Sea lion disease outbreak reported at Oregon Coast
Wildlife officials say a leptospirosis outbreak has left more than 150 sea lions sick or dead along the Oregon Coast, and they warn the bacteria can sicken pets and livestock. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising dog and horse owners to discuss leptospirosis vaccinations with their veterinarians. Beachgoers are urged to keep their dogs on leashes, and at least 150 feet away from live or dead sea lions. The disease can spread through contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluids. People are at lower risk of infection from leptospirosis, and may not even show symptoms if they’re infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (OPB Staff)
Coast Guard establishes new base in Warrenton
On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard celebrated the opening of its new base at Sector Columbia River’s facility in Warrenton, providing operational logistics support for units across the 13th District’s footprint in Oregon and southern Washington state, as well as for the facility at Tongue Point. While the sector previously managed its own mission support, recent changes in operations allow the new base to handle duties related to administration, medical, shoreside logistics, facilities maintenance, shipping and receiving and more. The new base also comes before the anticipated arrival of two fast response cutters, which will begin being homeported in Astoria in the summer of 2024. (Ethan Myers, The Astorian)
Oregon revokes police certifications for 9 officers
The Oregon Department of Safety Standards & Training voted Thursday to revoke the police certifications for nine officers across the state. The agency is responsible for certifying and licensing officers, emergency dispatchers, private investigators and other groups that deal with the law. It also investigates cases involving officer discipline, including economic sanctions. One of the officers stripped of their certification Thursday is a retired Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was charged with theft for stealing a $12 credit from a video poker machine. (Dejania Oliver, Salem Statesman Journal)
Coburg Mayor Ray Smith dies from cancer
Ray Smith, mayor of the city of Coburg, died Thursday morning. “It is with great sadness that the City of Coburg announces the death of our esteemed Mayor Ray Smith who passed away this morning after a courageous battle with cancer,” a city news release states. Coburg is just a few miles north of Eugene and Smith, 62, served as mayor since being appointed in 2016. He was on the Coburg City Council from 2013 to 2016. (Louis Krauss, Register-Guard)
Clackamas County commissioners question other area governments’ projects
Clackamas County commissioners sharply questioned two regional projects during their Tuesday meeting, both involving processes that are run by other governmental agencies that will not be concluded for months or fully enacted for years. The county board was concerned that Clackamas County residents have not been well informed about the projects and do not understand the changes that could occur. One project involves Metro and a potential urban growth boundary expansion in Tigard. The other involves TriMet’s evolving plan to change 80% of its bus lines. The county board cannot stop either project and was debating how to comment on them. (Jim Redden, Portland Tribune)
Portland Timbers extend contract for coach Giovanni Savarese
The Portland Timbers missed the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time under coach Giovanni Savarese this season, but the team has extended his contract for three more years. Since taking over the club in the 2018 season, Savarese has guided the Timbers to a regular-season record of 68 wins, 52 losses and 29 draws. This year, Portland finished eighth in the MLS Western Conference, one point out of the seventh-place playoff spot. The Timbers lost 3-1 at Real Salt Lake on the final day of the season, when a draw would have qualified them for the playoffs. (Paul Danzer, Portland Tribune)
