As we reflect on 2024, Tillamook County experienced a dynamic range of events from environmental phenomena to community challenges. The year kicked off with a severe winter storm, followed by fascinating marine events like the “Ocean Burp” and the beaching of a humpback whale, highlighting both natural wonders and human impacts on wildlife. The county celebrated Independence Day with vibrant community gatherings, while also grappling with issues like homelessness and public transportation shortcomings, as highlighted by Wave bus driver Steve Schwabe’s public critique. Environmental stewardship was put to the test with tar balls washing ashore, necessitating community action, and a dramatic rescue on Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain underscored the importance of outdoor safety.
In terms of development and progress, 2024 was marked by significant strides in Tillamook County. The construction of Sammy’s Place offered hope for inclusive housing, and the crowning of new dairy ambassadors continued the legacy of agricultural promotion. Garibaldi’s fishing community gained global recognition for its sustainable practices, while the opening of Anchor Street Park and the revamp of the Cape Kiwanda Parking Lot enriched public spaces. Cultural highlights included culinary adventures at Bay City Kitchen, and economic boosts came from TCCHC’s new pharmacy initiative and Amazon’s expansion, promising job growth and improved community health services. It was a year of resilience, innovation, and community spirit in Tillamook County.
In early January 2024, a fierce winter storm swept through the North and Central Oregon Coast along with the South Washington Coast, bringing a mix of snow and ice. The storm, which lasted from Friday afternoon to late Saturday night, left up to 4 inches of snow and a quarter inch of ice, causing significant disruptions with power outages, tree damage, and treacherous travel conditions during the Friday evening commute.
The Pacific Ocean upwelling earlier this year near Ave. U in Seaside surfaced an eclectic mix of marine debris, including bark chips, shells, large tubeworm casings, hermit crabs, algae, kelp, and even skate egg casings. This event, fondly referred to as an “Ocean Burp” by the Seaside Aquarium, left behind copious treasures for visitors and residents to discover, highlighting the unique phenomenon of upwelling where nutrient-rich waters bring the ocean floor’s secrets to the surface.
In late May of this year, a young male humpback whale, about 34 feet long, beached at Nehalem Bay State Park near the Nehalem North Jetty after being struck by a boat. The whale had been floating off Rockaway Beach for 1-2 days before the stranding was dramatically captured by local drone pilot Akshar Patel, illustrating the ocean’s power in moving such a massive creature ashore. A collaborative effort by Portland State University, NOAA, and Seaside Aquarium confirmed the cause of death as a boat collision. The whale’s presence in a protected snowy plover habitat led to strict access restrictions, with the public only able to approach via a long walk on wet sand from the park’s day-use area, adhering to rules to protect this sensitive area.
What’s Happening at The Wave? From a Concerned Driver … What about the passengers?
Wave bus driver Steve Schwabe wrote to the Pioneer to express frustration over management decisions at Tillamook County Transportation District. He highlighted the sudden cancellation of the 60X route just before Christmas, leaving passengers stranded, and criticized the acquisition of two new Freightliners that sit unused while essential Town Loop buses continue to break down. His letter was a call to put passengers first, not just management and machinery.
Readers engaged heavily with the homelessness crisis in Tillamook County, seeking to better understand the unique challenges faced by the unsheltered in this rural setting, including harsh weather and the impact of institutional housing investments. The article investigated the discrepancy between reported numbers and the reality on the ground, alongside the complex issues of mental health, addiction, and the lack of affordable housing. This clearly resonated with the compassionate readers of our community, sparking a call for greater understanding and action towards solving this pervasive issue.
Seaside Aquarium had been the go-to for marine marvels, handling a humpback whale on Manzanita Beach and then discovering a rare hoodwinker sunfish on Gearhart Beach. On June 3rd, a 7.3-foot hoodwinker, a species only recognized in 2017 by researcher Mariann Nyegaard, had washed ashore, sparking widespread interest and drawing crowds despite the stormy weather. This significant find, potentially the largest hoodwinker sunfish ever sampled, had captivated both the local community and scientists, encouraging visits to Gearhart Beach to witness this unique marine phenomenon before it decomposed.
