JC NEWS by Matt Jarvis

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Sunrise/Sunset, Coos Bay, OR
Coos Bay, OR, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – Sunrise: 7:23 a.m., and Sunset: 7:27 p.m., offering 12-hours & four-minutes of daylight.

Tides, Coos Bay, OR Estuary
Tides for the Coos Bay, OR Estuary, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – High tide: 1:58 a.m., 7.03 ft.; Low tide: 7:55 a.m., 1.13 ft.; High tide: 1:56 pm., 7.33 ft.; Low tide: 8:12 p.m., 0.3 ft.

Water Main Emergency Water Valve Repair Central Avenue at S 8th Street
City of Coos Bay release - The Coos Bay-North Bend Water Board will repair a broken water valve at the intersection Central Avenue and S 8th Street in Coos Bay. Work will begin on March 18th at 9am and continue until 3pm. The construction activity will include closure of S 8th Street between Central and Anderson Avenue. Eastbound traffic on Central Avenue will be restricted to one lane at S 8th Street. The Water Board requests that citizens use caution when passing through the construction zone. Should you have any questions or want more information, please contact the Water Board at (541) 267-3128.

Coos Co. Meeting
Hearing-AM-26-001 Coos County Parks/Whiskey Run Campground, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30am, Owen Building, 201 No. Adams St., Coquille.

CBPL Events
Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay, OR - Storytime, Wednesday, March 18 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. Age Bracket: Kids, Families. Farm Viability Workshop: Managing Communication, Growth, & Transition, Wednesday, March 18 in the Myrtlewood Room, 11:00am – 2:00pm. Coos Bay Public Library, in partnership with The Beet Food System and OSU Extension Service, will co-host Oregon Agricultural Trust's Farm Viability Workshop: Managing Communication, Growth & Transition. Join us for an interactive workshop featuring real-life farm case studies. Learn practical tools for decision-making, communication around change, and moving forward with generational or non-family succession planning—whether you’re a new producer or nearing retirement. Questions? Please email [email protected]. Free lunch provided! Oregon Agricultural Trust partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure that farm ground stays farming for the benefit of Oregon’s economy, communities, and landscapes. One way that is accomplished is by helping advance the farm business conversation. Registration Required. Age Tag: Adults. Coos Bay Public Library Board of Trustee Meeting, Wednesday, March 18 in the Cedar Room, 5:15pm – 6:30pm. Meeting open to the public. To attend online see the link at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/agendas-and-minutes. Age Bracket: Everyone. Movie Night, Wednesday, March 18 in the Myrtlewood Room, 5:30pm – 8:00pm. Join us the first and third Wednesday of every month for a free, themed movie at the library. This month's theme: Treasure Hunts and it's the 250th anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. Movies shown range from PG to R ratings. Free popcorn and beverages provided. It's movie time! March 18th - National Treasure (2004) Rated PG. Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence with this fun and history filled treasure hunt. Starring Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, and many more. Age Bracket: Everyone.

NBPL Event
North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend, OR - Not Your Mother's Book Club, Wednesday, March 18 at 5:00 PM. Discuss Funny Story by Emily Henry at an adult romance book club that meets the third Wednesday of every month.

Southwestern’s Library launches free Seed Library
SWOCC release - COOS BAY, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Library, in partnership with the College’s Agroecology program, is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Seed Library! A free initiative designed to empower local residents to grow their own food and maintain thriving gardens. Located in the SWOCC Library on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, second floor of Tioga Hall, the Seed Library offers a diverse selection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, many of which are specifically suited to our unique coastal growing conditions, making it easy for anyone to start or expand their home gardens. The Seed Library aims to support food security and biodiversity, foster community connections, and provide educational opportunities in gardening and seed-saving, all while inspiring a deeper appreciation for gardening and nature along the beautiful Oregon coast. How It Works - Like borrowing books, patrons can “check out” seeds from the library’s collection for free. Visitors may select up to five seed packets per visit. Borrow: Choose from a diverse selection of seeds. Grow: Plant, nurture, and enjoy your harvest. Return (optional but encouraged): Save seeds from your plants and return them to the library to help sustain the collection for future seasons. Donations of unopened or resealed commercial seed packets are also welcome. Educational Resources - We are here to help you grow! The SWOCC Library supports gardeners of all levels with a wide selection of books on gardening, seed saving, and agriculture. Our Agroecology program offers hands-on classes such as Gardening the South Coast, Applied Plant Biology, and Soil Science. In the future, the library plans to offer free workshops on seed saving and germination. Get Involved - Visit the SWOCC Library to explore the seed collection and join the effort to grow a resilient, connected, and sustainable South Coast. Everyone can play a role in developing local gardens and strengthening our community food system. For more information on the SWOCC Library visit: https://www.socc.edu/resources/library/.

