Oregon Coast News - April 14, 2010
Daily news and sports coverage for the Oregon coast plus a variety of guides and directories useful to Oregon residents and visitors.
Bradwood Landing
Following a second rejection over the same issues remanded before, the developer behind the proposed $700 million Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River east of Astoria still feels confident they can obtain the necessary local and state permits to proceed. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals on Monday remanded back to Clatsop County its findings that the project is not too big for the proposed site and that it will not harm fish and traditional fishing grounds. LNG opponents are declaring victory. Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of the conservation group Columbia Riverkeeper says he can’t see how NorthernStar Gas, of Houston, TX, can get around the fact that the project is too big for the 100 acres allowed for a small-to moderate-scale development, and the same on protecting salmon habitat. Joe Desmond, a spokesperson for NorthernStar says the remand does not kill the project. He says LUBA has provided some clarity on several issues and that they have asked the county to go back and add some clarity, recalculate and come back. He also says he wasn’t sure what the natural gas company’s next move would be until the decision document has been studied carefully. Bradwood Landing is one of three proposed LNGs in Oregon. It is considered the furthest along in the permitting process. Oregon LNG, proposed west of Astoria, is third, while the Jordan Cove Energy Project, proposed for Coos Bay’s North Spit, is second. Clatsop County is also holding supplemental land-use applications for Bradwood Landing regarding eight topics this week in Astoria.
Barge capsizes near Astoria
The Coast Guard responded to the capsizing of a barge approximately eight miles from the Columbia River bar near Astoria, Tuesday morning. The crew of the 100-foot Canadian tug General Jackson contacted the Coast Guard to report their 295-foot barge had capsized at about 7:30 a.m. A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew from Group/Air Station Astoria and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, WA, were sent to the scene. The barge was loaded with scrap metal and contains approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel. The capsizing occurred in approximately 300 feet of water and weather on scene was calm. The Coast Guard has contacted the vessel owner, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Washington Department of Ecology. No injuries have been reported and a light sheen has been observed coming from the vessel.
Wetlands honor
An 88-year old North Coast woman was recognized Tuesday in Salem for allowing the restoration of wetlands on her 20-acre farm. Ernestine Neitzel has owned the property in Clatsop County near Seaside just off of Hwy. 26 for 65-years. The restoration work, aimed at enhancing natural habitats, has resulted in a clean-flowing, deep stream that now runs through her land. The first phase of the project cost an estimated $240,000 with funding provided by several private and public groups including Trout Unlimited, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, North Coast Land Conservancy, Longview Timber Company and the Campbell Group. Additional funds came from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Land Owner Incentive Program which focused on restoring threatened and endangered coho salmon to the streams on her property.
Transient Tax
How to promote tourism along the Oregon Coast this year is a topic in several coastal communities. With tourist visits and spending suffering during the nation’s poor economy, tourism organizations along the coast are sharpening their pencils. The Tillamook Chamber of Commerce on the North Coast is asking its city for a larger share of its lodging tax proceeds to promote tourism. Officials say its portion of the Transient Room Tax has dropped from a high of $52,500 in 2003 to $14,500 this year. Part of the drop is blamed on less visitors, while another part is attributed to the increase in the number of recipients sharing the revenue source. The City of Cannon Beach is considering increasing its Lodging Tax for the first time since the 1990s. The current rate is 6%. The proposed 1% increase would generate an additional $300,000 that would be earmarked to support the community’s growing arts program to draw more tourists to the North Coast town. On the South Coast, the Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor’s Convention Bureau is considering a proposal from the Coquille Indian Tribe that would increase the number of seats on its Board of Directors from five to seven with the two additional seats going to the Tribe which owns and operates the Mill Casino/Hotel/RV Park in North Bend. Bay Area hotel and motel owners support a greater presence on the board. The CB-NB VCB tourism promotions are funded through the area’s Transient Room Tax. The Board currently consists of a City Council member from both Coos Bay and North Bend, council-appointed representatives from their cities, and a Bay Area Chamber of Commerce representative.
Research buoy
An Oregon State University research buoy broke free from its tethered anchor line off the Central Oregon Coast and washed ashore at Newport’s Nye Beach on April 7th. The six-foot tall yellow buoy attracted a crowd on lookers before it was recovered by officials.
