JC NEWS by Matt Jarvis

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Sunrise/Sunset, Coos Bay, OR
Coos Bay, OR, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – Sunrise: 5:47 a.m., and Sunset: 8:39 p.m., offering 14-hours & 52-minutes of daylight.

Tides, Coos Bay, OR
Tides for the Coos Bay, OR Estuary, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – High tide: 4:09 a.m., 7.95 ft.; Low tide: 11:16 a.m., -1.61 ft.; High tide: 6:10 p.m., 6.08 ft.; Low tide: 11:13 p.m., 2.71 ft.

Farmer’s Market
Wednesdays are a Farmer’s Market Day in downtown Coos Bay. Vendors will be set up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Central Ave., between So. Broadway Ave., (Hwy. 101) & 3rd St.

WBC Forum
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Business Connection (WBC) Forum is held at 11:30 a.m., East Salmon Room, Ko Kwel Resort, North Bend. Program: Travel Oregon Todd Davidson and Janice Langlinais from the Visitor and Convention Bureau Free for those who registered earlier and traveling and tourism talk celebrating Tourism Week!

Elections
According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, the Statewide Voter Turnout for Tuesday’s Primary Election was 32.16%. As of 4 a.m., May 20th, out of the more than three-million registered voters, 970,641 cast mail-in-ballots. Democrat for Governor, Tina Kotek (84.13%). Republican for Governor, Christine Drazan (41.90%). In Coos Co. – Voter turnout: 41.89%, out of 50,729 registered voters, 21,250 cast mail-in-ballots. For U.S. Senator: Republican – David Brock Smith (46.67%), Democrat – Jeff Merkley (89.49%). U.S. Congress, Fourth District: Democrat Val Hoyle (71.47%), Republican – Monique DeSpain (85.63%). Oregon Governor: Democrat – Tina Kotek (77.59%), Republican – Christine Drazan (45.59%). State Rep. 9th District: Republican – Claire Lynn (72.11%). Coos Co. Clerk: Julie A Brecke (63.53%). Coos Co. Comm. Pos. 2: John Sweet (60.22%). Coos Co. Comm. Pos. 3: Rick Osborn (71.71%). M120 Transportation Tax: No (89,21%). City of North Bend Public Safety Fee Increase: Yes (50.82%), No (49.18%). City of North Bend Charter Amendments: No (62.82%), Yes (37.18%).

Coos Forest Protective Association
CFPA release - Although we are not in fire season yet, the weather is getting warmer and dryer. We are asking the public to please use caution when burning outdoors. By using these tips to practice safe debris burning you can help prevent an accidental wildfire. - Keep water and tools nearby; -Don’t burn on dry windy days; -Don’t leave your debris burn unattended; -Make sure your fire is completely out and cool to the touch before you leave. There is no set date for fire season to start in the Coos Forest Protective Association district for 2026 as of yet.

Oregon State Parks' Tips for Safer Camping
OPRD release - Oregon State Parks joins Oregon Department of Forestry and other local, state and national partners in recognizing May as Wildfire Awareness Month. (SALEM, Ore.) – Campfires are a beloved tradition when visiting Oregon State Parks, and staff encourage visitors to enjoy them safely when and where permitted. Everyone at the campsite should be familiar with campfire safety, including children. Always keep an eye on campfires; accidental fires can start even when campers leave their fire unattended for a short time. Three tips for safer campfires: Build them only where allowed. Check online to see if campfires are allowed where you’re going or ask a park ranger. In some cases, even propane fire rings may not be allowed. Build them safely. Only build campfires in the existing fire ring at your campsite, which are put in specific areas away from vegetation. If using a propane fire ring, keep it away from vegetation and overhanging branches. At the beach, only build campfires where permitted on open sand. Keep water close and keep flames below knee height, about two feet. Put them out completely. Pour water over the flames and stir it into the embers to make sure everything is wet. Repeat this until you no long feel heat coming from the embers. Do not use sand to put out fires; it can insulate the coals and keep them hot for days. Education is the top priority for rule enforcement, but rangers also have the option of issuing a Class A violation for significant violations or for multiple violations with a presumptive fine of up to $400. In addition, explosives and fireworks are not allowed in state parks or the ocean shore because they pose a danger to visitors, wildlife and the landscape. High winds, flammable vegetation and the unpredictability of fireworks create a unique hazard particularly in crowded areas.

