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MOVE OVER. IT’S THE LAW

Every day, first responders take on personal risk to serve our communities and save lives. Even a routine traffic stop has become risky. The following information comes from the Oregon Department of Transportation (www.oregon.gov/ODOT) and can help keep first responders and commuters safer.

There have been many cases where officers are pulled over on the side of the road when drivers have then crashed into them at high speeds. That’s why there’s a strict law in Oregon designed to help prevent these situations from happening again. 

The Move Over Law (ORS 811.147) states that if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated, you must:

• MOVE OVER into another available lane.
• If you can’t safely change lanes, SLOW DOWN to a speed that is at least 5 mph below the posted or designated speed of the roadway.
• In all cases, the driver must try to provide as much room as possible for the emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle.

The Move Over Law is in place to help protect law enforcement officers, emergency workers, tow operators and those who routinely provide assistance to motorists along the highways. This group of dedicated professionals face a deadly threat on a daily basis: speeding and inattentive drivers. But the law also exists to protect you. The flashing lights are your cue to move over and slow down. 

If you are approaching the scene of a crash, carefully watch for emergency workers directing traffic and follow all of their instructions.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon. 
 

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On 05/14/2024 at about 6:02 am, WVCC Dispatch received a report of a vehicle stolen from the Siletz Valley Charter School in Siletz, OR. The owner of the vehicle also reported that there was a firearm stored in the vehicle. Dispatch broadcast detailed information to the Newport Police Department, who had Officers on duty, in an attempt to locate the vehicle.

At about 7:10 am, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Deputy Antonio Ortiz located the vehicle in driving southbound on Highway 101 in South Beach, OR, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle continued driving, turning into South Beach State Park, where Newport Police Officers responded to assist. In South Beach State Park the vehicle continued to drive recklessly, endangering bystanders, until a citizen stood in its path and the driver stopped the vehicle. Deputy Ortiz, with assistance from Newport Police Officers, conducted a high-risk traffic stop and removed the driver from the vehicle. The driver is identified as 47-year-old Randy Johnson of Newport, Oregon. 

Randy Johnson was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer (Felony), Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office enjoys close working relationships with our local Law Enforcement partners and is grateful for the assistance provided by the Newport Police Department. As always, community members are encouraged to be alert to criminal activity and to report crimes they witness, while remaining uninvolved and at a safe distance from Law Enforcement activities. To report a crime in Lincoln County, contact WVCC Dispatch at 541-265-0777.

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WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS

Oregon saw 190,500 acres burn by wildfire in 2023, the smallest acreage since 2019. But it was the third most expensive year fighting fires since 2015. We won’t know for sure how this year will turn out, but we have seen acreage and cost rise over the last 10 years. 

All of us can take steps to prepare and protect the land around us from damage. Here are 10 things you can do now to prepare for wildfire season: 
 

1. Use safe backyard burning practices. Escaped debris burning is the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in our state.
2. Use care with power equipment. Do yard clean up in the spring, not in the summer. Equipment fire usually ranks as the second leading cause of human-caused wildfire.
3. Clear a defensible space around your home. Start with 5 feet around your home, then work your way up to a 30-foot distance. This is a buffer-zone that can protect your home in case a wildfire is coming.
4. Check your home address marker – can you see it from the street? If not, trim overgrown vegetation so first responders can find you if they need to.
5. Locate two alternate routes to safety from your neighborhood.
6. Build a 72-hour kit for your family and pets.
7. Create a communication plan. Include family, neighbors and a trusted contact out of the area, preferably out of state.
8. Document your possessions and store this digitally or away from your home. A video can work for this.
9. Sign up for Lincoln Alerts to get local information, warnings, and alerts.
10. Share these tips with neighbors, family, and friends.
11. For more wildfire prevention tips, visit www.keeporegongreen.org

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon. 
 

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Spring is here, and before we know it, summer will arrive. In the coming weeks, people throughout the state will start pulling out their boats after a winter in storage. Time on the water can be a great activity for your mental health and can build positive relationships with others. As with all activities, a little planning and caution go a long way in increasing your safety during your boating fun. 

Follow these tips to keep yourself and others safer during boat activities:

• Know the legal requirements for your vessel, these vary by size. Safety equipment must be accessible and in working condition at all times.
• Wear your life jackets. 85% of boating fatalities could be avoided by wearing a personal floatation device. It can’t save your life if you don’t wear it.
• Ensure each person’s life jacket is appropriately sized, fits securely, and meets their weight requirement.
• Be prepared and carry extra equipment such as an anchor, first aid kit, visual distress signal, tool kit, flashlight with extra batteries, a cell phone, and a bucket to bail water out of the boat. Carrying a handheld VHF radio can help connect you to help in the event your vessel experiences electrical malfunction.
• Don’t overload your boat. Follow the recommendations on the capacity plate of your boat.
• Capsizing, sinking, and falling overboard account for 70% of boating fatalities. If your boat capsizes, your best chance for survival and rescue is to stay with the boat. Pull as much of your body out of the water as possible to preserve body warmth.
• Hypothermia can be a killer; keep your body as dry and warm as possible. Change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
• It is illegal to operate any boat while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Use a designated driver - a sober skipper saves lives.
• Pay attention to your level of awareness and reaction time. Stressors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold water, vibration, noise, and alcohol all affect your ability to react.
• Don’t run out of fuel and make a plan to refuel before it is dire. Practice the 1/3 rule: 1/3 for trip, 1/3 for return, and 1/3 for spare.
• Fuel vapors are heavier than air and collect in the bilge. Never fill gasoline cans in the boat.
• When anchoring, use a line several times longer than the depth of the water; this will help account for changes in water levels due to the changing tide or other factors. Never anchor by the stern.
• File a float plan. Let someone know when and where you’re boating and when you’ll be back.
• You’re responsible for damage or injury caused by your wake. Exercise caution around other boaters, docks, and people in the water.
• By state law, all persons operating a motorboat greater than 9.9 horsepower are required to carry a Boater Education Card. The card shows that the operator has passed an approved boater education course or equivalency exam.