Port of Siuslaw dredging
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) sent a letter to Governor Kulongoski, urging him to push state agencies to reach a resolution with the federal government on a disposal site for materials dredged from the Siuslaw River. The Coast Guard has warned that the lack of dredging of the Siuslaw River is of concern and may affect Coast Guard operations. The Port of Siuslaw has received nearly $2.2 million in federal funds to dredge the mouth and channel of the river, including $1.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to also dredge the turning basin. However, there is currently no disposal site for the dredged materials. The current disposal site has been in use since 1929 but is no longer viable due to regulatory changes. State and federal agencies have not been able to come to agreement on a new disposal site and if a resolution is not reached before April 19th, the Port will lose the ARRA funds.
DEQ Florence
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has signed an agreement with the City of Florence on a $4.9 million loan for upgrades to the sewer system. The project will replace old, leaking pipes, increase capacity of the system and extend service to residents currently using private septic systems.
NBHS elections
Next year’s ASB and Student Council at North Bend High School: ASB President: Matt Walker, Vice President: Dyana Lazcano-Brown, Secretary/Treasurer: Michael Jimenez, Public Relations Manager: Camille Deming. Class of 2011: President: Jennifer Holbrook, Vice President: Rachel Matthews, Secretary: Yuri Hernandez, Treasurer: Brianna Blaser, Representatives: Tashina Stillmaker, Milli Sevy & Katie Wilson. Class of 2012: President: Anna Brecheisen, Vice President: Rachael Morris, Secretary: Madisen Ransom, Treasurer: Quinlyn Deming, Representatives: Madison Waldrop, Caitlin Snuggerud & Jeanette Londo. Class of 2013: President: Brandon Crutchfield, Vice President: Michael Hobson, Secretary: Rain Glazebrook, Treasurer: Laura LaGesse.
BACC IBO
For this Wednesday’s IBO presentation, April 14, the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a Candidate Forum for Coos County Commissioner Position 2. Tim Novotny will be the moderator for this event, which will involve all five declared candidates: Don Van Dyke, Larry Van Elsberg, Mary T. Loiselle, Steve Pickering and Nikki Whitty. This IBO session will be held in the Salmon Room at the Mill Casino-Hotel from 11:30 to 1:00 pm. Please note due to the number of candidates the program will start at 11:45 am. These luncheons are open to all who are interested in attending, but we ask you call the Chamber office at 541-266-0868, to ensure we have enough food available. The mission of the IBO Forum committee is to provide an opportunity for business to network with each other, market products and expand their knowledge of the Bay Area business climate. The Forums focus on the positive aspects of doing business in Oregon’s Bay Area. Speakers and subject matter include new businesses moving to the area, business expansions, and issues or items that can impact your operations.
Health Reform Scams
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services is asking consumers to report any attempts by salespeople to use federal health care reform to pressure them into buying insurance. National reports indicate that fraudulent sales representatives are going door-to-door claiming to be with the federal government and peddling phony policies. There are also reports of licensed agents telling people they need to enroll quickly in a policy because of a non-existent "limited enrollment" period. Oregon law prohibits agents from using deception to sell insurance, and the federal government closely regulates marketing to people in Medicare. Agents, for example, are prohibited from making unsolicited phone calls or visits to people to market Medicare. To report any improper sales tactics, call the department's Insurance Division consumer advocates: 1-888-877-4894.
Blocked
Tower Street in North Bend was completely blocked Monday evening after a tree and brush slid into the roadway. According to an entry on the police log, 7:06 p.m., the Street Dept. responded with a backhoe and cleared the roadway.
Trespass
According to entries on the Coos Bay Police log for Monday, 7:24 p.m., “back on the property again after being warned about 2 minutes ago at DQ to stay away.” Call came in from McKay’s Fresh Mart at 149 So. 7th St. Forty-five year old Thomas Sawyer was cited for Trespass II. At 6:36 p.m., Sawyer was cited for Theft III. At 7:15 p.m., “reports that the guy who was just trespassed from location just walked back in.” At 8:04 p.m., same location, “female in the store who has been trespassed from all their stores.” Latimer cited for Criminal Trespass II.
Follow up
According to an entry on the Coquille Police log for 4:53 p.m., Monday, 700 block No. Birch, 18-year old Joseph Jesse Gilbert charged with Theft I, Burglary I and Theft II. Transported and lodged at the Coos Co. Jail in Coquille. Earlier, at 12:19 p.m., same address, 19-year old female “reported violation of release agreement.”
