Business groups sue over BOLI funding law

Local lawmakers split on the measure. Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, voted yes. Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, voted no. Neither was listed as a sponsor of the bill, and there is no public record showing either helped write it. The main sponsors were Rep. Mari Watanabe and Sen. Kathleen Taylor.

Legislative analysts labeled the bill as having “no revenue impact,” which let it move forward on a simple majority. Lawmakers and their lawyers argued it was not a revenue-raising bill because the Legislature itself did not set the rates. Instead it handed that job to an agency director.

Oregon Business & Industry, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Portland Metro Chamber filed the lawsuit July 14 in Oregon Tax Court. They call the assessment a new tax and say the House vote fell short of the constitutional mark. Their full statement and complaint summary are available on the OBI website. “Process matters,” the groups wrote. “Simply delegating rate-setting to a director or hitching new revenue-raising plans to existing taxes does not negate the obligation before the Legislature.”

The Oregon Freedom Coalition raised the same points this week in its latest “Blank Check Report.” CEO Nick Stark said the Legislature “blew right past the three-fifths requirement” and handed an unaccountable agency the power to set the rates. He pointed to the lawsuit as the proper next step.

Supporters say the bill gives BOLI steady funding after years of understaffing and backlogs in wage and civil-rights cases. A bipartisan work group recommended the approach. Labor leaders call the lawsuit a threat to hard-won progress in rebuilding the agency’s capacity.

The new assessment takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The Tax Court will decide whether the Legislature followed the constitution or not.

Mayor and Councilors, I’m submitting this public comment as a resident of Depoe Bay — and as someone who previously served on this Council — because I believe the City’s financial situation deserves to be treated as a top governance priority, not a background issue to be managed quietly.

The audit gap is a matter of public record. The Oregon Secretary of State’s published Municipal Audit list currently shows the City of Depoe Bay as delinquent on required audit reports for multiple consecutive fiscal years, with the Depoe Bay Urban Renewal Agency similarly delinquent. This is not a subjective characterization — it is the state’s own public filing status for this city. I understand the Legislature removed the fund-withholding penalty tied to this requirement in 2023, which means there is no longer an automatic state financial consequence for continued delinquency. That makes it more important, not less, that this Council treat annual audit compliance as a self-imposed, non-negotiable standard — because the state will no longer enforce it for us.

I recognize it has been noted that Depoe Bay is not alone on this list — that other Oregon cities are also currently delinquent. That is true, and it does not change my request tonight. The fact that a failure is common does not make it acceptable, and it does not reduce this Council’s responsibility to this community. Other cities’ delinquency is not a defense; if anything, it is a warning about how easily this kind of gap normalizes once it starts. Depoe Bay’s obligation is to Depoe Bay’s residents, not to a peer-group average.

This is not a hypothetical concern. In reviewing the City’s accounts payable records, I have seen a garnishment of the City’s bank account by the Oregon Department of Revenue. I have also heard councilors and City administration speak to notices received by the City regarding anomalies in tax reporting. These are not rumors — they are documented in the City’s own financial records and have been acknowledged in discussion by City officials. A garnishment of public funds by a state revenue agency is a serious event. It should never be treated as routine, and it should never reach the Council’s attention only after the fact, without a full accounting of amount, cause, and corrective action.

Current City administration has now overseen City finances for multiple years, spanning the entire period in which no audit has been completed. That means this Council — and this community — currently has no independent, professional confirmation of whether the City’s financial systems, controls, and processes have been operating properly at any point during that time. This is not a statement about any individual; it is a statement about a gap in oversight that has gone on far too long. Every year that passes without independent verification is another year this Council is asked to simply trust that things are being handled correctly, without the means to confirm it one way or the other.

Nothing should preclude resuming meaningful independent review now, and there are two distinct paths available to do it — the Council should not wait for one at the expense of the other.

First, a full statutory audit. I recognize that any audit covering the backlog of prior years will likely need to work from reconstructed or incomplete transactional data, and that an auditor may reasonably issue a qualification related to opening fund balances carried forward from unaudited prior periods. That is a normal, well-understood limitation when any entity resumes auditing after a gap — it is not a reason to delay, and it does not mean the City “can’t be audited.” A qualification on opening balances does not prevent an auditor from testing and opining on the current year’s transactions, ending balances, and — most importantly — whether the internal controls required by our own Municipal Code are actually functioning today.

Second, and faster to initiate, an independent internal controls review. This does not require reconciling historical data at all. A CPA or forensic accounting engagement can directly test whether the safeguards already required by City ordinance — dual review of credit card charges, budget monitoring, tax filing and payment procedures — are actually being followed right now. This kind of engagement can typically be scoped and started well before a multi-year statutory audit contract is finalized, and it would give this Council a concrete, current answer to the question we do not currently have any way to answer: is City Hall operating properly today.