Agriculture and conservation share common ground after Klamath dam removals, study finds
By Sean Nealon, OSU release - CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new study of the largest dam removal project in United States history on the Klamath River in Oregon and California offers new insight into a long-running water conflict by finding that farmers and conservation groups share priorities that may help guide decision-making on future river restoration projects. Researchers from Oregon State University found that farmers and conservation groups have a mutual understanding in four main areas: future uncertainty; a need for better collaboration and trust; an ecosystem-based approach to river restoration; and a willingness to experiment with creative management options. “Our research shows the Klamath Basin is not just defined by conflict,” said Bryan Tilt, an anthropology professor at Oregon State and lead author of the study. “Farmers and conservation groups share important priorities, and those areas of agreement can help guide more collaborative management decisions in the basin and inform future river restoration efforts elsewhere.” The Klamath River runs more than 250 miles along the Oregon-California border, through high desert, rainforest and redwoods to reach the Pacific Ocean. Four hydropower dams constructed between 1912 and 1963 were removed in 2023-24 to restore salmon habitat and improve water quality. Removal of these dams has been discussed for decades and was slow to occur because of competing interests and a complex mix of state and federal agencies and tribal nations involved in Klamath Basin decision making. As the dam removal project ramped up and occurred, Tilt and his team of three current and former graduate students - Hannah Boone, Jenna Davis and Rebecca Wheaton - set out to better understand those competing interests. The new study focused on two of those groups: agricultural producers, which consist of farmers and ranchers who use irrigation water from the Klamath and its major tributaries; and conservation groups, which include scientists and policy experts working on conservation and restoration of salmon in the basin. They conducted a total of 55 mostly in-person interviews, each lasting one to two hours, with individuals in the two groups. Interview responses were then analyzed through the lens of “cultural models,” a framework used in anthropology that describes worldviews, values and beliefs shared within a group. The researchers then determined how opinions on management priorities differ and align among the two groups. The top priorities for each group, with a percentage of respondents who indicated each as a priority, were: Agricultural producers: fair representation (47%); data-informed decisions (37%); community well-being (33%); water storage and supply (33%); and water and property rights (27%). Conservation groups: restoration and conservation (40%); river ecosystem health (36%); responsible irrigation (36%); fish (36%); and water quality (32%). The researchers also found the four areas of shared concern: Both groups cited uncertainty, including in relation to climate change, drought and wildfire, as posing a threat to the Klamath Basin. For farmers, this has long meant uncertainty about seasonal delivery of irrigation water. The researchers found that conservationists echoed those concerns, particularly in light of challenges related to climate change. Better collaboration and trust was a common theme. Both groups expressed regret about the collapse of previous collaborative Klamath Basin governance agreements and recognized that community socio-economic well-being matters. Both groups pointed out the need for landscape-scale management approaches and both voiced frustration with management decisions being driven by Endangered Species Act concerns about a single species. The researchers point out concern voiced by agricultural producers about single-species management focused on fish, at the expense of habitat for migrating birds. Finally, the groups expressed a willingness to experiment with nontraditional management options. Conservationists emphasized the potential of non-consumptive economic options, such as ecotourism, which make use of a resource, such as water or wildlife, without diminishing or destroying it. These findings are especially important at a time in the United States when dams are increasingly aging out and being removed. The American Rivers Dam Removal Database listed 2,095 dam removals as of 2024, with a majority occurring in the past two decades. “Understanding how cultural models of these groups diverge and converge can improve dialogue and support more effective management,” Tilt said. The research was funded by Oregon Sea Grant through NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, award no. NA24OARX417C0023.

