04.10.26 - Animal Shelter New Facility Open To The Public Beginning April 14 (Photo) - 04/10/26

ANIMAL SHELTER NEW FACILITY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BEGINNING APRIL 14

After years of planning, dedication, and community support, the brand-new Lincoln County Animal Shelter building will officially open its doors to the public on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Our communities got a sneak peak of the new facility during our ribbon cutting in March and our team is excited to now be able to open the doors and in-person services next week.

Come explore our facility in Waldport, designed to give furry friends the comfort, care, and love they deserve. Whether you’re looking to adopt your new best friend, volunteer, or simply stop by to say hello, our shelter has a chance for you to be part of something special.

Some things you can expect at the new facility:

• Adorable adoptable pets ready to meet their forever families
• In person service for dog licensing
• Opportunities to sign up for volunteering and fostering
• A warm, welcoming team excited to meet you

Shelter details:

• Location: 220 SW Dahl Ave. Waldport, OR 97394
• Open Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Interested in scheduling a shelter tour or have other questions? Contact Shelter Manager Marie Gainer at mgainer@co.lincoln.or.us or 541-265-0725

Looking for ways to help your Lincoln County Animal Shelter?  

• Make a donation 
  • Monetary donations may be mailed or brought to: 
    • Lincoln County Animal Shelter
      P.O. Box 1390
      Waldport, OR 97394
    • Lincoln County Animal Shelter
      220 SW Dahl Avenue  
      Waldport, OR 97394 
  • Call 541-265-0720 to make a donation over the phone. 
• Shop our wish list on Amazon.  

• Become a volunteer and enrich shelter life for the animals in our care! Dog walkers, cat socializers, foster homes, and more are needed. Learn more about volunteering and submit a volunteer application today! 

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April 9, 2026, Tip Of The Week - Identity Theft (Photo) - 04/09/26

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft continues to be a growing problem costing billions of dollars every year in personal losses, investigations, and increased financial institution fees.

Criminals can obtain personal information from doctors, lawyers, schools, health insurance carriers, the Post Office, and even your home. "Dumpster divers" pick up information that has been thrown away, such as utility bills, magazines, credit card bills or solicitations, and other documents. Thieves will even take mail out of your mailbox before you have a chance to pick it up. It could take years to recover from just one incident of identity theft. Below are some tips to help keep you and your identity safer.

• Remember to Shred

Do not throw anything away that contains your name and address. Shred all documents, including pre-approved credit applications received in your name, insurance forms, bank checks and statements, and other financial or personal information. Magazine and newspaper labels with your name and address should be shredded as well. A micro-cut shredder is best, but for those with strip shredders, adding water to the strips of paper in a plastic bag and mixing it up will damage the paper and prevent anyone from taping the strips together.

• Secure Mail and Deliveries

Pick up your mail as soon as possible from your mailbox. If you are going to be out of town, have the post office hold your mail until you return. Consider getting a locking mailbox to prevent others from accessing your mail.

• Protect Your SSN

Do not put your social security number (SSN) on checks or credit receipts. If a business requests your social security number, give them an alternate number and explain why. If a government agency requests your social security number, there should be a privacy notice accompanying the request.

• Know Who to Contact

Make a list of your credit card and bank account numbers with customer service phone numbers and keep it in a secure place. This way, if there is suspicious activity on any of your accounts you can quickly contact customer service. If your bank or financial institution contact you, remember to verify it is really them and not a scammer. Gather their information and reason for calling, then hang up and call the official agency number to confirm the call is valid.

• Keep Track of Replacement Cards

When you order new credit cards in the mail or previous ones have expired, watch the calendar to make sure you get the card within the appropriate time. If you have not received the card within that time, call the credit card grantor immediately to find out if the card has been sent. If you do not receive the card, check to make sure a change of address was not filed.

• Keep an Eye on the Bill

Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time or if there are strange charges. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed the billing address.

• Watch your Accounts and Credit Score

Reconcile all of your bank accounts and regularly check your accounts online to confirm account activity. You are able to obtain a free credit check from each of the three credit bureau service each year: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.An easy way to accomplish this is to go online to www.annualcreditreport.com.

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

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Logsden Man Killed In Single Vehicle Crash On E. Logsden Road - 04/05/26

April 2, 2026, Tip Of The Week - Sexual Assault And Roofie Awareness (Photo) - 04/02/26

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ROOFIE AWARENESS     
 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and is a significant reminder that sexual assault, roofie awareness, and personal safety are important topics throughout the year. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. You can find additional statistics and resources such as “Understanding Consent”, “Safety and Prevention”, and more at www.rainn.org.

The best tip for preventing sexual assault is: don’t sexually assault someone. While this is the best way to prevent sexual assault, below are some tips to help prevent exposure to date rape drugs and predators with harmful intentions.