I’d ask the Council to pursue both — not to treat the internal controls review as a placeholder for “someday,” and not to let the complexity of the historical backlog be used as a reason to delay confirming, right now, whether current operations are sound.

This Council has codified obligations already on the books that appear to not be functioning as required, and I’d ask that each be addressed directly. I want to be transparent about my source: the following citations are drawn from the Municipal Code as currently published on the City’s website. I understand there has been some question raised about whether that online version can be fully relied upon as current and accurate. Given that, I’d ask staff to confirm these sections are up to date and correctly reflect the code now in effect — and if any of the following has since been amended or repealed, I’d ask that the Council or staff correct the record accordingly. If the online code cannot be trusted to reflect what is actually in effect, that is itself worth this Council’s attention.

The Financial Advisory Committee (Depoe Bay Municipal Code § 32.03) was created by ordinance in 2020 with specific, standing duties — including monitoring adherence to the budget, ensuring financial policies and procedures are documented and followed, and reviewing the auditor’s management recommendation letter with follow-up on any issues identified. To my understanding, this committee is not currently active. I’d ask the Council to reinstate it without further delay, since its absence removes exactly the kind of ongoing financial oversight this situation has shown we need.

The Credit Card Policy (§ 36.02(C)) requires that all City credit card charges be reviewed and approved monthly by the City Recorder and City Council. I’d ask the Council to confirm, in a public setting, that this monthly dual review is actually occurring, and if it is not, to correct that immediately.

Annual audit compliance should be restored as a standing, budgeted line item with a public timeline — not an item that is allowed to lapse again once current attention moves elsewhere. I’d ask the Council to adopt a clear compliance calendar and to report publicly on progress at regular intervals until the City is current.

I want to be clear about what I am and am not asking for tonight. I am not asking this Council to render a verdict on individual conduct in a public meeting — that is not the appropriate venue, and personnel matters have their own process. What I am asking is that this Council commit, on the record, to restoring the oversight structures our own code already requires, and to resuming independent, annual audits starting with the current fiscal year — so that whatever the City’s systems and controls actually look like today, we find out through a qualified, independent audit rather than continuing to operate without one.

We should not be perpetuating the conditions that allowed this situation to develop in the first place. I’d ask the Council to treat this as a priority commensurate with its seriousness.

Involved parties: HEFLEY, SEAN M (arrested/charged/driver/suspect, 58M, Portland). Involved vehicles: 111PDX SUBA OUT Silver/Aluminum (involved in crash; towed by Coast Towing). Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 813.010 DUII – Intoxicants; 811.140 Reckless Driving; 807.620 Giving False Information to Police.

July 6, 2026 – Miscellaneous – Lincoln, Lincoln County OSP is investigating a motorist’s concern for a broken windshield.

Involved parties: LARSON, TIMI F (complainant). July 6, 2026 – Traffic Crimes – US 101 near Milepost 164, Yachats, Lincoln County On 7/6/26 at approximately 5:25 pm OSP investigated a hit and run crash which occurred on US 101 in Yachats near milepost 164. A maroon GMC Tahoe struck a parked Kia sedan as it exited the C&K Market parking lot. The GMC fled the scene but was later located at the Yachats Inn. The driver was located and taken into custody for Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver, Reckless Driving and Criminal Mischief 2. The driver was also determined to be the subject of an outstanding felony warrant issued by Linn County. The driver was lodged at Lincoln County Jail without incident.

Involved parties: BLY, AMBER RAE (arrested/charged/driver, 34F, Sweet Home); CORCORAN, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL (mentioned/vehicle owner, 42M, Waldport); SHIPPY, BRIDGETT MARIE (vehicle owner/victim, 37F, Yachats). Involved vehicles: 181QLK KIA CAR Black (involved in crash; parked); 269CJL GMC YUK (involved in crash; used to commit crime). Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 811.700 Fail to Perform Duties of Driver in Collision with Prop Damage; 164.354 Criminal Mischief II; 811.140 Reckless Driving; 135.280 Arrest Warrant.

July 6, 2026 – Found Property – 52 NE 73rd St, Newport, Lincoln County Log Only: Individual found phone, owner called phone. Finder and owner were able to facilitate transfer of phone without OSP involvement.

Involved parties: BARTON, GINA F (complainant). July 8, 2026 – Impound Vehicle – NW 15th St and NW Grove St, Newport, Lincoln County A vehicle was stopped for an observed traffic violation. The driver was found to be driving on a suspended license, driving without insurance, and driving without an IID installed. The driver was issued several traffic violations, and the vehicle was towed for SB780 impoundment by Rowley’s Towing.

Involved parties: HOSCHOUER, JESSICA MARIE (citation/warning issued to/driver, 37F, Waldport). Involved vehicles: ZUP429 MERC SAB Blue (towed by Rowley’s Towing; Impound 780).

