Along with the official start of fall brings comes our rainy season. For some, driving in the rain, especially in the dark, causes anxiety. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “nearly 5,700 people are killed and more than 544,700 people are injured in crashes on wet pavement” each year.
But being behind the wheel while its raining doesn’t have to be a nerve-racking experience. Here are some tips for driving in a downpour:
- Think. Drivers need to stay alert and focused on what’s going on around them, especially during rain and other stormy weather.
- Turn on headlights. It’s the law in all states to turn on headlights when visibility is low. Many states also require having headlights on when the windshield wipers are in use. While Oregon does not require motorists to turn on headlights when wipers are used, this can help increase visibility. Well-working wipers are a essential when driving in rain.
- Beware of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is what occurs when your tires are getting more traction on the layer of water on the road than on the road itself and the result is your car begins to slide uncontrollably. It’s easy enough to hydroplane: All you need is one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hour. If you start to hydroplane, let off the accelerator slowly and steer straight until you regain control. Before rain, snow, or freezing temperatures begin, it is important to have quality tires for increased traction and safety.
- Turn off cruise control. On rain, snow, ice, or other slick surfaces, cruise control may cause you to lose control. If you hydroplane while in cruise control, your car will actually go faster.
- Slow down. Speed limits are designed for ideal conditions. That means driving when there is little traffic and good visibility. Plan for more time to get to your destination when it is raining.
For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 team Deputy Z. Akin and K9 Ghost were participating in regional K9 training in the Albany, OR area when the Albany Police Department (Reference Albany PD Case #23-06037) were investigating an active commercial burglary of a gated storage unit complex located at 2887 Ferry St SW in Albany, OR. In the course of that investigation, 3 subjects fled the location on foot. Albany PD captured 1 subject quickly but requested assistance from the K9 teams in training to help locate the outstanding subjects. Deputy Akin / K9 Ghost deployed. Akin / Ghost picked up a scent north of the location where they had been searching and tracked the 2 subjects to another commercial building nearby and ultimately locate the subjects hiding under a loading dock. The subjects were challenged by Deputy Akin and K9 Ghost quickly surrendered to Albany PD officers on scene without resistance. For additional information, reference our case #23S-09389 and our Facebook.
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
September is National Preparedness Month and a great reminder to prepare for the unexpected. Disasters and emergencies can strike anytime; sometimes leaving our communities without adequate aid for hours, days, or even weeks. Take time this month to review your emergency plans and supplies.
Due to the potential impact of local wildfires, storms, floods, or landslides it is recommended that all Oregonians be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks. For coastal residents, like Lincoln County, it is recommended to be “4 Weeks Cascadia Ready” in preparation for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. This means your household has enough food, water, medical supplies, sanitation supplies, and other life-sustaining resources to meet your needs for at least four weeks. In a major disaster such as a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, supply chain, responders, and transportation would be disrupted. Our communities need to be prepared to take care of each other until assistance is available.
Be Informed
- Know about the hazards where you live.
- Be familiar with local evacuation routes.
- Sign up for local emergency alerts through Lincoln Alerts.
Make an Emergency Plan
- Talk with family and friends about what you will do, including if you’re not together during an emergency.
- Practice your plan at different times and on different days. What will you do if you are at home, work, school, or another location?
- Plan to check on your neighbors or vulnerable community members and offer assistance if possible.
Build an Emergency Kit
- Create an emergency kit or update your existing one.
- Some supplies include:
- at least 4 weeks supply of food and water for each person and any pets. Remember to include water for drinking, sanitation, and preparing meals if needed.
- battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- flashlight
- first aid kit
- extra batteries
- whistle (to signal for help)
- dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) and face coverings
- plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- manual can opener (for food)
- local maps
- cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
More preparedness information and resources:
- Lincoln County Emergency Management – Plan and Prepare Resources
- Lincoln County Emergency Management – Hazards: Earthquake
- Be Ready – Make a Plan
- Be Ready – Build a Kit
- CDC – Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Red Cross – How to Prepare for Emergencies
- Oregon Emergency Management – 2 Weeks Ready
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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School is back in session, and you may be seeing more traffic, students walking or biking, and busses on the road. Drivers have a responsibility to stop for school buses displaying red flashing lights. Because buses are large vehicles, it is very difficult to see around them. The outcome of illegally passing a school bus can be devastating for children and drivers.
