JC NEWS by Matt Jarvis

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Sunrise/Sunset, Coos Bay, OR
Coos Bay, OR, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 – Sunrise: 7:27 a.m., and Sunset: 5:34 p.m., offering ten-hours and seven-minutes of daylight.

Tides, Coos Bay, OR Estuary
Tides for the Coos Bay, OR Estuary, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 – High tide: 3:50 a.m., 7.54 ft.; Low tide: 9:48 a.m., 1.49 ft.; High tide: 3:43 a.m., 6.95 ft.; Low tide: 9:54 p.m., 0.7 ft.

CBPL Events
Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay, OR - Tea Tasting, Thursday, February 5 in the Myrtlewood Room, 12:00pm – 2:00pm, Presented by Teas, Tinctures, and Tonics. Sip, savor, and explore the world of tea! Join us at the library from 12:00pm – 2:00pm for our Monthly Tea Tasting, featuring selections from Teas, Tinctures, and Tonics. Each month, enjoy samples of one caffeinated and one non-caffeinated tea while learning about their unique flavors and origins. Whether you're a tea enthusiast or simply curious, this event is the perfect way to discover your new favorite blend. Free and open to all – bring a friend and share the experience! Age Bracket: Everyone. Sewing Class, Thursday, February 5 in the Stacks, 5:00pm – 7:30pm. Learn the basics of how to run a sewing machine with Kell Smith of OCATEC, then complete a project for hands-on learning! REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Anyone ages 15+ is welcome to attend. Age Tag: Adults. Black History Celebration: Norman Sylvester and the Boogie Cats, Thursday, February 5 in the Myrtlewood Room, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Thursday, February 5, 5:30-7:30pm. Celebrate Black History Month with Portland-based musician Norman Sylvester & the Boogie Cats! Explore the history of American Music through from drumming and field hollers (call and response) to today's hip hop. Hear examples of gospel music, Delta Blues, Harlem Renaissance Jazz, rock and more. Get ready to move at an interactive performance by award-winning musicians. The program is made possible through the generous support of the Coos County Cultural Coalition.

Norman Sylvester & the Boogie Cats at CBPL
CBPL release - Get ready to move and groove with Norman Sylvester and the Boogie Cats, Thursday, February 5, from 5:30-7:30pm at the Coos Bay Public Library. The all-ages, interactive celebration for Black History Month will feature music from throughout America’s history from drumming and field hollers (call and response) to today's hip hop. The event is free and open to the public.

NBPL Events
North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend, OR - Lapsit Storytime (Under 2), Every Thursday in February at 10:30 AM. Enjoy stories, music, & play designed to encourage early literacy skills. Yarn and Other Fibers, Thursday, February 5 at 4:00 PM. Bring your yarn & other craft projects to socialize while you work. Attend in-person or virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/114137963.

OCCI Hosts Free Event for Prospective - High School Students and Families
SWOCC release - Coos Bay, OR – High school students with an interest in the culinary and baking arts are invited to a special evening of exploration at Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) on Thursday, February 5th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. This free event offers a unique opportunity to experience the world of cooking and learn about a future in the culinary field. Attendees will enjoy live cooking demonstrations, participate in an engaging Q&A session, and meet OCCI’s talented chefs, instructors, and staff. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in the culinary arts or just curious about the craft, this is your chance to get hands-on insights in a fun and focused setting. Event Details: What: OCCI Experience Event for High School Students and their Families; When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.; Where: Oregon Coast Culinary Institute, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay; Cost: FREE; RSVP: Email [email protected] or call 541-888-7309 to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so RSVPs are highly encouraged! Don’t miss this chance to discover your culinary potential at OCCI. Can’t make it to the event? Learn more about OCCI’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs at www.socc.edu/occi, where you can also schedule a personalized campus tour. OCCI offers scholarships, financial aid, and nationally recognized culinary education to help you achieve your career goals.

