JC NEWS by Matt Jarvis

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ODOT: SW Oregon: US-101 NB, MP 236.06: Flooding caused by a broken water main is partially blocking U.S. 101 north of Newmark Street in North Bend. Expect delays. Use an alternate route. TripCheck.com for updates.

Sunrise/Sunset, Coos Bay, OR
Coos Bay, OR, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 – Sunrise: 7:08 a.m., and Sunset: 5:53 p.m., offering ten-hours and 44-minutes of daylight.

Tides, Coos Bay, OR
Tides for the Coos Bay, OR Estuary, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 – High tide: 2:44 a.m., 7.34 ft.; Low tide: 8:36 a.m., 1.35 ft.; High tide: 2:34 p.m., 7.39 ft.; Low tide: 8:49 p.m., 0.27 ft.

VCB Board Meeting
Upcoming Board Meeting - The Next Meeting of the VCB Board of Directors is Thursday, February 19th at 8:30am at the Ko-Kwel Casino Resort | Coos Bay. VCB MEETING WILL BE VIRTUAL ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19th DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS. ZOOM LINK AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA.

Preschool Art at CBPL
CBPL release - The Coos Bay Public Library will offer a monthly hands-on preschool art program for young artists 0-6 years old the third Thursday of every month from 10:00-11:00 am (February 19, March 19, April 18, May 21). The program is free; no pre-registration is necessary. Each program will feature a different craft project that reinforces early literacy concepts and gives parents and caregivers and young children an opportunity to meet each other. The program is part of the Coos Bay Public Library’s ongoing programming for young people and families. For additional information about programs being offered by the Coos Bay Public Library please contact the library by calling (541) 269-1101 x 3606 or visit the library’s website at www.coosbaylibrary.org.

AGROECOLOGY LECTURE- Pollinators at the Coast: Supporting Honeybees and Native Species
SWOCC release - Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 pm, for “Pollinators at the Coast: Supporting Honeybees and Native Species” with Ann Marineau and Darcy Grahek of the Coos Beekeepers Association. This is a free event? all ages are welcome. Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. Curry County residents can join us for a watch party on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings. For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams. Explore the vital role that honeybees and native pollinators play in our local ecosystems and food systems. Learn about the unique challenges pollinators face in our region today, including habitat loss, climate impacts, and pesticide exposure. The lecture will highlight how coastal environments influence pollinator health and showcase practical, science-based ways residents can support pollinators — particularly through pollinator-friendly yard and garden choices. Discover how small, local actions can help create healthier habitats where pollinators can thrive. For more information about this lecture contact DeAnne Varitek, Dean of Career Technical Education at Southwestern at [email protected] or 541-888-7312. To learn more about Southwestern’s Agroecology program visit: https://www.socc.edu/agroecology.

Unlimited Book Club
CBPL release - Thursday, February 19 at 6:00 pm, the Unlimited Book Club will meet on Zoom. Unlimited is a joint venture of the Coos Bay Public Library and the North Bend Public Library. We formed to encourage awareness and foster community discussions on equity, diversity, and inclusion through reading and thoughtful conversation. Unlimited meets every third Thursday of the month. This meeting will be an opportunity for members to meet and discuss our next title, selected by book club members, Our Nig: or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black by Harriet E. Wilson. Suggestions for future readings will come from members of Unlimited. Those interested are invited to attend the meeting, there is no obligation to stay. To receive Zoom link for meeting, register for free @ https://bit.ly/3R6E57M

