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Headlight Herald

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

VOL. 133, NO. 12 • $1

TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM

County pays $300,000 for cyberattack ransom
Cody Mann
headlightnews@countrymedia.net

T

illamook County officials
revealed that a $300,000
ransom was paid to regain data access after a cyberattack. The ransom
amount was disclosed during the
Tillamook County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday,
March 11.
Commissioner Bill Baertlein,
reading from a prepared statement,
said it could have taken 12-24

months and cost $1 million to unlock the county’s computer system if
a ransom went unpaid.
“The county’s rapid and aggressive response to the incident mitigated the compromise and contained
the encryption to 17 of 55 servers
and five of 280 county workstations,” Baertlein said.
The attack was reportedly carried out by an international cybercriminal organization known to law
enforcement both nationally and
internationally. The prepared county

Image: Metro Creative Graphics

statement said the computer system
was disabled for around two weeks,

Testing for COVID-19
in Tillamook County
Cody Mann
headlightnews@countrymedia.net

A

Tillamook lumber mill
worker was tested for
coronavirus this past week,
leading operations to shut down
Thursday, March 12, for a cleaning.
Hampton Lumber Mill Plant
Manager Mark Elston issued a
statement about the employee
and the closure. In the statement,
he said the employee was tested
at the local hospital and advised
by medical professionals to
self-quarantine at home pending
results.
“The employee is following
that advice and has committed to inform us of a positive or
negative result once known,” he
said. “We will let our employees
know this result and will keep the
appropriate community leaders
informed.”
Elston said upon learning of
the possible infection risk, Hampton Lumber closed shop to clean
and sanitize areas the employee
frequented. He said the relevant
break rooms, restrooms, offices,

and control rooms were sanitized
by a local cleaning service.
“We take the health and safety
of our employees and the community very seriously,” Elston
said. “We will monitor the situation and take the appropriate
action to safeguard our employees and our operation as we get
additional information.”
As of Monday, March 16,
Elston said the employee’s test
results had not yet been received.
The mill was reopened for work
after the temporary shutdown to
sanitize gathering areas.
County officials confirmed
Friday, March 13, that tests for
COVID-19 were conducted in
Tillamook County. Test kits are
en.com
reportedly
inastcitiz
short supply.
northco
As of Friday, there were no
confirmed COVID-19 cases in
Tillamook County. The Health
Department tested two sick
individuals, and both came back
negative, according to a statement
from county officials. Adventist
Health has also tested patients
for the virus and is waiting for

adding that new security measures
were being implemented.
“The county made every effort
to avoid the payment of a ransom to
the cyber attacker, including recovery through two independent backup
solutions and hundreds of hours
of retained and county resources;
however, data critical to county
operations could not be restored
without paying the cyberattacker for
decryption keys,” Baertlein said.
“While the county maintained redundant backup solutions that would

have protected our data in the event
of a natural disaster, the cyberattack resulted in encrypted backups,”
Baertlein said.
Commissioner Mary Faith Bell
emphasized that the government
was the victim of a crime, noting
a new frontier of security hazards
in the digital age. Commissioner
David Yamamoto said while other
municipalities have not disclosed

n See RANSOM, Page A2
Cody Mann/Headlight Herald

1996
k County since
North Tillamoo

No rth Co ast
Serving

Citizen

Need an INEXPENSIVE
print media advertising
option this summer?
$1

Volume 25,

No. 6

Tillamookek
County officials
utions for
Se ing sol
ng crisis
declare state of emergency
unty’s housi
d market
March 12,

2020

Longtime
k Co of affordable housing and divide
Tillamoo
lack
Garibaldi
by low wages,
lic worksC Problem driven
pub
n
employee
resigns

