Douglas County Parks Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2024
*** PROJECT START - TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE ***
Lower Day Use Area – Whistler’s Bend County Park
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Parks Department is excited to announce that they have started Phase One of a much anticipated park rehabilitation project at Whistler's Bend County Park & Campground. Effective immediately, and as a part of the rehabilitation project, the Parks Department has temporarily closed the lower day use area at the park. Additionally, they anticipate a few intermittent closures around the upper campground area as the project progresses, but traffic control will be in place to redirect traffic during these temporary closures. Phase One of the rehabilitation project is expected to take four to six weeks to complete. As with any project, unforeseen delays due to weather, equipment and material availability could possibly extend the anticipated project timeline.
Phase One improvements to the day use area and portions of the upper campground at Whistler’s Bend County Park are a part of a two-phase rehabilitation project funded in part by a grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) through their Local Government Grant Program. The grant funds from OPRD were matched by Douglas County and utilized to begin the project. Phase One rehabilitation includes replacement of two single non-accessible vault restrooms with two ADA accessible vault restrooms; installation of a pavilion for public use and special events next to the Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course parking lot; resurfacing of the lower parking lot and access roads to improve river access; installation of a walking path along the river, resurfacing the playground with rubber tiles, and paving of the upper campground access road and group sites. Phase Two will focus on paving the upper campground, adding more full hookup sites to the upper campground, and replacing three single vault toilets in the lower campground with ADA accessible ones. Phase Two rehabilitation also aims to enhance the Whistlers Bend Disc Golf Course with the addition of a small pavilion and a new restroom in the middle of the course, as well as furnishing the course with additional benches and garbage receptacles throughout. Phase Two is being funded in part by a grant from the County Opportunity Grant Program through ORPD and is slated to commence after Labor Day 2024.
Please note that the upper day use area, parking lot, disc golf course and campground area will remain open during the project for public use. However, safety is always a priority for the recreating public, and we ask citizens to use extreme caution when visiting this area during the closure and project time frame. We ask that you please follow all posted signs, warnings, and work crew instructions. We understand that our County Parks are popular destinations for day use activities such as fishing, swimming, picnicking, disc golf, camping and BBQs, park patrons are encouraged to also consider checking out our large inventory of Douglas County Parks during this temporary closure and improvement project.
Whistler's Bend County Park & Campground is located 15 miles east of Roseburg near the community of Glide on the oxbow peninsula of the North Umpqua River off Oregon Hwy 138 at 2828 Whistlers Park Road. This park provides a plethora of recreational activities. The Douglas County Parks Department appreciates the public’s patience as they continue to improve your recreational experience in our county parks. For more information, or to locate a park, campground or boat ramp near you, log onto the Douglas County Parks Department’s page on the Douglas County, Oregon Government Website at: https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Photos Attached: ©K.Trenkle/Douglas County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2024
** FINDINGS OF FACT MEETING **
DOUGLAS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
April 25, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, to approve and sign a Findings of Fact and Decision from the previous meeting.
The virtual meeting will be held at 5:30 pm, and will be conducted via Zoom, where members of the Planning Commission will join via computer or call-in on the telephone to convene on the Colin Wright Findings of Fact agenda item only (postponed from 4/18/2024).
Because the Planning Commission has made their decision and the record is closed, public input would not be appropriate, and there for it will be not taken at this meeting. We are required to make these proceedings open to the public and in compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to listen to the proceedings.
Please contact the Planning Department for information on how you can join the proceedings via Zoom. The agenda and additional information can be found on our website at: www.douglascountyor.gov.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2024
** Notice of Virtual Meeting **
Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
(Douglas County, OR) The next meeting for the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s (LPSCC) – Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee will take place on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 11:30 am via a virtual conference format.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch or listen to the meeting via video or by phone. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda, or contact Koree Tate at koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.
