JC NEWS by Matt Jarvis

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Sunrise/Sunset, Coos Bay, OR
Coos Bay, OR, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 – Sunrise: 7:32 a.m., and Sunset: 4:41 p.m., offering nine-hours & nine-minutes of daylight.

Tides, Coos Bay, OR Estuary
Tides for the Coos Bay, OR Estuary, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 – Low tide: 5:04 a.m., 2.59 ft.; High tide: 11:14 a.m., 8.94 ft.; Low tide: 6:19 p.m., -1.3 ft.

Koos Bay Boulevard - Lane Closure
City of Coos Bay release - The City of Coos Bay is in the process of upgrading the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant 1, located at 680 Ivy Street. The construction activities will require closing of one lane of travel at the intersection of 6th Street and Koos Bay Boulevard for 3-4 hours per day. Traffic control and flaggers will be in place during the construction activities. Traffic control for this phase will be December 2nd, 3rd and 4th between the hours of 3:00pm to 7:00pm each day. Please be aware of signage and local traffic control in the area and expect intermittent delays. Thank you for your patience. Should you have any questions or want more information, please contact Jennifer Wirsing at (541) 269-1181 ext. 3521 or email [email protected].

WBC Forum
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Business Connection (WBC) Forum returns Wednesday, Dec. 3, from the Thanksgiving Holiday break. This week's program: Dec 3rd: Get to know you Regional Economic Dev Partners BACC, SBDC, CCD, SCDC and More, 11:30 a.m., East Salmon Room, KoKwel Resort, North Bend.

NBPL Event
North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend, OR - Memory Café Coos, Wednesday, December 3 at 10:30 AM. Older adults living with memory loss & their care partners are invited to an informal social gathering that meets the first Wednesday of every month.

CBPL Events
Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay, OR - Storytime, Wednesday, December 3 in the Myrtlewood Room, 10:00am – 10:30am. Sing, read, talk, write, and play with the children in your life! Join us for a family storytime at the library for rhymes, songs, and stories for children and a parent or a caregiver! Movie Night at the Library - Wednesday, December 3 in the Myrtlewood Room, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Join us the first and third Wednesday of every month for a free, themed movie at the library. This month's theme: Winter Warm Up. Movies shown range from G to R ratings. Free popcorn and beverages provided. It's time to get cozy while the weather turns frosty. December 3 (5:30pm-7:30pm) - Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) Rated R. December 17 (4pm-6pm)- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Rated G. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a frantic and funny journey to get home for Thanksgiving. Starring the greats, Steve Martin and John Candy and directed by John Hughes.

South Coast Employment Reports
Employment Reports Delayed Again After Federal Government Shutdown – Oregon Employment Dept. release - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has resumed production of the monthly employment reports for the nation on a delayed schedule after the lapse in federal government appropriations that began on Oct. 1, 2025. The most recent update from the BLS on Wednesday, Nov. 19 says, “BLS will not publish an October 2025 Employment Situation news release. Establishment survey data from the Current Employment Statistics survey for October 2025 will be published with the November 2025 data. Household survey data from the Current Population Survey could not be collected for the October 2025 reference period due to a lapse in appropriations. The household survey data is not able to be retroactively collected. The collection period for November 2025 data will be extended for both surveys, and extra processing time will be added.” Currently, South Coast’s monthly nonfarm job estimates and unemployment rate are still not available beyond August 2025 and publication dates for the states and metropolitan areas have not been announced. Claims for unemployment insurance (UI) show a partial picture, as only a portion of all unemployed Oregonians are eligible for these benefits. First-time or initial UI claims in recent weeks appeared to be within the typical range for this time of year. Ongoing or continued claims have followed seasonal trends, but at elevated levels compared with recent years. September continued claims for unemployment insurance totaled 293 in Coos County and 85 in Curry County, up by 22% and 39% over the year, respectively.

Commercial Dungeness Crab Season
According to a report from the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Round 2 test results for the Long Beach, WA area came in Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 22.4% and does not meet the criteria to open on Dec. 16, 2025. A meeting of the ODCAC has been set for Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. “We would like to hear from advisors regarding the following options: 1. Open Oregon south of Cape Falcon on Dec. 16, and continue delay north of Cape Falcon until Long Beach, WA, area meets meat recovery criteria. 2. Continue coastwide delay in Oregon until Round 3 of meat recovery testing is completed in Washington and possibly California (depending on domoic acid results.” A meeting with Tri-State managers is set for Dec. 4, “and will strive to announce season opening decisions by close of business on Friday, Dec. 5.”

