Tuesday, September 10, 2024
St. Timothy’s and City End Dispute

The legal fight between the City of Brookings and St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church is finally over. At the September 9, 2024, City Council meeting, Councilors voted unanimously to sign an agreement which allows St. Tim’s to continue serving the hungry and unhoused, legally. Over the past few years, Brookings has spent a lot of staff time and attorney time fighting the church. But that’s all over. Bottom line? The City of Brookings agrees to pay St. Timothy’s lawyers $400,000 and to repeal recent ordinances targeting the church. So after years of legal dispute and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money on its own attorneys as well as for St. Tim’s, the City of Brookings has agreed to leave St. Timothy’s alone.

Friday, July 12, 2024
Another Lawsuit Filed Alleging Unlawful Treatment of the Unhoused, this Time in Curry County

Another Federal lawsuit has been filed in Medford regarding the unhoused in Southern Oregon. This time, the suit alleges that Curry County violated state and federal laws. Click HERE to download the legal filing. Copies of the lawsuit and supporting videos and documents can be found HERE.

Thursday, March 7, 2024
Janell Howard Censured, Expelled

A group representing city and county managers in Oregon has censured and expelled Janell Howard after determining her “egregious” conduct while the city manager of Brookings had violated the organization’s code of ethics. KCIW reports.

Saturday, February 17, 2024
City, St. Timothy’s Meet in Federal Court

Medford’s James A Redden Courthouse was full of attentive listeners as counsel for the church, for the city, and the U.S. Dept. of Justice each gave argument about Brookings’ ordinance that restricts sharing meals with the community.

There are three motions pending before the court:

1) Brookings’ motion to dismiss the church’s claims/end the case without trial.
2) St. Timothy’s motion for summary judgment (for the judge to rule on the law in our favor)
3) Brookings’ motion for summary judgment (for the judge to rule on the law in their favor)

If the judge grants any of these motions in their entirety, the case will end with either a judgment in the church’s favor (ordinance declared to improperly infringe on religious expression) or a judgment in the city’s favor (ordinance can continue).

The judge may also grant either or both parties’ motions for summary judgment partially: that certain claims or defenses are established and will not need to be proven at a trial.

If the judge denies all three motions, then the case will proceed on the normal path toward trial.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Brookings City Manager Fired

Brookings City Manager Janell Howard was fired at the January 16, 2024, City Council Meeting. Brookings Police Chief Kelby McCrae will take over the City’s helm until a new Manager can be hired. KCIW reports.

Thursday, January 11, 2024
Gold Beach Employee Saves Life

One Gold Beach Lumber employee is on the mend, another is being called a hero and the company will offer CPR training to employees in February. That’s because right before Christmas, one employee who knew CPR saved the life of another. It happened at the Gold Beach Lumber store in Harbor, and Manager Brooke Haskell says she was there and watched a real life hero in action.

Thursday, January 4, 2024
St. Timothy’s Lawsuit Costly to City

The City of Brookings and St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church are involved in an ongoing lawsuit, but the City hasn’t included legal fees in its financial impact statements regarding the issue. KCIW looked at how much money the City has paid to attorneys over the past two years and asked Mayor Hodges for comment. See Mayor Hodges’ Email reply HERE.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Brookings City Manager Drama Could End Soon

The Brookings City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, January 2 to instruct the City Attorney to begin separation talks with City Manager Janell Howard, and to have those results completed and delivered to the Council on January 8 at the next regularly scheduled meeting. KCIW Reports.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023
The U.S. Department of Justice Looking at Brookings

The United States Department of Justice just got involved in the conflict between St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and the City of Brookings. The DOJ filed a statement of interest on November 21st regarding St. Timothy’s Church v. City of Brookings, Or. KCIW Reports.

