Sam Temple
Oregon
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Articles by Sam Temple
Temple announces bid for Rice County District 3 Commissioner
My name is Sam Temple, and I am running to be your District 3 Rice County commissioner. I ran for this position four years ago. I made it through the primary and lost in the general by 134 votes. Four years later, wages in Faribault have not kept up with property taxes. The hospital is losing services. You can no longer plan to deliver a baby in Faribault. Retirees who lived their whole lives here cannot keep up with new expenses.
Canyonville, Riddle join Oregon Main Street network
Canyonville and Riddle organizations have joined the Oregon Main Street Network, which is part of the Oregon Heritage inn Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. A release from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said the Canyonville Main Street Association and Riddle Downtown Development along with organizations in Sherwood and Gresham have been accepted at the Affiliated Main Street level of the Oregon Main Street Network.
Supports and services gather at ODHS
ROSEBURG — The Oregon Department of Human Services is continuing its outreach and support monthly event, as First Thursday is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon March 2 at 738 W. Harvard Ave. in Roseburg. Partnering with a vast array of community support partners, individuals can come and get information, food, clothing and speak with local advocates.
Making the mud and manure manageable
Oregon State University Extension Service, Douglas County Soil Water Conservation Service and the Umpqua Soil Water Conservation Service are hosting a Mud and Manure Management workshop. The Mud and Manure workshop will be held from 5-7 p.m. March 22 at the OSU Extension Office in Roseburg, at 1134 SE Douglas Ave. This two-part series costs $15 per participant with registration required by March 12. This series will focus on dealing with trampled soil, processing excess manure and waste reduction.
Bringing gluten-free options to the masses
The owner of Sugar Mama’s Gourmet Desserts is switching gears and changing career paths as Cara Otis has effectively phased herself out of the baking business. Simultaneously, Otis purchased a product line from Inspiration Mixes in an effort to move from being a baker to supplying high-quality gluten-free products to people around the county.
Making reading fun: Celebration of Literacy takes over Wildlife Safari
WINSTON — A steady stream of families entered the Wildlife Safari for Sunday’s Celebration of Literacy event where they were greeted by cheetahs, flamingos, red pandas and a host of volunteers from Umpqua Community College, Roseburg High School, Altrusa International and other organizations. “We gave out around 5,000 books last year,” said Maxine Durst, co-chair of the event and member of Altrusa International.
Winston Eagle Scout honored
WINSTON — Virgle Osborne took a moment before the legislature began Feb. 13 to recognize a Winston Boy Scout who has received the Eagle Scout achievement. “Josiah Brands is a shining example of what America’s youth can accomplish when they apply themselves to a higher cause,” Osborne said.
Explore UCC returns after three-year hiatus
WINCHESTER — Explore UCC will return for the first time since 2019 to shine a spotlight on the programs and career growth opportunities Umpqua Community College has to offer. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. on March 1 at the gymnasium located at 1140 Umpqua College Road, Explore UCC will provide information and hands-on activities as well as robots and science exhibits. The event is scheduled to run for two hours.
John Dunn receives award for sanitation work
John Dunn has spent the last 40-plus years working with and for Roseburg and Douglas County. He served as mayor of Roseburg from 1981 to 1985 and currently serves on the board of the Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority. Dunn has been instrumental in keeping Roseburg’s water clean and safe and was recognized for the work by the Special District Association of Oregon. “In the early '80s, we developed a regional sewer authority to take water treatment pressure off of the city,” Dunn said.
Clothing drive at UCC woman’s basketball game
WINCHESTER — Umpqua Community College women’s basketball team is partnering with Zonta to bring clothing and donations to women during Wednesday's game. Zonta is a worldwide organization celebrating that aims to empower women and works locally to stop human trafficking in addition to assisting women as they navigate the steps to improve their lives, according to Laura Jackson of Zonta.
Roseburg gets green light to create trails at Sunshine Park
The Douglas County Planning Commission unanimously approved one of three plans presented by the city of Roseburg on Thursday to add a trail system to Sunshine Park. The city purchased the park in 1999 with the attention of adding a trail system and for the entirety of the current millennium there has been a debate about those trails. The city received a $148,790 grant from the Recreational Trails Program that was set to expire had the trail system remained an unrealized dream.
Adapt expands services with additional housing units
Adapt Integrated Health has added a mobile crisis team, a sobering center, purchased two motels on Stephens Street and hired nine community peers to expand services and reach out to more of the community. “Our goal is to keep showing up and build that rapport,” said Gene McVae, director of housing for Adapt.
Collecting seeds to understand an outbreak
The Oregon Department of Forestry started a seed-collecting effort in 2019 and five staff members have collected 900,000 seeds from 245 mother ash trees that represent 27 distinct forest populations around Western Oregon. They were collecting the seeds in an effort to understand and combat the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that is destroying ash trees. The seed collection project included 27 different locations in Douglas County.
