Oregon Coast News - September 25, 2009
Daily news and sports coverage for the Oregon coast plus a variety of guides and directories useful to Oregon residents and visitors.
Coos Bay
The sudden termination of Coos Bay City Manager Chuck Freeman will reportedly cost the City about $130,000 in severance pay. A similar firing of the previous City Manager Scott McClure cost the city about $50,000. In both cases the two had alleged confrontation issues with two-term elected Mayor Jeff McKeown. The seven-member elected City Council voted 4-3 Wednesday night during a special session following a closed-door meeting at City Hall to fire Freeman. That followed an earlier meeting Monday where Freeman was allegedly involved in an open outburst against the Mayor. Police Chief Rodger Craddock was appointed interim city manager, and Capt. Gary McCullough will serve as acting police chief.
Missing man found
A 76-year old missing Curry County man was found safe and alive near Prosser, WA after he ran his truck into a gravel runaway truck ramp about 3 a.m., Thursday morning. Dean Cox was reported missing from his Nesika Beach residence Tuesday. Investigators were able to track his movement from gas credit card purchases up the Oregon Coast and then east up the Columbia River Gorge. Law enforcement agencies ahead of him were notified to be on the lookout for Cox. He wife was en route to pick him up.
Salmon plan
A federal judge in Portland is asking comments be filed with his court by Oct. 2nd regarding the recently filed Obama Administration’s Northwest Salmon Plan. U.S. District Judge James Redden indicated earlier that the plan submitted by the previous administration may be in violation of the Endangered Species Act and granted the new administration time to submit another plan. The State of Oregon and the Nez Perce Tribe are among those challenging the President’s Plan. It reportedly involves the continued operation of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, while also protecting native fish habitat.
Boat Basin Drive
There is no sidewalk. The asphalt is broken in several places and pot holes quickly fill with water during the rainy season. That will all change in the year 2011 for Boat Basin Drive in Charleston. The short stretch of highway, perhaps the most used in all of Charleston, will benefit from an Oregon Department of Transportation $1.1 million grant and a partnership that includes the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and Coos County that would include a storm-water drainage system, sidewalks and bike lanes between the Cape Arago Hwy. and the un-built Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Interpretive Center near the small Boat Basin. The project was one of 13 ODOT considered for funding out of 91 submitted applications.
Tsunami workshop
In coastal communities like Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart, Warrenton and others, getting to high ground in the event of a local tsunami generated by a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake (the "Big One") is not a viable option for many people. While other countries have designed and built vertical evacuation buildings capable of surviving a great earthquake and massive tsunami, how viable and necessary is that option for coastal communities in Oregon? A two-day workshop beginning Monday September 28th in Cannon Beach will address issues of tsunami risk management and policies relating to vertical evacuation buildings. In order to reduce tsunami-related fatalities in the Cascadia region, tsunami risk management needs to include the consideration of tsunami evacuation buildings in addition to the traditional evacuation method of "move inland and uphill". Higher possible inundation levels, very short evacuation times (10-30 minutes), and the difficulties of evacuating visitors and our increasingly aging resident coastal population mean that even communities with nearby high ground should consider tsunami evacuation buildings. The City of Cannon Beach began looking at building a new city hall that could serve as a vertical evacuation structure a couple of years ago and that will be one of the discussions at this workshop. Building tsunami vertical evacuation structures requires new policies that involve elected officials, the general public, and engineers.
Southwestern readies for New Student Orientation
Local returning and prospective students are getting ready for the start of the fall term at Southwestern Oregon Community College. The residence halls at the college and apartments around town will soon be filling up as students from out of the area begin their migration onto the Coos Campus. The influx signals the start of New Student Orientation activities for the college. Orientation provides all new students--those living on-campus and off-campus--with the chance to learn how to get help before they need it, and what to do before they need to do it. It can make a transition into college life much more stress-free and successful. Following move-in day on Thursday, the college will begin introducing this year’s group of incoming students to college life. Campus tours will be available, as well as appointments with students’ academic advisors. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 25, as many as 50 local businesses and organizations will be stationed in the quad on campus to introduce themselves to the new students at the Welcome Expo. There also will be a barbecue lunch and a series of seminars designed to prepare students for academic, financial and social success in college. College staff, students and faculty will continue checking students in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday leading up to the first day of classes on Sept. 28.
Historic Design
The City of Coos Bay is seeking volunteers to fill openings on the Historic Design Review Committee. Applications and information are available from the City Manager’s Office during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or by calling 269-8912. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 25th. There are two positions open on the Historic Design Review Committee. Appointments will be made by the Planning Commissioner at the October 13th regular Commission meeting.
State parks
Three couples, out of ten nominated, have been honored by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept. for their volunteerism as park hosts including at one coastal location. Gary and Jerrilyn French, of Edmonds, WA, were nominated for helping keep Fort Stevens State Park west of Astoria historic military area free of litter and its visitors informed through their interpretive efforts. The couple reportedly tackled a variety of tasks, ranging from guiding tours to cleaning yurts. The other couples hosted at Detroit Lake State Recreation Area and Memaloose State Park in the Columbia Gorge.
