COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Diesel Mechanic Technology program at www.socc.edu/dieselmechanic. Launched in Fall 2025 to meet a need for skilled mechanics, the program is gaining momentum with strong backing from local employers and community partners.

Offered on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay), the program provides hands-on, career-focused training for students preparing for high-demand jobs in trucking, maritime, forestry, and other industries. In its first year, the program attracted strong student engagement and saw early success.

“We’re doing a lot more than just sitting in a classroom. Students get hands-on training with specialized tools and modern diesel systems in a professional shop,” said Terry Cheyne, program lead and longtime diesel mechanic. “They are learning what it really takes to keep trucks, boats and heavy equipment running. There’s real pride in this work, and a big need for it around here. It’s work that matters. This program gives people a shot at a good paycheck and solid future.”

Applications are open now through May 14, 2026. Space is limited, and applicants are encouraged to apply early. SWOCC also offers scholarships and support services to help students succeed, including help for students receiving SNAP benefits through the STEP program:

Scholarships: www.socc.edu/scholarships

STEP (SNAP Training & Employment Program) and Basic Needs: www.socc.edu/resources/snap-step

The College is building a new diesel training shop to support program growth and enhance hands-on lab-based instruction. It is scheduled to open Fall 2026.

To learn more and apply, visit www.socc.edu/dieselmechanic. For questions, contact Charline Meyer, LIFT Project Coordinator/Advisor, at charline.meyer@socc.edu or 541-888-1545.

COOS BAY, OR- The Dolphin Playhouse is proud to present its production of 12 Angry Jurors, a tense and compelling ensemble drama that brings audiences inside a jury room where one decision will change a young man’s life forever. Performances run February 6–8 and 13–15 at the Playhouse in Coos Bay’s historic Empire District.

Based on the classic stage and screen work, 12 Angry Jurors follows twelve ordinary people tasked with determining guilt or innocence in a murder trial. What begins as a seemingly straightforward verdict quickly unravels as personalities collide, assumptions are challenged, and the weight of responsibility grows heavier with every exchange. Confined to a single room, the jurors must confront their own biases and beliefs as they work toward a verdict that could mean life or death.

This production highlights the power of ensemble storytelling. Each juror brings a distinct voice, perspective, and emotional journey, creating a dynamic and intimate theatrical experience. The close quarters of the Playhouse amplify the rising tension, drawing the audience directly into the heart of the deliberation.

Performance Dates & Times:

Fridays and Saturdays, February 6-7 & 13-14, 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)

Sundays, February 8 & 15. 2:00 PM (Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Tickets: General Admission - $12, Seniors & Students - $10, “Pay What You Can Night” - Saturday, February 7, 2026. Tickets available online at www.thedolphinplayhouse.com, or at the door.

The Dolphin Playhouse is located at 580 Newmark Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420.

Looking for a fresh and fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? Dragonfly Nursery is popping up at NoBe Taphouse & Food Cart Pod in North Bend for a special Valentine’s Day Plant Nursery Pop-Up on Saturday, February 14, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This one-day event brings together the best of local plants, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere—perfect for a midday date, a casual lunch stop, or a little self-love shopping. Dragonfly Nursery will be set up when NoBe opens, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of houseplants, succulents and cactus, air plants, perennial flowers, and small assorted pottery. Whether you’re shopping for a meaningful Valentine’s gift or simply adding something green to your own space, there’s something for every plant lover.

Located at 1710 Virginia Ave in North Bend, NoBe Taphouse & Food Cart Pod is the ideal backdrop for the event. Grab lunch from the food carts, enjoy a cocktail or local beer, and wander through the pop-up nursery at your own pace.

Skip the traditional flowers this Valentine’s Day and give a gift that grows. Join Dragonfly Nursery at NoBe for an afternoon of planty goodness, good food, and great company.

(Coos Bay, OR) The Hive Youth Arts & Enterprise Collective placed fourth at 2026 Coos County Pitch Night, a local live pitch competition hosted by the South Coast Development Council.

The Hive’s pitch highlighted the need for accessible mentorship programming for local youth, as well as the growing gap between generations. As traditional pathways for learning from elders, tradespeople, and community mentors continue to thin out, The Hive is working to intentionally reconnect those threads.

Following Pitch Night, The Hive is inviting community members with decades of trade skills, professional experience, and lived-experience wisdom to get involved as mentors.

The Hive’s mentorship program pairs teens with adults who have real-world knowledge to share, helping rebuild connection, skill-sharing, and trust across generations.

To learn more about The Hive Youth Arts & Enterprise Collective visit www.hiveyouthcollective.com, or contact Desireé Glenn Gaoiran, 541-252-0679.

Gino’s Pizza Inn marked a big milestone on Friday, January 9, with a ribbon cutting that celebrated both new ownership and 60 years of serving North Bend. The restaurant was buzzing as friends, neighbors, and longtime fans filled the space to toast the occasion. Guests enjoyed plenty of tasty samples, from classic pizza and hearty lasagna to warm soup and soft pretzels paired with rich beer cheese. If anyone walked out hungry, they definitely did it wrong.

New owners Kim and Steve are proud to carry Gino’s legacy forward with plans to keep it in the family for years to come. The welcoming spot is perfect for family dinners, parties, and game days, with multiple TVs, claw machines, pinball, and arcade cabinets adding to the fun. The menu offers something for everyone, including gluten-free choices, Benetti’s Famous Lasagna and Minestrone Soup. Local beer lovers will also appreciate taps featuring options from 7 Devils Brewery. One visit in, and you’ll be craving your next slice.

ginospizzainn.com

On November 5, IVY Drip Lounge celebrated its ribbon cutting ceremony with an enthusiastic turnout from family, friends, and members of the Coos Bay community. Co-owners Corrine (LPN) and Jackie (RN and BSN), warmly greeted guests and proudly showcased their new space. Inside, visitors found a clean and cozy atmosphere that feels more like a spa than a clinic, offering a sense of calm and care from the moment you walk in.

After years of working in healthcare, Jackie and Corrine saw how difficult it can be for people to find the personal attention they deserve. They were inspired to create something different, a place where hydration, recovery, and compassion come together. That vision became IVY Drip Lounge, a wellness space designed to help people feel cared for and refreshed.

As both nurses and mothers, they understand the challenge of balancing busy lives with self care. IVY Drip Lounge was built to make wellness simple and stress free. Their goal is to deliver safe and evidence based IV therapy in a calm, comfortable setting while keeping high quality care accessible to everyone.

IV therapy delivers fluids, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients directly into the bloodstream for fast and effective absorption. Whether you want to boost your energy, recover from illness, or simply feel your best after having a rough morning, IVY Drip Lounge offers a soothing way to recharge. They also offer vitamin injections as an alternative to IV therapy. Every visit includes a brief health review, friendly guidance from medical staff, and a relaxing experience complete with blankets, snacks, and comfort.

Ready to feel refreshed? Call 541-808-0655 or book your appointment at www.ivydriplounge.online. Visit IVY Drip Lounge at 126 E Market Ave, Coos Bay.