Movie ticket sales to support Saving Grace
Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center will receive a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for "The Year of the Dog," an independent film. The film will be shown for two weeks, starting Feb. 24, at Roseburg Cinema at 1750 NW Hughwood Drive. “The decision to hold the event in Roseburg was made by our distributor, Nova Vento Entertainment,” said Rob Grabow, who co-produced, wrote, co-directed and acted in the movie.
Delicioso! Pasta dinner fundraiser a success for middle school students
WINSTON — The smell of garlic bread and marinara sauce floated out of the doorway and into the faces of excited sons and mothers who had accompanied each other to Winston Middle School on Friday for a pasta dinner fundraiser. The event was sponsored by a group of Winston Middle School students who are working to raise the necessary funds to make an educational trip to Australia this summer.
Public tree safety programs underway
The time has come again for tree trimming, pruning and possible removal as a number of local, state and federal entities begin their public tree safety programs. The Oregon Department of Transportation, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Douglas County and all state parks are currently working on their annual plans.
Bake Shop Cafe has soft opening in Oakland
OAKLAND — The smell of freshly made cinnamon rolls and sweet icing filled the air of the Bake Shop Café during a soft opening Thursday to the delight of guests. The bakery is located at 115 Locust St. in Oakland, which was long-known as the home of Tolly's. “When we originally bought the building in 2018, we did not receive a warm welcome,” said Bake Shop co-owner Vince Gaeta. “We had to win over the local community.
Court Boice sworn in as Representative
SALEM — Court Boice resigned from his job as Curry County Commissioner at 10:59 a.m. Thursday and was sworn in as the new Oregon House Representative for District 1 just a minute later. “My family has been living, working, and serving in this area for over 60 years," said Boice, a Republican from Gold Beach. "I believe my career has prepared me to be a strong advocate for the issues impacting my district from housing and homelessness, to education, to Oregon’s fishing and timber industries.
Exclusion day approaches for students to get vaccinations
All children in public schools will need to be up-to-date on their vaccinations as the annual Exclusion Day is Feb. 15. Students are not required to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless specifically required by the programs or their healthcare provider and the child is within 2-17 months. “There is no state requirement for COVID-19 vaccination for students in Oregon schools,” said Erica Heartquist, Oregon Health Authority public health division spokesperson.
Saving Grace receives Pacific Power grant
Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center in Roseburg was one of three organizations in Douglas County that received a new grant from the Pacific Power Foundation, which focuses on community enhancement and development. Saving Grace received a $2,000 award for veterinary equipment to provide care for the growing number of animals at the animal shelter in Douglas County, according to Pacific Power.
History around every corner at Floed-Lane House in Roseburg
Sitting up against the train tracks and slightly hidden by a tree, rests a little bit of Roseburg history open to visitors. The two-story Floed-Lane House located at 533 SW Douglas Ave. is open from 1-4 p.m. each Sunday for tours. “One of the best things about this house is that everything in here is from 1935 or before,” said Maria Crince, a volunteer for the Douglas County Historical Society and Floed-Lane tour guide.
Chapel of the Four Chaplains honors exemplary service
Ada Duncan accepted a posthumous award for her husband, Bill Duncan, at Saturday's Chapel of the Four Chaplains service honoring the memory of those who exemplify the ideas of going above and beyond the line of service. “I have one word to describe Duncan,” said host Jim Barnett. “He was an encourager. Duncan symbolizes, in a real sense, a proud Marine Corps veteran.
New pavilion coming to Winston park
WINSTON — Jeremy Mitchell from Winston Area Community Partnership presented Winston Mayor Scott Rutter and the Winston City Council with a check for more than $126,000 for a brand new pavilion at the Winston Community Park ahead of Monday's City Council meeting. “This has been a couple of years in the making,” said Thomas McIntosh, Winston community development director.
Helping through ham: Emergency services enlist amateur radio specialists
ROSEBURG, Ore. — George Roth built his first shortwave radio when he was in sixth grade. “In grade school, being able to hear radio stations from far away places was very interesting to me,” Roth said. Roth has a degree in physics and computer science and around the time he retired in 2005, began using significant equipment and earned his radio operators license from the Federal Communications Commission.
Chasing the elusive steelhead at the annual Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby
Thick fog hung low over the main fork of the Umpqua River as a steady flow of drift boats slowly passed by. Wood ducks and Canada Geese expressed their displeasure with honks and quacks or quick flaps against the water as they took off and flew to other areas during the 2023 Annual Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby’s catch-and-release steelhead event.