Refresh Your Toy Bin at the North Bend Public Library’s Toy Swap Event
The North Bend Public Library invites families to a Toy Swap Event on Saturday, February 21, from 10:00-12:00 PM. This free, community event offers parents and caregivers a fun, affordable way to refresh their children’s toy collections while promoting reuse and sustainability. To participate, parents or caregivers should bring 3-5 gently used toys for children ages 0-17 to the North Bend Public Library during library hours on the Thursday or Friday before the event. Each donated item will receive a swap ticket that can be used at the Swap Event to take home the same number of toys they contributed. All toys should be clean, safe, and in good to excellent condition. Participants are encouraged to bring a reusable bag or box to carry their selected items home. Toy Swap Rules: Bring toys for children ages 0-17, including the following: wooden, plastic, or battery-operated toys, building toys, toy vehicles, puzzles, games, and stuffed toys; Toys must be clean, safe, and in good to excellent condition; Please bring 3–5 toys total; Do not bring toys that are missing parts, broken, damaged, dirty, or unsafe; Do not bring vintage or collectible toys or toys that have been recalled; All items at the Toy Swap are free and may not be sold; Toys are available while supplies last; Any toys remaining at the end of the event will be donated to a local nonprofit organization. Adults must remain with and actively supervise their children throughout the event. The library is not responsible for the condition or functionality of swapped items, and participation indicates acceptance of these guidelines. Event Details: What: Toy Swap Event; When: Drop off toys Thursday, February 19 through Friday, February 20; Shop the Toy Swap Event on Saturday, February 21 from 10:00-12:00 PM; Who: Parents, caregivers, and children ages 0-17; Where: North Bend Public Library; Cost: Free.

Coos Bay Parks Commission
City of Coos Bay release - the Coos Bay Parks Commission will meet on Thursday, February 19, 2026 – 4:00 PM, Council Chambers - 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon. Zoom Remote Attendance Link & YouTube Link Agenda: 1. Roll Call; 2. Public Comment; 3. Action Items: a. Beaver Deceiver Sign Placement; b. Oregon Bay Area Beautification Update; c. Preserving Oregon Grant Opportunity – Mingus Park Community Building Assessment; d. Coos Forrest Patrol and AYA Collaboration; e. Parks and Grants Updates; 4. Staff/Commissioner Closing Comments; 5. Adjourn.

ODFW and partners responding to concerning coyote activity in West Salem
ODFW release - SALEM, Ore. – ODFW staff received a report of an incident involving a coyote biting an adult along Orchard Heights Rd. just outside the city limits of West Salem that occurred on Feb. 11. The Polk County Sherriff’s Office (PCSO) initially responded to the area to conduct a site investigation and determined that a woman was bitten by a coyote while walking along Orchard Heights Rd. The victim suffered minor injuries and was checked out by medical services and released on site. PCSO shared the information with ODFW shortly after investigation and posted a notice on social media with ODFW safety tips on how to avoid conflicts with coyotes. Over the last several days, ODFW staff have conducted interviews with involved parties, collected and reviewed evidence, shared information and contacted neighbors and nearby schools about the incident. ODFW is working closely with PCSO, the City of Salem and other local, state, and federal government agencies to determine next steps for addressing the human safety situation.? Residents in the Orchard Heights area and surrounding neighborhoods are strongly encouraged to monitor young children and pets while outside, scare away coyotes (through yelling, airhorns, banging pots and pans, throwing objects) whenever possible, and immediately remove any attractants. Under no circumstances should people provide food to coyotes or other predators. It is illegal to feed coyotes under ORS 496.731 and research indicates that feeding by humans is frequently associated with attacks and aggressive behavior.? Coyotes in Oregon?: Coyotes are found all across our urban, suburban, rural, and natural landscapes in Oregon. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores and mainly eat rodents, fruit, and nuts but they will also consume whatever food they can find including food waste, pet food, and sometimes small pets like outdoor cats. It is not unusual to see coyotes in urban areas like Salem, even during the daytime. By following a few simple steps, we can all work together to keep people, pets, and coyotes safe.???? Follow these tips:? Remove food sources. Never intentionally or accidentally feed a coyote.? Never approach a coyote. Scare away bold coyotes (ones that don’t leave when they see people) with loud noises or by throwing objects.? Monitor young children closely in areas with recent concerning coyote activity. Keep your pets safe (either supervised, on a leash, or inside).? Share these tips with your community. ? Please immediately report concerning encounters and aggressive behavior towards people?or pets to ODFW at 541-757-4186. Dial 911 in the event of an attack or other emergency.? ?Learn more about living with coyotes from ODFW and the Portland Urban Coyote Project.??