Chinese mitten crab found in Willamette River near Portland; ODFW asks for help to identify invasive species in Oregon’s waters
ODFW release - SALEM, Ore. – A Chinese mitten crab, a prohibited species in Oregon, was found in the Willamette River near the Sellwood Bridge and reported to ODFW on Nov. 17. The crab was spotted in shallow water and captured by hand. It was alive and not released back into the river. Mitten crab is a non-native crab species that lives its adult life in freshwater and migrates to brackish water to breed, unlike Oregon's native crab species that live in the ocean, bays, and estuaries. This recent confirmation is concerning for ODFW as another Chinese mitten crab was found in Oregon waters in April 2025 in a different location – marking the second confirmation of this invasive species in Oregon. ODFW biologists are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland State's Center for Lakes and Reservoirs and the Oregon Invasive Species Council to determine if other mitten crabs are in the Willamette River. Detection methods include setting up artificial habitats to attract mitten crabs and collecting water and substrate samples to look for environmental genetic markers specific to Chinese mitten crab. PSU initiated a monitoring program for mitten crab in the Columbia and Willamette rivers by conducting shoreline walks and looking for signs of mitten crab including molted carapaces (top shell). It is unlawful to possess mitten crabs in Oregon, so they are unlawful to sell in Oregon. There is a risk of mitten crabs being illegally imported and sold in the food trade and then released alive into Oregon waters. The agency asks the public to report any suspected unlawful sales. It is important to correctly identify this species and report it to 1-866-INVADER or report it online via the Oregon Invasive Species reporting hotline form. Photographs can be submitted through the hotline and people are encouraged to do so as crab identification can be difficult and native crabs have been misidentified as invasive. Chinese mitten crabs are known to burrow into dikes, levees or stream banks which can increase erosion and damage flood control and water supply systems. These medium-sized crabs, about 3-inches wide, prey on native species, consume fish eggs and compete for food, potentially impacting native fish and crayfish populations. Mitten crabs vary in color from brownish orange to greenish brown and are named for their hairy mitten-like features located on the outside of their claws. They have a notch between their eyes and four spines on each side of the carapace. When identifying non-native mitten crabs, it is important to note that the hairy shore crab, a native species to Oregon, also have a patch of hair on the inside of their claws.

Recreational use advisory lifted for Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
However, continue to keep pets away as levels detected remain above educational guideline values for animals. OHA release - PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Multnomah County. OHA issued the advisory May 1. Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas. OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab. When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If people see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area. Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water. For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

Douglas Co. Male Sentenced to Federal Prison
U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Oregon release - EUGENE, Ore.—A Douglas County, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms. Glenn Allen Gearhart, 51, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. According to court documents, on October 18, 2024, Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) detectives executed a search warrant on Gearhart’s residence and found evidence of drug dealing including methamphetamine, cocaine, drug records, a set of digital scales, packaging material, four loaded magazines, and ammunition. Just prior to the execution of the search warrant, Gearhart fled from deputies before hitting another vehicle and crashing into a patrol car. Gearhart had more than $5,000, fentanyl, and a round of ammunition on him. In his vehicle, he possessed a stolen pistol, an AR-style rifle, a short-barrel shotgun, another shotgun, and two ammunition cans full of ammunition. On June 13, 2025, Gearhart was charged by information with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm. On August 5, 2025, Gearhart pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm. This case was investigated by DINT and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sweet. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

Drain Male Arrested on Assault Charge, Lane Co.
On December 1st at about 3:30 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and Springfield Police officers responded to an injured female at a business on 42nd Street, Springfield. The female was severely injured and was transported to an area hospital. Deputies learned the victim had been beaten by Anthony Leon Vancil, 39, of Drain. The incident began at Hayden Bridge Boat Landing and continued in a vehicle as Vancil drove around the area. The victim was eventually able to escape the vehicle and seek refuge inside the business. The victim also had a restraining order against Vancil. Deputies and other area law enforcement agencies looked for Vancil’s vehicle throughout the morning and day. They were unable to locate it and did not know where he may have gone. That evening, Vancil arrived at the Lane County Parole & Probation Office in Eugene in his vehicle. He was detained and deputies responded to contact Vancil. After additional investigation, Vancil was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail for: - Assault in the 2nd Degree; - Unlawful Use of a Weapon; - Kidnapping in the 2nd Degree; - Coercion; - Violation of a Restraining Order. Vancil had also failed to comply with a sentence to appear on an Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine conviction, so his sentence began on that charge when he was booked into the jail. Thanks to Springfield Police for their assistance on this case.

