Speedway Closes Again She Said, but Added, “Presidential (Elections) Are Just Very Popular
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Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 Amateur on schedule Man found Event still set for August, B1 Missing Bandon man located, A3 LOW CLOUDS 61 • 50 FORECAST, A8 | TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020 | theworldlink.com | $2 Voter turnout surges JILLIAN WARD The World COOS COUNTY — So far, more voters have turned out for the current primary election than in previous years. On Monday, the Coos County Elections Office reported 15,854 ballots received out of a total of 46,600 ballots sent out. “…We’re at 34.3% percent so far (of ballots received) and in 2016 we were only at 31%,” said Debbie Heller, county clerk. According to county records, the primary presidential 2012 election saw 28.4% voter turnout at the same point in time. Compared just to 2016, Heller said this election is steadily Zach Silva, The World ahead by 5,000 more ballots. After opening up Friday, the Coos Bay Speedway has closed once again. When asked why, she suggested part of it could be that this is the first election with pre-paid postage “Pre-paid postage made bal- lots come in earlier, I believe,” Speedway closes again she said, but added, “Presidential (elections) are just very popular. Speedway holds race were canceled. On Friday the Speedway, said that the race- Earlier this month Governor Everyone wants to vote, so your organization received a letter track is a dining establishment. Kate Brown stated that sporting returns are higher there.” on Friday, cancels from Rick Hallmark, the pro- “Well, we are a bar and grill events with a crowd will not At the end of Election Day in gram manager of Environmental is where we’re at. Bar and grills be allowed through, at least, the 2016 primary, there was a events going forward Health Services at Coos Health can have as many people that September. total of 56% ballots returned. and Wellness. can fit in their deal. So you “Large gatherings, includ- Please see Voting, Page A8 ZACH SILVA “…(T)he governor’s Exec- know, I don’t really — like I ing large sporting events with The World utive Order 20-25 may allow said, it’s not really something I audiences, concerts, festivals you to serve some food from the want to talk about at this point. and conventions will not be able Court halts COOS BAY — After reopen- building you have licensed as a We’re so borderline with what to return until we have a reliable ing for one race last week, the restaurant, but the same order we’re doing,” said Nelson. treatment or prevention, like Coos Bay Speedway has closed only allows recreational gath- In a post before Friday’s a vaccine. The Oregon Health ruling nixing its gates once more. erings for up to 10 people,” the races, the Coos Bay Speedway Authority is advising that any As select businesses around letter read. provided a list of changes made large gathering, at least through the county got the green light “This is your only warning.” at the track to promote public September, should be canceled restrictions to reopen last Friday under the The letter said that the actions safety. Sanitizing stations were or at least significantly modi- county’s Phase I reopen plan, are punishable, which could in place, grandstand seating was fied,” said Brown. SALEM (AP) — The Or- the Coos Bay Speedway opened result in a Class C misdemean- marked off showing where peo- In Oregon, live sporting egon Supreme Court halted a back up as well. The Speed- or and the revocation of their ple can sit and employees would events will be able to return once rural judge’s order which had way, a NASCAR sanctioned restaurant license. be wearing masks among other counties are in Phase III. tossed out statewide coronavirus race track, scheduled events “Well folks, we are done for a changes. “Concerts, conventions, festi- restrictions imposed by Gov. over the weekend while being while. It appears that the county/ “All social distancing rules vals, live audience sports won’t Kate Brown in a case brought by in violation of Executive Order state has shut us down after apply and any violators will be be possible until a reliable treat- churches arguing the Democrat 20-25 which does not allow for last night,” said the Coos Bay escorted off the property,” the ment or prevention is available. exceeded her authority. recreational gatherings. Speedway in a post online. “Just post said. Individuals who at- It is unknown at this time when Baker County Circuit Judge Street drags occurred on give us some more time to find tended Friday’s events reported this will be,” read Governor Matthew Shirtcliff had ruled that Friday night, but the Coos another loophole if we can.” that social distancing guidelines Brown’s “Reopening Oregon: Brown erred by not