Earlier in September I did a column where I briefly discussed the benefits of attracting toads and snakes to the garden. And I promised to go into more detail. Then fire struck Tillamook County and I felt it important to do a column on fire resistant plants. But here I am back to the topic o… Read more
Flu season has begun, so now is the time to get vaccinated. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) still spreading, it is more important than ever to get a flu shot (or mist). Read more
In my last column I promised more information on bringing toads and snakes into the garden to deal with unwanted insects. But since that column was necessarily postponed to make room for fire news, I thought I would reschedule the toad/snake column in favor on one that addresses making our g… Read more
We had an unusual visitor to our garden last week. A very unique moth landed on our garage door and with a little bit of research we determined it to be a rusty tussock moth (Orgyia antiqua). It had a lighter colored strip across the folded wings and two white spots that looked like eyes. Th… Read more
It is very rare when I write my first column for September that will be published before Labor Day. But this year has been strange all the way around. Read more
Oregon Health Sciences University has canceled a statewide study tracking 100,000 Oregonians for the COVID-19 virus. Read more
The Oregon Health Authority released its weekly report Aug. 26th, which showed a 13% drop in daily cases for the week of Aug. 16 to Aug. 23. Read more
Earlier this year – and in the midst of stay-at-home orders – we were in the garden to the south of the house, cutting back all sorts of brush. Mostly blackberries and salal, but there were also bindweeds, chocolate vine that had gotten out of hand, and a few unidentifiable shrubby plants. I… Read more
Governor Kate Brown will convene a Special Session of the Oregon Legislature at 8 a.m. Monday, August 10. Read more
Greenhouses. I think there must be a shape and size for every gardener and every garden. As I page through my latest English Garden magazine, I can only long for one of the lovely English-type conservatories so often seen in British gardens. Ah, but those are more for looks that for working. Read more
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reports pediatric cases of COVID-19 have increased sharply over the past few weeks. Read more
A few days ago, a friend texted me a gardening question. We still aren’t comfortable with meeting face-to-face yet, so texting seems to be the easiest way to communicate. Anyway, she has a spot in her Netarts yard that looks onto a neighbor’s yard and while most of it is planted as a privacy… Read more
State leaders are preparing to take a closer look at how to deal with a projected multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Read more
Despite what my family and friends will tell you, I do not know everything about gardening. In fact, there are tons and tons of gardening topics and plants I am unfamiliar with. But I generally can find answers to questions or problems that come my way. For example, several weeks ago, durin… Read more
Concerned about the huge spike in COVID-19 cases and new modeling that show even more cases possible through this month, that Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a plea to all Oregonians. Read more
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is distributing $55,000,000 in COVID rental relief funds and $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to local organizations statewide. Read more
A friend passed along a little book of gardening stories to me a few days ago and I started reading about a man who was getting frustrated because his azaleas had stopped growing. He had purchased about 15 of them, hoping for a nice big border of white in the spring. Read more
In these strange times, I have to admit I have been relishing the opportunity to stay home and work in the garden. I am like most dedicated gardeners: no boredom for us when we have weeds to pluck and flowers or vegetables to tend. No matter how much time I spend in the garden, it never seem… Read more
Oregon’s unemployment rate rose from a near-record-low 3.5 percent, as revised, in March to a record- high 14.2 percent in April, as COVID-19 business closures shut down a large portion of the economy, according to the Oregon Employment Department. Read more
Public health measures implemented in March to combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 are having an unprecedented economic impact on Oregon and the United States. April provides the first full month of data measuring the initial impact on businesses and the unemployed. Read more
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a time for Oregonians to get outside, travel to their favorite vacation destinations and welcome the return of summer. On Thursday, May 21, Gov. Kate Brown was joined by a bipartisan group of 26 mayors from across the state in urging all Oregonians, espe… Read more
Owners of Anchorage Motel and Pacific City Inn have filed a lawsuit against Tillamook County based on what they claim in the suit is a violation of civil rights due to being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has joined an international enforcement task force organized by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) to investigate investment fraud during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more
Oregon has received its first shipments of remdesivir, an experimental drug that has been used to treat patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Read more
Can we celebrate having a full month without a coronavirus case in Tillamook County? Read more
Oregon’s financial institutions have helped nearly 55,000 Oregon businesses obtain more than $7 billion in loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program. The loans – which will be forgivable for the majority of recipients – are designed to help businesses … Read more
Oregonians receiving food benefits will get additional assistance in June to help with continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, food insecurity in Oregon and its rural communities is at an all-time high. Tillamook-based nonprofit Food Roots is partnering with Oregon Food Bank, Tillamook County Services (OFB-TCS) to utilize its FarmTable storefront as a food hub aggregator… Read more
During the week of May 3 to May 9, the Oregon Employment Department received 14,100 initial claims for unemployment benefits. The agency has received 396,000 initial claims since COVID-19 business closures began in mid-March. Read more
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) anticipates that nearly $16 million in federal relief aid will be available for Oregon’s marine-related and coastal fishery sectors experiencing significant economic impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday, May 13, to begin reopening privately owned transient and short-term lodging on Friday, May 29, in cooperation with several of the cities in the county. The reopening provides a framework for opening lodging gradually… Read more
During the week of May 3 to May 9, the Oregon Employment Department received 14,100 initial claims for unemployment benefits. The agency has received 396,000 initial claims since COVID-19 business closures began in mid-March. Read more
Adventist Health Tillamook is pleased to resume non-urgent and elective surgeries and procedures with additional safety measures to protect patients, staff and visitors. Read more
The Tillamook County Fair has been a shining star on the Northern Coast since its inception in 1891. For years, people have gathered in Tillamook in August to share agricultural knowledge, connect with neighbors and create lasting memories that span generations. Read more