July 8, 2026 – Impound Vehicle – US 101, Milepost 140 NB, Lincoln County A vehicle was stopped when the driver and registered owner was found to be suspended. The driver was issued several violation citations, and the vehicle was towed for SB780 impoundment by Coast Towing.

Involved parties: BIGELOW JR, STEPHEN MORRIS (citation/warning issued to/driver, 63M, South Beach). Involved vehicles: QDDG VOLK JET Blue (towed by Coast Towing; Impound 780).

July 9, 2026 – Crash – Non-injury – US Highway 101, Milepost 127, Depoe Bay, Lincoln County (E/Crash) OSP responded to investigate a two-vehicle traffic crash on US Highway 101 near milepost 127. Unit #1 was on the southbound shoulder facing south and the driver intended to make a U-turn to head northbound on US Highway 101. Unit #2 was southbound approaching Unit #1’s location. The crash occurred when Operator #1 started his U-turn when Unit #2 was close. Operator #2 was unable to stop in time. The right front of Unit #2 struck the left front of Unit #1. No injuries were reported. The drivers involved arranged their own tows.

Involved parties: BRODERSEN, DARLENE (passenger, 86F, Calimesa CA); BRODERSEN, RAYMOND HENRY (driver, 83M, Calimesa CA); LIN, CHEN (driver, 68M, Saint Cloud FL); PENG, MINZHONG (passenger, 64F, Saint Cloud FL); PENGRA, BETH (complainant). Involved vehicles: 9LYJ247 SUBA OUT Blue (damaged; involved in crash); AT28IA ACUR MDX White (damaged; involved in crash).

July 9, 2026 – Crash – Injury – US 101, Waldport, Lincoln County A white Toyota Tacoma was stopped behind traffic on Hwy 101 NB near MP 60. A blue Toyota Yaris failed to stop and rearended the Tacoma, blocking the northbound lane. Both drivers received minor injuries, and the driver of the Tacoma was transported to Samaritan by ambulance. LCSO called for tows: Rowley’s for the Tacoma and Coast for the Yaris. ODOT assisted.

Involved parties: HEINRICH, WILLIAM ROBERT (driver/vehicle owner, 75M, Newport); KROHLOW, CALVIN (driver, 20M, Yachats).

July 13, 2026 – FW – Angling – 2122 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, Lincoln County On 7/13/2026 at approximately 1:00 PM a Fish and Game Trooper conducted angling checks in the vicinity of the South Beach Marina Dock A and discovered anglers who did not have required license or tags.

Involved parties: MINTON, KATI (suspect, 41F); MINTON, ZACHARY (suspect/other involved person, 40M).

July 13, 2026 – Crash – Injury – SR 18 at Old Scenic Hwy 101, Lincoln County (ecrash) OSP investigated a single vehicle motorcycle crash which occurred on SR 18 at the intersection of Old Scenic Hwy 101. The motorcycle crashed after hitting a large pothole in the roadway. The driver and passenger were transported to North Lincoln Hospital for injuries. The motorcycle was secured at the scene.

Involved parties: BACHMEIER, AUTUMN ALEXANDRA (passenger, 21F, Springfield); BAILEY, MICHAEL AARON (driver, 30M, Cloverdale); FISHER, KARLA SUE (witness, 62F, Otis). Involved vehicles: M866551 SUZI Black (involved in crash).

July 14, 2026 – Crash – Non-injury – SR 34, Milepost 12 EB, Lincoln County (ecrash) On 7/14/26 at approximately 5:43 pm OSP investigated a non-injury vehicle versus motorcycle crash which occurred on SR 34 near mile post 12. A gray Ford Focus was eastbound in a right-sweeping curve and slowing to turn left into a driveway when two motorcycles, also eastbound, suddenly came upon the Ford. One motorcycle steered onto the shoulder and struck the Ford in the passenger door as it turned into the driveway.

Involved parties: ANDERSON, MIKYLAH MAY (citation/warning issued to/driver, 34F, Portland); BARRY, JAXON VINCENT (citation/warning issued to/complainant/driver, 22M, Corvallis). Involved vehicles: 702LHA FORD FOC Gray (involved in crash); M637092 KAWK Black (involved in crash).

July 15, 2026 – FW – Marine Board – Lincoln County Individual was found to be operating as an unlicensed fishing guide.

July 15, 2026 – Impound Vehicle – Highway 20, Milepost 1 EB, Lincoln County Log only: A vehicle was towed to impound subsequent to a traffic stop for expired tags. An investigation revealed the operator of the vehicle was driving while suspended and driving uninsured. Rowley’s Towing towed the vehicle to their lot.

Involved parties: LERCH, JACOB RYAN (citation/warning issued to/driver, 39M, Newport). Involved vehicles: 315GXH CHEV CRZ Red (towed by Rowley’s Towing; Impound 780).

