January 11, 2023 3:45 a.m.

Douglas County government offices will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Dale Cranford explains: “Dale” Q: News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN

That means offices at the courthouse, justice building, county annex in Reedsport, Douglas County Museum, the landfill and transfer stations, fairgrounds and all external offices will not be open.

There are some exceptions:

*The Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum in Winchester Bay will be open for its normal hours.

*All county operated parks, campgrounds and boat ramps will be open and accessible.

While offices are closed, many officials and public employees will still be working. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, 911 communications and other DCSO staff will continue to provide law enforcement protection and emergency assistance for residents.

First observed 37 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr Day commemorates the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, who was born on January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing the holiday and on January 20th, 1986 the first MLK Day holiday was observed.