‘Lessor’ is more

Chelsea Yarnell • February 10, 2025

Local couple takes over Bunker Grille at The Mook

The Mook at Alderbrook Golf Course was recently awarded “Large Business of the Year” at the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Community Awards Banquet.

And now, Eric and Trina Lessor are ready to bring a dining experience, that matches the award-winning golf experience, to the property.

The Lessors took over the Bunker Grille and Event Center, located on the second level of the clubhouse at The Mook, in October.

“Everything just fell into place,” Eric said. “It’s a new adventure for us. It’s a challenge because this place hasn’t really been successful yet, but it really could be. This is just a beautiful facility.”

Eric had been catering in the area for years.

“I like to cook, make things, and be creative,” Eric said. “I like it when I watch people taste [the food that I make] and you see their eyes light up and come to life.”

He recalls learning to cook at an early age.

“Back when I was 12-years old, I had to cook Saturday night dinners,” Eric said. “My grandmother had cancer, so she would sit in her chair and tell me to do this, and then this.”

Since his grandmother’s kitchen, Eric has expanded an interest in cooking a variety of food, as is reflected in the Bunker Grille’s menu: Italian-style dishes, burgers, and house-smoked meats.

A standout item is the 1/3-pound ground brisket burger. Weekly specials, including burger of the week, are a nod to Eric’s continuous innovation.

“Our goal is to have people think of us when they want to go out to eat,” Trina said. “We really want to be family-friendly, and we have the space to host your special event or business meeting.”

The Bunker Grille and Event Center is open to the public, and serves lunch and dinner Monday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Thursday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. The restaurant features a full bar.

In addition to their main dining room, the Bunker Grille and Event Center also has two rooms that can be booked for events. One of the spaces is designated the “game room” and features foosball, air hockey, and plenty of comfy seating.

This Valentine’s Day, the Bunker Grille and Event Center has a special dinner menu for two. The menu includes hor d'oeuvres of sweetheart caprese skewers; shrimp cocktail or sautéed scallops appetizers; an apple blossom or Caesar salad; choice of cupid’s pinwheel steak, parmesan salmon royale, or roasted portobello mushroom; paired with stuffed red pepper, macaroni and cheese, or roasted red potatoes; and for desert: crimson brownie a la mode. The menu will be available for dinner Friday and Saturday Feb. 14-15. The cost is $60 a person. Reservations can be made by calling 971-289-4653.

Valentine’s Day is just one of the many special evenings the Bunker Grille and Event Center hosts. Since opening, the Lessors have hosted a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, family game nights, and special dinners for high school dances.

For restaurant updates, upcoming specials and events, follow the Bunker Grille and Event Center (new Facebook page) here. Kids eat free on Thursday with a paying adult meal. Veterans and first responders receive 10 percent off every day.

In addition to the Bunker Grille and Event Center, Eric Lessor is the owner of Oregon Coast Wireless/Computer Support & Services and Trina Lessor operates Hope Inspired School & Tutoring4Success.

The Bunker Grille is located at The Mook at Alderbrook at: 7300 Alderbrook Rd, Tillamook.

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'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

You are not alone

By Chelsea Yarnell • September 4, 2025

Editor’s note: This feature story contains information about suicide and suicide prevention and awareness. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : Call or text 988. 24/7 Tillamook County Crisis Hotline : 1-800-962-2851 or 503-842-8201 24/7 AgriStress Helpline (available specifically for people in farming, ranching, fishery, and forestry industries): call 833-897-2474 Mental health and behavior health services are available at: Tillamook Family Counseling Center: 503-842-8201, tfcc.org Adventist Health : 503-815-2292 Nehalem Bay Health Center : 1-800-368-5182 Tillamook County Community Health Centers: 503-842-3938

Report crimes in Tillamook online

By Chelsea Yarnell • August 28, 2025

The Tillamook Police Department is proudly announcing the launch of MyPDConnect, a cutting-edge online reporting platform designed to allow you to report low-level crimes online right from your phone, tablet or desktop! MyPDConnect empowers residents and visitors to quickly and easily report crimes directly to local law enforcement without having to wait for an officer response or spend unnecessary time calling dispatch. Key Features of MyPDConnect: • Report Crime Easily: Report low-level crimes such as Damaged Property, Theft, Graffiti, Shoplifting, Ordinance Violations (to include parking) and other crimes or violations, right from your mobile device, tablet or desktop. • Upload Unlimited Pictures, Videos and Documents: An unlimited number of pictures, videos and documents can be uploaded with each report to easily provide information to law enforcement. • Multi-Language Support: Submit the report one of the available languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Korean and Chinese. Additional languages available! • Instant Notification: Receive text and e-mail updates when your report has been processed and completed. • Easy Access: You may text the word report to 971-265-9906 to receive a text link to file a report. “We are thrilled to launch MyPDConnect, a platform that will truly enhance the way we can serve our community,” said Chief Troxel. “With MyPDConnect, we are providing additional ways for the community to connect easily with our department to report crime and receive faster service.” You may visit https://tillamookpd.mypdconnect.com to report a crime at any time.

