Embedded Files
Invasive Parasite Ravaging The West Coast
By Alexa Orr
6/1/2021
The west coast ecosystem is currently under attack by a foreign parasite. Orthione griffenis is a parasite that natively lives in East Asia, but has since taken over the entire west coast from British Columbia all the way down to California. They also reside in our own waters of Coos Bay.
They were thought to have been introduced to the area decades back on travelling ships, but only more recently has the issue of their arrival been discussed. What specifically is Orthione griffenis though? Commonly known as the Griffen’s isopod, O. griffenis is a parasitic isopod that thrives off of shrimp. These blood-sucking parasites nest themselves underneath the gill flaps of shrimp where they cling on to and slowly drain the life out of the unsuspecting victims.
When the Orthione parasites feed off the shrimp’s blood, it makes them infertile and unable to reproduce. Eventually the shrimp will die from the weak state the parasites put them in. One large female followed by a much smaller male infects one shrimp. Currently our own mud shrimp (Upogebia Mud Shrimp) are at risk of extinction due to these parasites, and it gets worse by the year. Over 80% of all females and 57% of all male mud shrimp are infected with these relentless invasive parasites.
The reason why awareness of this parasite is so important is because it is creating a huge issue in our own environmental ecosystem. Mud shrimp are not only a very important food source for other species but they also act as natural ecological engineers. They create massive burrow sites and tunnel formations in the shore mud, which help nutrient remineralisation and positively affect carbon cycling where they reside.
This carbon cycling is extremely important for the environment as it moves carbon, which is a life-sustaining element, into the atmosphere and ocean. Organisms need carbon in order to replicate and survive, making this process extremely important. With the extinction of these shrimp a whole cycle will be destroyed, along with a major supporting food source being removed from the food chain. This may lead to a chain reaction extinction which will devastate the west coast.
“Blue Mud Shrimp are threatened by their new parasite and without intervention, could be lost.” -Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University.
Griffen’s isopod has already caused extinctions of mud shrimp in many estuaries and habitats and without further precaution it threatens to kill off an entire food chain and ruin our own ecosystem that we live in here in Coos Bay Oregon.
Getting Oregon to Seventy Percent
By Dylan Pittz
6/1/2021
As we progress into a brighter, vaccinated Oregonian future, there is good news. Governor Kate Brown today announced vaccination targets to more fully reopen Oregon's economy, setting a 70% statewide goal to reach Oregonians 16 and older with a first dose to lift most Risk Level restrictions.
Additionally, beginning on May 21, counties will have the option of moving to the Lower Risk level once 65% of county residents 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose, and counties have submitted a complete plan to close equity gaps in vaccination.
The CDC has also said that if you have the Covid-19 vaccination that you no longer need to wear a mask in or outdoors.
Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a White House news conference on Thursday, “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
Oregon is amongst those who have lifted their mask mandate for people who are fully vaccinated. What will this mean for Oregon students? If they are vaccinated do they still have to wear a mask to school?
Tanya Sinko, a teacher lead at North Bend high school says that “As far as we know, our Governor, Kate Brown, is requiring all who are on school campuses to wear masks through the end of this school year, irrespective of vaccination status. This was stated yesterday on the oregonlive.com (website for The Oregonian) website. We will be closely monitoring State communications on this topic.”
Can We Keep the North Bend City Pool Open?
Can We Keep the North Bend City Pool Open?
By Abby Halverson
3/8/2021
In 2020 the North Bend City Pool was temporarily closed due to COVID-19 and could be closed permanently. On February 23rd, the North Bend City Council took a vote to approve levying a new tax to keep the pool open. This means that, if approved, taxpayers will be able to vote on whether or not to enact the new tax. If the proposed tax is only for keeping the pool open, the tax rate will be raised by 56 cents per every 1,000 dollars on property value assessment for pool operations and maintenance. The other option is to make it 1.65 per every 1,000 of assessed value for major improvements, the community center, and city parks. The taxes would not be permanent, just in place for 5 years.
The lower option was chosen in a 6-1 vote by the city council. In May, North Bend voters will be able to have the choice of voting to keep the pool open with a tax increase of 56 cents per 1,000 dollars of assessed value to repair the pool, or closing the pool. The pool is a place for people to socialize, exercise and to have fun; closing it would be a loss for the community.
Temporary Disc Golf Course is Bustling with Use!
Temporary Disc Golf Course is Bustling with Use!
