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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a name="_Hlk171059151"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Coos Bay receives Oregon Heritage All-Star Community designation<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Coos Bay has been designated by the Oregon Heritage Commission as an “Oregon Heritage All-Star Community.” The commission created the
All-Star program to recognize the strong efforts by communities to broadly preserve and develop heritage resources.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">An All-Star designation requires that communities meet at least 15 of 24 criteria related to local heritage. These include heritage
tourism efforts, historic preservation programs, photo and document archives, museums, historic cemeteries, historic downtowns and more.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">“Coos Bay has a long and broad history,” said Katie Henry coordinator for the Oregon Heritage Commission. “The efforts of the city,
tribes, museums, businesses, and community members in preserving and sharing local history contributes to the economy and livability of Coos Bay.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A representative of the Oregon Heritage Commission will formally acknowledge the designation at the Coos Bay City Council work session
on July 23, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Mayor Benetti stated “This designation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our community in preserving Coos Bay’s rich
heritage, we are honored to receive this recognition and are committed to continuing our efforts in celebrating and safeguarding our history for future generations.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The city is required to maintain at least 15 of the criteria to maintain the Heritage All-Star status. Technical assistance will be
provided to Coos Bay to maintain, sustain and expand the heritage offerings and facilities. The city joins seven other All-Star communities including Albany, Astoria, Bend, Cottage Grove, Oregon City, Roseburg, and Salem.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The Oregon Heritage Commission works to secure, sustain and enhance Oregon’s heritage. The Commission sponsors heritage initiatives
that educate the public about the value of heritage and celebrate the state’s diversity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The Oregon Heritage Commission consists of nine members appointed by the governor and nine agency advisors. Members are chosen from
state agencies and statewide organizations, and represent a diverse geographical and heritage background.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Assistance is available for communities seeking to acquire Heritage All-Star Community status. Oregon Heritage of Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department, which houses the Oregon Heritage Commission, offers technical support, workshops, grants and other resources for all heritage projects in the state. To learn more, visit
</span></span><a href="http://www.oregonheritage.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">www.oregonheritage.org</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
or contact Kuri Gill at </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"></span><a href="mailto:Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.govc"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.govc</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171059151"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
or 503-986-0685.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="m-8507567808504696362m-6612702833913944270m1415202010034393138m-4323459566430460315xxxxxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<b>***********************</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-8507567808504696362m-6612702833913944270m1415202010034393138m-4323459566430460315xxxxxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt">Follow us on Facebook at @oregonheritage, on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregon-parks-and-recreation-department/" target="_blank">
LinkedIn</a>, on the <a href="https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">
Oregon Heritage Exchange blog</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-8507567808504696362m-6612702833913944270m1415202010034393138m-4323459566430460315xxxxxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-8507567808504696362m-6612702833913944270m1415202010034393138m-4323459566430460315xxxxxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt">Oregon Heritage News is a service of Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department that includes the State Historic Preservation Office. Learn more about our programs at
<a href="http://www.oregonheritage.org/" target="_blank">www.oregonheritage.org</a>. The news editor can be contacted at
<a href="mailto:heritage.info@oprd.oregon.gov" target="_blank">heritage.info@oprd.oregon.gov</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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