The Cowboy’s Closet: chic, Wild West vibes

By Chelsea Yarnell • August 28, 2025

Inside the Tillamook Farmers' Co-op , a new boutique is offering western wear, but elevated. The Cowboy’s Closet softly opened June 1, but celebrated their grand opening and ribbon cutting on August 22.

1st Security Bank supports SBDC scholarships

By Chelsea Yarnell • August 21, 2025

Starting a business is already a leap of faith for most. And when you have question as a small business owner, who do you call for help? That’s where the Tillamook Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is able to assist. “A lot of our students are experts in the goods and services that they provide, but need training in other areas,” Tillamook Bay SBDC Director Leon Telesmanich said. “There’s a lot of people who are starting out and don’t know what to do, or they get going and have questions.” Tillamook Bay SBDC serves a variety of businesses, from small commercial fishing operations to restaurateurs to manufacturers. The organization offers free, confidential one-on-one advising for businesses in every phase of development, from a rough idea to a small empire. Additional workshops and classes focused on other business-related areas of need are also offered.

'Dead Lines' makes band debut at Rockaway Beach Music Festival

By Chelsea Yarnell • August 14, 2025

They’re elusive, a mystery: the band that doesn’t exist. When the Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Art and Music Cultural (NCAM) Foundation decided to host the Rockaway Beach Music Festival, they wanted to bring together talented musicians from the greater Northwest area as well as showcase local talent. That includes budding youth artists. “Dead Lines is a group of local musicians who together to write and rehearse a set of original music and debut at the Rockaway Beach Music Festival,” NCAM volunteer and Dead Lines band member Cosmo Jones said. “Our goal was to be able to incorporate student performers and our lead guitar player is going into his senior year at Neah-Kah-Nie High School. Go Pirates!” Coming together to form the band is Jones on drums, Chad Martin (you may know him from Brittney Bakes) on vocals, Mike Simmons (NKN music teacher) on bass, and NKN senior Lucien on guitar. “The band plays a genre of our own making called ‘ill ass yacht rap’ and it blends mega-lyrical hip hop with danceable grooves, live players with yacht rock tinted funk that can go from one to 11,” Jones said. When settling on a name, “Dead Lines” was chosen for many reasons. “One, we needed a deadline as several of us have always talked about working on music,” Jones said. “Two, we all live and work here, and own businesses. The Rockaway economy is designed for tourism and in the winter the lines are dead, so we need to do more. Three, it's hip hop and our rapper resurrected some old lines to get the ball rolling.” As a new band, Dead Lines doesn’t have any merch of their own yet, yet encourage guest to purchase NCAM items to raise money for the foundation. “This performance is a demonstration of what happens when a student gets to have their education supplemented and excels because of that opportunity,” Jones said.

AV-8B Harrier jet arrival draws crowd to Tillamook

By Chelsea Yarnell • August 7, 2025

Cars parked in just about every available spot surrounding the Tillamook Airport on Aug. 4. Peoples’ eyes scanned the sky for a much anticipated site: the arrival of a combat-tested AV-8B Harrier II. Most heard it before they saw it. The Harrier arrived under its own power: a rare moment that allowed the public a unique opportunity to witness military aviation history in motion. The jet’s capabilities were demonstrated to the gathered crowds: a tour through the skies of Tillamook County, takeoff and landing, and (most impressive) a hover maneuver. The Harrier will become a part of the Tillamook Air Museum ’s collection as a long-term loan by the National Naval Aviation Museum. “This aircraft represents an extraordinary chapter in modern military aviation,” said Christian Gurling, Museum Curator. “We are proud to accept this historic piece of Marine Corps history. Acquisitions such as this are fast positioning the Tillamook Air Museum as a world-class destination for aviation heritage, as we continue to broaden and enhance the scope of our exhibits. We look forward to interpreting its legacy for the public in a way that honors its service and the people who flew it.”