Kindness citations

Chelsea Yarnell • June 19, 2025

Receiving a citation from a police officer is not something one really wants publicized. But, Tillamook Police officers are on the lookout to cite citizens for their kindness.

Back in April, the Friends of Tillamook Police joined “Kindness 911.” The program is a non-profit and support organization that connects local law enforcement agencies with those that they directly serve. The funds to participate in the program were raised when Tillamook Police officers spent an evening delivering Domino’s pizzas.

“As law enforcement, we hope to catch somebody doing something nice, a kindness act, and issue kindness citations,” Tillamook Police Chief Nick Troxel said. “We want to notice good things occurring in our community and create the opportunity for us to show some compassion and goodwill towards those folks and say, ‘Thanks for doing what you’re doing. We appreciate you.’”

Since joining the program, Tillamook Police have issued six kindness citations.

“It’s been a super fun way to engage with the community,” Chief Troxel said. “The feedback has been awesome.”

The following community members have been recognized for their positive actions in the community:

Upward Youth

HELPING OUT

Kindness Citation TPD-00128

Issued by: Officer Martinez

The Tillamook Police Department received a report of graffiti spray painted in the bowl of the Goodspeed Skate Park. Students from the Upward Youth of Living Water Fellowship offered to clean it up.

Cris Shirk

“COOKIE GRANDMA”

Kindness Citation TPD-00277

Issued by: Chief Troxel, Officer Olson and Executive Assistant Larson

Known for bringing home-baked cookies to the police department for over 15 years.

“It was very nice receiving this Kindness Citation from my friends at the Tillamook City Police Department,” Shirk said. “Great people work there. Thank you!”

Bay City Fire Chief Alan Christensen

LIFE FLIGHT

Kindness Citation TPD-00004

Issued by: Chief Troxel

Joint training with Tillamook Police, Tillamook Fire, Bay City Fire, and Adventist Health Ambulance helps keep local, first responders prepared for unique emergency circumstances.

Sandy

ROSES ARE RED

Kindness Citation TPD-00127

Issued by: Officer Martinez

Officer Martinez was parked near the Sacred Heart Catholic Church watching the school bus routes when Sandy walked up. She lives just down the street and she gave Officer Martinez a rose out of her garden and told him how much she appreciated seeing the Tillamook Police out in the community. She just wanted to say “Thank you.”

Donkey Basketball

HAVING A BALL

Kindness Citation TPD-00226

Issued by: Chief Troxel, Sgt. Harrell and Officer Saddler

Donkey Basketball has been a distinctive and entertaining tradition at Tillamook High School closely associated with the school’s annual Charity Drive. This event involves participants riding donkeys while attempting to play basketball, serving as a humorous and engaging fundraising activity. Charity Drive, a longstanding THS initiative, has been instrumental in raising funds for various causes, including scholarships and donations to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Over its 71-year history, the drive has amassed over $4.1 million in contributions. Donkey Basketball has traditionally been one of the highlights of this fundraising period, drawing significant community interest and participation.

Tina

THERE FOR OTHERS

Kindness Citation TPD-00126

Issued by: Officer Martinez

Tillamook Police dispatched to a two-vehicle non-injury crash. Tina witnessed the accident and took the extra time and effort to stop and make sure everyone was alright. She decided to stay with the driver until police arrived to ensure he was okay.

“I thought the Kindness Citation is a great idea,” Tina said. “It’s nice to be able to be recognized as a part of the community that wants to be able to help. The police are so polite!”

Tina

THERE FOR OTHERS

Kindness Citation TPD-00126

Issued by: Officer Martinez

“I thought the Kindness Citation is a great idea,” Tina said. “It’s nice to be able to be recognized as a part of the community that wants to be able to help. The police are so polite!”