WBC Forum
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Business Connection (WBC) Forum is held at 11:30 a.m., East Salmon Room, Ko Kwel Resort, North Bend. Program: March 18th Melissa Cribbins PCIP update.

Len Hodgeman’s Exhibit at the North Bend Public Library
NBPL release - The North Bend Public Library is pleased to present an exhibit showcasing the work of local artist Len Hodgeman. This exhibit will feature a variety of work from abstract expressionism to digital collage and nature photography. Much of his work is created using digital tools, by replicating forms and colors multiple times until the magic happens. Since the originals are in digital form, his work is highly customizable for those interested in purchasing a piece from his collection. Changes available include the size, orientation, color palette, and the individual elements that make up the piece. Len Hodgeman, originally from Vermont, has a professional background in printing, publishing, and providing commercial illustrations. Since his retirement, Len has been able to more fully pursue his passion for digital art and has been thrilled to showcase his work in several local venues on the Southern Oregon coast. In his free time, Len is an active member of the local folk dancing community and enjoys square dancing, square dance calling, Contra, and English Country Dance. He has also published two collections of poetry and short stories, and he is currently working on a new novel expected to be published in the spring of 2027. For more information about his works, go to www.lenhodgeman.com/gallery.

Spring Break at CAM
Coos Art Museum release - CAM Studio has an exciting 2-day spring Break, March 27th & 28th, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., planned for kids ages 8-13. The Heritage Weaving Guild will be at the CAM Studio to demonstrate various weaving techniques to students. Each person will go home with a small weaving project. We will also have a giant weaving wall that students can participate in together to create one large weaving project! Learn about the art of self-portraits, and create a GIANT one with acrylic paint, crayons, and other mixed media materials. Finally, Spring Break artists will be the first to enter our upcoming Post-It Note Art Show & fundraiser coming up later this year! Bring a sack lunch and join us for our 2-day Spring Break event! $35 fee covers both days!

SWOCC Offers One-Day Spring Break STEAM Program for Grades 6–12
SWOCC release - COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) invites students in grades 6 –12 to participate in SWOCC’s STEAM Breakout, a one-day Spring Break event taking place March 26, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on SWOCC’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay). Students will spend the day exploring hands-on activities and demonstrations across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) while learning directly from instructors and participating in interactive experiments and projects. Activities will include projects related to chemistry, engineering, physics, art, nursing, and more! The registration fee is $25, with scholarships available. Space is limited to 20 students, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes March 19, 2026. To register, contact Cassie Coyner, SWOCC STEAM Pathways Coordinator, at [email protected] or call 541-888-7416.

Cherry Blossoms at State Capitol
OPRD release - SALEM, Ore.—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host “Yozakura,” night viewing of the Akebono cherry blossoms, March 21 through April 4 in the North Mall at State Capitol State Park. The cherry blossoms will be illuminated with Japanese lanterns and lights nightly from 6-10 p.m. Visitors may bring blankets, camping chairs, or an evening picnic to enjoy under the canopy of the illuminated trees. The lanterns and lights create a striking and beautiful scene inside the park at night. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will livestream the cherry blossoms on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OregonParks beginning March 21 during the day and evening through April 4. Park staff ask that tree limbs and blossoms are left as is so everyone can view them throughout the bloom. Alcohol is not allowed in State Capitol State Park (without permits) and the park closes at 10 p.m. For more information on events at the Capitol, call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit the events page.