July 16, 2026 – DUII – Alcohol – US Highway 101, Milepost 131, Lincoln County On 7/16/2026 at approximately 1417hrs, OSP responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash near milepost 131 on US-101. OSP responded and conducted a crash investigation. The driver of the vehicle was found to be driving under the influence of intoxicants and placed under arrest. The driver was criminally cited and released in lieu of physical custody.

Involved parties: HUMPHREYS, JON (victim/witness); ODOT (victim, Seal Rock); SAUNDERS, SHAWNETTE LEANNE (arrested/charged/citation issued to/driver/suspect, 59F). Involved vehicles: 130BZZ CHEV COB Black (damaged; involved in crash; towed by Rowley’s Towing). Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 813.010 DUII – Intoxicants; 811.140 Reckless Driving; 163.195 Reckless Endangering Person; 164.354 Criminal Mischief II.

July 17, 2026 – Sex Offense – 52 NE 73rd St, Newport, Lincoln County On 7/17/2026 at approximately 10:20am, OSP contacted a subject at the Oregon State Police-Newport Patrol Office who had come to complete his required annual registration as a sex offender. He was determined to be out of compliance as he had failed to complete his registration within ten days of his birthday. He was cited and released for Failure to Report as Sex Offender.

Involved parties: HARRINGTON, CHANCE THOMAS (charged/citation issued to/suspect, 48M, Toledo). Charges: 163A.040 Fail to Report – No Annual Report.

July 17, 2026 – Impound Vehicle – US 101 and NE 31st St, Newport, Lincoln County LOG ONLY On 7/17/2026 at approximately 1903hrs, OSP conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of US-101 and NE 31st St in Newport. The driver was found to be driving without a valid license or current insurance on the vehicle; the vehicle was impounded with assistance from Coast Towing.

Involved parties: TILLMAN, TRACI ANN (citation/warning issued to/driver, 60F). Involved vehicles: ZJM532 CHEV VEN (towed by Coast Towing; Impound 780).

July 18, 2026 – Sex Offense – 4173 E Highway 34, Lincoln County On 7/18/2026 Oregon State Police followed up with an out of compliance sex offender and cited and released them.

Involved parties: SPAULDING, WILLIAM WARREN (arrested/charged/citation issued to/suspect, Waldport). Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 163A.040 Fail to Report – No Annual Report.

July 18, 2026 – DUII – Alcohol – SE Moore Dr and SE View Dr, Newport, Lincoln County On 07/18/2026 Oregon State Police stopped a silver Suzuki XL-7 near SE Moore Dr and SE View Dr. The driver was found to be impaired and arrested for DUII and lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

Involved parties: HUFF, JUSTIN GREGORY (mentioned/passenger/victim, 36M, Washougal WA); SEIBER, MEGAN KATHLENE (arrested/charged/citation issued to/driver/suspect, 35F, Washougal WA). Involved vehicles: CVH4243 SUZI XL7 Silver/Aluminum. Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 813.010 DUII – Intoxicants; 811.140 Reckless Driving; 163.195 Reckless Endangering Person.

July 19, 2026 – Crash – Injury – US Highway 101, Milepost 160, Waldport, Lincoln County On 7/19/2026 at approximately 10:59 AM a three-car crash occurred when the driver of a gray Honda Civic failed to slow for vehicles stopped to make a left-hand turn. The Civic rear ended a white Jeep Cherokee and a white Kia, causing the Jeep to roll several times. All three vehicles sustained major damage and were towed from the scene by Rowley’s Towing. All drivers and passengers were transported to Pacific Samaritan Hospital in Newport where the at fault driver was discovered to be DUII.

Involved parties: DAY, AMY CAMILLE (witness, 29F, Prineville); DOUGHERTY, DANIEL JAMES (driver/victim, 42M, Jefferson); JUVENILE (passenger/victim, 17F, Gresham); MOECK, JASMINE (complainant/witness, 26F, Toledo); MOECK, SHANNON MARIE (witness, 47F, Toledo); PATRICK, BRIANNA MAY (passenger/victim, 24F, Jefferson); REID, RYAN MICHAEL (driver/victim, 19M, Gresham); STROM, KAREN JO (witness, 68F, Seal Rock); VELASQUEZ ALVARADO, JUAN CARLOS (arrested/charged/suspect, 22M, Miami FL). Involved vehicles: 575RBG KIA FRT White (damaged; involved in crash; towed by Rowley’s); SB48131 JEEP CHK White (damaged; involved in crash; towed by Rowley’s); EB12YS HOND CIV Gray (damaged; involved in crash; used to commit crime; towed by Rowley’s). Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 813.010 DUII – Intoxicants; 163.165 Assault III – DUII (multiple); 811.140 Reckless Driving; 163.195 Reckless Endangering Person (multiple).

July 19, 2026 – Crash – Non-injury – US 101, Milepost 126 NB, Depoe Bay, Lincoln County The Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash at milepost 126 on Highway 101, Lincoln County, Oregon. No injuries were reported on scene. The vehicle was towed by Rowley’s Towing.