Law enforcement agencies receive reports each year from bus drivers and community members about motorists failing to stop for school buses. With nearly 6,000 school buses operating in the State of Oregon, motorists need to be alert.
When a bus is flashing amber lights, motorists should prepare to stop. When the red lights begin to flash, motorists traveling in both directions must stop before reaching the bus and must remain stopped until the red lights are turned off. The same rules apply to church or work buses equipped with amber and red flashing lights.
Be aware when following any type of bus, it may make frequent stops.
Oregon law requires motorists to stop whenever the red lights on a school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction they are traveling. The law applies to any roadway with two or more lanes of traffic, including multi-lane highways such as Highway 101. The only exception to the law is for divided highways with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, such as in the Lincoln and Gleneden Beach areas. In this case, only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus must stop. A painted median strip or a center lane used only for left turns does not create two separate lanes. Where this situation exists, all lanes of traffic must stop.
By staying alert and following traffic laws, you reduce the risk of traffic crashes and pedestrian injuries in our community. Please do your part to make our roads safe.
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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9/12/23 – Lincoln County, OR
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is excited to introduce quarterly “Coffee with a Deputy” events. Every three months our office will partner with a local coffee shop in Lincoln County to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to meet our team and share what’s on their minds. Coffee with a cop events are a friendly and relaxed way for communities to connect with the deputies that serve them.
To kick off our first Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event, Pirate Coffee Company in Depoe Bay will be hosting our team. Join us on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 9am – 11am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Pirate Coffee Company (located at 10 Vista St., Depoe Bay, Or 97341).
These events offer a unique opportunity for community members to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you're a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with deputies on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback. Join us on October 4, 2023, at Pirate Coffee Company to connect with your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
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Over the previous week, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple calls and emails from community members about a scam making its way through Lincoln County. The call usually starts with the scammer identifying themselves as a member of this or another local police agency. They generally pick a rank that sounds authoritative, such as “Captain” or “Lieutenant”, but is not as easily as identified as “Sheriff” or “Chief”. The scammer combines the rank with the name of an actual law enforcement officer from a previous media release or social media post so it might be recognized.
After establishing their fictitious identity, the scammer will tell the target of the scam that they have a warrant for their arrest for something that appears to be an oversight: missing a subpoena, jury duty, or non-payment of fines. The scammer then tells the target of the scam that they will be arrested if they don’t pay money to them via wire transfer, online payment service, or pre-paid cards.
Scammers are creative and resourceful; they will try to convince you they are with a legitimate agency. They will sometimes create a fake, professional-looking profile or a website that looks very similar to the organization’s actual page. Scammers may try to use your emotions against you, such as pretending to be a family member in jail or threaten legal consequences if you do not pay immediately. When in doubt, hang up without providing personal or payment information and contact the organization to verify the request is really coming from their office.
How do I know if information is really from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office or not?
-It comes directly from the official Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Facebook account, NOT a third party or a comment from another Facebook user.
-It comes from one of our other accounts: Lincoln County Animal Shelter or Lincoln County Oregon Emergency Management
-It is on our official website: www.co.lincoln.or.us/sheriff (bookmark this website for reference later)
-Our staff can verify the information is true. Give us a call at 541-265-4277 if you have questions about a service or need to connect with someone in our Office. Save this number for reference later.
Media Release distributed on behalf of City of Toledo Fire Department and Georgia Pacific
Re: Industrial Fire at Georgia Pacific Paper Mill, Toledo Oregon
This morning Fire units from The Toledo Fire Department (TFD) & Emergency Response Team (ERT) from Georgia-Pacific responded to GP for a reported fire in dryer section of the paper building at the Georgia-Pacific (GP) container board mill in Toledo, Oregon.