Seedlings Planted State Forests
OR Dept. of Forestry release - Salem, Ore.—A mild winter with spring-like weather has helped the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) replanting of state forest timber harvest areas stay ahead of schedule this year with approximately two million seedlings already in the ground. “This has been a great planting season with no shutdowns due to weather,” said John Walter, ODF’s State Forests Silviculturist. “All our districts are done or will be this month. The only exception being Klamath Lake—they typically plant into May and have about 60,000 to get in.” Like most Western Oregon’s forests, Douglas Fir is the dominant species, but ODF tries to add diversity to its reforestation plan to promote resilience and provide additional types of timber products. “This year we planted about 74 percent Doug(las) Fir, 17 percent Hemlock, two percent each of Western Red Cedar and Noble Fir, one percent each of Grand Fir and Sitka Spruce with the remaining three percent Pondarosa Pine,” said Walter. “Later, hardwoods naturally seed in with mainly alder and bigleaf maple. So, we end up with a species mix that is fairly typical western Oregon forests.” The seedlings are grown by nine contracted northwest nurseries and this year they supplied ODF with 2.3 million of them. “The successful bidders that purchase timber sales, have three years to complete harvest so it makes it a little tricky on the planning side to project a year in advance how many seedlings we need each year,” said Walter. “However, we never want to run short so we typically order a little more than what we will plant in state forests.” This year ODF has nearly 300,000 of those “extra” seedlings, all of which are destined for Oregon’s forests—just not state forests. ODF typically sells, or sometimes donates, seedlings to watershed groups, other non-profits, and Oregon tribes. All those 2.3 million seedlings that were grown in controlled environments at the nurseries are then shipped to ODF and held in large coolers until planting season. The planting is done mostly by private contractors working for ODF. Some planting and replanting the next year, mainly in the Tillamook State Forest, is also done by Adults In Custody from the South Fork Forest Camp, a facility jointly run by the Department of Corrections and ODF. “This is not easy work,” said Bill Sayers, Reforestation Forester for ODF’s Forest Grove District who along with two of his coworkers were monitoring contractors working in Tillamook State Forest. “The terrain can be steep and slippery especially with a pack of 200 or so trees on your back and a shovel in your hand. Also, the contracts emphasize both speed and efficiency. They have to plant fast and plant correctly to get the maximum pay out specified in the contract. Most of these guys do amazing work.” To determine if the work is done correctly ODF staff measures out a 1/100th of an acre circle and counts the number of seedlings planted in the circle. “To get to our goal of usually 400 trees per acre there needs to be four seedlings in that circle,” said Sayers. “If there are too few or too many, we alert the foreman and they correct the issue right there. We then dig up the seedings in the circle to make sure they are planted correctly. If they are too deep or too shallow or the roots are bent over, we call those planting errors. We identify those issues and again get it corrected in real time. And yes, we replant the ones we checked ourselves.” Once in the ground correctly and at the right time, the number one determining factor for their survival is whether they get the right amount of moisture at the right time. “Obviously weather is the top determining factor—if it is an unusually dry spring and hot dry summer mortality goes up,” said Walter. “We can’t do anything about the weather. The second major factor is competing vegetation. Even if it is a “normal” participation year, seedlings can struggle if other plants are sucking up all the moisture. We evaluate each unit individually and then where deemed necessary use herbicide to limit that competing vegetation to increase the survival rate.” Other factors impacting seedlings survival are deer and elk browse, root damage (mainly from mountain beavers that live underground), insects, tree diseases and wildfire. “However, these stressors are usually limited to certain units and not as much of a threat when compared to the overall impact lack of water or drought region wide,” said Walter. Looking to the future, ODF has several cooperative agreements and is a partner in research projects in Oregon and the Northwest to improve the genetics to increase the survivability of future trees. “It’s difficult and a long-term effort to improve our trees,” said Walter. “Ideally, we want disease resistance, climate adaptation and growth all in the same tree. Realistically it is hard to get one of those traits without dropping one or two of the others.” Meanwhile, ODF continues to manage state forests to yield a sustainable balance of economic, environmental and social benefits over time and for all Oregonians. To learn more on how your state forests are managed see: Oregon Department of Forestry : State forests : Forest resources : State of Oregon.

Drivers have two weeks to remove studded tires before April 1 deadline
ODOT release - SALEM – Oregon drivers have two weeks to remove studded tires to meet the April 1 deadline. ODOT encourages vehicle owners to not wait until the last minute to make the swap. State law allows studded tires to be used in Oregon from Nov. 1 through March 31. Beginning April 1, law enforcement officers can issue citations with a $165 fine to drivers with studded tires on their vehicles. Drivers should use other types of traction tires or chains if extra traction is required after March 31 or postpone travel until conditions improve. “Spring storms are always possible in Oregon,” said Elizabeth Papadopoulos, ODOT state maintenance and operations engineer. “Our maintenance crews are monitoring the weather and will work to remove any late-season snow or ice from highways as soon as possible.” When planning for next winter, drivers can help prevent damage to Oregon’s roads by considering alternatives to studded tires. Research shows all-weather tires without studs do not cause any more damage than standard tires while providing better traction than studded tires on bare pavement. For more information on Oregon’s law regarding traction tires and chains, visit our website: Oregon Chain Law. Whenever you travel, plan for the weather and visit TripCheck.com for road condition information.