There are more than fifty predatory drugs that can be used to sedate someone. These drugs, including rohypnol, ketamine, and GHB, are often known as “roofies” or “date rape drugs”. These predatory drugs relax the body and can feel similar to being drunk. As they pass through your system their effect increases. This can lead to confusion, breathing trouble, blurred vision, and memory loss. These drugs stay in the bloodstream for approximately four hours and testing for them often yields little or no evidence. This makes it very difficult to prove and even harder to prosecute.

Below are some tips to help prevent exposure to these drugs and predators with harmful intentions. If you are drinking:

• Be Aware of Strange Smells or Flavors.
  If the drink is hazy or doesn’t taste like it normally should, don’t drink it. Be sure to pour it out so that no one else drinks it.
• Cover Your Cup.
  Never set down or lose sight of your drink. Hold the cup by covering it with your palm.
• Order Your Own Drinks.
  Don’t accept any beverages from strangers or people you don’t trust. It is safer to only accept drinks directly from the bartender.
• Avoid Community Containers.

Say no to drinks made in a punch bowl or pitchers. Instead, go for a canned or bottled beverage that hasn’t been opened.

• Don’t Share Drinks with Others.
  You don’t know if your friend has kept a watchful eye on their cup. People can have very different reactions to the same drug. This means they could have ingested something harmful and not feel it’s effects yet.
• Sip Your Drink Slowly.
  Taking time to consume your beverage gives you more time to become aware of any symptoms which can indicate your drink has been altered.

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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March 26, 2026, Tip Of The Week - Safety Tips For Runners (Photo) - 03/26/26

SAFETY TIPS FOR RUNNERS

The Newport Marathon is just around the corner, so we can expect to see local and guest runners hitting the road on May 31st. Motorists should use extra caution, not only during special events like this, but throughout the year. Whether you are a well-seasoned runner or just beginning your running activities, there are some things you should consider to keep yourself safe while running. The time of day and weather impact not only how you feel on your run but can also be more dangerous depending on the situation. Before heading out on your next run, consider these tips.

Before the Run

• Run with another person or a group.
• Let someone know when and where you are running and when you will return.
• Carry ID and a cell phone. Consider adding a small card with an emergency contact and any allergies or known medical conditions.
• Take a whistle with you.
• Dress for the weather and running conditions. Wear layers and sturdy shoes.
• Wear reflective clothing or gear regardless of the time of day.
• Don’t wear headphones or anything that distracts you. This will help keep you aware of cars passing by and animals you may encounter on your route.
• Vary the route and the time of day that you run.
• If you must run at night, remember to wear a headlamp and a flashing red light on your back. Consider additional reflective gear.
• Remember to stretch! Stretching before running and regular flexibility and strength training help prevent future injuries.

During the Run

• Run against traffic so that you can observe the approach of automobiles.
• When possible, run on sidewalks or designated trails/pedestrian paths.
• Remember to hydrate. Runner’s belts and vests make it easier to carry water and snacks.
• Keep an eye on the temperature and how your body feels. If you start to overheat, feel dizzy, or otherwise unwell, take a break in the shade and drink water.
• Stay alert. When in doubt, follow your intuition. If something seems suspicious, do not panic, but run in a different direction.
• Do not approach a car to give directions. If you feel you must respond, do it while moving.
• Run in familiar areas. Note the location of neighbors or open businesses along the route.
• When in doubt call for help. For an emergency, call 911. Non-emergency dispatch can be reached at 541-265-0777, or call a friend and keep them on the phone until you feel safe again.

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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March 19, 2026, Tip Of The Week - Distracted Driving (Photo) - 03/19/26

DISTRACTED DRIVING

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declared April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving is any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. Cell phone use including texting, talking on the phone, or using social media are some of the activities that are the most dangerous. This is because cell phone use takes your visual, manual, cognitive, and auditory attention away from driving.

While cell phones are some of the most dangerous distractions, other activities such as eating, talking with passengers, grooming, and reading can be dangerous and deadly. According to the NHTSA, 3,522 people were killed by distracted driving in 2021. You can learn more about the dangers of distracted driving by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month” webpage.

Use these tips to help keep your car distraction free:

• Don’t call or text while driving. Instead, pull over in a safe place to read and send texts or make a phone call.
• Establish a “co-pilot” passenger to manage your cell phone, GPS, and other distractions.
• Look up your destination ahead of time and become familiar with the area. This will help prevent the need to look at GPS while driving.
• Enjoy your meal at home, in the restaurant, or while parked safely. Eating while driving increases your risk of traffic collisions and the likelihood of choking.
• Keep pets crated or otherwise secured for safety. This will help keep your furry friend safer in the event of a crash and prevents them from crawling onto your lap or other distracting activities.
• Recruit the whole family for distraction-free driving. Teach your children the importance of keeping your attention on the road even before they can drive.
• If your children need help, pull over to help address their needs instead of reaching to the backseat while driving. 
• Encourage friends and family to drive distraction-free. By speaking up, you may save their life and others on the road.

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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