The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.douglascountyor.gov.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Program Contact: Koree Tate, Programs and Partnership Coordinator | Douglas County Juvenile Department | Phone: (541) 957-7790 | Email: koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2024
** NOXIOUS WEED WORKSHOP NOTICE **
Tree-of-Heaven Field Tour
Thursday, May 9, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress along with the Douglas County Public Works - Natural Resources Division and the Douglas County Noxious Weed Advisory Board (DCWAB) are excited to announce a free noxious weed workshop on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Douglas County Fairgrounds located at 2110 SE Frear Street in Roseburg, Oregon. The workshop sponsored by DCWAB will feature a field tour of tree-of-heaven.
The tour will be led by Douglas County Natural Resources Specialist, Tracy Pope, a trained botanist, and certified arborist. She will be joined by Carri Pirosko, Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Specialist for Southwest Oregon.
Join us to learn all about Tree-of-Heaven, (aka Ailanthus altissima), a recognized noxious weed in Douglas County. This rapidly expanding invasive species is emerging as a common nuisance in urban areas, on riverbanks, and along roadways throughout southwest Oregon. Participants will hear about the history of this invasive tree, why it is a problem, and what treatment options are available. Additionally, Tree-of-Heaven is also the primary host for another invasive species, the Spotted Lanternfly. We will discuss this pest and its association with Tree-of-Heaven, including issues, identification, monitoring, and reporting.
The workshop is an outdoor “rain or shine” walking tour. Light refreshments will be provided; however, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. To ensure a quality experience for participants, the tour group size is limited. Please reserve your space before May 1, 2024.
For more information, parking instructions and to register for the tour please log onto: https://douglascountyor.gov/362/Natural-Resources or call Tracy Pope at (541) 440-4255 or email tracy.pope@douglascountyor.gov. For more information about DCWAB visit their webpage at https://douglascountyor.gov/456/Noxious-Weed-Advisory-Board.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Workshop Flyer Attached
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2024
2024 Douglas County Traffic Safety Poster Contest Winners
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress, along with the Douglas County Public Works Department – Engineering Division and the Douglas County Traffic Safety Commission are excited that the Douglas County Traffic Safety Poster Contest is back after a hiatus due to the world-wide pandemic. The Douglas County Traffic Safety Commission has hosted the Traffic Safety Poster Contest for 45 years with a goal of educating young people about traffic safety. 39 local area students were selected as winners of the 2024 Douglas County Traffic Safety Poster Contest. The winners (see attached page) were selected by Douglas County Traffic Safety Commission at their March 26, 2024, meeting. This year, the Douglas County Traffic Safety Commission awarded more than $ 2,600 in cash prizes to local area students. Click on the link below to watch a video of the winners on the Douglas County e-Government Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=428181706568320
The Traffic Safety Poster Contest, which began in 1976, is open to all public, private, and home schools in Douglas County for students enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. The contest provides area teachers and students the opportunity to learn about traffic and road safety issues that affect kids, teenagers, and adults. Students are then encouraged to design, draw, color or sketch an impact poster that brings attention to traffic safety issues to be entered into the contest. The contest also provides an opportunity for teachers, staff, and students to share and demonstrate safe driving practices with their peers and families.
Students are encouraged to submit colorful hand-drawn posters related to suggested traffic safety topics and themes. The entries are judged based on set criteria, including depiction of proper traffic safety principles, creativity, and visual impact. Winners are awarded for each age division for which entries are received. Grade school students were asked to design a poster answering one of three predetermined questions and title the poster with a suggested phrase. For example: Question: “What can cause a bicycle accident?” while using a sample phrase like, “Signal Your Intentions.” Meanwhile, middle and high school students designed posters around one of three predetermined safety topics, such as “Safety Awareness.” Traffic Commission board members expressed how impressed they were with the number of great entries, and it made it difficult to choose the winners. The Commissioners, Public Works Staff and Traffic Commission board would like to thank all the schools, teachers and students that participated and assisted with the contest, their efforts are appreciated very much.
Contest winners for grade levels K-5 will receive:
First: $20, first place ribbon and certificate; Second: $15, second place ribbon and certificate; Third: $10, third place ribbon and certificate; Honorable Mention: Honorable mention ribbon and certificate
Contest winners for grade levels 6-12 will receive:
First: $200, first place ribbon and certificate; Second: $100, second place ribbon and certificate; Third: $50, third place ribbon and certificate; Honorable Mention: Honorable mention ribbon and certificate.