Hwy. 551 Fatal, Marion Co.
Marion County, Ore. (Dec. 2, 2025)- On Friday, November 28, 2025, at 4:35 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Highway 551, near milepost 3, in Marion County. The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Dodge Sprinter van, operated by Conway Moncure Jennings (39) of Portland, rear-ended a soutbound Hyundai Santa Fe, operated by Aaron Robert Lightfoot (36) of Aurora. The collision pushed the Hyundai into the northbound lane, where it was struck by a northbound Toyota Sienna, operated by Xianzhong An (55) of Happy Valley, on the passenger side of the vehicle. The operator of the Dodge (Jennings) was transported to an area hospital. The operator of the Toyota (An) and passengers, Mariana Dominguez Chavez (28) of Aurora and a male juvenile (11) of Aurora, were transported to an area hospital with reported minor injuries. The operator of the Hyundai (Aaron Lightfoot) and a passenger, male juvenile (8) of Aurora, suffered reported minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital. A passenger of the Hyundai, Danielle Maria Lightfoot (38) of Aurora, was declared deceased after being transported to an area hospital. The highway was impacted for approximately seven hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by Canby Fire, Hubbard Fire, Aurora Fire, and ODOT.

Illegal Camping, CB
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Dec. 1, 6:49 a.m., 525 Anderson Ave., CBPL, “out with subjects at location.” At 6:57 a.m., 3rd & Anderson, “out with subject at location.” At 7:01 a.m., 175 So. 3rd & Anderson, “illegal camping.” At 7:04 a.m., 200 block So. 2nd Ct., “illegal camping.” At 7:05 a.m., Pedway, “illegal camping.” At 7:24 a.m., 100 block Anderson Ave., “illegal camping.” At 7:33 a.m., 135 So. Wall St., Ed Lund Park, “illegal camping.”

Unlawful Vehicle
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Dec. 1, 7:11 a.m., Norman & Newmark, “unlawful vehicle.”

Disorderly
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Dec. 1, 7:53 a.m., 250 No. Baxter St., Coquille, Coos Co. Courthouse, Nathan Matthew Robinson charged with Disorderly Conduct II, Resisting Arrest, Assault on a Peace Officer, “Robinson transported to CCJ.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Dec. 1, 10:06 a.m., 175 W. Hall Ave, Mast Bros. Towing, 58-year old Tyler Gene Dendy arrested on Probable Cause by CCSO for Elude in Vehicle, Elude on Foot, Reckless Driving, Felon in Possession of Firearm, PCS, MCS, DCS Meth, “transported CCJ.”

Theft
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Dec. 1, 10:53 a.m., 200 block Central Ave., “theft from vehicle.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CBPD log for Dec. 2, 4:20 a.m., 1059 Evans Blvd., Bassett Hyland Chevron, 41-year old Cortny Ann Libbett charged with Criminal Trespass II, “transported to CCJ.”

Threats
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Dec. 1, 6:32 a.m., 1735 Virginia Ave., Safeway, 52-year old Nathan Matthew Robinson charged with Disorderly Conduct II & Criminal Trespass II, “transported CCJ.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the NBPD log for Dec. 2, 1:35 a.m., 3201 Tremont Ave., KoKwel Casino, 55-year old Lynn Ann Shoemake arrested on Eugene PD warrant charging FTA on Theft III, “subject transported to CCJ.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Dec. 1, 7:43 a.m., 54 W. Hwy. 42, 32-year old Darren Evan Ellis II charged with Criminal Trespass II, “Ellis transported to CCJ.”

Disorderly
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Dec. 1, 7:53 a.m., 250 No. Baxter St., Coos Co. Courthouse, Nathan Matthew Robinson charged with Disorderly Conduct II, Resisting Arrest & Assault on Peace Officer, “Robinson transported to CCJ.”

Warrant
According to an entry on the CQPD log for Dec. 2, 3:30 a.m., 1000 block No. Cedar Point Rd., 31-year old Caylie Jenette Brewer arrested on CCSO warrant charging FTA on Contempt of Court, “transported to CCJ.”

WX
A few showers in the forecast early today, then clouds lingering into the afternoon with highs in the low 50s and winds out of the Northeast at 5-10 mph. Cloudy tonight with lows around 40 and winds light and variable. Cloudy skies with periods of light rain Thursday, later in the day. Highs in the mid to low 50s and winds light and variable.