Early study connects dogs’ cancer survival with which microorganisms live in their gut
By Steve Lundeberg, OSU release - CORVALLIS, Ore. – Canine cancer patients receiving a new form of immunotherapy lived longer or shorter depending on the composition of their microbiome, the community of organisms living in their gut. Results of the clinical trial led by Oregon State University scientists were published in Veterinary Oncology. The findings signal new hope for the nearly half of U.S. households with at least one dog, suggesting that personalized medicine and better outcomes may one day be realities for the roughly 6 million dogs diagnosed with cancer each year, OSU’s Natalia Shulzhenko said. There are more than 87 million domesticated dogs in the U.S. alone, and approximately one in four will develop cancer at some point in its life. More than 4 million dogs die of cancer annually; about half of all dogs that reach age 10 will succumb to cancer, the leading cause of canine death. “Our study is a first step toward using the gut microbiome as a tool to develop prognoses and to manipulate cancer, not just in dogs, but potentially as a model for human treatments as well,” said Shulzhenko, who studies host-microbiota interactions at OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine. Co-led by Andrey Morgun of the OSU College of Pharmacy, the research involved 51 dogs of various ages and breeds that had been diagnosed with a range of malignancies, including cancer of the bones and blood vessels. Each dog was treated with a new type of cancer vaccine designed to trigger its immune system to block two cancer cell proteins that tell the cells to grow and divide. Prior to treatment, the scientists collected rectal swab samples from the dogs for microbiome analysis. Trillions of organisms make up the canine microbiome, with 240 species accounting for more than 80% of the microbial community. Amid all of those organisms, some connections were clear, Shulzhenko said. Scientists found 11 specific types of bacteria that were linked to how long the dogs lived – some were positive indicators, associated with longer survival, while others were associated with shorter survival. “In the future, an analysis of a microbiome swab could help predict how well a dog might respond to a cancer treatment,” she said. “This allows pet owners and vets to make more informed decisions about care. And now that we know certain bacteria are linked to survival, we can explore ways to ‘fix’ a dog's gut microbiome to help the vaccine work better and help the dog live longer.” The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health provided funding for the study, as did the Canine Cancer Alliance and the Biomedical Sciences Department of the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine. The collaboration included scientists from the National Cancer Institute, Yale University and the Bridge Animal Referral Center, as well as OSU’s Vini Karumuru, Stephanie Nuss, Marina Elliott, Isaiah Shriver, Chih-Min Chao and Ryan Berriatua.

Shoplifter
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Feb. 17, 6:52 a.m., 400 block No. Central, McKay’s, 36-year old James Bradley charged with Criminal Trespass X2 & Theft X2, “Bradley transported CCJ.”

Illegal Camping, CQ
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Feb. 17, 12:32 p.m., Hwy. 42/So. Mill Ln., GP Lot, “illegal camping.”

VRO
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 17, 2:11 a.m., Pony Ck. & Crowell Ln., “from traffic stop,” 39-year old Shane Corey Franks, Violation of Restraining Order, “transported to Coos Co. Jail.”

Illegal Camping, NB
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 17, 6:54 am., 1840 Union Ave., Alano Club, “illegal camping.” AT 6:59 am., 1858 Union Ave., “illegal camping.” At 9;39 p.m., 1836 Union Ave., “out with subject at location,” 54-year old Trevor Fero, “Ticket.”

Mail Theft
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 17, 1:58 p.m., 1800 block Oak St., “theft of mail.”

Illegal Camping, CB
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 17, 6:29 a.m., Anderson & 2nd Ct. Alley, “illegal camping.” At 6:50 a.m., So. Broadway & Ingersoll, “illegal camping.” At 7:06 a.m., 915 So. 1st ST., Oregon Pacific Bank, “illegal camping.” At 7:13 a.m., 2nd & Market, “illegal camping.” At 9:14 a.m., 245 So. 4th St., “illegal camping.”