STEAM Pathways Lecture Series, Back to the Moon! Artemis II Mission Prep Event
SWOCC release - Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s STEAM Pathways program invites community members of all ages to join us February 5, 2026 from 5:00-8:00pm for “Back to the Moon!” Artemis II Mission Prep Event, a celebration of manned spaceflight's first mission to circle the moon in over 50 years. Join us in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. This is a free event? all ages are welcome. Artemis II is scheduled to launch on February 6th for 10-day manned mission to orbit the moon and safely return a new four-person crew to Earth. Along the way, the mission will lay important scientific and engineering groundwork to move our sustainable return to the moon forward. Our event will include discussions of the mission, current views of the launch site, and hands-on science activities for all ages. Learn more about the Artemis II launch and what goes into the prep. Join us for an evening of lunar fun. Watch the mission prep feed through a NASA TV broadcast from the launch site at Kennedy Space Center. Learn about lunar cratering with a hands-on demonstration and activity with Dr. Win McLaughlin. Launch rockets with chemistry faculty Derek Morrelli. Make coffee filter moons and other lunar themed crafts with our steam pathways coordinator Cassie Coyner. Build model lunar habitats with physics/engineering faculty Aaron Coyner. This will be a fun, family-friendly event as we celebrate humanity’s return to the moon. For more information on this or other STEAM Pathways events please contact Cassie Coyner, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or [email protected]. To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.

Apply now for Chair of the Access & Habitat Board; Help shape wildlife habitat and hunting access projects in Oregon
ODFW release - SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting applications for the Chair position on the state Access & Habitat (A&H) Program Board. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2026. Application forms and additional information are available at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/lands/AH/get_involved.asp The current Chair has completed the maximum allowed service of two consecutive four-year terms, which creates the vacancy. The A&H Program is a cornerstone of Oregon's efforts to improve wildlife habitat and expand hunting access on private lands. Since its inception, the program has funded hundreds of projects that benefit wildlife populations, enhance conservation efforts, and strengthen partnerships between landowners and hunters. By leveraging resources and collaboration, the A&H Program ensures sustainable hunting opportunities and healthy ecosystems for future generations. The Board consists of seven volunteer members: • Three hunter representatives; • Three landowner representatives; • One Chair. Board members review and recommend habitat improvement and hunter access projects to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. ODFW is seeking individuals with: • Experience leading boards or commissions; • Experience in forestry, farming, or ranching is a plus; • Knowledge and interest in hunting and wildlife conservation. Program Funding: The A&H Program is funded by a $4 surcharge on hunting licenses and proceeds from deer and elk raffle entries and auction tags. Funds are distributed through grants to landowners, conservation organizations, and other partners. Board Service Details: • Members are appointed by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for four-year terms (with the possibility of a second term). • The Board meets four times per year at various locations statewide to review project proposals, hear public testimony, and serve as liaisons between the program and the public.