For further information on Boating in Oregon, people are encouraged to pick up the Oregon Boaters Handbook available at your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office or you can visit the Oregon State Marine Board website: www.boatoregon.com

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon. 

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On 04/30/2024 at approximately 10 am, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office served a scheduled Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) Eviction issued by the Lincoln County Circuit Court for a residence in Siletz, OR. Deputies knocked on the door of the home multiple times to determine if anyone was home. Neighbors in the area advised Deputies that the sole resident of the property was last seen approximately two days prior and did not have a functioning vehicle. Deputies obtained a phone number for the resident of the home and made attempts to make contact by phone. Deputies were unable to contact the resident by phone and observed no indication that anyone was home. Upon entry into the home, Deputies located 57-year-old Miriam Barber deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies transitioned to an unattended death investigation, as required by Oregon law, and determined no suspicious activity was involved in the death. There is no indication of risk to the community at this time. The next of kin in this matter have been notified.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would like to express our condolences for this loss to Miriam’s family and friends. If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, visit their website at www.988lifeline.org, or call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777. We understand every struggle is different and there are resources available.

On April 27, 2024, at approximately 1:11 PM a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a dark-colored minivan driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed traveling east on Highway 20 near Crystal Creek Loop in Eddyville. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the vehicle yielded. The driver of the vehicle immediately exited and was uncooperative and refused to follow the deputy’s commands. The deputy deployed a Taser, which struck the driver but was ineffective. The driver returned to his vehicle and fled from the deputy east on Highway 20. The deputy pursued the vehicle east to the Lincoln County line and into Benton County. Multiple times during the pursuit the driver was observed throwing items from his vehicle. Spike strips were deployed several times, but the driver swerved around them.

Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies took over the pursuit as the vehicle continued to flee east into the City of Philomath. The vehicle turned around and fled west on Highway 20 back into Lincoln County. 

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies took over the pursuit and the vehicle continued to attempt to elude deputies. The vehicle’s tires were eventually deflated by a spike strip deployed at Highway 20 and Pioneer Mountain Loop by a Sergeant with the Oregon State Police. The pursuit terminated on Highway 20 west of Pioneer Mountain Loop. 

Once the vehicle was stopped, the driver, later identified as 33-year-old Gregory Noll of Vancouver, Washington, refused to exit the vehicle. After a short time, Noll exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. 

After being medically cleared at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital, Noll was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. His charges include Reckless Driving, Attempt to Elude, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Endangering, Interfering with a Police Officer, and Offensive Littering. No injuries to the suspect or officers were reported.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office wants to thank the following agencies for their assistance during this incident: Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, City of Newport Police Department, and the City of Toledo Police Department. 

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Having visible house numbers to identify your address is important for guests, mail delivery, and of course, emergency personnel. It is much harder for emergency responders to find your home if your house number is not clearly displayed. Depending on the lighting and placement, your house numbers may not be visible from the street, especially at night. A poorly placed number can cost precious time in an emergency. Consider the following guidelines to help increase visibility as you display your house number.

On Your House

1. The number should be posted so that it is visible from both directions of street travel.
2. Trees, bushes, and other debris should not block visibility from the road.
3. Numbers should be placed above eye level, near the front door and well-lit at night.
4. Avoid placing numbers away from the front door such as above garage doors.

On Your Mailbox

1. Remember to mark both sides and the front of your mailbox. Do not use your mailbox as the only means of identification for your house. Numbers on the mailbox door may be great for your mail carrier, but they can be difficult to be seen by drivers during an emergency.
2. The numbers on the mailbox need to be highly visible. Remember to use high-contrast stickers or paint when adding your numbers to the mailbox. White numbers on a black mailbox are a great choice for visibility. Shiny silver numbers on a black mailbox are NOT very visible.
3. Another high-visibility option is to mount a sign above or below the mailbox. Again, use contrasting colors such as white on black.
4. If your mailbox is not in front of your house or near your driveway, emergency responders cannot use this to locate you. To help emergency responders locate your house faster, place your house number on your house or on a signpost in your yard.

Address Signs

1. The bigger, the better. The numbers should be at least four inches tall if displayed on a house or sign. Use boldface type that is wide.
2. Address signs should be placed about two feet from the driveway in the direction of the house.
3. Pick a color that will contrast with the background. If your house is a dark color, the address sign should be light so that the number stands out and can be viewed from the street. For example, a black number is perfect on a white house. A white number will also show clearly on a brick house.
4. Ensure the address sign is well-lit, especially at night.
5. Use caution with brass or bronze numbers as they are difficult to see on many backgrounds.

Following these guidelines can save valuable time in the event of an emergency by allowing emergency responders to find your home faster. Help us help you!

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon. 

 

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