In addition to cash prizes, the winning posters will be displayed at the 2024 Douglas County Fair and highlighted on the county’s website and social media platforms. The Douglas County Traffic Safety Commission acts as an advisory body to the county commissioners and promotes traffic safety activities and programs for the citizens of Douglas County. They work in conjunction with Douglas County Public Works Department – Engineering Division. Traffic Safety Commission meetings are held quarterly or on an as needed basis.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
2024 Winners: 45th Douglas County Traffic Safety Poster Contest
1st Grade
1st Place Riley Brenden Glendale Elementary School
2nd Place Teagan Sether Glendale Elementary School
3rd Grade
1st Place Evonna Summers West Intermediate School, Sutherlin
2nd Place Allen Lopez West Intermediate School, Sutherlin
3rd Place Skyler Corrington West Intermediate School, Sutherlin
Honorable Mention Ellery Mackey Canyonville Elementary School
4th Grade
1st Place Garet Brown Winchester Elementary School, Roseburg
2nd Place Chance Moore Winchester Elementary School, Roseburg
3rd Place Addison Martz West Intermediate School, Sutherlin
Honorable Mention Steven McFarland West Intermediate School, Sutherlin
5th Grade
1st Place Ace Noah Tri-City Elementary School, Myrtle Creek
2nd Place Lukas Artac Hucrest Elementary School, Roseburg
3rd Place Javian Spencer Tri-City Elementary School, Myrtle Creek
6th Grade
1st Place Addi Kloxin Fremont Middle School, Roseburg
2nd Place Sadie Attebury Fremont Middle School, Roseburg
3rd Place Kaydence Guthrie Sutherlin Middle School
Honorable Mention Raven Cappa Farrell Sutherlin Middle School
7th Grade
1st Place Mya Mercado Sutherlin Middle School
2nd Place Rylee Burdett Sutherlin Middle School
3rd Place Ashlee Pennington Canyonville School
Honorable Mention Abigail Hargraves Fremont Middle School, Roseburg
8th Grade
1st Place Emma Halligan Sutherlin Middle School
2nd Place Morgyn Singleton Sutherlin Middle School
3rd Place Zayla (Kie) Smith Reedsport Charter School
9th Grade
1st Place Jayde Hollingsworth Reedsport Charter School
2nd Place Lenora Leiby Reedsport Charter School
3rd Place Hayden King Roseburg High School
Honorable Mention Annika Bryan Reedsport Charter School
10th Grade
1st Place Karen Rojas Reedsport Charter School
2nd Place Julianna Maduzia South Umpqua High School, Myrtle Creek
3rd Place Nev Miland South Umpqua High School, Myrtle Creek
Honorable Mention Mercedez Merrifield South Umpqua High School, Myrtle Creek
11th Grade
1st Place Caydence McCurry Riddle High School
2nd Place Shukiya Darling Riddle High School
3rd Place Asael Parra South Umpqua High School, Myrtle Creek
12th Grade
1st Place Emberlynn Logo Reedsport Charter School
2nd Place Madison Bryan Reedsport Charter School
3rd Place Niome Lofton Reedsport Charter School
Honorable Mention Jacob Ferguson Reedsport Charter School
*Please note: There were no entries for kindergarten or second grade this year.
Joint Release: Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 5, 2024
Building Capacity with our Emergency Radio Communication System
(Douglas County, Ore.) Providing support, funding and resources for our public safety programs has always been a top priority for our Douglas County Commissioners. Public safety comprises multiple disciplines across all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, as well as interactions with citizens, requiring integrated operations to communicate, respond and assist residents. Our public safety mission at the County begins with Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the 9-1-1 Communications Dispatch Center, who work in concert with over 55 local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical service agencies to serve and protect our citizens. An often overlooked component of the County’s public safety program is our Emergency Radio Communications System (ERCS), which is managed by the Douglas County Radio Division under the direction of Douglas County IT & Radio Director Nancy Laney and the Douglas County Information Technology Department. The ERCS, often referred to as our Legacy Radio System, is a vital public safety link between our 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatch Center and our local first responders providing critical, time-sensitive, and life-saving communications countywide.