Involved parties: BAILLIE, RAYDUKE NATHANIEL (citation/warning issued to/driver, 43M). Involved vehicles: 100KQS FORD FUS (damaged; involved in crash; towed).

July 19, 2026 – Miscellaneous – 3101 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Suite 18, Newport, Lincoln County OSP spoke with an individual and found him to be an out of compliance sexual offender, he was arrested and lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

Involved parties: PARISH JR, JAY EUGENE (arrested/charged/sex offender registration/suspect, 66M). Charges (Cleared by Arrest – OSP): 163A.040 Fail to Report – No Annual Report.

July 20, 2026 – Miscellaneous – 218 W Olive St, Newport, Lincoln County Polygraph examination on Shane Edwards. Polygraph examination requested by Lincoln County Parole and Probation.

Involved parties: EDWARDS, SHANE CONNOR (mentioned, 25M, Newport).

July 20, 2026 – FW – Commercial Fish – 213 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, Lincoln County FV Jaka B directed commercial halibut offload. Quota 5,000 and over by 20 lbs. FT50187505 Pac Seafood 20lbs @ $9.75 = $195 Pacific Seafood check to ODFW #6300315.

Involved parties: MCKIBBEN, COLBY (driver, 52M, Toledo). Involved vehicles: 503522 (mentioned).

July 20, 2026 – Warrant Arrest – 2128 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, Lincoln County The Oregon State Police contacted a subject while crabbing and was found to not have a current shellfish license. The subject was also found to have a felony warrant out of Benton County. The subject was taken into custody. While being transported to jail the subject complained of a possible medical event and was taken to the hospital. A serious medical condition was discovered. The subject was issued a criminal citation to appear and released in lieu of custody.

Involved parties: GRANDORFF, DAVID AARON (arrested/citation issued to, 46M).

The billboard on Hwy. 101 normally boasted local restaurants and their seafood specials, but the animal-rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) managed to rent the massive sign as a thumb in the eye of Lincoln County’s $190 million commercial fishing industry.

An estimated 12,000 motorists a day pass the sign, which may carry a more subtle message: a political pitch for Oregon voters to pass initiative measure IP28, a law that would ban fishing altogether and turn Oregonians into vegans.

The “Save the Whales…Don’t Eat Fish” ad campaign is a provocative effort by PETA to connect seafood consumption with the accidental death and injury of marine mammals, mainly through entanglement in nets and crab pots. Because PETA deliberately placed the ads in regions with deep economic ties to the seafood industry, such as Lincoln County, the campaign has sparked significant pushback.

According to a report by the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln Co., commercial fishing represents 16 percent of all income in Lincoln County, second only to the tourism business (23 percent, or $262 million).

With a $1.1 billion statewide impact, the Oregon fishing industry has often clashed with PETA as an existential threat to coastal economies. However, the tension has escalated over IP28, on the Nov. 3 ballot. Backed financially by PETA, the measure would eliminate exemptions in animal cruelty laws for fishing, harvesting shellfish, hunting and slaughtering livestock, thereby criminalizing those activities.

Depoe Bay charter operator Tadd Mick said the proposed law is a bad notion economically and environmentally. He predicted IP28 would hollow-out coast cities and defund critical conservation funding raised through license fees and excise taxes.

“This crazy idea would completely collapse an Oregon economic sector that employs 15,000 people,” asserted Tadd Mick, co-owner of Tradewinds Charters. “We see both sides, fishing and whale watching. We protect those resources every day by working with regulators and scientists to make them sustainable.”

Prominent elected officials from both parties have said they are opposed to Initiative Petition 28, including Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and her Republican challenger, Sen. Christine Drazen.

Public Works Director Stephanie Reid said the sewage traveled around the corner and down SE 9th Street before entering a storm drain at the corner of Highway 101. That storm line drains into the D River. Warning signs are posted in the affected area.

The Oregon Emergency Response System and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were notified.

SE 9th and SE Inlet

Update — July 24, 2026, 8:45 p.m. Michael Loch, Public Affairs Specialist for DEQ’s Northwest Region, responded Friday evening to an inquiry from Boiler Bay Beacon:

“DEQ is in touch with Lincoln City to address the spill. The city put out signs warning the public of the potential health risk and is doing fecal testing. Signs will be removed by the city once fecal testing shows there is no longer a potential health risk. DEQ will continue to work with the city throughout this process.”

Loch noted the delay in responding was due to ongoing wildfire smoke communications work.

D River Beach has seen multiple temporary public health advisories from the Oregon Health Authority in past years when fecal bacteria levels climbed, including periods of active monitoring.

City crews contained the spill within eight hours and made the required notifications. Residents and visitors should follow the posted warning signs.

SALEM — The Oregon Public Utility Commission is asking Pacific Power customers to weigh in on the company’s request for a $170.7 million rate increase, roughly 8.6 percent overall, as the utility continues to dig out from more than $2 billion in settlements tied to the deadly 2020 Labor Day wildfires.

