Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 Strong in the classroom Ballot measure passes North Bend, MHS squads recognized, B1 911 radio system to be upgraded, A2 CLOUDY, SHOWERS LATE 58 • 50 FORECAST A9 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020 | theworldlink.com | $2 North Bend measures approved JILLIAN WARD by requiring any future fees to This vote follows years of ing up with the cost of inflation. “… Citizens won’t have The World first be approved by voters. strife between some members of “There aren’t any winners,” to pay $30 a month, but that As of 12 a.m. on Wednesday, the public and the City Council said Jim Rose, treasurer to the doesn’t mean there aren’t cuts NORTH BEND — In the after the Coos County Elections as the fee was steadily increased grassroots North Bend Citizens coming to the city budget from final unofficial election results, website experienced a brief on resident’s water bills, having for Good Faith Government. The COVID-19,” Rose said. “People both North Bend measures have technical issue, “Yes” votes on begun at $5. Voters in 2018 said organization is responsible for will get laid off in the city gov- passed. Measure 6-177 tallied at 58% or “No” to any further increases, bringing both measure 6-177 and ernment, which is why there are These decisions will reduce 2,057 ballots. which was ignored after the 6-176 to the May election in an no winners if it passed or failed.” the public safety fee from $30 to Meanwhile, 41.9% have voted council increased it again, stating effort to limit the power of the North Bend City Council- $15, as well as restrain the power “No” on the measure with a total it was done to provide quality City Council and roll back the woman Jessica Engelke said she of the North Bend City Council of 1,484 ballots. public safety services while keep- $30 safety fee. Please see Measures, Page A9 Biden wins presidential primary SALEM (AP) — Republican voters in Oregon’s vast 2nd Con- gressional District on Tuesday elected a former state senator to be their candidate to replace Rep. Greg Walden, who didn’t run for a 12th term in the conservative region covering the rural eastern and central part of the state. Cliff Bentz bested former state legislators Jason Atkinson and Knute Buehler. Buehler also ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 as the GOP nominee. Bentz will have the advantage in the November election in the predominantly Republican part of the state. His opponent is unclear with a victor not yet declared on the Democratic side. The 2nd is the only Oregon U.S. House Dis- trict represented by a Republican. Oregon’s four Democratic U.S. House members all won their Zach Silva, The World primaries. Scott Huffman drops his ballot off on Tuesday night. Voter turnout was nearly 50% in Coos County, with more than 22,000 ballots returned. See results on Page A8. The mail-in primary was complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, as election workers kept social distancing in county offices while staffing levels were down. Election workers received High turnout for election instructions on handling ballots along with protective equipment from the Oregon National Guard JILLIAN WARD Though the final unofficial early ….” it hit a snag when Heller tried and others. The World numbers are out, the election As for Heller and her staff, to post the final unofficial tallies Former Vice President Joe won’t be certified for 20 days Election Day moved slower than to the county website. She had Biden won Oregon’s Democratic COOS COUNTY — More as the Coos County Elections normal. trouble posting the information, presidential primary, outpacing ballots were cast in the May Office receives ballots acciden- “We had a little more down- leaving the public unable to see Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and primaries than in recent years, tally mailed to other counties time,” she said. election results. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth though County Clerk Debbie and sorts out challenged ballots. When asked why, Heller The glitch only lasted for a Heller still hoped for more voter These challenged ballots include wasn’t sure but suggested it few minutes. Please see Biden, Page A9 turnout. envelopes that had no signature could be from the high percent- Otherwise, Heller said she As of 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, or a signature that didn’t match age of early mail-in ballots her and her staff will be back in the Heller said 22,042 ballots were what is on record. office received. office this morning at 8 a.m. to Thousands returned of the 46,000 sent out. “Anyone who didn’t sign their “That might be due to (the start processing the challenged Compared to the