NBPD Leadership Transition
City of North Bend release - Leadership transition also includes Jake Hult’s promotion to captain and Jerad Jaehnig’s promotion to sergeant as the department moves forward from a period of major reform, modernization and growth - NORTH BEND, Ore. — The City of North Bend announced Tuesday that Police Chief Cal Mitts is retiring after helping lead one of the most significant turnarounds in the recent history of the North Bend Police Department, leaving behind a fully staffed agency, a modernized fleet, expanded school and community policing programs, and a department positioned for continued growth. The city also announced that City Manager David Milliron has appointed Capt. Ed Perry as the next chief of police, promoted Sgt. Jason “Jake” Hult to captain and promoted School Resource Officer Jerad Jaehnig to sergeant. Mitts retires for a second time after coming out of retirement to help North Bend rebuild and strengthen its police department during a critical leadership transition. He joined North Bend’s command team in 2021 and was appointed chief effective April 21, 2023, after helping stabilize operations, restore morale and rebuild trust inside the department and across the community. “When Cal Mitts came to North Bend, he brought more than experience. He brought calm, credibility and a clear sense of purpose,” Milliron said. “He helped take a department that was in a defining moment and turn it into one that is fully staffed, technologically advanced, professionally respected and better prepared for the future. He leaves this city in a far better place than he found it, and that is the mark of exceptional leadership.” Under Mitts’ leadership, the North Bend Police Department was fundamentally overhauled. Early in his North Bend tenure, the command team transferred dispatch services to Coos North 911 to address critical staffing shortages and public safety concerns, a move that to saved taxpayers $723,400 through fiscal year 2025. The department modernized its computer-aided dispatch and records management systems, eliminated mandatory overtime through patrol-shift restructuring, created and expanded the Community Services Officer and Community Resource Officer functions, strengthened supervisory oversight, and implemented a top-down review of organizational strengths, weaknesses, staff development and succession planning. He then built on that foundation with measurable and sustained results. The department reached full staffing for the first time in more than a decade. During his tenure, it built a 100% new fleet, modernized its evidence and reporting systems, added cloud-based storage for body-worn and in-car video, deployed license plate readers, implemented new in-car Wi-Fi systems, upgraded Taser equipment, acquired handheld radar and LIDAR devices, deployed speed-detection and messaging trailers, and launched MyPDConnect so residents could report minor incidents online. These improvements have reduced administrative burden on officers, improved case-solving capability, and strengthened both officer and community safety. “Chief Mitts did not just maintain this department. He transformed it,” Milliron said. “He embraced new technology, strengthened accountability, implemented succession planning, expanded specialized policing capacity and built a culture of professionalism that will benefit this community for years to come.” Public safety outcomes improved as well. During Mitts’ tenure, the department reported major reductions in several crime categories, including burglary, robbery, stolen vehicles, unlawful entry into motor vehicles and overdose incidents, even as calls for service rose sharply. The department also documented continued declines in criminal trespass, theft, driving while suspended and overdose incidents, with robbery falling to zero. Mitts also expanded the department’s school and community policing role. During his tenure, North Bend worked with the school district to add a second school resource officer, with both positions funded by the district, and both officers later completed DARE instructor training. The department continued to invest in a full-time Community Resource Officer focused on homelessness and high-visibility public-order issues, as well as a Community Service Officer who handles non-sworn responsibilities and helps keep patrol officers available for core law enforcement work. Another signature achievement was the return of North Bend’s K-9 program. With broad community support, the department rebuilt its narcotics-detection capability, launched the new K-9 team and quickly put it to work in real investigations, including assistance multiple cases that led to the seizure of fentanyl and other drugs, cash and firearms. Beyond operations, Mitts became known for building unusually strong ties across city government, especially with the fire department, and for reinforcing a culture of teamwork. In retirement remarks this month, Mitts said, “This was a chapter that wasn’t supposed to be written,” and praised North Bend’s staff, saying the city is “blessed with some of the greatest staff in any city, regardless of size.” He also said “the camaraderie between all the department heads in this city is something else you just cannot find anywhere else” and called the North Bend Police Department “nothing short of exceptional.” “Chief Mitts led with integrity, steadiness and a genuine belief in people,” Milliron said. “He strengthened the bond between police and fire, between the department and the public, and between today’s officers and tomorrow’s leaders. That kind of leadership cannot be measured by one statistic alone. It is measured by the fact that this department is stronger, healthier and more trusted because he was here.” The city’s next chief brings deep institutional knowledge and a long record of service to North Bend. Perry joined the North Bend Police Department as a reserve officer in 2003 and became a full-time patrol officer in July 2011. Over the course of his career, he has served as a reserve police officer, reserve police sergeant, patrol officer, reserve officer program co-coordinator, reserve officer training academy instructor, school resource officer, sergeant and captain. He was appointed captain in April 2023. Perry’s appointment also carries special historical significance for North Bend. He follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Oliver E. Reeve, who also served as chief of police in North Bend before later leading the police departments in Prineville and La Grande. Reeve served with the North Bend Police Department for approximately eight years, first being hired as a police officer and helping grow the department to two sworn officers before serving as chief of police in 1939. His public safety career later included service as president of the Oregon Police Association and as an Oregon Liquor Commission inspector on the Southern Oregon Coast. “Ed Perry is the right leader at the right time,” Milliron said. “He knows this department, he has earned the respect of his peers, and he understands both the responsibility and the opportunity that come with this moment. He inherits a stronger department because of Chief Mitts’ work, and I am confident he will build on that foundation with professionalism, humility and vision.” Hult’s promotion to captain continues the department’s succession plan and leadership development efforts. Jaehnig’s promotion to sergeant reflects the department’s growing bench of trained, community-focused leaders. Together, the appointments signal both continuity and momentum for a department that has changed dramatically in recent years. “As we thank Chief Mitts for his service, we also celebrate the department he helped shape,” Milliron said. “North Bend is not starting over. It is moving forward.”