Douglas County citizens ask US Senator Jeff Merkley questions at town hall
WINCHESTER —U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley started off his town hall meeting Saturday at Umpqua Community College by giving recognition to Wayne Elsworth of Umpqua Heart and his work with the homeless community at Sutherlin’s Hastins Village. “I like to put a spotlight on an organization that is doing important work in the county and today we’re going to put that spotlight on Umpqua Heart,” Merkley said. “We talk a lot about the housing challenge and homelessness.
Finding treasures and building bonds
People lined up early Saturday at the pavilion at Stewart Park, waiting to collect their geocache passport and start the treasure hunt. “We have given out over 150 passports in the first hour,” said Val Ligon, Roseburg Parks and Recreation program manager. “I had to go and make more copies, but we have a lot of people that enjoy this event and like to get an early start.” It was the 12th time the Roseburg Parks and Recreation department hosted the Discover Roseburg — Land of Umpqua geocache event.
Helping through ham radio: Emergency services use amateur radio specialists × Download All Copy To Clipboard
ROSEBURG — George Roth built his first shortwave radio when he was in sixth grade. "In grade school, being able to hear radio stations from far away places was very interesting to me," Roth said. Roth has a degree in physics and computer science and around the time he retired in 2005, began using significant equipment and earned his radio operators license from the Federal Communications Commission.
Community supporters come together to help those in need
Community organizations, nonprofits and state agencies came together to offer people clothing, food, support, phones, health care assistance and a plethora of other things in the parking lot of the Department of Human Services Building of West Harvard Avenue in Roseburg. The Navigation Center, Safe Haven Maternity Home, Feeding Umpqua, Adapt and the Oregon DHS are just a few of the organizations that assisted during the third "First Thursday" event.
Geocache treasure hunting coming back to Roseburg
ROSEBURG — Roseburg Parks and Recreation will host a geocache event Saturday to kick-off its 12th event in the Land of Umpqua Series. The treasure hunt will start at 9 a.m. at the large pavillion at Stewart Park where people will receive verbal instructions and receive a passport for the event. Participants are asked to bring a smartphone or other device equipped with a global positioning system, or satellite-based radio navigation system.
Complaint against principal from noisy parent dismissed
DRAIN — A complaint against North Douglas High School Principal Scott Yakovich was dismissed at a school board meeting Monday in Drain. Eric Duncan, a parent, filed a complaint and requested disciplinary action against the school administrator for alleged physical and verbal assault. The North Douglas School Board heard from Duncan, Yakovich and Superintendent Jody Cyr about the case before making its decision.
Pesticides found in cannabis vape products
OREGON — Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issued a recall for two retail vaping products due to positive tests for pesticides. The two recalled products are the La Mota - Jack Herer vape cartridge, and the Her - Girl’s Night Out vape cartridge. Consumers who purchased the recalled products are encouraged to destroy them or contact the retailer they purchased them from to determine if they will accept a return.
Local officials meet with Oregon lawmakers
SALEM — The Oregon Capitol saw 200 city officials representing 80 different Oregon Cities come together Wednesday to participate in a City Day at the Capitol event. Representatives for Sutherlin and Roseburg attended the event where a proposal was made to close funding gaps in state assistance and promote economic development with regard to the unhoused in Oregon. Homelessness and housing insecurities have become the number one priority for the state.
Wildfire risk map release postponed
The Oregon Department of Forestry held a series of public forums to discuss the Oregon Wildfire Risk Map during the 2022 summer, which was met with concerns and complaints. On Wednesday, the Oregon Legislature announced the postponement of the release for an updated risk map. The map with originally scheduled to be available in March.
Employment rate in Douglas County back to pre-pandemic levels
Even though several businesses have signs out seeking employees, the general consensus from business owners across Roseburg is that things are going well. “We are looking to open in a couple of weeks,” said Brett Smith co-owner of Topp-It located across the street from Roseburg High School on West Harvard Avenue.
Retired couple thwarts scammer
When Marilyn Wilmus of Melrose answered her telephone on the afternoon of Jan. 16, she did not expect to find herself in a $9,000 scam attempt as her grandson began weaving a tale of car accidents, arrests, bail bondsmen and the need to keep things quiet. “When I answered the phone, his voice sounded wrong, but he said he had been in a car accident and his face and nose were smashed up,” Wilmus said.
Helping through ham radio: emergency services use amateur radio specialists
George Roth built his first short wave radio when he was in sixth grade. "In grade school, being able to hear radio stations from far away places was very interesting to me," Roth said. Roth has a degree in physics and computer science and around the time he retired, in 2005, he began using significant equipment and earned his FCC radio license.
Winston VFW building reopens following repairs
WINSTON — After being closed since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, and suffering a state of disrepair, the Winston Veterans of Foreign War building is returning with a new staff, a new roof, a new bathroom, a kitchen and a refreshed outlook on community engagement and involvement. “It has been a really crazy journey for the last couple of years,” Donice Smith, the organization’s senior vice commander, said.