seeking the Bay Speedway announced on Before opening on Friday, were not followed by all spec- Details on Restarting Public Life Legislature’s approval to extend Saturday that upcoming races Drake Nelson, owner of the tators. and Business” document. the stay-at-home orders beyond a 28-day limit. The Supreme Court’s late Monday decision stays Shirtcliff’s decree pend- Adults at Shutter Creek quoted in lawsuit ing review by all the high court justices. Lawsuit describes adults in custody around the state ciated with correctional facilities discussing how the virus has In a statement, Brown praised to be given safer living facilities across the state. The last two impacted them. the Supreme Court action. poor treatment of during a global pandemic. weeks have seen the case number “I’m on day 21 of being sick. “There are no shortcuts for us Three adults in custody from continue to grow as the disease I signed a waiver not to get to return to life as it was before adults in custody Shutter Creek Correctional In- has impacted the Oregon State tested. I only have 90 days left in this pandemic. Moving too during coronavirus stitution were quoted in declara- Penitentiary where there are now custody and I don’t want to get quickly could return Oregon to tions filed by the witnesses in the 80 positive cases in adults in lost. I’ve had heart palpitations the early days of this crisis, when case. The case was filed in April. custody and 22 employees have and struggle to breathe at times,” we braced ourselves for hospitals ZACH SILVA “We are simply asking the tested positive. said Steven Richards of Shutter to be overfilled,” she said. The World Department of Corrections and Shutter Creek Correction- Creek. The lower court judge had Governor Brown to do what al Facility has had 25 adults “This is the second time I’ve issued his opinion in response OREGON — Seven adults in is constitutionally required of in custody test positive. Two been sick with the same symp- custody at Oregon correctional to a lawsuit filed earlier this them: to protect the health and employees have tested positive toms. On or about March 2 I month by 10 churches around facilities are plaintiffs in a class wellbeing of those in their care,” and one employee is considered went to medical telling them I action lawsuit against Oregon Oregon that argued the state’s said Juan Chavez via a press re- a presumptive positive despite felt like I was dying, and they social distancing directives were Governor Kate Brown and the lease. Chavez is representing the testing negative. told me to gargle with salt water. Oregon Department of Correc- unconstitutional. plaintiffs and is the Civil Rights The legal case includes 15 They gave me five packets of salt In a seven-page opinion, tions. Project Director for the Oregon quotes from adults in custody and said to snort it if I couldn’t The seven individuals, all over Shirtcliff wrote that the damage Justice Resource Center. around the state. Three indi- breathe. I called my mom and to Oregonians and their live- the age of 60, are seeking a tem- As of Monday there were 146 viduals who are incarcerated told her I felt like I was dying, porary restraining order and for positive coronavirus cases asso- at Shutter Creek were quoted Please see Lawsuit, Page A8 Please see Restrictions, Page A8 Photo gallery: The Face of Coronavirus SOUTH COAST A2 COMICS A6 Photo gallery: Marshfield Junior High School construction OPINION A4 WEATHER A8 AT THEWORLDLINK.COM OBITUARIES A5 SPORTS B1 D • Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 • A Country Media Newspaper • Copyright 2020 Follow us online: facebook.com/theworldnewspaper twitter.com/TheWorldLink instagram.com/theworldlink WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YOU! Top Appliances, Furniture and Mattresses, All Under One Roof! The Mattress Store BAY APPLIANCE & TV 541.269.5158 $ $ $ 253 S. Broadway, Coos Bay 2579 2297 769 $685 $685 $999 $999 (Next to the Egyptian Theatre) A2 | TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020 THE WORLD Officials look for ways to keep livestock shows, auctions going this summer AMANDA LINARES going COVID-19 restrictions. partners and sponsors. tee, an independent, nonprofit of the 4-H members and and state guidelines.” The World Unsure if the Coos County With many COVID-19 re- organization, is expected to re- their families as well as our With the novel coronavirus Fair & Rodeo will continue strictions still in place and large lease the details of how it plans volunteers is our number one ever-evolving and restrictions MYRTLE POINT — A on this year, Daris Bouthillier, social gatherings being limited, to hosts its livestock auctions priority,” she said. being rolled back or extended, number of local organizations a fair board member, said the Bouthillier said the board is in the coming weeks.