Let’s face it, most Douglas County residents don’t spend their days thinking about emergency radio communication systems, nor do they realize they are there. That is until they need to make an emergency call to 9-1-1. It is at that point that citizens are thankful that we have an extensive radio communications system in place for 9-1-1 communications specialists to dispatch calls to our first responders out in the field.
Given our rugged topography supplying effective communications to our large network of first responders from sea level to the 9,182-foot crest of Mt. Thielsen through swooping valleys, up steep terrain, and along our cadre of winding rivers has always provided a challenge. Our current VHF simulcast conventional analog ERCS system with 19 relay transmitting towers strategically located across our county was the pinnacle of technology back in the 1990’s. But just as time keeps ticking, advancements in technology continue to outpace annual budgets. The Commissioners and current Radio & IT staff inherited an outdated 30-year-old ERCS system when they came on board at the County. An engineering report from 2018 estimated that it would cost approximately $15-20 million to completely replace the aging ERCS system; a price tag that was definitely not feasible within our budget constraints unless we acquired outside support. Realizing that we must prioritize building capacity for and maintaining public safety communications systems that continue to meet the ever-increasing needs of serving and protecting our citizens, the Commissioners, Sheriff Hanlin, IT Director Laney and Douglas County Management and Finance Department Director Dan Wilson worked together to develop a strategic plan for ongoing maintenance and repairs, while steadfastly researching and applying for as many grants and funding opportunities as possible to upgrade our Legacy Radio System.
“With the budgetary support of our three Commissioners and support and grants from Oregon Emergency Management, State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), and Congressional Directed Spending opportunities, we have made significant strides in upgrading critical components of our ERCS. These steps will be crucial for laying the groundwork for the next phase of our radio system overhaul,” stated IT & Radio Director, Nancy Laney.
Working collaboratively with Sheriff Hanlin and other key partners in the emergency response sector was crucial during plan development. With a plan in place and secured funding via grants and County funds totaling over $6.6 million, Douglas County has spent the last four years strategically initiating phase one of our comprehensive upgrade to our Legacy Radio System. The nature of our outdated radio technology necessitated a phased approach, starting with foundational upgrades necessary for the modernization of our radio transmitters to a digital format. This included updating our analog microwave, direct current (DC) power systems and a complete replacement of our 9-1-1 dispatch center paging system, which were not compatible with the advances in technology that are required for a digital emergency radio system.
“The completion of phase one of our ERCS upgrade is an important milestone and highlights our commitment to public safety in Douglas County,” commented Commissioner Tom Kress. “The upgraded system will not only provide enhanced communications every day but will also improve communication with responding partners in the event of a large-scale emergency. Without that, lives could be lost. This is an important step for public safety as we continue to meet new challenges every day.”
Completed phase one upgrades to our Legacy Radio System include upgraded microwave electronics at all 19 relay transmitting towers (which increases our system capacity and is a pre-requisite for future radio system upgrades); replacement of backup power batteries at 14 towers; replacement of GPS timing components at 17 towers; replacement of 5 generators; and upgrading DC power system to increase capacity at 2 towers. We are currently in the process of completing backup power battery updates at 5 towers; replacing GPS timing components at 2 towers; replacing 2 generators; upgrading DC power system to increase capacity at 14 towers; and creating fire defensible space around tower locations. Additionally, as with any technological system, you must prepare for, meticulously analyze, and efficiently address unforeseen disruptions in service due to weather, man-made or natural disasters or power outages. Thus, we have reconfigured the outage alert on our 9-1-1 communications dispatch monitors to be more visible and we will continue to prioritize the upgrades and fine tuning of our Legacy Radio System to minimize disruptions and unforeseen outages. We're on track to complete phase one of the Legacy Radio System upgrade this summer.