Upon arrival, TFD and the GP ERT found smoke & fire showing from the roof vent of the building containing a wood chip dryer unit. The mill’s fire suppression system worked as designed. Toledo Fire Department requested mutual aid assistance from surrounding Fire agencies. Firefighters worked diligently to locate the seat of the fire and was successful in extinguishment. There was no danger involving hazardous materials and no danger to the public.
All personnel at the GP plant are accounted for and there were no injuries to GP employees, the public or firefighters. Units are still on scene evaluating the progress of the fire extinguishment to ensure no rekindles occur.
Georgia Pacific ERT & Toledo Fire Department were assisted by Newport Fire Department, Siltez Valley Fire, Depoe Bay Fire, North Lincoln Fire, Seal Rock Fire, Central Coast Fire, and Pacific West Ambulance.
Respectfully,
Andrea Formo
Georgia Pacific Public Information Officer
andrea.formo@gapac.com
https://www.gp.com
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Jenny Demaris, County Emergency Manager
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management Division
9/11/23 – Lincoln County, Oregon
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the return of the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy in January 2024. This free program provides community members with an opportunity to learn about the everyday operations of the Sheriff’s Office and the many services provided to the community. Community members are welcome to apply for this 11-week course which offers presentations, tours, and hands-on activities designed to give you an intimate look at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. Members that complete our Citizen Academy are also welcomed to apply for our Community Advisory Group. Classes will be held from 6pm - 8pm on Tuesdays beginning on January 9, 2024.
To apply for the 2024 Citizen Academy you must:
- Submit an application no later than Friday, December 15, 2023
- Successfully pass a Sheriff’s Office background check
Citizen Academy features interactive sessions with team members that cover:
- Animal Shelter and Services
- Civil Service
- Corrections, Jail and Medical Tour
- Emergency Management
- K-9 Team
- Major Crime Team and Investigations
- Patrol, Special Districts, Marine Program, School Resource Deputy, and Community Services
- Pretrial Services
- Search and Rescue
- And More
Space is limited and interested community members are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted for the 2024 Citizen Academy after December 15, 2023.
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In the Pacific Northwest, many enjoy the great outdoors while hiking, camping, or hunting. Whether you are a seasoned hunter or just starting out, safety should always be the top priority. Before you grab your gear and start your next adventure, check out the hunting safety tips below.
Tip for Hunters:
- Check the weather and plan accordingly.
- Tell someone where you will be hunting and when you will return. Leave a written plan at home and in your vehicle.
- Be familiar with the area and plan for local hazards.
- Consider using technology such as a handheld GPS, cellphone apps that use GPS, personal locating beacons (PLBs), or satellite messengers. These can help searchers find you if you are lost or injured.
- Avoid wearing white or tan during hunting seasons. Wear hunter orange viewable from all directions.
- If accompanied by a dog, the dog should also wear hunter orange or a very visible color on a vest, leash, coat, or bandana.
- Check hunting equipment before and after each outing and maintain it properly. Familiarize yourself with its operation before using it in the field.
- Always bring rain gear and additional clothing. Use layering techniques to prevent moisture while retaining body warmth.
- Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it.
- Clearly identify your target before shooting to prevent accidents or fatalities.
- Be alert when hunting near developed areas and trails. Other recreationists are in the forest as well.
Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts:
- Wear bright clothing to make yourself more visible. Choose colors that stand out, like red, orange, or bright green, and avoid white, black, brown, earth-toned greens, or animal-colored clothing. Orange vests and hats are best.
- Protect your dog. Get an orange vest for them.
- Be courteous. Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife and avoid confrontations.
- Make yourself known. If you do hear shooting, raise your voice, and let hunters know that you are in the area.
- Know when hunting seasons are occurring. You may choose to continue to hike but learn where and when hunting is taking place. Consider hiking midday when wild game and hunting activity is at its lowest.
- Know your own comfort level. If hunting makes you uneasy, choose a hiking location where hunting is not allowed, such as a national or state park.
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.