Skyhawk returns to the hangar

Chelsea Yarnell • February 19, 2024

For 25 years, an A-4B Skyhawk Navy Jet was a wayfinder sign for the Tillamook Air Museum.

Displayed alongside Highway 101, and popularly referred to by locals as “plane on a stick,” it pointed the way to the WWII blimp hangar.

The Tillamook Air Museum’s A-4 Skyhawk was accepted by the United States Navy on Oct. 21, 1958 where it served with several Navy squadrons through the years. On May 16, 1964, the A-4, then stationed at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos in California, was involved in a mid-air collision with another aircraft. Being retired, the A-4 went on display at the U.S.S. Intrepid Museum in New York City before being loaned to the Tillamook Air Museum in December 1997.

In August 1998, the A-4 was set atop a stanchion adjacent to Highway 101 as a "gate guard."

However, the jet, was not intended to be displayed outside.

“The Navy said they needed to have a scope of work for maintaining it or really just take it down,” Tillamook Air Museum Director Rita Welch said. “The conversation began about how it was going to be painted, taken down, or what would it look like to replace it. But, everybody wanted a monument left.”

Through a partnership with Tillamook Bay Community College’s welding program, a student-built metal blimp structure replaced the A-4 in September 2022.

After the A-4 was removed from its stand near the highway, it was brought back to the Tillamook Air Museum.

“The Navy does not want to take it back; they just want us to properly display it,” Welch said.

A scope of restoration work received approval from the Navy including: sandblasting, dent repair, and repainting; with addition plans to create a static display inside the Tillamook Air Museum.

Welch detailed that several local businesses contributed restoration efforts to the A-4. Blue Coast Eco-Blasting managed to remove nearly seven layers of paint. William Wallace Welding built and installed the display stand, and Burden's Towing assisted with their crane through the process of welding the frame to the A-4.

All in all, Welch reported roughly 202 hours from staff and volunteers were dedicated to restoring the A-4.

“The aircraft turned out great,” Welch said. “Everyone was really pleased around here with it, considering how rough it was—there were times of uncertainty.”

With the restoration complete, the A-4 will remain on display inside the Tillamook Air Museum.

Locals can visit the A-4 during free admission days every third Sunday of the month.

“Tillamook County residents can come check out the bird up close along with all our other exhibits,” Welch said. “I'm hoping this will gain traction in the community and we'll start seeing more local on a regular basis.”

Individuals just need to provide their ID or Tillamook County library card as proof of residency and then the entry fee will be waived.

The Tillamook Air Museum is located at 6030 Hangar Rd. Tillamook.

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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.

Kindness citations

By 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:

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.