More than 1,500 predatory bass were removed from the Coquille River during Labor Day Weekend. But two elusive fish worth $1,000 are still waiting to be caught.
The Coos Bay World, Sept. 12, 2022
The Coquille Indian Tribe donated $1,000 to lure participants for a smallmouth bass derby. It’s part of an effort to reduce invasive predators that gobble baby salmon.
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have secured funding for the 2023 Senate Appropriations bills for essential community projects.
Pending a agreement with the House, the bill would provide $750,000 for Coquille River salmon conservation.
A grant-funded electrofishing boat will help combat invasive bass in the Coquille River.
The Coquille Tribal Community Fund distributed grants totaling $284,700 in 2022. With these grants, the community fund’s total distributions since 2001 total about $7.3 million.
The Coquille Tribe’s Compass by Margaritaville Hotel opened in Medford, Ore., in the summer of 2022. This story by KTVL describes the grand opening:
Island state of mind comes to Medford at the Compass by Margaritaville Hotel (KTVL)
Earlier, KOBI announced the hotel’s “soft” opening.
Margaritaville’s Compass Hotel is officially open (KOBI 5)
Tribal chair and ODFW director sign agreement (ODFW video)
Oregon tribe, state leaders enter historic agreement (Indian Country Today/Underscore News)
Historic partnership between Coquille Indian Tribe and ODFW (Roseburg News-Review)
Coquille Tribe co-manages fish and wildlife with state of Oregon (OPB)
Tribe signs landmark agreement with state (The Other Oregon)
KTVL reports scathing opposition to an offshore wind farm in a community meeting hosted and co-sponsored by the Coquille Indian Tribe.
Ko-Kwel Wellness Center-Eugene is open and accepting new patients. See news coverage below.
April 26, 2022
NORTH BEND — As state and federal officials make plans for offshore wind energy, local leaders in Coos County are inviting stakeholders and local residents to share opinions, concerns and questions.
Former state Sen. Arnie Roblan will lead an informal roundtable discussion from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in the Salmon Room at The Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park. Everyone is welcome.
“We’re hoping to bring people together to exchange information and see how the community feels about this,” said Coos County Commissioner Melissa Cribbins, one of the event organizers. “We want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.”
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development are leading a data gathering and public engagement process, aiming to complete offshore wind planning for the Oregon Coast. Coos Bay, Bandon and Brookings have been identified as “call areas” for consideration as potential wind energy sites.
The decision-making process includes consideration of diverse factors such as fish and shellfish habitat, whales, migratory birds, sea turtles, marine mammals, vessel traffic, fishing and existing underwater cables.
The community roundtable is not an official part of the BOEM/DLCD process. Its goal is to promote local discussion and understanding of the process and the issues.
The event is sponsored by Coos County; the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; the cities of Coos Bay, North Bend and Bandon; the Port of Bandon and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay; and state Reps. David Brock Smith and Boomer Wright.
For more information, contact Commissioner Cribbins at 541-396-7535.
April 27, 2022
COOS BAY – The Coquille Indian Tribe’s new Ko-Kwel Wellness Center in Coos Bay has received accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Accreditation distinguishes the KWC among outpatient facilities for its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety.
“We are very proud of how far we have come in less than a year,” said Kathryn Halverson, chief executive officer of the Coquille Tribe’s Health and Wellness Division. “2021 brought a lot of changes, including a new building and many new staff. Preparing for accreditation took a lot of collaboration and effort, and I am very grateful for our amazing team that contributed to this success.” The KWC, formerly the Coquille Tribal Community Health Center, initially received accreditation in 2001 and subsequently passed national reviews in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.
Construction of the wellness center was completed in the summer of 2021 on the Kilkich Reservation near Charleston. KWC serves Coquille Tribal families, members of other federally recognized tribes, Coquille Tribal employees, and the general public as capacity allows. It offers primary medical care, dental care, behavioral health services and an onsite pharmacy.
Prospective patients can learn more at www.kokwelwellness.org, or by calling (541) 888-9494.
Status as an accredited organization means the KWC has met nationally recognized health-care standards. Organizations that earn AAAHC accreditation embody an ongoing commitment to high-quality care and patient safety.
Ambulatory health-care organizations seeking AAAHC accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and onsite survey by AAAHC surveyors – physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care.
Founded in 1979, AAAHC is the leader in ambulatory health-care accreditation, with more than 6,100 organizations accredited. Accredited outpatient settings include ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery facilities, endoscopy centers, student health centers, medical and dental group practices, community health centers, employer-based health clinics, retail clinics and tribal health centers, among others.