The state of emergency will last
to access the building should use
Cody Mann
until April 1, when it will be rethe south entrance. Access to the
headlightnews@countrymedia.net
evaluated.
Justice Court, District Attorney’s
typically
mid“This is a very fluid situation
office, Juvenile Department andcompete for need against
ounty officials held an emerworkers and
and things are changing rapidly,”
Circuit Court will be available. low-paid agricultu re as educatio n and
gency meeting Saturday,
such
Handicapped access to the courtMarch 14, to declare a local state of Yamamoto said.
The pressure
dle-wage earners
Concerned about the impact of
house also remains available. healthca re employe es.
s vacation
emergency due to the coronavirus
adds
a possible COVID-19 spread in
The Tillamook County Healthis compoun ded by numerou
outbreak. Most county offices will
to Portland
proximit y
the area, Bell said with only a few
Department will still be open. Pubhomes in
close to the public, operating by
rentals, and
intensive care beds, Tillamook
lic access will be closed off at thea high demand for second
phone and email instead.
County.
County lacks the capacity to handle Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office,
drives up the
Tillamook County CommissionTillamoo k
a
serious
outbreak.
but jail visitations will continue. All The absence of housing outside the
er Bill Baertlein said the declaration
more
workers living
Access to the Tillamook County
Tillamook County libraries and the
was necessary due to the rapidly
number of leaves others paying
Courthouse will be screened.
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum
developing situation around COVcounty, and afford. Either choice e
can
County
department
offices
at
the
will
close
immediately.
workforc
Dorsey
the
Hilary
than they
edia.net ID-19. Commissioners Mary Faith
for
courthouse will serve the public
The Tillamook County Fair- makes it harder to build
Bell and David Yamamoto agreed
and harder
headlightreporter@countrym
by appointment. The Community
grounds is suspending all events in Tillamoo k Countystable staffs. As the
with the necessity. No COVID-19
to build
“those
es
Development
office
will
close
to
of
250
people
or
more
in
compliemsaid,
have been confirmed in the
compani
of Garibaldi cases
force report fewer housaboutat this time.
the public but will serve people by
ance with Gov. Kate Brown’s
former City
concernscounty
housing task
have
phone and email. County Public
mass gathering ban. Canceled and with the least money dispropo rtionployee expressed the Jan. 21“Are we going to be infected,”
ent during
and travel
Works will be closed to the public,
rescheduled events include the
Yamamoto said. “I can tell you
ing choices for work.”
city managem Garibaldi City Council.
the
the much yes, we will.”
though the solid waste transfer staSpring Bazaar, Creamery Assoand enviately further
pretty
meeting of
ck worked for
geograph y to a scarce
tions remain open.
Complic ated
Martin McCormi32 years beforeVotes for a resolution declaring
ns add
but
than
and
l protectio
The north courthouse entrance
k County,
the emergency
and enacting a concity for more is certified for water
in Tillamoo
n See EMERGENCY, Page A3 ronmenta
and
will be closed. Those who need
a pre- plan passed unanimously.
growth
read tingency
Hampton Lumber Mill in Tillamook.
Cody Mann/Headlight Herald
land supply
resigning
said urban
treatment. He
that outpreserve the
the 2017 report
wastewater
to the council
have helped
boundari es characte r and its sustainpared statement hostile work environrly
area’s rural re sector, particula
lined an alleged works department,
public
able agricultu The environm ental ts
ment in the
in losing a valuable
shortconstrain
dairy farming.
one that resulted
when it is already
and boundary
may
protectio ns land supply, which
staff member
said.sick.”
to carry-out and delivery only
away fromhanded,
others ifhe
you’re
ov. Kate Brown on Monday,
Photo: Metro Creative Graphics still limit the
costs or reduce
the Public
developm ent
March 16, announced new
The measures
include
new orders
with no on-site consumption
City reviewed
environ“The
increase
r.
nt working permitted.
in
and guidance
on social
distancmeasures to flatten the curve of
work
Departme
interest altogethe
Works
is also limited to
that no hostile
ing, an agreement
for found
the Portland
coronavirus transmission in Oregon.
Metro
Garibaldi
Housing mobilityThose who wish
ment and
service at health care
existed,” said • Food
metro hospital
systement
to coordinate
ger in workplaces, and other
face ecoThe state has a total of 51 people
Creative Tillamoo k County.
environm
facilities,
Wullschla
the county es, resulting
Geoffactiresources and
increase
capacity,
who have been diagnosed with COManager
Graphics relocate within
City
facilities will continue.
allegations. essential
market challeng
to theComvation of theresponse
state’s Unified
work
turnover. DeVID-19 as of Tuesday.
nomic and
said a hostile
vaof housing
• All other businesses are urged to
mand emergency
responseger
organiza“I know it’s difficult to learn that
Tillamoo k in low levels enough to keep the
Wullschla
when illegal
Inc. and the
is practices, impleent exists
assess their
tional structure,
and a new
order to ation (which
we are seeing more active commumand is strong but not strong enough
environm
partners CARE, y Associat ion. Work
low,
y in the
strong social distancing
was
gouging. ent discriminon race,ment
religion,
nity spread of COVID-19, but this is prevent priceemploym
cancy rate
ent, especiall
County Creamer
a study that
based
measures,
and close their doors
Cody Mann ia.net
protected
“My goal is
to protectation
the health
spur developm ket price ranges.
in 2015 with the Creamer y Asto
other
something we’ve been expecting,”
discrimin
and
began
sex
by
.
@countrymed
that if they cannot putheadlightnews
origin, Every pervasive
temporarily
the
Oregon families.
report cited
low- and mid-mar
said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health and safety of national
primarily funded al studies followed
task force
severe and consider
is somade
new guidance in place.
Addition
step we are taking
is being
in
report
The housing housing stock” as a ce
classes)
officer and epidemiologist. “It’s a
sociation .
task force
person would hostile or
housing crisis diwith community
input andecareful
ng,“I know that while these actions
“tired-lo oking weakenin g confidenrs
Housing
a reasonabl
good reminder to take steps to proA 2017 housing
mid the wider
County’s
k
Healthy
intimidati
e
a
aspect,
consideration of
impacts,” Brown will impact Oregon businesses Oregon,
Tillamoo
develope
threat- titled “Creatin g
theitsworkplac
and
tect yourself, and vulnerable friends
County” outlines critical
investors or
homes
Tillamoo k
housing market c vitalsaid. “Each action
has ripple effects
ck’s statethe area’s
in would-be the area. Too many of ababusive.
employees,
they will help
decrease
and family members, by washing
Market for
and aging
economi
elements of
g to McCormi
vided
, Cory
across our state, both
on a personal
because
Accordin
consider ing
distinctiv e – coastal and interior.
livability and nd residents
employee
the
rate
of
infection
while
bringing
ntained
two
your hands, covering your coughs
local
stuck
another
ens
andwe can
at public
and an economic
level.heBut
featuring
for year-rou
are not well-mais, dissatisf ied but ds
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housing market
and sneezes, and staying home and
the only state
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rentals.
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years.we
reexpensiv
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care community
egon Way. By working
together,
more
out
McCormi
homeow ners,
works for
and needs
are low
s, and discoura
virus,”
Brown said.
newer,
July that
crisis
is weak
is crowding to prepare
past we
s around
emergency response
organizational
the expected
of the for
INDEX
are stronger, even
if it’sthis
in ways
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want to be a The Governor’s
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ing weeks
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requests te including
housing,
employthe problem,
grocery stores, vacy.
pharmacies, and iftoI observe
efforts market
to minimize any disruption to
as community
resources,
and work interior
Baertlein
address
the State Legislature and theTofedioner Bill with key
working
“As a manager,
retail stores. It’s additionally
time
critical services in Oregon.
together to
increase
eral
government.
forcebed capacity.
County Commiss
task
having a difficult
eesOregonians
recommended that
At the request of the Attorney
After someone contracts COVID-19,
A5
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also announced
the
forma- a housing
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RESIGN, Page
avoid gatherings of 10 people or n See
General, Brown declared an abnorillness usually develops within 14
tion of two command groups, one
more.
mal market disruption regarding esdays. Symptoms mirror those of the
to manage our health care system’s
sential items like hand sanitizer and
flu, including fever, cough, runny
• Restaurants, bars, and other
resources and the other to manage
nose, headache, sore throat and
toilet paper, to prevent price gouging
establishments that offer food or
state resources. The metro regional
beverages for sale are restricted
COVID-19 hospital response plan
general feelings of illness.
during this public health crisis.
In the
boat alone.
up,
to leave the
have washed
Feb. 29, a
past when boats looted the boats.
riday night,
the
have
rescued by
individuals
couple was a couple had
private property
There are still left alone until
after
bar
be
Coast Guard
come
crossing the
and should
company can
safety concerns boat. Coast
the salvage the family.
with their 44-footd that conditions
retrieve it for state park property
District
Guard determine
The boat is
jurisdicto tow the vessel.
Rural Fire & Protection
State Police
were unsafe Guard decided to
Cannon Beach
and Oregon
moved from
The Coast
has since been
It
tion.
hoist the boaters. Rural Fire and
the beach.
Cannon Beach asks everyone
Protection District
See TESTING, Page A11