By Paige Speakman
2/22/2021
Disc golf has an extensive following, especially among citizens of North Bend. On an average day, rain or shine, you can see groups of people enjoying this sport, spending time with their families and friends and appreciating the fresh air.
For many years, Windsor Park was a bustling little course for avid disc golf enthusiasts. It's relatively small, but creates a challenging playing atmosphere as the number of players increases. In order to accommodate more people, the city has allowed a thirty day trial on an expanded course at Ferry Road Park, states The World newspaper article Disc Golf Course Gets a Tryout.
Image 1: Two temporary disc golf holes at Ferry Road.
Ferry Road Park is just across the street from Windsor. They added nine temporary holes in the grassy portion of the park that has remained unused for many years. Even on a frigid, rainy, and windy North Bend day, you can see a steady stream of players going through the course.
David Roberts is a frequent visitor of the original course. When asked if he thinks the Ferry Road course should be permanent he said “Yes, of course. [I like] the new course and they should definitely keep it permanently!”. Roberts added, “it’s creative. I like the distances of the course holes. There are a couple short ones, but there are also a bunch of long ones, so I enjoy playing it.” After asking a family who lives right across from the park, the general consensus was that they have no problem with the new addition and are grateful that the park is being used more often!
Image 2: Sign asking patrons to share their opinions on the permanence of the course.
The Homeless Population and How it is Affecting Oregon Communities
By Brynne Hawthorn
12/14/2020
The homeless population is growing right now. Oregon is a center for homelesness in the United States. Portland has become one of the main cities in Oregon affected by homelessness. Although, this issue presents itself in small communities just like ours. In 2016, Portland ended the “Safe Sleep Policy”.
The policy that made it possible for people to camp on city streets and sidewalks without law enforcement interrupting. Now, in late 2020, the mayor of Portland is trying to find a new solution. According to The Oregonian, “Portland’s mayor and commissioners will decide early next year whether to allow large indoor and outdoor homeless shelters in all parts of the city and make it easier for halfway homes to crop up in residential neighborhoods.”
This is a step towards getting people off of the streets and under a roof.
Some may ask, what is the cause of this issue? Well researchers have noticed that the extremely high homeless population in Oregon is due to high rents. This makes Oregon’s homeless issue more severe than in other states. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness says that in 2019 Oregon had a record of “15,876 people experiencing homelessness on any given day”. The number has been increasing year after year.
In our small community we see homelessness around every corner. Many have noticed that as our transient and homeless population numbers go up so does our crime rate. According to neighborhoodscout.com, North Bend Oregon hits the charts in crime,
“With a crime rate of 46 per one thousand residents, North Bend has one of the highest crime rates… One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 22.” The two topics can be linked but it is not yet proven. Although, what is proven is that Oregon needs a new solution. Our numbers are increasing everyday and nothing has changed for the greater good. Let’s help our communities and build a better future.
Sources:
Portland's Limits on Homeless Camps
Shark Attack Survivor
By Natassia Hardy
12/14/20
The chances of you being attacked or bitten by a shark are 1 in 11.5 million, this means you will likely never experience how terrifying and traumatic a shark attack is, but there is always a chance that you could.
Cole Herrington became that statistical odd, on Sunday, December 6th near Seaside, Oregon. He was attacked by a shark after surfing with friends. Before he knew it, a Great White had sunk its teeth into his leg and had made some colossal damage to his shin and foot.
“I didn’t even really get to see it, it happened so fast," said Herrington. "In the moment, I wasn’t trying to look at it, I was just trying to get the hell out of there."
A group of fellow surfers as well as an off-duty lifeguard helped get Herrington away from the water and closer to safety. The lifeguard even applied a field tourniquet to his leg to help control the bleeding before the paramedics arrived there.
Luckily for Herrington, none of his injuries were life threatening, and he has already undergone two surgeries that will help him get back on the board. He says he is unsure about his official prognosis, but he has physical therapy as well as meetings with a specialist to discuss the process of repairing his torn tendons and ligaments.
A professor at Oregon State University, Taylor Chapple, also spoke out to address some local fear regarding Herrington's situation.
A professor at Oregon State University, Taylor Chapple, also spoke out to address some local fear regarding Cole’s situation.
“I just want to remind people not to be afraid of going into the water, but realizing that when we step into the water we are in their environment, and we have to do everything we can to be safe in that environment,” says Chapple.
Chapple also says that it is crucial that we do not go into the water alone. It’s essential to have a friend so if something goes wrong, like what happened to Cole, they can help.