Where fires used to be frequent, old forests now face high risk of devastating blazes
By Steve Lundeberg, OSU release - CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new analysis shows that the Pacific Northwest’s mature and old-growth forests are most at risk of severe wildfire in areas that historically burned frequently at lower severity. The study by scientists at Oregon State University and USDA Forest Service Research & Development is important because those forests are culturally, economically and ecologically significant, supporting biodiversity while storing vast amounts of carbon, and they are under increasing threat of stand-replacing wildfire. Researchers used state-of-the-art modeling techniques to gain knowledge that can help guide risk mitigation efforts and return forests to healthier fire regimes. Led by Bruno Aparicio and Meg Krawchuk of the OSU College of Forestry, the research highlights the impact of fire exclusion by showing that 75% of the forest areas with the biggest risk of severe wildfire are places that used to see widespread low- and mixed-severity fires. The exclusion of fire from Northwest landscapes began with the disruption of Indigenous fire stewardship, the researchers say. Indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their lands in the 1850s, and putting out wildfires became federal policy following the Great Fire of 1910, which destroyed several towns and burned an area roughly the size of Connecticut across forests in Idaho, Montana, Washington and British Columbia. Prior to fire exclusion, frequent low- and mixed-severity fires had played a key role in maintaining the forest ecosystems of the western United States. Since then, older forests and trees have seen major structural shifts as shade-tolerant and fire-intolerant species have moved in. “Now, as wildfire activity intensifies under climate change, understanding where and why mature and old-growth forests are most vulnerable is essential,” said Aparicio, a postdoctoral researcher in Krawchuk’s group within the college’s Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society. “This work provides a spatial framework to help land managers prioritize where protection may be sufficient, where active restoration is needed, and how fire refugia can be integrated into conservation and wildfire risk planning.” Fire refugia are pockets of landscape less prone to crown fire than adjacent areas and may hold the key for scientists, conservationists and land managers seeking to preserve vulnerable species in a changing climate. Informally described as the “lifeboats” or “slow lanes” of biodiversity, refugia have spawned the new field of refugia science, which has learned that some locations have inherent characteristics – such as terrain, vegetation, proximity to bodies of water, and slope-face direction – that can buffer them from stand-replacing fire with a degree of predictability. In the context of this study, which looked at federal forests in the 24 million acres of western Oregon, Washington and California covered by the Northwest Forest Plan, estimates indicate fire refugia could reduce the overall risk of severe fire by up to 20%. Roughly 7 million acres of the study area are mature or old-growth forest, 1.8 million acres of which is in fire refugia area. The analysis suggests the study area’s subalpine mature and old-growth forests – those at the timberline – are both relatively rare and have high vulnerability, and that the Klamath Mountains are a hotspot for both wildfire exposure and potential carbon emissions. “Protecting mature and old-growth forests isn’t just about preserving the past — it’s a key strategy for climate mitigation, ecosystem resilience and long-term forest stewardship,” Krawchuk said. Through the 20th century, the authors note, mature and old-growth forests on national forests saw major declines because of logging. In recent years, wildfire has replaced logging as the largest threat, and since 2000, federal lands have seen a net loss of 2.6 million acres of mature forest and 700,000 acres of old-growth forest. Those acres were designated for multiple uses including recreation, timber production and wildlife habitat, providing important ecosystem services. “Current trends show a continuous increase in area burned and wildfire severity in the western U.S. over the last decade,” Aparicio said. “The increase is driven by a growth in the number of human-caused fires; warmer and drier fire seasons and worse droughts, all exacerbated by climate change; and the presence of landscape fuels created through management and fire-exclusion policies.” Developing land management strategies to address the loss of mature and old-growth forests to stand-replacing wildfire is crucial for maintaining these vital socio-ecological resources, the researchers say. That starts with quantifying the spatial footprint of fire exposure by combining geographic data with fire ecology analytics. “Our work can help prioritize stewardship actions,” Krawchuk said. “Overall, fire exclusion has left historically fire-resistant forests disproportionately exposed to severe fire now. Our analysis can underpin the stewardship of mature and old-growth forests to promote their resistance and resilience.” Also collaborating on the study, published in Natural Hazards, were Michelle Day, Raymond Davis and Rachel Houtman of the Forest Service, which provided funding for the research.

Popular Tillamook State Forest OHV Campground moves to Reservations Only
OR Dept. of Forestry report - TILLAMOOK STATE FOREST, ORE.—Browns Camp Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Campground, managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), will transition from a first-come, first-served model to a reservation-only system when it reopens for the season on April 1, 2026. “We are making the change to a reservation-only campground for two main reasons,” said Ben Burns, ODF’s State Forests Recreation Facilities Manager. “First, it benefits our campers. When you load up your toy hauler for a weekend trip, it’s reassuring to know you’ll have a campsite waiting when you arrive. This system eliminates the frustration of driving around the campground hoping to find an open site.” ODF successfully implemented a reservation system at all equestrian campgrounds in 2025 for similar reasons. “Horse campers often travel long distances with large trailers and have limited options if a campground is full,” Burns said. “The reservation system worked well to eliminate that problem, so based on that success, we’re expanding reservations to OHV campgrounds.” The change will also improve operational efficiencies. “Fee collection takes up a significant portion of staff time during the camping season,” Burns said. “The time saved can instead be used to better maintain and improve our campgrounds.” Browns Camp has 28 campsites, and ODF encourages visitors to reserve early—especially for busy holiday weekends—when reservations open on March 2, 2026. The group camping area at Browns Camp is already reservation-based and will remain unchanged. Campsites can be reserved at www.reserveamerica.com. Same-day reservations will be allowed although reserving sites prior will be recommended due to spotty cell phone service in the area. Camping fees will remain the same at Browns Camp: $20 per night. In addition, ODF is working to improve overnight options for OHV users in Tillamook State Forest by converting the Diamond Mill OHV Area into a campground. “We are actively working on that project, and it will be ready to roll out for the 2026 season,” said Burns. Visit ODF’s Recreation, Education and Interpretation website and social media sites for updates and opening announcements.”