Tillamook County celebrated the 4th of July with a vibrant array of events stretching from Neskowin to Manzanita, featuring parades, picnics, and family-friendly beach activities. Highlights included the Rockaway Beach parade at 11 a.m. followed by the Wiener Dog Races and a spectacular fireworks show at dusk, Neskowin’s fireworks at Neskowin State Park, and Manzanita’s parade with its unique attractions like marching bands and giant crabs. Additional festivities involved live music at Nehalem Bay Winery, a patriotic reading of the Declaration of Independence in Tillamook, a picnic at the Tillamook Air Museum, and Cloverdale’s cow-led parade on July 6th, with beach cleanups by @solveinoregon on July 5th and 6th to keep the coastline pristine.
A giant Fin whale washed ashore in February of this year at Sunset Beach State Park. The whale is the second largest species of whale and, fun fact, can grow up to 80 feet long, making it a true ocean giant! Seaside Aquarium called for the public’s help to keep this majestic creature undisturbed for scientific study.
In May of this year, a tar-like substance began washing up on the shores from Long Beach, WA to south of Newport, OR, impacting local wildlife and prompting a large-scale cleanup operation. Responders, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Washington Department of Ecology, urged the public to avoid touching the tar balls and to keep pets away, highlighting the dangers of handling this sticky material. Cleanup efforts included aerial surveillance to pinpoint the source, with the community asked to assist by reporting affected wildlife and refraining from using drones in the response areas.
On February 23, 2024, around 6:39 PM, Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue District tackled a dramatic high angle rescue on Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain after two hikers fell. In the cover of night, the rescue teams from Nehalem Bay and Cannon Beach located the men, who were stuck 300 feet down a near-vertical shale rock face. With assistance from a spotlight by the US Coast Guard helicopter, the hikers were safely brought to the viewpoint above. One was seriously injured and airlifted by Life Flight to OHSU Trauma Center. This successful rescue was a collaborative effort involving multiple local agencies, and serves as a reminder to always be prepared and trained for outdoor adventures in the region.
On January 6, 2024, Seaside Aquarium was alerted to a live green sea turtle on Manzanita Beach and swiftly responded within an hour. The lively 22-pound female was taken to the Seaside Aquarium before being moved to the Oregon Coast Aquarium for rehabilitation, facing a long recovery ahead. This event underscores the challenges sea turtles face in colder waters, where they can become hypothermic, necessitating quick intervention by facilities like the Oregon Coast Aquarium or Seattle Aquarium for stabilization before eventual release back into warmer waters.
Local Garibaldi fisherman Bob Browning, Captain of the Lady Lee and Port Commissioner, explained the best methods to keep Dungeness crab alive from the boat to market. Selling live crab is challenging as they often die on the vessels. By using smaller boats and more advanced techniques, our very own Garibaldi earned the honor of having the lowest dead loss of any port worldwide, drawing global experts to our community to see how we do it.
Sammy’s Place secured $744,000 from the Fairview Trust to develop Thompson Springs in Nehalem, a universally designed housing project for people of all abilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This initiative will provide affordable homeownership in an integrated community setting, aiming to model how universal design can enhance living for everyone on the Oregon Coast.
On March 5, 2024, in Salem, Oregon, Mackenzie Mitchell from Tillamook County was crowned the 2024-2025 Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador, with Rebecca Noordam from Marion County as the Alternate. Mitchell, a political science student at Tillamook Bay Community College, and Noordam, studying Agriculture Science and Business at Corban University, will spend the next year educating the public about dairy farming and nutrition. Both received scholarships upon crowning, and they join a long-standing tradition of the Oregon Dairy Women, promoting dairy since 1959, with their reign focusing on school visits and community outreach.
The 2023 crab season saw partial openings, with southern waters opening on December 16th and northern waters on December 31st. Pioneer videographer/photographer Don Backman captured stunning visuals of the Garibaldi crab fleet navigating one of Oregon’s most perilous bars to set their crab gear. His work reflects the bravery and hard work of these fishermen and women, bringing fresh Dungeness crab to the Port of Garibaldi, where multiple vessels and purveyors offer the freshest catch. The Coast Guard’s vigilant oversight ensured safe passage during these challenging winter crossings.
