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

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!”



‘Found’ photos of Neskowin create historical coffee table book

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 25, 2025
First it was a fishing settlement. Then a farming and camping area. And now today, a vibrant community on the rural Oregon Coast. The evolution of Neskowin is captured through historic photos in The Neskowin Historical Foundation’s first ever book: “Neskowin: A Book of Found Photos 1880-1970.” The 300+ page, hardback coffee table book takes readers on a visual journey through time featuring photographs of the area’s iconic landscapes such as Proposal Rock and the mysterious Ghost Forest, as well as portraits of the town’s pioneering families.

Tillamook County Pioneer Museum asks for community feedback

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 18, 2025
A lot has changed since the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum’s (TCPM) founding in 1935. New history, exhibits, and staff. But something remains the same: TCPM’s commitment to preserving the history of Tillamook County. As TCPM looks to the future, they’re asking the community to be a part of the process. “The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum Board is deeply committed to ensuring the museum grows alongside our community,” TCPM Board of Directors President Ryan Weber said. “We envision the museum as a vibrant gathering place where neighbors, families, and visitors can come together to connect with the history of our county in meaningful ways.” TCPM is currently developing a five-year strategic plan to help guide the future of the museum. “By embracing museum best practices and creating experiences that are both accessible and relevant to today, we aim to honor the past while inspiring the future,” Weber said. “These are the very reasons we are undertaking a five-year strategic planning process. We want to chart a thoughtful path forward that reflects our community’s voice and ensures the museum remains a place of pride for generations to come.” The public is invited to participate in a community survey about TCPM. The survey can be found at: surveymonkey.com/r/TCPM2025 About the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum Founded in 1935 by Tillamook Oregon pioneers, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum offers 19 display areas that focus on the history of the North Oregon Coast. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the Cultural Heritage of the North Oregon Coast and to foster appreciation and respect of the North Oregon Coast's environment. The current collection includes 55,000 items and 20,000 photographs ranging from prehistoric specimens to modern-day. The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and free for children under the age of 10. The research library can be accessed by appointment only.

Fall into fall at Tillamook Forest Center

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 18, 2025
Let’s fall into this autumn season! The Tillamook Forest Center is getting ready for the rainy season with our fall event lineup. In addition to our fall events, the bridge gate at the TFC was chosen to be highlighted as part of the “50 for 50” initiative, started by the Oregon Arts Commission inviting Oregonians to discover 50 selected artworks displayed in public places around Oregon for the 50 th anniversary of the Percent for Art program. Fall Events Have Fun Drawing Fungi! | November 1 st at 1:00 pm Learning to draw mushrooms can be a lot of fun for artists of all levels. Mushrooms offer simple shapes and amazing colors and patterns. Learn how to depict mushrooms using basic shapes, color and light to make your mushrooms look magical. In this workshop, Artist Dorota Haber-Lehigh will explore techniques with graphite pencil, watercolor pencil and colored pencils. We will be drawing from observation, so feel free to bring a non-poisonous mushroom to class (you can find one at a store if you are not a mushroom expert). Rain Festival | November 15 th – 16 th | All Day Rain has come to the Tillamook State Forest, turning trickling streams into roaring rapids - but are you ready to go with the flow? Join us at the Tillamook Forest Center as we plunge into the world of surging rivers, spawning salmon, and the inner workings of watersheds to celebrate the ways in which rain transforms our forests. Holiday Wreath Making | November 28 th - 30 th at 11:00 AM Bring the beauty of the forest home this winter by creating a winter wreath. Participants will use a variety of natural materials that were harvested from our very own state forests. Younger children will also be able to make cone bird feeders. All materials and supplies are included in the cost of the class.

Construction work scheduled at Coatsville Park

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 18, 2025
The City of Tillamook would like to inform residents and tourists of upcoming construction work scheduled to take place at Coatsville Park (9th Street Park), this construction is expected to require closing a portion of the parking lot, exercise equipment, and swing set . The construction is expected to begin on Monday, September 22, 2025 and last until November 30, 2025 depending on the contractor’s availability and project schedule. During this time, Coatsville Park will require periodic closings of the entire park area when necessary, however most of the time the park will remain open to the public in areas outside of the playground area. The public is expected to proceed with caution in the area. Work i s planned to install a new piece of playground equipment, as well as installation of a new rubberized surface, to increase child safety. For questions or additional information, please contact the City of Tillamook Public Works Department at (503) 374-1823.