DUII
According to an entry on the Coos Co. Sheriff’s log for Monday, 8:38 p.m., Hwy. 101 & Transpacific Lane, 43-year old Eric John Lange arrested for DUII (BAC .10%), released on citation, vehicle towed, passenger picked up by cab.
WX
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers along the Oregon Coast today. Highs in the lower 50s to lower 60s and northeast winds around 5 mph, but shifting to the northwest by afternoon. Chance of rain tonight with lows around 40, north winds around 5 mph, but shifting to the southwest in the late evening, then the southeast after midnight. Mostly to partly cloudy on Thursday.
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OREGON COAST SPORTS
MHS bb
Marshfield is scheduled to host defending state 5A champion Thurston tonight, 5 p.m., in 5A Midwestern League baseball.
MHS sb
Marshfield is scheduled to travel to Thurston in east Springfield today to play the Colts in a 5A Midwestern League softball game.
MHS tr
Blake Kemp won three events and anchored the short relay team to victory as Marshfield’s boys cruised to a 5A Midwestern League dual track meet win over visiting North Eugene on Prefontaine Track at Pete Susick Stadium in Coos Bay Tuesday afternoon. The junior also improved upon his state leading best in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles in winning in 40.22. Hannah Francis won both the Javelin and Discus to lead the Lady Pirates against the Highlanders.
NB bb
North Bend lost at Brookings-Harbor in 4A Far West League baseball Tuesday. No score available.
NB sb
North Bend lost to visiting Brookings-Harbor in 4A Far West League softball Tuesday. No score available.
SOCC bb
Southwestern Oregon and Chemeketa split a community college baseball doubleheader in Salem Tuesday. The Storm (15-4, 5-3) beat the Lakers 9-3, and SOCC (7-9, 2-4) downed CCC 7-5. Southwestern next plays at Linn-Benton in Albany on Thursday and then at Clackamas on Saturday in Oregon City.
SOCC tr
Southwestern Oregon Community College hosted its own Open Track Meet on Saturday, April 10th on the Coos Bay campus. Head coach Dan Neal, “The weather was the best we have had for a home meet and our kids were able to compete in some events the do not normally do.” Dianne Chong had an outstanding Triple Jump performance with a jump of 36’ 9”. The woman’s 4 X 100 Relay team (Dianne Chong, Chelsea Standley, Kelsea Johnson and Kelly Millager) ran a very respectable time of 51.34 and Sarah Smith broke the 10 foot barrier in the Pole Vault. On the Men’s side Justin Smith ran a 15.98 in the 110 High Hurdles and Mitchell Longwill had a 137 foot throw in the Men’s Discus.
Peavey, Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week
Oregon State right-handed pitcher Greg Peavey has been named the Pacific-10 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season, league commissioner Larry Scott announced on Monday. Peavey spun a masterful two-hit performance on Friday night against No. 3 UCLA, limiting the Bruins to just a run and three walks while striking out six. UCLA came into the series batting .347 as a team, and managed a single through the left side in the fourth on a hit-and-run and a soft, knuckling liner in the seventh. Only three batters got into scoring position against Peavey, and none after the fourth. His only run allowed came on a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Peavey retired 10 of the first 11 batters he faced and 16 of the last 17 to come to the plate. Four of the last six outs he recorded came via strikeout. With the honor, Peavey becomes the first Pac-10 Pitcher to earn the award twice this season. He was named the league's Pitcher of the Week on March 1 after throwing a three-hit shutout against Tennessee.
Civil War bb telecast
The Oregon and Oregon State baseball programs announced Tuesday that an additional game will be televised during the 2010 Civil War series at Goss Stadium. The series finale, May 9, will be televised in a joint partnership between the Beavers and Ducks. The game will air live on Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Oregon’s regional television partner, and then will be tape delayed at a later date on FSN Northwest, Oregon State's regional television partner. The game will remain a 1 p.m. PT start, and will feature, in the booth, Joe Giansante as the play-by-play announcer and former Seattle Mariner Jim Wilson as the color analyst. Wilson lettered for Oregon State from 1980-82, and holds the school's single-season home runs record with 21 in 1982.
Blazers
The Portland Trailblazers host the Golden State Warriors tonight in the final game of the 2009-10 NBA season in the Rose Garden, 7:30 p.m. All-Star guard Brandon Roy will miss the game with a meniscus of his right knee sustained in Sunday’s win over the LA Lakers in Los Angeles. His status for the upcoming playoffs is also in question. Portland can lock down the sixth seed from its conference with a win tonight.
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