Criminal Mischief
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 17, 7:33 a.m., 100 block Ingersoll Ave., 38-year old Sophia Romero charged with Criminal Mischief I, “Romero transported CCJ.”

Burglary
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 17, 4:40 p.m., 300 block So. Wasson St., “burglary.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 17, 7:19 p.m., 800 block Pacific Ave., “result from dispute/unknown problem, 45-year old Bret David Harrison arrested on Bench Warrant charging Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, “lodged CCJ.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 17, 9 p.m., 1109 So. 1st St., Terrace Motel, “warrant service,” on 36-year old Ryan George Fleek charging FTA on Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Schedule II, “lodged CCJ.”

WX
A “Freeze Watch” along the South Oregon Coast. A mixture of clouds and sunshine with highs in the upper 40s and winds out of the Northeast at 5-10 mph. Overcast tonight with lows in the mid 30s and winds light and variable. Cloudy on Friday with highs around 50 and winds out of the South at 5-10 mph.

Sports

GBXB Scores
Prep girls’ basketball scores from Wednesday, Feb. 18: 2A – Sunset Conf.: Myrtle Pt. fell at Oakland, 40-26.

GBXB Schedules
Prep girls’ basketball schedules for Thursday, Feb. 19: 4A – SkyEm Lg. – North Bend at Cottage Grove, 5:45p. 3A – Far West Lg.: Douglas at Siuslaw, Glide at Sutherlin & So. Umpqua at Coquille, all 5:30p. PacWest Conf.: Jefferson at Taft, 6p.

BBXB Scores
Prep boys’ basketball scores from Wednesday, Feb. 18: 2A – Northwest Lg.: Nestucca fell at Knappa, 70-46.

BBXB Schedules
Prep boys’ basketball schedules for Thursday, Feb. 19: 4A – SkyEm Lg.: North Bend at Cottage Grove, 7:15p. Non-league: Marshfield at Cascade Christian (Medford), 7p. 3A – Far West Lg.: So. Umpqua at Coquille, Douglas at Siuslaw & Glide at Sutherlin, all 7p. Coastal Range Lg.: Corbett at Warrenton, 6p. 2A – Valley Coast Conf.: Toledo at Crosshill Christian, 7p.

NWAC BXB
Southwestern Oregon’s men’s basketball team lost an NWAC South Region game at home to league leader Umpqua (11-3, 23-4), 79-63, Wednesday night, Prosper Hall, on the Coos Bay Campus. The Lakers (9-5, 21-6) are in second place and have two-games remaining in the regular season, at home Saturday, Feb. 21st to Portland (7-7, 14-11) and on the road Feb. 25th at Linn-Benton (6-8, 12-15). SWOCC’s women lost 103-61 to visiting Umpqua. The Lakers (2-11, 7-17) host Portland on Saturday, Feb. 21, 4p and go to Linn-Benton, Wednesday, Feb. 25 to end the regular season.

UO wbxb
Oregon’s women host Nebraska in a Big 10 Conference game, Thursday, Feb. 19, 6p, Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, televised on the B1G+ Network.

UO sb
Oregon’s softball team plays in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, Cathedral City, CA, beginning Thursday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. against Auburn, followed by No. 11 Texas A&M, 12:30 p.m. Both televised on FloCollege.

UO bb
Oregon’s baseball team opens a four-game non-conference series with visiting Youngstown State, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2:05 p.m., PK Park, Eugene, televised on B1G+ Network.

OSU wbxb
Oregon State’s women’s basketball team hosts Portland in a WCC contest, Thursday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, televised on ESPN+.

OSU sb
Oregon State’s softball team competes in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Palm Springs, CA, beginning Thursday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m., against California Baptist, followed by Nevada, 12:30 p.m.