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Meet Miss Tillamook Rodeo Chloe Rieger

By Chelsea Yarnell • June 24, 2025

At age 9, Chloe Rieger began showing horses in 4-H. At 10, she welcomed home her horse, Ruby, who she raised and trained herself. “I’ve done about 90 percent of all her training, but that means that all her quirks are my fault too,” Rieger laughed. “It was a life-changing experience and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Horses have taught me so much about life and caring about something other than myself.” Rieger grew up in Tillamook just south of town on Bewley Creek Road which she describes as “her little slice of heaven.” Last year, Rieger took on the challenge of learning breakaway roping. “I’ve always been interested in rodeo competition,” she said. “It looked fun and I decided that I wanted to learn. And then I decided to pair that with trying out to be the Rodeo Queen. I felt like it was a good way for myself and Ruby to get some exposure and experience.” Rieger was crowned Miss Tillamook Rodeo in November after winning the queen pageant last June.

Eelgrass: Life giving in Netarts Bay

By Chelsea Yarnell • June 19, 2025

Friends of Netarts Bay, Watershed, Estuaries, Beach and Sea (WEBS) and Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) invite the community to spend a morning exploring the eelgrass beds of Netarts Bay. Dr. Tony D’Andrea, project lead for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Shellfish and Water Estuarine for Coastal Oregon (SEACOR), and Flynn DeLany, TEP’s Field and Data Scientist, will share about the importance of eelgrass in and around coastal waters. They will explain about the importance of the habitat they provide and their role as a nursery for juvenile crabs and fish. “We are confident, you will walk away with a new appreciation for this amazing aquatic plant that not only helps to improve water quality, but also provides a vital living habitat for many species in and above the water,” said WEBS director Chrissy Smith. Registration is required. Learn more and register for this event at on their website. *Details: Wear boots or bring a change of shoes. Be prepared for Oregon Coast weather.

Beach Cleanup Day

June 13, 2025

Join the Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS and Oceanside Action Partnership on Saturday, July 5 in the efforts to keep the coastal ecosystems clean and healthy by picking up debris left on the beaches before it gets washed into the ocean. From Cape Meares to Netarts, there is often debris left on the beaches after the 4th of July festivities. This is an opportunity to clean up the beach with friends or family, or expand your community by teaming up with fellow volunteers. Volunteers will meet at The Schooner Restaurant at 9 am and split into teams to cover as much area as possible. “Volunteers of all ages will find the beach cleanup fun, educational, and rewarding,” said Marina Dreeben, WEBS Stewardship Coordinator. To show appreciation for cleanup efforts, the Schooner Restaurant will be offering 10 percent meals for volunteers on the day of the event. Advanced registration saves time, but is not required. To register and read more about this event visit: http://www.netartsbaywebs.org/events Questions? Contact info@netartsbaywebs.org

Tillamook School of Dance honors local hospice team

By Chelsea Yarnell • June 12, 2025

Beginning in 2014, the Tillamook School of Dance has dedicated admission funds from their spring dance showcase to local hospice care. Since its inception, the benefit show has raised nearly $60,000. This year’s performance, “A Tribute to the King,” paid homage to Elvis Presley, and Tillamook School of Dance Owner and Director Pink Colleknon-Eggert said it was the studio’s most well attended show. “The meticulous details that Scott Casey and I have been working on are like nothing I’ve ever done before,” she said, noting all the work to make the dancers hair and makeup look like Priscilla Presley. “We’re so proud of what we’ve created together.”

Tillamook hosts Cowbell Classic Pickleball Tournament

By Chelsea Yarnell • June 5, 2025

Let’s hear more cowbell for the fastest growing sport in the country: pickleball! The Tillamook Pickleball Club is bringing the competition and hype to the coast this month. The “Cowbell Classic” will be hosted June 21-22 at the outdoor courts at Al Griffin Memorial Park in Bay City, as well as the indoor courts at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds. The pickleball tournament is round robin style with events in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles that are also categorized by skill and age groups. The cost is $50 for one event, and $25 for an additional event. All participants receive a commemorative t-shirt and gift bag. A raffle and barbeque will be held at Al Griffin Park in Bay City following the completion of events on Saturday, June 21. “This is our first tournament, so we’re trying to make it memorable,” Tillamook Pickleball Club President Roger Miller said. “We have enough players that are pretty active and have played in other tournaments. We felt that the time was right and we had some people who were willing to step up and pull this together.”