Internet Crimes Against Children, Lane Co.
At about 9:00am on May 19th, Lane County Sheriff’s detectives responded to a residence in the 38000 block of Camp Creek Rd, in Springfield. The suspect, 21-year-old Rowan Augustus Hockema, was contacted and arrested. Hockema was lodged at the Lane County Jail on 2 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree and 2 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree. The investigation began from a cyber tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) given to the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office received assistance during this investigation from the Oregon Department of Justice and the Lane County District Attorney's Office. This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable members of our community. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.

Free Boat Inspections, Lane Co.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol deputies are partnering with Bi-Mart to again offer free boat inspections throughout Lane County to help you get on the water safely! Bring your boat to a listed Bi-Mart on the scheduled date and time and a Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Deputy will inspect your boat for free and help make sure you have everything you need. For those non-motorized boats (including paddle boards, kayaks, etc.), be sure to always carry a life jacket, whistle/horn and a waterway access permit. Saturday 5/23/26 - 10:00 am – 01:00 pm - Florence Bi-Mart , 4310 Highway 101, Florence.

DUII, Libby Lane
CCSO release - Date/Time: May 18th, 2026 / 11:39 p.m., Case #: S2026-00760, Classification: Reckless Driving / DUII, Location: Libby Lane, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, Suspect(s): Abram Stewart (20), Summary:  On May 18, 2026, at 11:39 p.m., a Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy was on Libby Lane when they observed a reckless driver going westbound on Libby Lane at a high rate of speed. The deputy estimated the vehicle was driving in excess of 70 mph in a 45 mph zone when it passed by their location. The deputy caught up to the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Libby Lane, near milepost 4. The driver was identified as Abram Stewart, 20 years old, of Coos Bay. An open alcohol container was found in the vehicle, in addition to Mr. Stewart exhibiting signs of impairment. Mr. Stewart was arrested for DUII and Reckless Driving. The deputy applied for and received a search warrant, which was executed to obtain a breath sample from Abram. Mr. Stewart was issued a violation citation for Driving While Suspended Violation and a criminal citation for DUII and Reckless Driving. Mr. Stewart was cited and released pending court appearances.