Arrested on Multiple Charges, Lane Co.
Lane Co. SO release - On February 3rd at 8 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Troopers responded to a property in the 23000 block of W. Sheffler Road, Elmira, after determining Jack Weldon Baker, 41, of Elmira, was likely on the property. Deputies had been searching for Baker regarding a number of crimes committed in several recent incidents. Deputies also deployed a drone to assist in the search. After about an hour, Baker was located in brush on the property and detained without incident. A detective authored a search warrant for Baker’s residence and it was granted by a circuit court judge. During the search, deputies located two firearms. After additional investigation, Baker was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges: - Failure to Report as a Sex Offender; - Felon in Possession of a Firearm; - Assault in the 4th Degree; - Attempt to Elude a Police Officer by Vehicle; - Reckless Driving; - Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree. Thanks to the Oregon State Police for their assistance on this incident.

Barricaded Individual, Lane Co.
Lane Co. SO release - On February 3rd at 10 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 33900 block of W. Peebles Road, south of Goshen, to serve a restraining order to Jason Speed Mclaughlin, 53, of Goshen. The court order required Mclaughlin to leave the premises. Deputies contacted Mclaughlin in a house on the property. He refused to exit and armed himself with a knife. A sergeant on the Crisis Negotiation Team responded to assist. The sergeant spoke with Mclaughlin through an open window in an attempt to deescalate him. However, after about 90 minutes of negotiation, Mclaughlin threw a large piece of broken glass at the sergeant’s face. A deputy responded with a drone, and a Eugene Police sergeant responded with K9 Ayk. Additional attempts to gain cooperation from Mclaughlin were unsuccessful. K9 Ayk was deployed into the house. Mclaughlin continued to resist the K9 and deputies but was taken into custody. He was transported to an area hospital for evaluation and then lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges: - Violation of a Restraining Order; - Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree; - Menacing; - Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer; - Unlawful Use of a Weapon; - Interfering with a Police Animal; - Resisting Arrest. Deputies learned Mclaughlin had recently harassed a resident at the location and injured a puppy by cutting one of its ears nearly off. After additional investigation, Mclaughlin was also charged with: - Harassment; - Animal Abuse in the 2nd Degree. Thanks to the Eugene Police Department and Lane County Parole & Probation for their assistance on this incident.

DINT Arrest, Myrtle Ck.
DINT release - In the late night hours of Tuesday, February 3rd, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested a man on multiple drug and weapons charges in the 1400 block of Booth Ranch Road, Myrtle Creek. Detectives located 62 year old William Pease parked on the side of Booth Ranch Road in his vehicle. Detectives believed Pease to be in the area for the purpose of dealing large amounts of methamphetamine. With help from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, detectives contacted Pease in his vehicle. A search Pease's vehicle, and the area right around it, led to the discovery of approximately 98 grams (3.4 ounces) of suspected methamphetamine. Detectives also located a concealed firearm inside Pease's vehicle. In addition to the firearm being illegally concealed, Pease is a prior convicted felon which prohibits him from possessing firearms. Pease was detained without incident and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges: Driving While Suspended (Misdemeanor); Unlwaful Possession of Methamphetamine; Unlwaful Delivery of Methamphetamine; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm; Tampering with Evidence. The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. DINT is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. DINT is composed of members from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Oregon State Police, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Land Management. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including DINT.

Counterfeit
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Feb. 3, 11 a.m., 200 No. Adams St., First Community Credit Union,
“counterfeit money.”

Burglary
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Feb. 3, two-entries, same location, Cedar St., 3:42 p.m. and 4:51 p.m., “burglary.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 3, 8:20 p.m., 63333 W. Hwy. 20, Deschutes Co. SO, “warrant service”, on John Thomas McGee Jr., charging FTA on Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

Warrant
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 3, 7:19 a.m., Harbor Ave., “NBPD served CBPD & NBPD warrant” on 55-year old Robert Shawn Liggett charging FTA on Theft II, additional charge of Fentanyl, “Liggett transported to CCJ.”

Unlawful vehicle, NB
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 3, 7:19 a.m., Harbor Ave., “unlawful vehicle.”