Community good works

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 29, 2025

More than a dozen community partners were selected to receive funds as a part of Tillamook High School’s Charity Drive Community Grants. In total, $57,000 was awarded. Some of the receiving organizations included: Tillamook Fire Department, Tides of Change, Tillamook VFW Post 2848, Tilly Tots Preschool, Tillamook Oddfellows, Compassion Tillamook, The Grinch Gang, and the Tillamook Early Learning Center. A complete list of recipients is below.

Rep. Javadi hosts town hall amidst 'busiest session in two decades'

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 22, 2025

Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi said the 2025 legislative session has been “productive” and the “busiest session in two decades” referring to the nearly 4,000 bills introduced since January. Rep. Javadi hosted a town hall event at Tillamook Bay Community College on May 21. He invited constituents to attend and receive a legislative update as well as ask questions. The town hall gathering began with an update on bills that could potentially have an impact in Tillamook County including the much anticipated transportation package. “The Oregon Department of Transportation finds themselves in a 2 billion shortfall,” Rep. Javadi told the town hall gathering. “The department does not receive money from the income tax, but rather from the fuel tax and DMV fees. They miscalculated how much people would be driving and the impact on fuel efficient and electric vehicles. This has led to a gap.” Rep. Javadi said that the bill is expected to be revealed on May 22. “Tillamook could benefit with some desperately needed funds for Hwy 6,” he said. Other updates included the reopening of Tillamook’s dialysis center that Rep. Javadi called a “big win,” as well as HB 3556 which would change what percentage of transient lodging taxes can be used for public services. “This would be a huge win for rural communities…it would give our [community] leaders some flexibility,” he said. Overall referring to the news about the state’s potential budget deficit, Rep. Javadi said that there’s “plenty of revenue coming in, it’s a spending problem that we have…we need to go in and find out what matters the most. There’s a lot of pressure and talk about whether to tax people or not.” Rep. Javadi also mentioned that he has sent letters to Congress and the White House concerning the freezing of federal dollars that were being utilized for housing projects on the Oregon Coast.

Coffee with a Cop

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 15, 2025

Since becoming Tillamook Police Chief, Nick Troxel has made it a point to connect with the community. “I’ve spent the first six months as police chief building the foundations,” he told the Tillamook Newsie. “Now, in the second six months I want to focus on community engagement; I want to tell the story of all the good things we are doing and recognize the community.” This past week, the Tillamook Police Department hosted one of their outreach programs: “Coffee with a Cop.” Every few months, community members are invited to attend the low-key gather to meet and dialogue with the officers of the Tillamook Police Department.

Developing housing on ‘unbuildable’ land

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 7, 2025

Jeff Wong owns, what’s viewed as, a very difficult lot to build on. It’s in a flood zone, zoned commercial, and particularly small. It’s not exactly a developers dream. But, Wong is determined to show that, despite the challenges, a little creativity and persistence can create housing opportunities in Tillamook County. Wong, owner of CS Fishery (Garibaldi), saw an urgent need for housing during the pandemic. “Covid took out a lot of housing inventory when people decided to come down here full time and not rent out their homes,” Wong said. “And then I think people also did investment buying and with that came short-term rentals. Many of my employees could no longer work out here. They wanted to work and I depended on them a lot in the summer for seasonal help, but they just couldn’t find any long-term housing for those windows. Out of survival for, not only for myself, but other businesses, we needed workforce housing. That’s how this came about.” Wong detailed that he walked through the steps to get a permit in the floodplain, and hired an architect to draw up plans for a building: four small apartments to occupy the second floor and a commercial kitchen on the first level. “The facility will have a kitchen to support my business so I can cut and sell my fish and other seafood products,” Wong said.