last presidential envelopes or if their signature new) pre-paid postage or ballots. primary in 2016, which saw a has been questioned, we imme- COVID-19, with people not To view election results, visit evacuated total of 19,564 ballots returned, diately notify them,” Heller said. wanting to go out,” she said. www.theworldlink.com or http:// “We definitely got more ballots,” “Some have already been noti- Though most of Election Day www.co.coos.or.us/Departments/ she said. fied if they mailed their ballot in went smoothly, if a little slow, CountyClerk/Elections.aspx. in Michigan MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Rapidly rising water overtook dams and forced the evacuation 4th of July fireworks canceled of about 10,000 people in central Michigan, where flooding struck Coos Bay City Council way to comply with state social communities along rain-swollen distancing restrictions during the waterways and the governor said looks for alternative event. one downtown could be “under approximately 9 feet of water” options to celebrate Money considerations by Wednesday. Another factor in the discus- For the second time in less CHERYL UPSHAW sion was that the fireworks were than 24 hours, families living The World already ordered prior to Tuesday along the Tittabawassee River night’s meeting, though the city and connected lakes in Midland COOS BAY — The City of did not yet have possession of County were ordered Tuesday Coos Bay’s annual Fireworks the fireworks. The supplies for evening to leave home. By over the Bay event has been the fireworks show each year Wednesday morning, water that canceled. usually arrive a few days prior to was several feet high covered It is the latest of dozens of the show. The contract was for some streets near the river in events that have been post- $15,000 worth of fireworks. downtown Midland, including poned or canceled entirely over By canceling the event entire- riverside parkland, and reaching concerns about spreading the ly, and canceling the order, the a hotel and parking lots. novel coronavirus, which causes city would be responsible for a The river rose Wednesday COVID-19. Ed Glazar The World 25% cancellation fee, per their Fireworks explode over Coos Bay as hundreds of people gather to celebrate Friday morning to 34.4 feet (10.5 me- “It’s going to ruffle some contract with Western Display along the boardwalk downtown. ters) in Midland, topping a pre- folks’ feathers, it’s going to upset Fireworks. The company offered vious record reading of 33.9 feet people that we’re not doing the the city the opportunity to apply (10.3 meters) set during flooding fireworks for the Fourth of July Though Coos Bay will not Coos Bay City Council met the cancellation fee as a down in 1986, the National Weather — it is the nation’s holiday. But have fireworks this year, the city virtually Tuesday night, broad- payment for a 2021 fireworks Service said. Its flood stage is there are times throughout histo- will look into ways to celebrate casting the regular meeting on show, rather than losing the 24 feet (7.3 meters), and it was ry when our nation does what is Independence Day in a safe way. Facebook. The group decided money entirely, as a concession expected to crest by day’s end at in the best interest of the whole,” “We’re not sure what it’s go- unanimously to cancel the Fourth to the circumstances surrounding about 38 feet (11.6 meters). Councilman Drew Farmer said ing to be, but we will do some- of July fireworks display as staff the pandemic. The council voted The Weather Service urged of the decision. thing,” Mayor Joe Benetti said. had determined there was no Please see Fireworks, Page A9 Please see Evacuation, Page A9 Photo gallery: Bandon Dunes reopens SOUTH COAST A2 COMICS A6 Photo gallery: The Face of Coronavirus OPINION A4 WEATHER A9 AT THEWORLDLINK.COM OBITUARIES A5 SPORTS A10 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 A2 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020 THE WORLD Voters take to ballot box for election Final votes come lot to determine if 20 cents on Tuesday night after 12 police agencies and be reduced from $30 to no ey and I don’t think there’s per $1,000 of assessed dropping her ballot off in three ambulance services. more than $15. enough.” in Tuesday night value should be given to Coos Bay. “He had passed out on “I voted for it because In Reedsport, final votes the 911 radio system. If “I voted no. I’ve been in New Year’s Eve and we I don’t think it’s right that were coming in on a ballot ZACH SILVA passed the measure might emergency services in di- went to the hospital, we we voted it down and then that consisted of primarily The World cause property taxes to sasters, search and rescue had done it a few times.