The Red Cross closely monitors national and local blood supplies to ensure donations are keeping pace with hospital need for blood products in order to meet ongoing and emergency patient care. Right now there is a critical need for blood donors, especially Type O negative blood. For information about hosting a blood drive call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

Impaired driving is a serious problem, one that law enforcement officers in Oregon and here in Lincoln County will continue to target through the Labor Day holiday weekend as part of a national campaign, Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.  You can report aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24-DRUNK.

After months of discussion the Lincoln City council approved an ordinance with amendments regarding the removal of trees within the city. According to staff this is a step in the right direction to protect the trees within the city. City manager David Hawker said now staff can get started to bring back additional changes as they move forward.

Crews at the Toledo Wastewater Treatment Plant discovered a leak from one of the main intake pipes. A plan has been developed that includes drilling pipe underneath the railroad, and bypassing an already existing length of pipe. They hope to begin drilling on September 13th, and be fully operational by the end of September.

Residents living in Clatsop, Tillamook and Lincoln counties are receiving phone calls that appear to be from TLC Federal Credit Union, but actually are from Identity Thieves. Citizens are reminded that they should NEVER give out their personal banking information over the phone unless they initiate the call. Anyone who may have fallen for the scam is asked to contact their local TLC branch right away.

Newport Police Detectives Division recently completed a four-month investigation into a reported sexual assault case. Two victims reported to the Newport Police that the suspect sexually assaulted them while they were between 14 to 17 years old. The grand jury incited the suspect on 87 counts of various charges of sexual abuse.

The board of commissioners proclaimed September as Alcohol and Drug addiction wellbriety month in Lincoln County. This is also Native American Wellbriety month. This is a chance to recognize people who are in recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders and to help more people enter into a path to recovery.

The Wilder Dog Park is now open and the City of Newport will operate and maintain the dog park, located temporarily next to Oregon Coast Community College. The developer of Wilder, Landwaves fully-fenced about .7 acres for the park, adding a transitional entry and exit corral and a water spigot for thirsty pups.  

Years of hard work have paid off for tsunami response on the Oregon coast. The Uniform Tsunami Warning signal is now in place and local communities have up to five years to transition to the new standard signal.  Applying a uniform siren signal to inform the public of an approaching tsunami on the Oregon coast will reduce risk to lives.

A health advisory for contact with marine water at D River Wayside in Lincoln City has been lifted. The advisory was issued on August 24th after water samples at D-River showed higher-than-normal levels of a type of fecal bacteria, in the marine water. Subsequent testing shows the concerns about contamination have subsided and the waters no longer pose a higher-than-normal risk associated with water contact activities.

The Lincoln County school district has 29 new teachers going into the new school year. They along with staff members recently attended a four-day orientation mentor program. The concept behind the Mentor Program is that new teachers come to work with four or five years of college education that has them well prepared to do the job, however, they haven’t yet had much practical experience.

Road restrictions will be back this fall in the western part of the Tillamook State Forest to improve deer and elk survival during hunting season. Some roads will be closed to motor vehicles during general archery and rifle hunting seasons through November. The statewide general archery opener for deer and elk started on August 28th.

Governor Kulongoski has proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month.  The Oregon Emergency Management and other agencies around the state are encouraging citizens to take steps now to ensure that their family and community are prepared to care for each other during the next emergency. More information on emergency preparedness is available at www.ready.gov.

Senator Jeff Merkley praised Oregon as a pioneer in the development of wave energy and highlighted almost $2.5 million in federal funding moving through the Senate for two Oregon wave energy projects. The funding will support a project that measures wave energy along the Oregon coastline and another developing a commercial wave energy project in Reedsport.

Lincoln County public health, Lincoln Community Health Centers and the four county school based health centers are partnering to offer the Tdap, tetanus, dipheria and pertussis shots along with other important school required vaccines to all students. This is an effort to make sure that all students are immunized for the start of the school year. Call 541-265-4112 for information.

Lincoln City manager David Hawker hired a financial consultant to do a financial impact analysis of the annexation of the Roads End area into the city. The net affect to the city would be about 607,000 per year and would cost the average resident in the Roads End area is about $691 per year. The full report is available on the Lincoln City website.

Through the diligence of Lincoln County School District’s safety coordinator and with generous funding from a federal grant, students and staff in Lincoln county schools will be better prepared to respond appropriately in case of an emergency. The National REMS grant program enables K-12 schools to improve plans that address four phases of emergency management.

The three School District sponsored HELP Project centers and Seashore Family literacy center are now accepting donations of clothing and other materials for school age children. Individuals wishing to make donations of new shoes, socks, clothing or appropriate gift cards can contact their local center for hours of operation and donation instructions.

Newport City manager Jim Voetberg brought up to the Newport city council that there has been an increase in problems with parking along Bay Blvd with over extended vehicles. The public works and police departments will work together to get the signs put up and mark the spaces to show the end of the parking space.

Port commissioners approved two more amendments to the International terminal project last week. One of the amendments will initial mobilization and support for the project. Also early demolition of the port offices, warehouse and high timber dock and supervision, management and support equipment to continue with the project through June.