Burglaries, CQ
According to an entry on the CQPD log for May 18, 6:20 p.m., 900 block No. Dean St., “burglary.” At 11:45 p.m., 1500 block No. Fir St., “burglary.”

Illegal Camping, NB
According to an entry on the NBPD log for May 18, 7:13 a.m., 1900 block McPherson Ave., “illegal camping.” At 10:15 a.m., 700 block Florida Ave., “illegal camping.” At 11 a.m., Washington & Stanton, “illegal camping.” AT 1:13 p.m., Grant Circle, “illegal camping.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the NBPD log for May 18, 2:36 p.m., 1700 block Virginia Ave., 48-year old Jason Mathew Kirkpatrick arrested on Florence PD warrant charging FTA on Criminal Trespass II & Resisting Arrest X2, “Kirkpatrick transported to CCJ.”

DWS
According to an entry on the NBPD log for May 18, 5:42 p.m., Edgewood & Newmark, 41-year old Alexander Fett charged with Driving While Suspended, “Fett cited in lieu of custody.”

Welfare Check
According to an entry on the NBPD log for May 18, 5:49 p.m., Pony Ck. & Crowell, 23-year old Angelina Grace Shaw charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, “Shaw transported CCJ.”

PCS
According to an entry on the NBPD log for May 18, 8:36 p.m., 16th & Broadway, 30-year old Brice Taylor Martin charged with PCS Meth, “transported to CCJ.”

Arrest
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 8:28 a.m., 100 block So. Schoneman St., 45-year old Jimmie Eugene Rozier charged with VRO & PV, “transported CCJ.”

Patrol Check
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 9:04 a.m., Boardwalk, 43-year old Michael Emory Dunn charged with Criminal Trespass II, “cited in lieu of custody.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 9:46 a.m., 100 High St., Salem, Marion Co., Michell Lynn Day arrested on six CBPD warrants charging FTA on Resisting, Interfering, Theft II; FTA on FTA II; FTA on FTA II; FTA on FTA on a Criminal Citation; FTA on Theft II; FTA on Theft II, also, PWP warrant charging TA on Attempt Commit Class C Felony, Resisting & Assault on LE.

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 12:08 p.m., 1360 Airport Ln., North Bend, OSP Coos Bay Command, 62-year old Lisa Kay Wilcox arrested on NBPD warrants charging FTA on Criminal Trespass I & Theft III; and, FTA on DOC II & Criminal Trespass II, “transported CCJ.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 12:39 p.m., Hwy. 101 & Flanagan, Bunker Hill, 38-year old Timothy Scott Loew arrested on CCSO warrant charging FTA on FTA I, two CBPD warrants charging FTA on two-counts of DOC II; FTA on FTA II; and, NBPD warrant charging FTA on four-counts Violating Stalking Order, “transported CCJ.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 12:50 p.m., 1313 No. Bayshore Dr., 36-year old Kenneth Greg Jensen arrested on Idaho State Police warrant charging Condition Release Violation, PCS Meth, “transported CCJ.”

Unlawful Vehicle, CB
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 18, 9:04 p.m., 100 block Ocean Blvd., “unlawful vehicle.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CBPD log for May 19, 12:48 a.m., 500 block Anderson Ave., “result criminal trespass,” 58-year old Gregoy James Kuehne charged with Criminal Trespass II.

WX
A Small Craft Advisory along the South Oregon Coast. Partly cloudy skies this morning, then overcast by afternoon with highs in the low 60s and winds out of the North at 15-25 mph. Cloudy skies overnight with lows in the upper 40s and winds from the North at 15-25 mph, then decreasing to 5-10 mph. Intervals of clouds and sunshine on Thursday, areas of dense fog early, highs in the mid 60s and winds out of the North to Northwest at 15-25 mph.