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic many things in our lives and communities have changed, but here in Tillamook County some things remain the same. COMPASSION is not quarantined. GENEROUSITY is not socially isolating. And HOPE is not closed for business. We see this now more than ever as T… Read more
Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday, May 14, the counties that can begin entering Phase I of reopening on Friday, May 15, under her framework for building a safe and strong Oregon. Qualifying counties demonstrated that they met all of Oregon’s safety and preparedness prerequisites for reopeni… Read more
Tillamook County has been approved by Gov. Kate Brown to enter Phase I of reopening on Friday, May 15. Tillamook County received a letter from Brown of the approval on Wednesday, May 14. Read more
Museums, galleries, performance spaces and other arts/culture institutions in Tillamook County have seen a range of impacts from COVID-19 shutdowns that went into effect in mid-March. While some have been able to cushion initial declines in revenues, others are seeing financial setbacks that… Read more
Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense against cryptocurrency scams. Fraudsters are leveraging increased fear and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money and launder it through the complex cryptocurrency ecosystem. Read more
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced nearly $16 million in assistance will go to Oregon fisheries, fishing businesses, fish processors and more that have been impacted by the coronavirus. Read more
Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that over $9 million in federal funding is being made available to 30 hospitals, health facilities and county governments throughout Oregon to expand coronavirus testing capacity. Read more
In Tillamook County Leadership Teleconferences held Friday, May 8, and Monday, May 11, the team discussed Gov. Kate Brown’s new guidance for counties and businesses on the phased reopening process and the county’s recently submitted application to the Governor’s office for reopening. Read more
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is extending its temporary rules change allowing Oregon gas retailers to provide self-service on a voluntary basis. Read more
During the week of April 26 to May 2, the Oregon Employment Department received 19,600 initial claims for unemployment benefits. The agency has received more than 381,800 initial claims since the COVID-10 businesses closure began in mid-March. Read more
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is extending its temporary rules change allowing Oregon gas retailers to provide self-service on a voluntary basis, in order to address worker shortages at stations statewide. Read more
The spring all-depth Pacific halibut sportfishing season in Oregon’s Central Coast Subarea (which includes ports from Port Orford to Garibaldi) will open Thursday, May 21. Read more
Much to everyone’s disappointment, the Tillamook County Master Gardener Plant Sale set for May 2, 2020 has been officially cancelled due to the coronavirus. Plants being nursed by MG members will stay in their care until next year. Also, sadly to say, the 2020 “Spade and Wade” Garden Tour ha… Read more
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregonians are facing unprecedented economic instability and food insecurity. Read more
U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum today announced the formation of a state-federal partnership to protect Oregonians from COVID-19 fraud. Read more
There have been five boating fatalities on Oregon’s waterways during COVID-19 this spring, all having two things in common: not wearing life jackets and cold water. The Oregon Marine Board is urging boaters headed to the water during the first warm weekend of the year – especially people in … Read more
Adults in Custody (AIC) at South Fork Forest Camp are doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by sewing masks for wildland firefighters. With fire-prone conditions setting in across much of the state, South Fork is already distributing masks and anticipates making about 500 per week. Read more
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a new emergency order for health insurance companies during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more
The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) announced Wednesday, May 6, that its farmer-owners have committed $4 million to a comprehensive COVID-19 relief plan to help its employees, the communities where the company operates, and industry partners respond to and recover from burdens c… Read more
The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we as realtors are conducting business. Read more
Even though many workers in Columbia County and across the state are expected to return to their jobs in the new several weeks under Oregon's Reopening Plan, unemployment claims continue to rise. Read more
New numbers released by Dean Runyan Associates show that 2019 was Oregon’s tenth consecutive year of growth in travel spending and visitation. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the travel and tourism industry to a screeching halt, these numbers indicate that travel and tourism will … Read more
The Oregon Air National Guard is scheduled to fly multiple F-15 Eagle flyovers over hospitals and other locations throughout Oregon during the month of May in order to salute Oregonians on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and lift morale during a time of severe health and economic impa… Read more
Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) with the support of the bipartisan Congressional Ports Caucus led a letter to House of Representatives Leadership urging them to include funding for America’s ports in the next COVID-19 relief Package, CARES 2. Read more
The Mens Club at Alderbrook Golf Course is getting back into the swing of its Spring and Summer tournament schedule with the third event of the season, the annual Spring Handicap Tournament. Read more
Governor Kate Brown announced Thursday, May 7, new details of her framework for rebuilding a safe and strong Oregon, including new guidance for counties and businesses on the phased reopening process. The guidance is the product of a robust engagement process with stakeholders, doctors, heal… Read more
Happy day after Cinco de Mayo! Margaritas and Mexican beer along with chips and salsa here at our house; hope you did something to celebrate. Read more
The Oregon Health Authority is now posting COVID-19 case data by ZIP code and by county. See the latest report attached to this story. Read more
May is Wildfire Awareness Month in Oregon, and federal, state and firefighting agencies are encouraging Oregonians to make sure their homes and property are protected from wildfire. Read more
May is Mental Health Awareness month, which is very timely considering the added stress, anxiety and uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Generally speaking, stress isn’t all bad. It drives us to perform well in certain situations such as meeting deadlines and delivering public speeches. The chal… Read more
Jails across Oregon have drastically reduced their populations, according to a survey conducted by Disability Rights Oregon. On average, jails have nearly 50 percent fewer people in custody as compared to their pre-pandemic population. Read more
For Tillamook County property taxpayers who chose to pay their property taxes in thirds, the final third of the payment is due Friday, May 15. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most county offices are still closed to the public. Read more
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