Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Oregon

09/10/2026

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

School is back in session, and you may be seeing more traffic, students walking or biking, and busses on the road. Drivers have a responsibility to stop for school buses displaying red flashing lights. Because buses are large vehicles, it is very difficult to see around them. The outcome of illegally passing a school bus can be devastating for children and drivers.

Law enforcement agencies receive reports each year from bus drivers and community members about motorists failing to stop for school buses. With nearly 6,000 school buses operating in the State of Oregon, motorists need to be alert.

When a bus is flashing amber lights, motorists should prepare to stop. When the red lights begin to flash, motorists traveling in both directions must stop before reaching the bus and must remain stopped until the red lights are turned off. The same rules apply to church or work buses equipped with amber and red flashing lights. Be aware when following any type of bus, it may make frequent stops.

Oregon law requires motorists to stop whenever the red lights on a school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction they are traveling. The law applies to any roadway with two or more lanes of traffic, including multi-lane highways such as Highway 101. The only exception to the law is for divided highways with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, such as in the Lincoln and Gleneden Beach areas. In this case, only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus must stop. A painted median strip or a center lane used only for left turns does not create two separate lanes. Where this situation exists, all lanes of traffic must stop.
By staying alert and following traffic laws, you reduce the risk of traffic crashes and pedestrian injuries in our community. Please do your part to make our roads safe.

09/09/2026

We are hearing reports that some Lincoln County residents received a WEA notification on their cell phones that was issued by Benton County for the incident in the post below.

No part of this incident occurred in Lincoln County and as of 11:14am, the scene is clear.

ALL CLEAR 11:14AM: The scene is clear, and the lockdowns have been lifted. ***Please stay clear of the incident since the scene is still under investigation.

--------------------------------------------

UPDATE 10:32AM: This is an update to the Shelter in Place. Please evacuate the area by contacting an on-scene deputy as soon as possible.

----------------------------------------------

🚨 SHELTER IN PLACE — MONROE, OR 🚨
BCSO is currently responding to an armed, barricaded subject in the 700 block of Commercial St, Monroe, OR.

The Monroe Elementary and High School are currently under lockout. Students and staff are secured inside the buildings. There is no current threat to the schools.

⚠️ PLEASE STAY CLEAR OF THE AREA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A mass notification was sent to the area to shelter in place at approximately 9:00 am for those in the immediate area.

We will share additional information as it becomes available.

09/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating Patrol Deputy Prestyn Cummings on his successful graduation from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training basic police academy.
We are excited to welcome him back to Lincoln County.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day is a day to reflect on the generations of hardworking Americans who stood up for fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity in the workplace. This holiday is a result of the labor movement of the late 19th century, when workers across the country united to create better futures for themselves and their families. That hard work, resilience, and integrity remain at the heart of who we are.

Our Administrative Offices are closed for the day, but our Patrol and Corrections Deputies are working their regular shifts. Stay safe and try not to give them too much work today…we’re fun, but your holiday is more fun without us intervening.

09/05/2026

On August 18, 2026 Sheriff Shanks welcomed the newest Patrol Deputy David Stack to the team. Deputy Stack's prior work experience encompasses many years working for the National Park Service as well as the Bureau of Land Management.

Welcome to the team, Deputy Stack!

09/04/2026

On August 18, 2026 Sheriff Shanks welcomed our newest member Pretrial Specialist Colton Loveless. Before joining our team, Colton also worked as a dispatcher for the Toledo Police Department.

Welcome Colton!

09/03/2026

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

September is National Preparedness Month and a great reminder to prepare for the unexpected. Disasters and emergencies can strike anytime; sometimes leaving our communities without adequate aid for hours, days, or even weeks. Take time this month to review your emergency plans and supplies.

Due to potential local wildfires, storms, floods, or landslides it is recommended that all Oregonians be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks. For coastal residents, like Lincoln County, it is recommended to be “4 Weeks Cascadia Ready” in preparation for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. This means your household has enough food, water, medical supplies, sanitation supplies, and other life-sustaining resources to meet your needs for at least four weeks. In a major disaster such as a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, supply chain, responders, and transportation would be disrupted. Our communities need to be prepared to take care of each other until assistance is available.

Be Informed
o Know about possible hazards that can occur where you live.
o Be familiar with local evacuation routes.
o Sign up for local emergency alerts through Lincoln Alerts.

Make an Emergency Plan
o Talk with family and friends about what to do, including if you’re not together during an emergency.
o Practice your plan at different times and on different days. What will you do if you are at home, work, school, or at another location?
o Plan to check on your neighbors or vulnerable community members and offer assistance if possible.

Build an Emergency Kit
o Create an emergency kit or update your existing one.
o Some supplies include:
o at least 4 weeks supply of food and water for each person and any pets. Remember to include water for drinking, sanitation, and preparing meals if needed.
o battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
o flashlight
o first aid kit
o extra batteries
o whistle (to signal for help)
o dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) and face coverings
o plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
o moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
o wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
o manual can opener (for food)
o local maps
o cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

More preparedness information and resources:
o Lincoln County Emergency Management – Plan and Prepare Resources
o Be Ready – Make a Plan
o Be Ready – Build a Kit
o CDC – Emergency Preparedness and Response
o Red Cross – How to Prepare for Emergencies
o Oregon Emergency Management – 2 Weeks Ready

08/31/2026

Please join us in congratulating Corrections Deputy Jeff Hoey on his successful graduation from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training basic corrections academy.

We are excited to welcome him back to Lincoln County.

08/31/2026

**Update at 9:30pm: All level notices have been lifted.

** Update at 8:30pm: Downgraded to Level 1 - Be Ready **

** Original message below **

Wildfire Evacuation Alert: Level 2, Be Set near Barclay Meadows off of Highway 34.

Full notice linked here:
https://member.everbridge.net/89280773672.../notif/Qp55JP5-T

UPDATE 9:30pm - All level notices have been lifted.

UPDATE 8:30pm - Downgraded to Level 1 - Be Ready.

Wildfire Evacuation Alert: Level 2, Be Set near Barclay Meadows off of Highway 34 as of 7:30pm August 30th.

Full notice linked here:
https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif/Qp55JP5-T

08/27/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL

Many families find themselves getting ready for back to school. With many public and private schools throughout Lincoln County, motorists need to remember to slow down near neighborhoods and schools.

How do I know when the school zone speed limit is active?

A school speed zone is in effect each morning and afternoon when school is in session, when children are walking to and from school, and when there’s a chance they may be present. The speed limit is 20 mph in a posted school zone between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on schooldays. If the school zone is equipped with a flashing yellow light(s), the speed limit is in effect when flashing.

These speed limits help keep children safe. Many of our schools include students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. With varying ages, heights, and abilities, a parked car can obscure students’ view of traffic and your view of them. Students may be distracted while stepping onto the roadway or forget to look before crossing the street. Driving at 20 mph will give you more time to react and avoid a collision. The following chart reveals the distance required to stop at specific speeds.

Speed Distance Required to Stop
20 MPH 64 feet
25 MPH 86 feet
30 MPH 112 feet
35 MPH 138 feet
40 MPH 170 feet

Traffic crashes are one of the deadliest hazards our children face. Let's do our part when we pass schools by slowing down, watching, and expecting the unexpected. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure the safety of our children.