Plover Nesting Season
Beachgoers along the Oregon coast are being reminded—it’s western snowy plover nesting season. From March 15 through September 15, restrictions are in place along 40 miles of shoreline to protect the threatened shorebirds. Officials say visitors should stay on wet sand, avoid roped-off areas, and follow posted rules—meaning no dogs, bicycles, vehicles, or campfires. Since being listed as threatened in 1993, plover populations have grown from just 45 breeding adults to 440 last year. More details and maps are available on the Oregon State Parks and Siuslaw National Forest websites.
Sheriff’s Office Releases Annual Report
The Lane County Sheriff’s released their 2024 annual report yesterday. The department faced staffing shortages while responding to major incidents in 2024. Deputies handled over 91,000 calls, including critical events like the January ice storm, April’s mass protest on I-5, and multiple homicides. The county also saw a rise in vehicle crashes and search-and-rescue missions. Despite challenges, LCSO expanded dunes and forest patrols, improved crisis negotiations, and upgraded dispatch operations. However, officials warn funding gaps could impact patrols in Western Lane County and beyond. More details are available in the full report on the LCSO website.
Tax Time Tips
Oregon taxpayers checking their state income tax refund status will see new updates this year. The Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool now provides more detailed status updates, alerts for missing information, and website improvements. Taxpayers can access these features by signing into their Revenue Online account. Those filing electronically with direct deposit typically receive refunds within two weeks, while some returns may take up to 20 weeks for review. More than 640,000 refunds have already been issued, with April 15 looming as the tax deadline.