Keeping Local Traditions Alive
Keeping Local Traditions Alive
By CJ Wintjen
11/30/20
As most of us in the community may know, the iconic Shore Acres Holiday Lights have been cancelled due to COVID-19, but Oregon’s Adventure Coast has been organizing a drive through lights show. These holiday lights are such a significant part of our community, and although we can't get hot cider and cookies, this 2020 verison of the lights keeps the tradition alive and safe.
In an interview with Oregon's Adventure Coast's Allison Richards, a very active participant in the new holiday light, she provided an insight into this year's notable Christmas occasion.
Why are they doing the lights?
Why are they doing the lights?
The idea wasn't originally theirs. Catherine Woolworth, a local pottery artist and former journalist, came to them with the idea.
“We all knew that there would be a need for some extra holiday spirit with Shore Acres Holiday Lights being closed this season," Richards explains. "And Catherine had gotten some really positive feedback from the community to light up their homes and businesses for the holiday season."
How do they plan on organizing the event?
How do they plan on organizing the event?
Surprisingly, the stellar idea came from a Facebook Group, “Christmas at the Coast". The original group, now complete with a map, guides citizens through the array of homes and business, decked out in holiday cheer.
Why did they think it's important to have the lights in spite of the pandemic?
Why did they think it's important to have the lights in spite of the pandemic?
Richards notes that "Shore Acres Holiday Lights being dark this year left a big need for some holiday cheer as well as a Holiday activity that appealed to tourists and locals.”
How long will we be able to see the lights?
How long will we be able to see the lights?
The lights will run from Thanksgiving to New Years, same as the traditional Shore Acres lights.
Source: Allison Richards at Oregons Adventure Coast
Thanksgiving Like Never Before
Thanksgiving Like Never Before
By Natassia Hardy
11/30/20
Oregon’s Governor, Kate Brown, has issued a statewide “freeze” spanning two weeks which activates Wednesday, November 18th. The aim of her freeze is to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Oregon.
Several businesses across Oregon have released to the public that they will not be closing their doors during the two week shutdown. The Coastal Fitness Center, here in Coos Bay, has decided to remain open throughout the freeze.
The owner made a statement saying, “One member told us they were suicidal this year, and if not for the gym they might not be here”. He says they are providing an essential service for their customers, but this decision may come with a cost.
Governor Brown declared that there will be a fine of $500 a day per violation or a class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by 30 days in jail or a $1,250 fine, or both, to any businesses or people who violate her terms.
During the initial rush of Covid-19, the typical small business lost 12.7 % of cash liquidity. The Coastal Fitness Center has said they are not only doing this because it is an essential service, but also because of financial needs. So, is the possible jail time and fine worth the sales revenue they would be receiving by staying open?
This shutdown not only affects recreational businesses and restaurants, but it also affects you and me. Kate Brown says we need to keep social gatherings to a maximum of six people.
With Thanksgiving in a week, we have a big decision to make. The average household has about 4 members. If we consider our local family members, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. , that would bring the number to about 8 people total. Thanksgiving will certainly be different this year. Oregonians must choose between possibly spreading Covid-19 and facing a large fine, or being unable to visit their family this year.
State Representative Bill Post is just as upset with the shutdown occurring before one of our national holidays as some of our other community members.
Post says, “Knocking on somebody’s private door and saying you have too many people there? No that’s insane, and there’s no way. It’s not just that it’s unconstitutional. It’s not common sense.”
But is Kate Brown making the right decision for our state?
“I know Oregonians have made tremendous sacrifices throughout this pandemic and that these new, temporary restrictions may seem daunting, but we are at a breaking point. If we don't take further action, we risk continued alarming spikes in infections and hospitalizations, and we risk the lives of our neighbors and loved ones,” Governor Brown further analyzes.
Since October, we’ve hit a huge surplus in Covid-19 cases. Just recently, Oregon has had the largest death toll in one day that we’ve had since the pandemic began, which is currently at 20 people. The cases of coronavirus in hospitals also hit a record high for Oregon, at 414 people. So what does this mean for us? Have the majority of Oregonians become indifferent to coronavirus, or are the people who are still following social distancing orders efforts going unrecognized?
This freeze will affect everyone in the community in completely different ways, but it’s still up to us to make the right choices for our neighbors and our families. Your family may decide to celebrate after the momentary shut-down, or they may do things the way they have every year. Whatever choices we make, we need to think about our community members and our families in the process of doing so.
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