We have it!

Attract customers with a
color ad starting at only $19
A

G

A

Contact Katherine today for more information:
503-842-7535 • headlightads@countrymedia.net
ues two after
Coast Guard resc erns
boat safety conc
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with the An
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sumptive case
Seven new pre
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populations,”
cally on at-risk
Patrick
Authorsaid OHA Director
regon Health
release. “We
Allen in a press Oregonians
ity (OHA) confirmed
ve
want to protect of
seven new presumpti
risk
coronavirus,
cases of novel Sunday, March at greatestsevere
on
the most
COVID-19,
actions it
outcomes of
8. OHA announces
the spread of
this disease,
is taking to slow
protect Oregoincluding
the virus and
to Gov.
older
nians, in response
emergency
adults,
Kate Brown’s
people
declaration.
to actiwith un“We are prepared
nted state
derlying
vate an unprecede
rt to contain

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Hilary Dorsey edia.net
These actions
headlightreporter@countrym
the outbreak.
Beeinclude:
s
he Tillamook
n is
• Finalizing agreement
systems
keepers Associatio
Beehive
with major hospitallocations
their Annual set up in
to expand
is
9 hosting
where COVID-1
Raffle. The beehive
County Library,
tests can be
the Tillamook display cases,
conducted
along with two
the
public about
safely.
teaching the
bee.
• Prepa- importance of saving the
is comrations to
The display case
1,000 dead
mobilize
plete with aboutof everything
Oregon’s
bees. One thirddependent on
medical
humans eat is honey bee
reserve
pollination. The of the work.
corps to
does 80 percent species of

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bees.
about 1,000 dead
Display case with th Coast Citizen
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Hilary Dorsey/Nor
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State takes additional measure against COVID-19 spread