A virtual public comment meeting is set for Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. Residents can join by Zoom or phone and speak directly to the commissioners and administrative law judge overseeing the case. If people are still waiting to comment at 7 p.m., the meeting may run longer.

Otis Devestation

Details on how to join are available at https://bit.ly/PacificPower-meeting-notice.

Comments can also be submitted online at https://bit.ly/UE470-public-comment-form, by email to [email protected], by phone at 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404, or by mail to the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – UE 470, PO Box 1088, Salem, OR 97308-1088.

Pacific Power, a division of PacifiCorp, serves about 667,000 customers in Oregon. The company says the increase is needed to fund upgrades to transmission, distribution, and generation systems, plus work to improve resiliency and customer service. Current rates, it argues, are not enough to cover rising costs or attract investment for future work.

The full review of the general rate case (docket UE 470) will run nearly a year. Commissioners are expected to issue a final decision in March 2027, with any approved changes taking effect April 4, 2027. The PUC already rejected the company’s request for an interim 2.8 percent increase that would have started in June, saying PacifiCorp had not met the high bar required for emergency relief.

The rate request lands against a backdrop of massive legal costs from the 2020 Labor Day fires. PacifiCorp has paid more than $2.2 billion to settle roughly 4,200 claims related to those blazes, including a $575 million settlement with the federal government in February 2026 for damage to public lands and a $150 million deal in late 2025 with 1,434 individual victims.

PacifiCorp Pays $575 Million Settlement for Ravaging Wildfires

Jury awards in the ongoing James class-action case have already topped $1 billion for a portion of the plaintiffs, though an Oregon appeals court ruling in April 2026 rolled back key parts of the original class treatment and sent some issues back for further proceedings. The company continues to appeal and settle remaining claims.

Those payouts have strained PacifiCorp’s balance sheet and credit ratings. The utility has sold assets, including its Washington state operations to Portland General Electric for $1.9 billion earlier this year, and has warned of liquidity pressure. At the same time, its Oregon operations remain profitable. 2025 net utility operating income for the Oregon jurisdiction was approximately $451.6 million, more than double the prior year, according to regulatory filings.

The company is not going bankrupt. Its parent, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, continues to stand behind it. Still, the optics are difficult for many customers, especially those on fixed incomes and those who lost homes in the Echo Mountain Complex Fire that tore through parts of Lincoln County in 2020.

Actual impacts would vary by customer class and usage. Residential customers face a higher percentage increase under the company’s proposal, though PacifiCorp claims other rate adjustments and the end of certain surcharges would soften the net effect for a typical household. The company has previously said the overall picture, with offsets, could leave a typical residential customer paying only a few dollars more per month by spring 2027 compared with early 2026 levels. Consumer advocates have called some of those projections optimistic and hard to track.

For residents already stretching to cover higher food, housing, and insurance costs, another utility increase is unwelcome. The same is true for wildfire survivors still rebuilding or living with the long-term costs of displacement.

The PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, and other intervenors will scrutinize the request over the coming months. Public comments are part of that process.

Anyone affected by the proposed increase is encouraged to speak up next week or submit written comments before the record closes.

NEWPORT — Newport Police Department is deploying specially equipped “bait bikes” in areas with histories of bicycle theft, a low-cost initiative that has produced multiple arrests since launching in June.

Officer Jack Grippin started the program after traditional investigative methods showed limited impact. He developed a simple, low- to no-cost approach and brought other department members on board. According to a department release dated July 22, Grippin has deployed a bait bike nine times. It was stolen in seven of those operations.

A bait bike is an unattended bicycle fitted with technology that lets officers track its location in real time. When someone takes it, officers can identify, locate, and arrest the suspect quickly. The goal is both to catch offenders and to raise the perceived risk of being caught, deterring future thefts.

Bicycle theft remains one of the most common property crimes nationwide. Many incidents go unreported, and recovery rates stay low. Studies show only about 15 to 20 percent of stolen bicycles are ever recovered, underscoring the value of prevention and proactive enforcement.

Similar programs elsewhere have delivered measurable results. The Bend Police Department combined bait-bike operations with broader theft-reduction efforts and saw more than a 60 percent drop in bicycle thefts while arresting numerous repeat offenders.

Newport police encourage residents to take basic steps to protect their own bikes:

Always lock the bicycle with a quality U-lock or heavy-duty chain.

Secure the frame and at least one wheel to a fixed, immovable object.

Record the serial number and keep photographs of the bike.

Register the bicycle through any available local or national registration program.

Avoid leaving bikes unattended overnight in unsecured locations.

While enforcement plays a key role, the department stresses that community awareness and prevention are equally important. Residents who see suspicious activity involving bicycles or other property are asked to contact the Newport Police Department right away.