DOJ Press release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-religious-land-use-case-involving-oregon-church

Monday, November 20, 2023
City Accepting Council Applications

Recalls and resignations mean there are 2 open seats on the Brookings City Council. Applications must be received by November 28, 2023 at 4:30PM. KCIW reports.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Recall Revenge?

Less than a week after unofficial results showed a landslide victory to recall Mayor Hedenskog, and Councilors Schreiber and Morosky, Brookings voters may be cheated out of a special election to replace them. Hedenskog and Morosky resigned rather than waiting for the official notice they’d been voted out of office. That set up Schreiber, who will also reportedly resign, to join with the remaining councilors to appoint Kristi Fulton as Morosky’s replacement. It was obviously a planned, very political to maintain a quorum on the council. It effectively kneecaps the recall, because it could mean that instead of a being voted in by citizens … a new mayor and another council member could be appointed by Hodges, Martin and Fulton to replace those who resigned. KCIW reports.

Update: Email Correspondence with Brookings City Councilor Isaac Hodges critical of KCIW News coverage.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
Oregon Investigating Brookings Political Mailer

The State of Oregon has started an investigation into whether the “No on Brookings Recall” mailers and yard signs circulating right now have broken campaign finance laws. KCIW reports.

Thursday, October 5, 2023
County Clerk Validates Recall Signatures

Curry County Clerk Shelley Denney says there are enough valid signatures to move forward with the recalls of Brookings Mayor Hedenskog and Councilors Schreiber and Morosky. Denny explains the recall process and talks about what happens next.

Tuesday, September 18, 2023
Brookings Recall Update

Citizens behind the recall of Mayor Hedenskog and Councilors Morosky and Schreiber say they submitted signature sheets to City Hall with more than the 463 signers necessary to force a recall election nearly two weeks ago but are still waiting for City Manager/City Recorder/Elections Official Janell Howard to forward them to Curry County Clerk Shelly Denny for verification. Petitioners say Howard told them by email she is “committed” to deliver the signatures to Denny by week’s end, but that may cause an issue if there aren’t 463 valid signatures because the deadline to submit those 463 valid signatures is October 8, 2023. Reporter: Lori Gallo-Stoddard

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Smith River Complex Fire Update

Curry County Sheriff John Ward spoke to KCIW about what Curry County is doing to keep residents informed and safe, and says that everyone should sign up for the County’s Emergency Alert System, Everbridge. Reporter: Lori Gallo-Stoddard.

Friday, August 25, 2023
Brookings Business Helping Maui Fire Victims

“a.ell atelier” shop owner Angelique Ell lived in Hawaii for decades, and features many Hawaiian products in her store on Chetco Avenue and on her website, https://aellatelier.com. She’s donating 25% of all proceeds from Hawaiian artists to benefit Maui fire victims. Lori Gallo-Stoddard reports.

Thursday, August 24, 2023
Smith River Complex Fire Update

As of Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Smith Complex fire has burned more than 52,000 acres and is 0 percent contained. The power is still off in Del Norte County and Highway 199 remains closed. KCIW spoke to Wild Rivers Outpost Crescent City Bureau Chief Jessica Cejnar-Andrews, who has been reporting on this fast moving story since it began. She says community spirit is bringing folks together in Del Norte County during this emergency. Additional Cejnar-Andrews reporting can be found at https://wildrivers.lostcoastoutpost.com.

Sunday, August 20, 2023
Smith River Complex Fire Update

An update on Smith River Fire Complex evacuation orders and road closures.

Evacuation levels as of 11:00 am, today August 20 are as follows:

Level 3 – “Go Now”: Patrick Creek, Little Jones Creek, Copper Creek Drainage, Coon Creek/ 16n19 17n07, Washington Flat, Pioneer Road, Panther Flat Campground Area, all communities between Pioneer Road and the Oregon Border along Highway 199, and French Hill Road.