Staff have already moved forward with the next phase of the Legacy Radio System upgrade. A feasibility study with a consultant was just completed to determine and develop options for phase two of our Legacy Radio System upgrade which includes a conversion to digital technology. The study focused on designing a system upgrade that specifically addresses our challenging geographical requirements as well as taking into consideration the unique needs of our rural communities. Ideally the new digital platform will allow us to have four new key features, encryption for first responder safety; modern digital P25 capability, which means operability with any agency with a P25 radio; system redundancy to allow necessary function ability during outages; and trunking technology allowing multiple agencies to simultaneously share access to improve resiliency. Together we hope to build a robust and reliable radio communications system that continues to support the critical work our public safety sector provides in protecting and serving our communities.
“Communication is critical, both on a daily basis and when large emergencies occur. When seconds count, first responders need the ability to communicate quickly and without limits. I am thankful that the Commissioners and our Radio Division have prioritized this project and are making great strides in pursuing a much-needed update to an outdated radio system that will not only improve coverage but also functionality,” said Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin. “When completed, first responders will be able to communicate more efficiently with partner agencies locally, regionally, and throughout the state, which will improve incident response and also help to ensure responder safety while working in hazardous conditions.”
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Media Contacts:
Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Lt. Brad O’Dell | Douglas County Sheriff’s Office | Special Services Lieutenant | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 440-4464 | Email: brad.odell@douglascountyor.gov
Photos attached. Credit: Douglas County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2024
** Meeting Notice **
Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress are pleased to inform the public that the next Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 3:00 pm in Room 216 of the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to view the meeting. To view the live stream or post meeting recording, please visit: https://video.ibm.com/channel/douglascountyoregon.
For additional information please contact the Douglas County Veterans Service Office by calling (541) 440-4219 or email at veterans@douglascountyor.gov. The meeting agenda is attached and can be found on the Douglas County government website at https://douglascountyor.gov/.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2024
*** UPDATE TEMPORARY CLOSURE ***
Windy Cove Crab and Fishing Dock Repairs
(Winchester Bay, Oregon) The Douglas County Parks Department would like to provide an update on the temporary closure of the Windy Cove Crab and Fishing Dock, located at 936 Salmon Harbor Drive in Winchester Bay, Oregon. The Parks Department had to temporarily close the Windy Cove Crab and Fishing Dock on February 1, 2024, due to structural damage that occurred during a high-water event in January. At the time of closure, the Parks Department was hoping that the assessment of damages and repair work to the dock would be a quick process, but unfortunately that is not the case.
As with any repair project involving a public use facility, there are numerous steps that are required before the location can safely reopen to the public. In this case, based on the initial assessment a thorough evaluation of damage both above and below the waterline must be completed before a repair plan can be put together by an engineering firm. The Parks Department has already assessed the damage above the waterline, and currently has a diver scheduled to do the underwater assessment on April 1. As soon as the repair plan is completed, the Parks Department can then apply for an emergency permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the repair work outside the established in-water work period (November 1 through January 31) for the Umpqua River Estuary. Once the repair plan and permit are in hand, a solicitation for contractors to make the needed repairs can begin. Additionally, a log was discovered trapped under the dock but attempts to remove the log have been unsuccessful. The Parks Department hopes to get this log removed next week before it can cause additional damage.
We know that the Windy Cove Crab and Fishing Dock is a popular destination for both locals and visitors. In the meantime, if you are looking for a place to crab in Winchester Bay without a boat, we suggest checking out Dock 9 near the west boat launch in Salmon Harbor. Some fishermen have even reported success catching crab off the banks with a fishing pole crab trap.
This repair project is a priority for the Parks Department, and staff are working diligently to complete the repairs and safely reopen the dock as soon as we can. Unless any unforeseen complications arise, it is our goal to reopen the Dock this summer. Public use of the Windy Cove Crab and Fishing Dock is not permitted during the closure. Public notice will be provided when the dock is reopened and safe to use again. The parking lot, day use area and beach access at the Windy Cove County Park continue to remain open for public use. Safety is always our number one priority for the recreating public, and we ask that citizens respect this closure and stay off the dock until it is safely repaired. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue working hard to improve and preserve your recreational opportunities in Douglas County Parks.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov