Consumer Debt
Consumer advocates say rising prices and high interest rates are leaving many Americans, including here on the Oregon Coast, struggling with growing credit card debt. A new analysis finds more than 40% of U.S. adults are unable to pay off their balances each month, as interest rates have climbed to more than 22%, nearly double what they were a decade ago. Jennifer Zhang, a policy analyst with Protect Borrowers, says Americans now carry record levels of credit card debt, driven largely by higher living costs. In Oregon, the average household balance tops $6,200, up about 25% since 2021. Zhang says economic pressures, including job loss or unexpected expenses, often trigger missed payments, with high interest making it even harder for families to recover.
Burglary Suspects in Custody
Three people are in custody following a burglary investigation west of Eugene near Veneta. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies say on March 20th at 2:30 p.m., a deputy spotted a pickup and trailer parked on private property in the 88000 block of Central Road, with a damaged gate and no connection to the address. Additional deputies and K9 Ripp responded and located three individuals loading items from a commercial building onto a trailer. Thirty-six-year-old Max Trezona and 42-year-old Justin Arbogast, both of Coburg, along with 36-year-old Amanda Thomas of Eugene, were arrested. All three face burglary, trespass, and theft charges, with Thomas also charged with possession of burglary tools and unlawful possession of fentanyl.
Tsunami 101 Roadshow
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is continuing its Tsunami 101 Community Roadshow, bringing preparedness information directly to coastal communities. Free sessions are scheduled in Coos Bay on April 8th, including a business preparedness workshop from 12 to 1:30 p.m., and a general session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Southwestern Oregon Community College. The roadshow will also stop in Reedsport on April 9th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lower Umpqua Senior Center. Officials say the workshops help residents understand tsunami risks, recognize warning signs, and prepare evacuation plans and emergency kits ahead of a major event.