Warming Center opens for chilly week
Roseburg Warming Center, located inside the Roseburg Senior Center at 1614 SE Stephens St. will be open through Tuesday. The center offers 60 cots for guests and volunteers and check-in begins at 6 p.m. Unhoused individuals can arrive at any time during the night.
Derelict hospital in Myrtle Creek to be torn down
MYRTLE CREEK — Umpqua Valley Community Hospital stood in Myrtle Creek as a beacon of health from 1953 until 1994. Now, the building is being gutted of lead and asbestos before the city will have the building torn down for being hazardous and derelict. In January 2021, Myrtle Creek City Council declared the building was derelict and needed to be torn down. Property owner Marcia Merry has fought the process every step of the way and continues to do so.
Cory Boydston joins RFP board
Cory Boydston will be joining the Roseburg Forest Products board of directors after the departure of Judith Johansen. Boydston retired after serving for 13 years as the chief financial officer of Ashton Woods Homes. Prior, Boydston was the senior vice president, chief financial officer and partner of Starwood Land Ventures LLC. Boydston joins chairman Allyn Ford and board members Eric Ford, Anurag Gupta, Jim James, Grady Mulbery, Ronald Parker and Lynn Wilson.
Britt Nichols County Park to be logged
Douglas County Commissioners awarded Scott Timber Company a logging contract of the recently reclassified Britt Nichols County Park on Callahan Road in Roseburg. All parties on the original land contract — Roseburg High School, the Kiwanis Club and Douglas County — were supportive of the land sale. Concerns from the public ranged from the loss of the beautiful habitat to the potential risks of landslides to the use of pesticides or herbicides once logging was complete.
Bureau of land Management seeking solar development
The Bureau of Land Management is looking to expand its solar services across the Western United States and is holding a public meeting to solicit feedback on the BLM’s utility-scale solar energy planning. The BLM is considering updates to its 2012 Western Solar Plan to include five additional states; Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The meeting from 3-7 p.m. Feb. 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 300 NW Franklin Avenue in Bend.
Roseburg hosts winter photo contest
The City of Rosberg is inviting all its residents, including those in Melrose, Green, Lookingglass, Garden Valley and Winchester to participate in the 2023 Winter Photo Contest. Interested participants are encouraged to submit one photo showcasing wintertime in Roseburg or the surrounding mountains. A file must be smaller than 5 megabytes and photos must be uploaded via the cityofroseburg.org website by Jan. 27.
Reedsport seeking new City Council member
REEDSPORT — Reedsport has a vacancy on its City Council and will be accepting applications for the position. Anyone interested in applying for this position may pick up an application at Reedsport City Hall, 451 Winchester Avenue or online at cityofreedsport.org. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Jan. 31. City of Reedsport employees are not eligible to serve as a member of the City Council. More information: 541-271-3603, ext. 1005.
Hayden Homes donation to Sunrise
Sunrise Enterprises recently received some big donations from community partners to help them bolster the services it offers to the community Simplicity Homes by Hayden and AmeriTitle awarded the nonprofit $5,000 last week and First Interstate Bank donated an additional $2,500 on Tuesday. “We are thrilled that we are starting to see the community support from local business leaders,” said Savannah Jones, director of operations for Sunrise.
Red Cross needs volunteers to help California
ROSEBURG — Roseburg Red Cross will hold an open house for those interested in volunteering with the organization, specifically its disaster relief in California. The open house will be held from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the office on 870 Alameda Ave. To review the most urgently needed volunteer positions, visit recross.org/volunteertoday.
Jill Weber readies for next challenge
At the start of the 2023-2024 scholastic year, Roseburg High School will be beginning classes with a new principal. After eight years as principal, Jill Weber will be transitioning to become the school district's director of teaching and learning. After serving for over 30 years in various roles for Roseburg Public Schools, including being the principal of Roseburg High School since 2015, Weber is ready to expand her role and give herself new challenges.
Sutherlin councilors take the oath of office
SUTHERLIN— Sutherlin City Council met Monday to perform their swearing-in ceremony in which three city councilors and the mayor all took the oath of office and officially began their terms. Michelle Sumner was sworn in as mayor of Sutherlin, her term is scheduled to end in 2026. Lisa Woods was sworn in for her first term as a city councilor, also with her term ending in 2026. “I am very honored and proud to be elected mayor of Sutherlin.
David Brock Smith unanimously selected as new Oregon Senator
David Brock Smith was unanimously voted to take over the vacated Oregon Senate seat position for District 1, by commissioners from Coos, Curry and Douglas County on Wednesday morning. The commissioners gathered Wednesday to listen to speeches of the top five candidates selected by Republican precinct committee persons. The senate seat came open when Dallas Heard resigned, as of Jan. 1.
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