Level 2 – “Be Set”: High Divide, Rowdy Creek, Gasquet from Pioneer Road to Slant Bridge

Level 1 – “Be Ready”: Big Flat/Rock Creek, Low Divide, Hiouchi from Slant Bridge to the east end of North Bank Road

Friday, August 18, 2023
Highway 199 Still Closed

The Smith River Complex fire has closed Highway 199, and it probably won’t reopen for at least three days. Public Information Officer Tom Stokesberry tells KCIW the fire is forcing evacuations and has burned nearly 8,000 acres. An information line has been established. The number to call is 707-383-9727.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Bipartisan Support for Brookings Recall

The recalls of Brookings Mayor Ron Hedenskog and Councilors Ed Schreiber and Michele Morosky has Republicans and Democrats working together. KCIW spoke to Curry County Republican Precinct Chair and Board Member Mark St. James, who says accountability makes this a nonpartisan issue.

Sunday, August 6, 2023
Harbor Water System Outage Update

Sunday, July 30, 2023
Long-Time KCIW Radio Host Norman Derby Reported Missing

Monday, July 10, 2023
Recall Papers Filed for Brookings Mayor and Two City Counselors Over Rehiring of Brookings City Manager

Recall papers have been filed for Brookings Mayor Ron Henenskog and City Councilors Michelle Morosky and Ed Schreiber. At issue is their vote to reinstate City Manager Janell Howard, who pleaded “no contest” to shoplifting charger at the Brookings Fred Meyer store.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Brookings City Council Revisits Janell Howard Reinstatement

The Brookings City Attorney is again being asked to figure out what to do about City Manager Janell Howard.  This, after public pressure and threats to recall the Mayor and City Council over their decision to reinstate Howard as Brookings City Manager.

Sunday, April 2, 2023
Housing Shortage Hits Home

70-year-old Mary Rowe is days away from being homeless. Her apartment building is being renovated, and she can’t find a place to rent.  If you can help, call Mary at 541-661-2170.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Brookings Mayor and City Council Ignore Legal Advice

In an interview on Our Community, former City Councilor John McKinney says Mayor Hedenskog and the City Council ignored the advice of the city attorney when deciding to reinstate Janell Howard as City Manager, and cites employee fallout as a result.

Friday, February 16, 2023
Fred Meyer Loss Prevention Team Lists 15 Instances of Theft by City Manager Janell Howard in Detailed Report

Former City Councilor John McKinney read into the record a detailed report of 15 instances of shoplifting at Fred Meyer by newly reinstated City Manager Janell Howard at the February 13, 2023, City Council meeting. These 15 separate incidents occurred over a 3-month period of time between April 11 and July 4 of last year, when she was arrested for theft. City Councilor Isaac Hodges read into the record the complete employee letter, asking the Council to not reinstate Howard as their boss due to ethics, public trust, and morale issues.

Sunday, February 5, 2023
New Janell Howard Shoplifting Information

Fred Meyer Store Manager Henry Johnson confirms over a dozen instances, caught on store video, between April and July 4, 2022. Howard was recently reinstated to her position as City Manager, in spite of appeals by City Staff and the public. KCIW News continues to follow this developing story.

Wednesday, January 31, 2023
Brookings City Manager Janell Howard Returns to Work After Paid Administrative Leave

Brookings City Manager Janell Howard will be back at her desk on February 1. Howard had been on paid administrative leave since being arrested for theft at Fred Meyer in July 2022.

Sunday, January 29, 2023
Shock and Confusion Over David Brock Smith’s Proposed Legislation to Give Beacon Broadband $40 Million

State Senator David Brock Smith wants to give Beacon Broadband $40 million from Oregon’s General Fund, even though the State has a Broadband Office with funding capabilities in place. KCIW reports.

Proposed Legislation: House Bill 2188, Senate Bill 680

Monday, January 9, 2023
Major Landslide Closes Highway 101 South of Port Orford

A major landslide has closed Highway 101 in both directions 12 miles south of Port Orford. An Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson has the details.