Sports

Prep gf
Marshfield finished fourth at the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 4A Boys’ Golf Championships at Emerald Valley, Creswell, Tuesday. The Pirates shot 688, Cascade was third (681), Pendleton/Griswold second (662) and Marist Catholic won (633). St. Helens came in fifth (699), and Seaside eighth (712). The Seagulls Zanh Quang won the 4A individual crown with a 150. Elias Long, Baker/Powder Valley, was second (153) and Tripp Murphy, Marist Catholic, took third (154). Enoch Niblett led Marshfield in 12th (167). Lane Olsen was 17th (171). Carson Chandler 20th (173). Mason Aurdahl 25th (179). Aiden Griffin 37th (186).

Prep bvb
North Bend’s boys’ volleyball team will play at Willamette Valley Christian, Wednesday, May 20, 5:30p, Eugene, in the Round 1 of the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union State 4A/3A/2A/1A State Playoffs. Junction City will host Yamhill-Carlton, and Cottage Grove travels to Westside Christian. Portland Adventist Academy is seeded No. 1, and Cascade is seeded No. 2.

Prep sb scores
Prep softball scores from Tuesday, May 19 – 4A: SkyEm Lg. – North Bend/Reedsport won at Cottage Grove/Yoncalla, 17-2 (5). Marshfield lost at Junction City, 13-2 (5). Cowapa Lg. – Tillamook fell at Seaside, 7-6. Non-league – Hidden Valley won at Brookings-Harbor, 12-10. 3A: Special District 1 – Corbett won at Warrenton, 4-3. Non-league – Toledo lost at Pleasant Hill, 12-11.

Prep sb schedules
Prep softball schedules for Wednesday, May 20 - 4A: Cowapa Lg. – Scappoose at Seaside, 5p. OR West Conf. – Philomath at Newport, 4:30p. Non-league – Astoria at Dayton, 5p. 2A/1A: SD1 – Gaston vs. Knappa, 3p, at Pacific University, Forest Grove. Nestucca plays winner at 5p.

Prep bb scores
Prep baseball scores from Tuesday, May 19 – 4A: Cowapa Lg. – St. Helens won at Astoria, 6-2. Seaside fell at Tillamook, 8-1. 3A: Non-league – Brookings-Harbor won at Bandon, 17-4. Warrenton won at Clatskanie, 11-1. Toledo lost at Pleasant Hill, 14-4 (6). North Valley won at Coquille, 14-0 & 17-0.

Prep bb schedules
Prep baseball schedules for Wednesday, May 20 – 4A: OR West Con. – Newport at Cascade, 5p. Cowapa Lg. – Seaside at Scappoose, 5p. 3A: SD1 – Banks at Warrenton, 4:30p. 2A/1A: Knappa at Nestucca, 3p. Non-league – North Douglas/Elkton at Bandon, 4p. Myrtle Pt. vs. Umpqua Valley Christian, 5p, Legion Stadium, Roseburg.

Prep District Track Meets
District track meets are getting underway this week throughout the State. On Wednesday, May 20 - 3A-2 Coastal Range League; 4A-1 Cowapa Lg. 4A-2 Tri-Valley League.

UO bb
Oregon’s baseball team will open the Big 10 Conference in Omaha, Nebraska as the No. 3 seed and play Friday, May 22, 7p, in the quarter-finals. All of the games will be televised on BTN. No. 1 UCLA (48-6) is the top-seed, followed by Nebraska (41-14), Oregon (38-15) and USC (42-14).

Seattle Mariners
Another one of those one-run games snipped the Seattle Mariners in the rearend Tuesday at T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA. The Chicago White Sox (25-23) evened their MLB series with the Mariners (23-27), 2-1. The loss dropped Seattle back into third-place in the American League West. Rubber match today, 1:10 p.m., televised on MLB.TV, CHSN, or Mariners.TV.