Quakes
Several earthquakes were recorded within the Cascadia Subduction Zone off of Northern California, Tuesday, March 17. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 3.0-magnitude quake was located near the outer fault line of the two that run parallel with the Oregon Coast, west of Ferndale, CA. There was also a 2.7-magnitude, west of Petrolia, CA, and a 3.7-magnitude, west of Petrolia, CA. All near Cape Mendocino in Northern California. Toss in an on-land earthquake, 2.5-magnitude, east to northeast of Willow Ck., CA

Unlawful Vehicle, MP
According to an entry on the MPPD log for March 16, 9:58 a.m., Maryland & Herman, “unlawful vehicle.”

Illegal Camping, CQ
According to an entry on the NBPD log for March 16, 5:26 a.m., 1800 Sherman Ave., NBPL, “illegal camping.” At 8:20 a.m., California & Union, Grant Circle, “illegal camping.”

Unlawful Vehicle, NB
According to an entry on the NBPD log for March 16, 11:18 a.m., three entries 1700 block Arthur St., “unlawful vehicle.” At 11:18 a.m., 1700 block Arthur St., “unlawful vehicle.” At 8:47 p.m., Sheridan & Florida, “unlawful vehicle.” On Marcj 17, 2026 – 4:22 a.m., Cedar & Kinney, “illegal camping.”

Illegal Camping, CB
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 6:40 a.m., 525 Anderson Ave., CBPL, “illegal camping.” At 6:40 a.m., Anderson & 3rd, “illegal camping,” 39-year old Don Boyd, “Ticket.” At 6:48 a.m., Broadway & Elrod, Les Schwab Tires, “illegal camping.” At 6:54 a.m., Ziply Fiber, behind VP Racing, “illegal camping.” AT 7:30 a.m., 3rd & Anderson, “illegal camping.” At 9:54 a.m., 2nd Court Alley & Anderson, “illegal camping.” At 11:20 a.m., 500 Central Ave., Coos Bay City Hall, “illegal camping.” At noon, 300 block So. 4th St., “illegal camping,” 47-year old Shaun Baumgardner & 56-year old Tina Zigler both received “Ticket.” At 1:56 p.m., 1500 block Newmark Ave., “illegal camping,” 45-year old Joseph Kimball charged with Criminal Trespass II, “Kimball was cited in lieu of custody.”

Criminal Trespass
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 11:05 a.m., Mingus Park, “foot patrol,” 50-year old Keith Rockett charged with Criminal Trespass II, PCS Meth, “Rockett lodged CCJ.”

Disorderly
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 12:17 p.m., 500 Central Ave., “disorderly conduct,” 50-year old Lamont DeRoss charged with Disorderly Conduct, PO Detainer, DeRos lodged CCJ.”

Disorderly
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 3:55 p.m., 600 block Newmark Ave., Star of Hope, Empire, 34-year old Kayla Waletich charged with Criminal Trespass II, “Waletich cited in lieu of custody.”

Counterfeit
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 100 block E. Johnson Ave., First Community Credit Union, “counterfeit money.”

Sex Offender
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 5 p.m., 300 block Central Ave., “info non-criminal,” 39-year old Don Boyd charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, “Boyd lodged CCJ.”

Mail Theft
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 5:46 p.m., 1100 block Central Ave., “theft of mail.

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 8:14 p.m., 100 block NW A St., Grants Pass PD, 44-year old Kristy Jackson charged with FTA on Theft III & Criminal Trespass III, and FTA II.

Warrant
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 10:19 p.m., 146 N. 4th St., Reedsport PD, “warrant service,” on 51-year old Byron Peter Schostag charging FTA on Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

DUII
According to an entry on the CBPD log for March 16, 11:01 p.m., Elrod Ave., & So. 4th St., “traffic stop,” 46-year old Lynaia Dawn McBrearty charged with DUII & Reckless Driving, “cited in lieu of custody.”

WX
Cloudy skies with some morning fog, highs in the low 60s and winds from the South to Southwest at 5-10 mph. Considerable cloudiness tonight with lows in the mid 40s and winds light and variable. Overcast on Thursday with highs in the mid 60s and winds out of the South to Southwest at 5-20 mph.

Sports

Prep SB Scores
Prep softball scores from Tuesday, March 17 – 4A: Marist Catholic wins at Creswell, 12-0 (5). Newport falls at Junction City, 14-4 (5). 3A: Harrisburg wins at Siuslaw, 19-9. Waldport lost at Coquille, 19-4. 2A/1A: Knappa lost at Kennedy, 16-6 (5).

Prep SB Schedules
Prep softball for Wednesday, March 18 – 4A: Tillamook at Knappa, 4:30p. Willamina at St. Helens, 4:30p. 3A: Bandon at Brookings-Harbor, 4p; 2A/1A: Riddle/Days Ck. at Waldport, 4:30p. Nestucca at Toledo, 4p.

