocals and beautiful harmonies. This will be a family event you won’t want to miss! Saturday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at the Chetco Grange Hall, Shopping Center Ave. in Harbor. Doors open at 5:30. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Stagelights Musical Arts Community is a 501c3 non-profit. This event is being supported by the Chetco Grange. For more info visit stagelights.us or call Kim Devine at 541-251-3952

Veterans Affairs (VA) is looking for significant feedback from veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors for a Federal Advisory Committee on the proliferation of benefits. The VA is seeking people willing to speak in 3-minute public comment slots both in person and virtually, or willing to provide written statements for a more in-depth analysis. Topics on the docket for this meeting include the Survivors’ Assistance and Memorial Support Program, Veterans Health Administration, the Office of Survivor Assistance, and the Veterans Benefits Administration. Anyone with feedback...

A number of local Town Hall meetings are being held by Curry County commissioners and law enforcement representatives to present the Curry County Law Enforcement Levy to Curry citizens. The levy will appear on the upcoming May ballot with the goal of generating revenue to fund Curry County public safety. The purpose of the Town Hall events are for the public to gain insights, ask questions, and engage with local leaders regarding this important initiative. All Curry County Commissioners, the District Attorney, the Sheriff and...

How Cottage Grove and cities across Oregon and the national handle homelessness could be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court. A majority of U.S Supreme Court justices Monday, April 22, seemed inclined to side with an Oregon town’s law that bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, in a case that could have broad implications for local ordinances related to homelessness across the country. During oral arguments in City of Grants...

Recently, a man stood outside the Portland central city library holding a sign that read “please pray for me.” He was on his fourth day of detoxing off of fentanyl. Trying to get sober while cold, alone and living on the streets was becoming increasingly more difficult for him, and he had written the sign as a last plea for some kind of divine intervention. That intervention came in the form of outreach workers who were on the street that day as part of a...

Part of the beauty of Oregon is the hiking opportunities throughout the state. Hiking can be a fun and healthy activity for the whole family. But without proper planning, even a short hike could turn into a dangerous situation. Before you hit the trails, remember these hiking safety tips. 1. Make a Gear List Whether you're hiking for three hours or three days, you don't want to forget something important....

Members of the Oregon Congressional delegation are calling for a renewed long-term commitment to the Western Oregon Operating Plan (WOOP). Set to expire June 30 of this year, the WOOP serves as the agreement that governs fire response for BLM, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and Forest Protective Associations all over western Oregon. Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today led U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and...

Sunday April 21, 2024, at about 2:35pm, The Curry County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch received information from the Brookings Police Dispatch, of a call from a person who had been hiking the coastal trail near Natural Bridges, about twelve miles north of Brookings. The caller relayed that he had seen a person on the rocks below him that appeared to be deceased. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area along with an Oregon State Trooper. ...

This election season, Oregonians could play a crucial role in deciding which party will control the U.S. House as voters across the country decide who will occupy the White House. However, as we learned in 2020 and 2022, disinformation targets our communities, sowing distrust, manipulating voters and potentially threatening our voice at the ballot box. We can fight back. ...

Brookings’ annual ‘’Elmo Williams Day’ is returning this year to celebrate one of the City’s most famous residents, Academy Award winning editor, producer, and director Elmo Williams. After retiring to Brookings in 1983, Williams and his family left a substantial legacy behind, living in the City for over 40 years until his passing in 2015, at the age of 103. The highly decorated filmmaker worked on a number of famous movies. Williams won two Oscars for his work. One on ‘Design for Death’, which won...

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and BuildUp Oregon have announced the launch of the OHCS Co-location Fund aimed at expanding access to early childhood education and affordable housing across Oregon. “Families face a pile of cost burdens that limit their access to afford housing, and one of these burdens is the high cost of early childcare," OHCS Director Andrea Bell said. "These investments set out to change the trajectory for Oregon families, allowing for increased stability and a better quality of life.” ...

The second annual Coast Comedy Festival begins April 25 in three coastal cities and will include 10 shows on four nights in five venues, culminating with one headliner on the Sawdust Theatre stage Sunday, April 28. Soul of Wit Productions, founded by Ty Boice of Salem, is organizing the comedy series with shows in Newport, North Bend, Bandon, Gold Beach and Coquille. Boice grew up in Curry County. He said...

The following students have been named to the 2023-2024 Winter Term Dean’s list at Oregon Institute of Technology. Recipients of the honor achieved a 3.30 to 3.69 grade-point average. Naomi Elliott of Brookings (97415) studies Biology-Health Sciences Patrick Runge of Brookings (97415) studies Business Management Option Lillian Stockton of Brookings (97415) studies Pre-Nursing Gen Study ...

Most tree roots start to take up nutrients a long time before we see new shoot growth. Evergreens (and this includes rhododendrons, azaleas, arborvitae, Pieris, etc.) tend to get a light-green washed out look over the winter. This can be corrected by giving them a fertilizer containing slow release nitrogen. Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) would be a good choice as would an organic material like blood meal. ...