Gourd vibes only at Kilchis River Pumpkin Patch

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 18, 2025
It’s that time again to let the gourd times roll at The Kilchis River Pumpkin Patch. “It's a different kind of pumpkin patch in a beautiful, remote, authentic and relaxed setting,” Zweifel said. “Come for the afternoon and enjoy the good, wholesome family fun.” Boasting thousands of gourds and u-pick pumpkins, and the biggest corn maze on the Oregon Coast, the Kilchis River Pumpkin Patch will operate every Saturday and Sunday in October from noon – 5 p.m. Get the full, down-home experience with free hay-rides behind one of the farm’s tractors, or snap a cute family picture at one of multiple photo booths. “People who come here, remark about how family-friendly and non-commercial it is,” Owner Patrick Zweifel said. “It is very relaxed. People come with their families and a basket of food and hang out for several hours.”

A Big Heart

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 9, 2025
Benefit Concert brings The Voice contestants to Garibaldi

'Oregon Voices' traveling exhibit comes to Pioneer Museum

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 6, 2025
What influences an area? Laws? The economy? The environment? “Oregon Voices” tries to answer these questions . As a traveling exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society, “Oregon Voices” examines some of the important people, industries, organizations, and laws that have shaped the state of Oregon from the end of World War II through 2020. “My hope with bringing ‘Oregon Voices’ to the Museum is to expand the narratives displayed in the permanent and temporary exhibits,” Tillamook Pioneer Museum Exhibit & Programs Developer Jenny Teece said. “This traveling exhibit touches on multiple different identities, industries, and perspectives that encapsulates the Oregon experience that people from all walks of life can relate to.” The exhibit has five, threesided pop-up kiosks that cover a different topic on Oregon history: industry and economy; equal rights and social justice; migration and immigration; environment and energy; and Indigenous Tribes of Oregon.

A Beach Cleanup: Celebrating National Public Lands Day

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 6, 2025
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by cleaning up the beach from Oceanside to Netarts with the Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS and Oceanside Action Partnership, Saturday, September 27, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. WEBS and OAP will have welcome tables set up at The Schooner Restaurant and the upper parking lot at Oceanside Beach, so volunteers can choose where to start the day. “Let’s take this opportunity to clean up the beach with friends or family, or expand your community by teaming up with fellow volunteers,” says Marina Dreeben, WEBS stewardship coordinator. “In addition to cleaning up the beach, join us for a marine debris survey demonstration at The Schooner at 9:30 a.m. to learn how debris is monitored on the beach year-round, and how you can help!” In our efforts to reduce waste, instead of using plastic bags, please bring your own bucket to collect debris. There will be some extra buckets on hand if needed. Be sure to stick around after the cleanup for a special treat just for volunteers – The Schooner will be grilling up fresh oysters from Pearl Point Oyster here in Netarts to thank you for keeping our coastal ecosystems clean!! As you head out to clean up or just explore, it is important to remember that ocean shores can be dangerous. Avoid logs in the water, keep your distance from marine mammals, and never turn your back on the ocean! If you find any hazardous material, please alert a staff member. 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

Birds of Tillamook County: Walk and Talk with Michael Krall

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 6, 2025
Join WEBS Board President, Michael Krall on Saturday, September 20 for an introduction to Tillamook County birds and birding. Starting with an optional, two-hour slow and easy bird walk, participants will scope out some of our Northwest feathered friends along inland trails and coastal shores. After the walk, the group will meet at the Netarts Community Club for an informative indoor presentation. Michael will share his photographs, some tips on where and when to bird in Tillamook County, and talk about some of the birds we can expect to see in these diverse habitats. Michael birds and photographs extensively in Tillamook County, around Oregon, and beyond. He caught the birding bug starting with a Golden Eagle banding in central Oregon with his 8th grade science teacher some 60 years ago. Michael said, “I have always been partial to woodpeckers.” In 2017, he made a book of photographs featuring all 22 woodpecker species found in the US and Canada. Now Michael is working on the 50 or so US warbler species and has just a few to go! “So many birds, so little time!” Registration is required. Learn more and register for this event at: https://www.netartsbaywebs.org/even ts
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