Prep BB Scores
Prep baseball scores from Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 4A: Marist Catholic won at Creswell, 12-2 (5). Cascade lost a doubleheader at North Bend, 10-2 & 6-2. Tillamook fell at Blanchet Catholic, 6-4. 3A: Harrisburg lost at Siuslaw/Mapleton, 5-3. Waldport won at Coquille, 21-6. Sisters lost at Taft, 2-1. Willamina fell at Neah-Kah-Nie, 17-1. 2A/1A: Lowell won at Reedsport 12-7.

Prep BB Schedules
Prep baseball games for Wednesday, March 18 – 4A: Scappoose at Estacada, 5p. 3A: Myrtle Pt. at Brookings-Harbor, 4p. 2A/1A: Nestucca at Toledo, 4p. Riddle at Waldport, 4:30p.

Prep TR
Marshfield will host its annual Icebreaker Track Meet, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Prefontaine Track, at MHS, Coos Bay. Field events at 4p and track events at 5p. Participating teams include the host Pirates, Gold Bech, North Bend and Powers.

Prep BVB
Marshfield’s boys’ prep volleyball team travels to Marist Catholic, Eugene, Wednesday, March 18, to take on Junction City & Marist Catholic.

SWOCC
Southwestern Oregon’s baseball team hosts Clackamas in an NWAC game, Wednesday, March 18, 1 p.m., on the Coos Bay Campus.

OSU BB
Oregon State’s baseball team dropped a 3-1 game at Portland, Tuesday, March 17, 3-1. The Beavers (14-5) have a three-games series at UC Irvine beginning Friday, March 20, 6 p.m.

NCAA MBXB Tourney Schedule
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - (16) Prairie View A&M vs. (16) Lehigh | 3:40 p.m. PT | truTV; (11) Miami (Ohio) vs. (11) SMU | 6:15 p.m. PT | truTV.

Ducks earn No. 8 seed and will face Virginia Tech, Friday
UO release - EUGENE, Ore. – For the second straight season and the seventh time in the last nine tournaments, the Oregon women's basketball team is NCAA Tournament bound. Oregon earned its 19th NCAA Tournament bid in school history, and seventh in the last nine tournaments under head coach Kelly Graves, as it received a No. 8 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region. The Ducks will meet ninth-seeded Virginia Tech on Friday, March 20 at Texas' Moody Center in Austin, Texas, the NCAA Selection Committee announced on ESPN. "It never gets old hearing your name," said Graves. "If you've never experienced it, it's pretty special. It really is. They treat you how you should be treated as a collegiate student-athlete." In last season's NCAA Tournament, the 10th-seeded Ducks advanced to the second round after upsetting No. 7-seed Vanderbilt before falling to host and two-seed Duke. UO was one of just two double-digit seeds to make it out of the Round of 64 in last year's postseason. "I've coached in a lot of these tournaments, it's the matchup. It's not the name or the seeding, or any of that," Graves added. "Your stars have to perform, but I've been in enough of these to know that it's that X-factor, you never know where you might get it from. But I like our chances." "We're super excited, just to hear our name, it's a special moment," said junior Sofia Bell. "So it was something we were looking forward to as a team and we're excited." "It's great to be able to be here, be able to play in March Madness," said senior Mia Jacobs, who will be making her first NCAA Tournament appearance. "It's something that a lot of people talk about, but not a lot of people get to experience. So, I am excited that I get to be one of those people." Oregon finished the regular season 22-12 and 8-10 in Big Ten play, reaching the quarterfinals at last week's Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis. The Ducks boast a NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rating of 24 while picking up six total Quad 1 and 2 victories. Playing in the nation's second-toughest conference according to NET rankings, UO faced 10 ranked opponents during the regular season and earned victories over then-No. 21 USC and two wins over a ranked Maryland team (Nos. 16 and 14). The Ducks played 11 different teams that are in this year's field of 68 – picking up five wins against those squads. In 12 seasons at Oregon, Graves has guided the Ducks to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Sweet Sixteen berths, two Elite Eights and one Final Four. The Ducks are 13-6 in the NCAA Tournament under Graves. This marks the first time Oregon has received an eight seed in the NCAA Tournament, while the Ducks and Hokies have met just once previously. UO defeated Virginia Tech 73-53 back on Nov. 27, 1999, in Eugene. Graves has guided the Ducks to at least one NCAA Tournament win in five of his previous six appearances in his UO tenure. Graves has led Oregon to 13 of its 18 all-time NCAA Tournament victories and will make his 15th career appearance in the postseason.