Illegal Camping, NB
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 3, 9:41 a.m., 612 California Ave., Pacific Pride, “illegal camping.” At 5:53 p.m., Hayes & Virginia, “illegal camping.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 3, 1:28 p.m., Sherman & Ashworth’s, “NBPD served CBPD warrant” on 45-year old Grace Kristine Rabey, charging FTA on six-counts of Contempt of Court/Punitive, “Rabey transported to CCJ.”

PCS
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Feb. 4, 1:47 a.m., Chappell Parkway, “result of suspicious vehicle contact,” 65-year old Loyd Jay Whitteker charged with PCS Meth, “arrested and transported CCJ.”

Illegal Camping, CB
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 5:26 a.m., Anderson & So. Broadway, “illegal camping.” At 8:10 a.m., 2nd & Golden, “illegal camping.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 5:30 a.m., 800 block So. Broadway, “illegal camping,” 27-year old Jonathon Tinsley charged with Criminal Trespass, “Tinsley lodged CCJ.”

Probation Violation
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 7:58 a.m., 2nd & Hall, “out with subject camping,” 40-year old Joshua Christian Cantu charged with Probation Violation Detainer, “transported to CCJ.”

UEMV
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 8:07 a.m., 600 block 12th Ct., “unlawful entry into MV.”

Assault
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 10:45 a.m., 500 block Fulton Ave., “domestic,” 80-year old Alfred Dwaye Caldera arrested on charge of Assault IV Domestic, “Caldera transported to CCJ.”

DUII
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 1:38 p.m., 810 Central Ave., Fast Mart, “accident, non injury,” 41-year old Christopher Bra Porto charged with DUII, “Porto cited in lieu of custody.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 4:39 p.m., 800 block Broadway, 27-year old Jonathon Tinsley charged with Criminal Trespass II, “Tinsley transported CCJ.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Feb. 3, 5:02 p.m., 135 So. Wall St., Ed Lund Park, 33-year old Kayla Waletich charged with Criminal Trespass II, “Waletich transported CCJ.”

WX
A Small Craft Advisory for the South Oregon Coast. Some morning clouds will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon with highs in the upper 60s and winds light and variable. Clear to partly cloudy tonight, areas of patchy fog, lows in the lower 40s and winds light and variable. Sunshine and clouds mixed, with highs in the upper 50s and winds continue light and variable.

Sports

Prep GBXB Scores
Prep girls’ basketball, Wednesday, Feb.5: 3A – Non-league – Gold Beach fell at Coquille JV, 56-35. Pac-West Conf.: Taft lost at Jefferson, 58-57. Coastal Range Lg.: Riverdale lost at Neah-Kah-Nie, 54-30. Warrenton won at Corbett, 70-20. 2A – Non-league: Nestucca won at Waldport, 63-32.

Prep GBXB Schedules
Prep girls’ basketball schedules for Thursday, Feb. 5: 2A – Non-league, Elkton at Reedsport, 6 p.m.

Prep BBXB Scores
Prep boys’ basketball scores from Wednesday, Feb. 4: 3A – Pac-West Conf.: Taft won at Jefferson, 57-28. Coastal Range Lg.: Riverdale fell at Neah-Kah-Nie, 70-31. Warrenton won at Corbett, 54-44. 2A – Non-league: Nestucca won at Waldport, 57-30.

SWOCC bxb
Southwestern Oregon’s basketball teams lost NWAC games Wednesday at home to visiting Lane, out of Eugene. The Laker men (6-4, 18-5) lost 76-59, and the women (2-8, 7-14) fell 93-61. SWOCC plays at Mt. Hood on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2 & 4 p.m.

UO wbxb
Oregon’s women won at Big 10 Conference game, Wednesday, 76-73 over visiting Illinois at Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene. The Ducks (6-6, 18-7) host No. 9 Ohio State, Sunday, Feb. 8, noon, televised on B1G+ Network.

OSU mbxb
Oregon State’s men won a WCC contest at home to visiting Washington State, 74-64, Wednesday, Gill Coliseum, Corvallis. The Beavers (6-6, 13-12) host Gonzaga, Saturday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m., televised on ESPN+.

OSU wbxb
Oregon State’s women have a WCC basketball game at Gonzaga, Thursday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m., televised on ESPN+.