The department said it will continue using intelligence-led strategies, including bait-bike operations, to reduce property crime and improve quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors.

The Newport Police tip line is available at 541-574-5455. Tips can also be sent by text to 541-270-1856 or emailed to [email protected].

Some power outages have already occurred across Oregon as wildfires and extreme weather raise the risk of longer disruptions.

Oregon Emergency Management reminds residents to prepare in advance.

Be two weeks ready. Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies and other items needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks.

For individuals with a medical condition that requires power, contact your electricity service provider in advance to register a Medical Certificate. This helps the utility meet your needs during an outage.

Update your utility account so providers have current contact information and can send notifications. If uncertain which electric utility serves your area, visit https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/find-your-utility.aspx.

Keep cell phones fully charged. Consider a car charger for phones and other devices.

Plan for livestock water needs if well pumps lose power.

Have a plan to relocate for power needs, or consider a backup generator.

Avoid downed power lines and anything near them at all costs.

Stay clear of fire personnel and utility crews working to restore service.

Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.

Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer to help avoid a surge when service is restored. Leave one light on so you know when power returns.

Use generators safely. Do not run a generator inside the home, garage or near a window or vent, as these spaces can trap deadly levels of carbon monoxide.

Check on elderly neighbors or individuals with special needs who might need additional assistance.

Call your electricity service provider to report an outage. Do not call 911.

If required to evacuate, there is no need to shut off natural gas.

If natural gas appliances do not operate properly once electricity is restored, call your natural gas service provider.

If natural gas service is shut off, do not turn it on yourself. Call your provider to restore service.

If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call 911.

The best preparation is to not start a fire in the first place. Visit Keep Oregon Green to learn more about preventing wildfires.

Contact your electricity provider or log in to your account and make sure all contact information is current so you can receive alerts.

Visit Oregon Alert to find your local alert system, provide current contact details and sign up for wildfire alerts.

Before traveling, visit TripCheck for road closures and conditions.

Check air quality in Oregon and visit the State of Oregon Fires Dashboard.

Be two weeks ready by preparing an emergency plan and enough supplies to sustain your household for at least two weeks after a disaster.

LINCOLN CITY — What does it look like when patriotism and public safety meet in the sallyport of a police department? Think of stuffed teddy bears, unicorns, plush dogs, dinosaurs and bunnies!

The Hilltop Patriots recently delivered a jumbo-size box full of “stuffies” to the Lincoln City Police Dept. for children involved in emergencies, accidents, family crises and other stressful situations.

“We reached out to Lincoln City Police Chief Dave Broderick who set everything up,” recalled Patriots leader Marie McFarland, saying the loveable toys were donated by members over several monthly meetings. “The Patriots’ mission is to support our community and local law enforcement, one child at a time. We are thankful to the LCPD for the incredible work they do to keep our community safe.”

As its name implies, the Patriots are a flag-waving conservative group founded in Lincoln City that has grown to chapters in several other counties. Guest speakers and topics cover the political and policy spectrum, but give way to community efforts such as the stuffed animal project and an annual Christmas Sock Drive for seniors, assisted living residents, shut ins and neighbors in need. Last year over 250 pairs of socks were collected and delivered.

The ‘Pats’ will continue to collect donated stuffed animals and socks throughout the year. To help out or get more information regarding the Hilltop Patriots and information for donations, send an email to [email protected].

Updated July 20, 2026: This article has been corrected to accurately reflect that Rep. David Gomberg (HD 10) has represented all of Lincoln County since the 2021 redistricting.

Boiler Bay Beacon has launched an online tool to help Lincoln County residents follow Oregon legislation and contact their state representatives.

I spent the past month developing and refining the dashboard, testing it with a beta group and incorporating feedback before the public launch.

The Capitol Dashboard, at boilerbaybeacon.com/capitol-dashboard, organizes live bill data from the Oregon Legislature’s public systems and presents it with a focus on issues affecting the central coast during the 2026 Regular Session. The page was updated July 18.

The site includes a directory of legislators who represent Lincoln County, along with contact information and links to their official pages. It lists state Sen. Dick Anderson, who represents the entire county in the Senate, and state Rep. David Gomberg (D-HD 10), who has represented all of Lincoln County (plus western Benton and Lane counties) since the 2021 redistricting. A district verification tool is provided for residents to confirm their exact representation. See Rep. Gomberg’s district map.

Bills are grouped by local relevance, including measures sponsored or co-sponsored by area lawmakers and those related to coastal and community topics such as housing, wildfire response, fisheries, schools and taxes. Each entry includes a plain-language summary, tags and a clear indication of the bill’s current status in the legislative process. The information updates regularly through the Legislature’s public data feed.

Users can generate email messages to their representatives through the site. The tool provides draft text that can be adjusted based on whether the sender wants to oppose a bill, support a bill or share a general concern. The draft opens in the user’s email application or can be copied, with instructions to include a home address and ZIP code and to keep messages concise and civil.