Sports

Prep GBXB Poll
The first OSAA/Coach’s Preseason Girl’s Basketball Poll has been released. Stayton tops the 4A list, followed by Henley, Cascade, Baker, Seaside, La Grande, Astoria & Marshfield tenth. Once again, the 3A boys & girls state basketball tournament will be held in the Bay Area at the end of the season, March 5-7, 2026. Amity leads the pre-season 3A list, followed by Banks, Vale, Burns, Coquille at No. 5, Valley Catholic, Sutherlin, Creswell, Cascade Christian & Taft at No. 10. Western Christian, Tigard, tops the 2A list. Bandon is third. South Albany is tops in the 5A, and Tualatin leads the 6A.

Girl’s Prep BXB Schedule
The 2025-26 prep basketball season gets underway Wednesday, Dec, 3rd, with first-games of the season as allowed by the Oregon School’s Activities Association (OSAA). Practice began for most schools Nov. 17th. Preseason games tonight include: 4A - Cottage Grove at Newport, 7p. 3A - Valley Catholic at Knappa. Myrtle Pt. at So. Umpqua. Warrenton at Clatskanie. Taft at Siuslaw. Glide at Reedsport, 6p. Brookings-Harbor vs. Bandon, Bandon Jamboree, 5:30p. 2A - Nestucca at Perrydale. Vernonia at Toledo. Camas Valley vs. Bandon, Bandon Jamboree.

Boy’s Prep BXB Schedule
The 2025-26 prep boys’ basketball season gets underway Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, with non-conference games. 4A – Banks at Seaside. Cottage Grove at Newport, 5:30p. 3A – Warrenton at Clatskanie. Taft at Siuslaw, 7p. Glide at Reedsport, 7:30p. Myrtle Pt. at So. Umpqua, 7:30p. Brookings-Harbor vs. Bandon, Bandon Jamboree. 2A – Nestucca at Perrydale. Waldport at Triangle Lake. Vernonia/Jewell at Toledo. Camas Valley vs. Bandon at Bandon Jamboree.

UO mbxb
Oregon’s men dropped their fourth basketball game in a row, Tuesday, 82-77, to visiting USC, Matthew Knight Arena, in a Big 10 Conference opener for both teams. The Ducks (0-1, 4-4) play at UCLA, Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m., televised on the Peacock.

UO vs. OSU wbxb
Oregon’s women put their unbeaten record on the line Wednesday night, 6 p.m., Dec. 3rd, Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, in the first inner-state rivalry game of the collegiate basketball 2025/26 season with Oregon State. The game will be televised on the B1G+ Network.

OSU mbxb
Oregon State’s men host Vermont in a non-conference basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 6:30 p.m., Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, televised on ESPN+.

CFP Rankings
UO release - EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon football team came in at No. 5 in the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, moving up one spot for the fourth straight week after finishing an 11-1 regular season. The Ducks capped the regular season with a 26-14 rivalry win at Washington last Saturday, reaching 11 wins for the third straight season and 10th time in program history. Oregon has two wins over teams in the latest CFP top 25, with victories over No. 16 USC and No. 23 Iowa. The Big Ten has three top-five teams and six schools in the top 25 with No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana and No. 18 Michigan also included. The Ducks have now made 16 consecutive appearances in the CFP top 10 dating back to 2023, and 29 straight appearances in the CFP top 25 dating back to 2020. Oregon will await its final CFP seeding when the field is announced this Sunday, Dec. 7. With no game this week, the Ducks will host a first-round CFP game at Autzen Stadium unless they move up into the top four and receive a first-round bye. UO is one of only three teams (Indiana, Texas Tech) in the top 15 for scoring offense (9th, 38.2 PPG), total offense (13th, 465.2 YPG), scoring defense (8th, 14.8 PPG) and total defense (3rd, 251.6 YPG). Oregon is also one of just two teams (Indiana) in the top 10 for total yards per play (9th, 7.08) and total yards per play allowed (5th, 4.16). The Ducks also own the nation's No. 3 ranked passing defense (144.3 YPG) while ranking 14th in rushing offense (218.42 YPG), and they rank second in both plays of 20-plus yards (82) and plays of 20-plus yards allowed (24). Oregon is currently No. 4 in both the Associated Press poll and the US LBM coaches poll. College Football Playoff Top 25 - Dec. 2: 1. Ohio State (12-0); 2. Indiana (12-0); 3. Georgia (11-1); 4. Texas Tech (11-1); 5. Oregon (11-1).