NEW APARTMENTS IN BAYSIDE GARDENS – BAYSIDE COMMONS TAKING APPLICATIONS
Bayside Commons, a much-needed affordable 24-unit housing complex, accepted its first round of applications for 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments. The homes, ranging from the mid $800’s to just under $2,000, cater to residents earning less than average. Also known as workforce housing, the complex was fully rented by mid-2024.
Earlier this year, on a wild November night, Rockaway Beach got a surprise visit from an EF0 tornado, turning the evening of the 11th into a bit of a whirlwind. The next day, Deputy Sean Ahlers played detective, capturing the scene where the tornado had left its mark, with no injuries but plenty of property drama. The Neahkanie School District’s admin buildings took a hit, but the school bell rang on schedule. Emergency Manager Randy Thorpe later shared that this twister seemed to have started as a waterspout, waltzing from Nehalem to 3rd Avenue, leaving a memorable mark on the community’s year.
Oregon’s Battle with Alcohol: Task Force Concludes Study Amidst High Addiction and Death Rates
Oregon resoundingly rejected new taxes on alcohol, as determined by the Task Force on Alcohol Pricing and Addiction Services. Despite the state’s high alcoholism rates, the task force chose to focus on reallocating existing tax revenues to bolster addiction services, acknowledging the economic significance of the alcohol industry while tackling public health concerns.
Readers lived vicariously through the Greenberg’s, who ate their way through Bay City Kitchen earlier this year. They savored housemade delights like duck confit and indulged in inventive Sunday Night Prix Fixe dinners, such as a New Year’s Eve feast featuring a kale salad with lemon anchovy dressing, a perfectly cooked New York strip steak with scalloped fingerling potatoes and Gruyere, and a dessert of citrus and champagne compote paired with coconut financiers.
City of Rockaway Beach Officially Opens Anchor Street Park on Friday June 21st (VIDEO)
Rockaway celebrated a new city park on Anchor St with a Summer Solstice ribbon cutting this year, featuring two playgrounds, restrooms, an event space, and ample parking. The park, opened by former Mayor Sue Wilson, was praised for its safety features, accessibility, and pet-friendly area, transforming the community space into a beloved local treasure.
Monkeyface prickleback could be world record; Fish caught by Tillamook woman April 1st
On April Fool’s Day, Oregon angler Rebecca Jones made history by catching a 4.8-pound, 28-inch monkeyface prickleback, potentially setting a new world record. Jones, relatively new to fishing, was at Barview Jetty aiming for rockfish when she landed this unique fish, often mistaken for an eel. Months ago, she submitted her catch to the International Game Fish Association to surpass the previous record of 3 pounds 4 ounces set in 2008.
Tillamook County Community Health Centers Secures Lease for Pharmacy Site
Tillamook County got a health boost when the Board of County Commissioners approved a new home for a much-needed pharmacy at 800 Main Avenue in downtown Tillamook. The Tillamook County Community Health Centers (TCCHC) are set to open this full-service pharmacy by spring 2025, filling the gap left by a local pharmacy’s closure in 2023. Marlene Putman, with excitement, shared how this new spot will be a game-changer for community health, offering accessible meds and more. Stay tuned for updates on this community health gem!
On September 20th, 2024, Tillamook County officially took over the newly reconstructed Cape Kiwanda Parking Lot, just in time for the Longboard Classic. This first phase of the Kiwanda Corridor Project (KCP) now boasts a revamped parking area, civic overlook, new restrooms, a foot wash station, EV charging, and pay stations. The culmination of nearly two decades of planning, this development integrates various local plans and properties to enhance visitor experience and environmental stewardship at Cape Kiwanda. With extensive hidden infrastructure for future expansions, this milestone reflects community collaboration and smart design, funded by local taxes, parking revenue, and state grants.
Amazon made waves in Tillamook this year by sealing a deal for a new facility on November 13, 2024, cranking up its last-mile delivery game on the North Coast. With a shout-out to the Port of Tillamook Bay for their support, this move isn’t just about faster packages; it’s about boosting local jobs and the economy, a win-win cheered by State Sen. Suzanne Weber and local leaders. More jobs are on the horizon as we await further details on this exciting development!