Additional resources on the dashboard link to information about submitting testimony, watching hearings and understanding the legislative process. Federal contacts for U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle are also listed.

The dashboard is presented as a public service to make state government information more accessible to Lincoln County residents. Data is drawn from official legislative sources, and users are directed to verify details on the Oregon Legislative Information System before taking action. The project is not affiliated with the state of Oregon.

Residents can visit boilerbaybeacon.com/capitol-dashboard to view current bills, check legislator contacts and use the email drafting feature.

Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) issued a statement Saturday addressing an online campaign targeting a local man over alleged animal care issues, warning against doxxing, harassment, and threats of violence.

In the statement, LCPD emphasized its commitment to thorough investigations and constitutional principles.

“The Lincoln City Police Department takes great pride in its history of thorough and professional investigations and every member here is an animal lover,” the statement reads. “We also place great value on the U.S. Constitution which we have sworn to uphold. Under the American system of laws citizens are free from arrest without Probable Cause.”

LCPD contracts Animal Services through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and coordinates investigations into animal-related complaints with LCSO deputies who have specialized expertise.

According to the department, it has received 21 complaints over the past nine months regarding one individual and animal care. Many were second-hand reports stemming from online videos, with some originating from repeat callers who reportedly hold personal vendettas unrelated to the animal.

LCPD officers physically evaluated the dog five times, each time finding it uninjured. The department referred the matter to Animal Services Deputies on three occasions. LCSO Animal Services conducted six separate investigations. In total, at least 12 trained law enforcement officers from both agencies have been involved, with none developing probable cause that a crime occurred.

The statement cautions residents about the influence of social media:

“In today’s age it is easy to become spun up over social media hype and fall in line with others who may have ulterior motives. We urge our fellow citizens to think critically but absolutely support the right of Americans to seek change, peacefully protest, and live with the peace of mind that mob-rule does not govern our Community. If you do not agree with a law, work to change it. If you think some profession should require licensure, talk to your elected representative. Most of all, treat each other civilly.”

LCPD concluded by warning that those involved in conspiracies to commit violence could face charges.

“Lastly, let it be known, those who engage in conspiracy to commit violence in our Community, can all be charged for that violence. We will not tolerate acts of violence.”

Animal complaints in Lincoln City should be reported to LCPD non-emergency at 541-994-3636. Formal Animal Services are handled through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

San Francisco-based AI company Anthropic announced Tuesday it’s giving verified K-12 teachers across the United States free access to Claude, its premium AI assistant, specifically tailored for classroom use.

The announcement comes as AI tools increasingly move into education, with Microsoft and Google already offering similar products in schools nationwide.

Claude teachers

Claude schools

According to the company, Claude for Teachers helps educators “get back to why you started teaching” by handling administrative tasks like lesson planning so instructors can focus on students. The tool offers five main capabilities: creating lesson plans, tailoring instruction to different learning styles, checking student understanding, communicating with families and predicting where students might struggle.

The platform integrates with existing curriculum resources including Learning Commons, Illustrative Mathematics and OpenSciEd, automatically pulling in state standards across all 50 states without requiring teachers to manually input each requirement.

On the company’s website, Anthropic displays a live demonstration of the tool in action. A seventh-grade math teacher prompts Claude to create a 45-minute lesson on solving two-step equations using Illustrative Math materials. The AI produces a complete package including a warm-up activity, worked examples showing how to subtract and divide both sides of equations, partner practice problems and an exit ticket with success criteria.

Lincoln County School District teachers could use Claude to generate lessons connecting local beach erosion to environmental science standards. A Taft High educator might have the AI create a civics unit that references district board meetings and community issues happening right in their town. The tool lets teachers weave coastal geography, maritime history and local ecology into units without spending extra prep time.

Anthropic is also offering free “AI Fluency” courses co-created with Teach for America, along with a train-the-trainer module from the American Federation of Teachers. These model-agnostic courses teach educators which classroom tasks AI can help with and how to use it responsibly around students.

To use Claude for Teachers, instructors must complete a verification process on Anthropic’s website and sign up with their school email. The company offers the service free to all verified U.S. K-12 educators without appearing to charge licensing fees. A concerning observation upon creating an account was Anthropic asking for help improving their AI models. A toggle was set to a default of five years data retention, but unselecting the toggle kept the “default” 30-day data retention.

The landing page includes a section titled “Safe with student data” that says AI training is off by default for every verified educator account, with a way for deleting conversations containing student data. The platform is “built with FERPA in mind” according to the company, and follows the privacy standard set by the American Federation of Teachers for student data protection.

Questions remain about where exactly student-generated content gets stored and whether Anthropic has shared specifics with school boards or district administrators beyond what appears on their public website.

The announcement marks another expansion of major AI companies into K-12 education, joining competitors like Microsoft’s Einstein MC2 and Google’s Gemini Education that have already entered the space.