LNG
The Clatsop Co. Board of Commissioners approved a zone change that may or may not benefit a controversial proposed liquefied natural gas terminal project on the Columbia River east of Astoria. By a 4-1 vote, the Commission approved a zone change Wednesday that could allow a pipeline from Bradwood Landing to run through private property. However, documents submitted to the Commission for consideration do not show the property being used as a pipeline route. The owner of the 121-acres, who has stated he will make a lot of money when the pipeline goes through his property, can do as he wishes within the zoning of his private land
Interior Appropriations Bill
The Interior Appropriations bill, which includes over $8 million for Oregon projects, passed the U.S. Senate Thursday. The bill includes funding to protect and conserve natural recreation areas, including two along the Oregon Coast, replace outdated infrastructure, and provide farmers the resources they need to bring their crops to market. Siskiyou National Forest- $360,000 - Funds will be used to acquire and conserve a 170-acre property along the Elk River and Rock Creek. This property offers the opportunity to protect two federally listed species and continue the habitat connection from the newly created Copper Salmon Wilderness Area and the Grassy Knob Wilderness Area to the Pacific Ocean. Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge - $1,000,000 - This funding will go toward land acquisition in the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and will help to advance habitat protection. The NWR is home to 10 percent of the world population of the dusky Canada geese and 100 percent of a rare subpopulation of Aleutian geese.
Solar energy
Two Oregon Coast solar energy projects will benefit from funds under the 2008 Farm Bill that recognizes “the importance of energy efficiency in America’s rural businesses.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding more than $866,000 in grants and a $2.2 million loan guarantee to rural businesses in Oregon to promote alternative energy production. Included as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the funding announced today is part of the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The program’s loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. The USDA announced the 23 Oregon grants as part of the release of $62.5 million in REAP grants and loans for projects in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Brendan Carmody – $20,000 - This project will help finance a solar system for a hotel in Newport– a 16.74 kW large solar system for energy efficiency improvements. Dunes Family Health Care – $19,934 - This project will help finance a 10 kW solar PV system for a Health Care facility in Reedsport.
Quake
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 1.4-magnitude earthquake rumbled near the Cascade Range Thursday morning, 6 a.m., 25-miles west of Bend.
NB Courts
North Bend High School chose its courts for upcoming school events. Miss Flame Court 2009: Danielle Baker, Dana Crosby, Andrea Tison & Lisa Wiggins. Homecoming Court 2009: Sammie Clark, Brooke Davison, Kristina Hossley, Amelia Liggett, Adam Langenstein, Sam Lynass, Zach Reichenberger & Paul Teixeira.
Car wash
The North Bend High School Competition Cheer Team will hold a car wash Saturday from 11-4 at Northwest Community Credit Union (across from the Mill Casino).
Tsalila Festival
The Tsalila Festival is back this year on Friday, Sept. 25th, 3:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday, Sept. 26th, 10:00am to 7:00pm. With the Alder Smoked Salmon Dinner, Exhibits, Vendors, and Entertainment. A repeat presentation - 'A History of Reedsport - The City on Stilts' will take place Friday, September 25th, 5:00pm at the Umpqua Discovery Center.
Introduction to the Internet Browser
Coos Bay Public Library will be offering an “Introduction to the Internet Browser”
class for novice computer users. The class will be held on Friday, September 25th
from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Library’s Internet computers. This class is for computer novices who wish to have help in learning how to use the Internet. The class will cover the most important features of a browser, how to use an Internet address, and will also discuss first steps and tips for easier use. Attendees should be comfortable using a computer mouse. Seating is limited so pre-registration is required. The sign-up sheet is available at the Reference Desk in the Library. There is no admission charged. Please call 269-1101 for further information on this program.
Showdown
This year’s Colgate Country Showdown state finals will be held Sept. 25th, at the Mill Casino/Hotel/RV Park in North Bend. Western Regional Finals Oct. 17th, Mill Casino, North Bend.
Umpqua River Lighthouse – Saturday Night Tours
The Umpqua River Lighthouse & Museum will be conducting evening tours on Saturdays during the month of September. With tours being conducted after dark, it’s recommended that you dress accordingly for the outdoors as tours start at the Museum, with a short walk over to the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse contains 60 steps (3 sets of 20) to reach the lens. Evening lighthouse tour registration is required as tour groups are limited to 10 per group. Sign up by calling or stopping by the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum, 1020 Lighthouse Road in Winchester Bay, Oregon. Times & Dates: 7 – 9 pm on Sept. 26, 2009. Registration: Required. Tour groups are limited to 10 per group. Sign up by calling or stopping by the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum, 1020 Lighthouse Road in Winchester Bay. Fee: Lighthouse Tours: Adults, $3, Children age 16-6, $2. Cash only. Museum: free. Contact: (541) 271-4631.
Shore Acres
Sept. 26 - Dahlia Day - Dahlia Display & Experts from the Southern Oregon Dahlia Society - Garden House Open from 11 am - 4 pm with refreshments.
SOLV Cleanup
9/26/2009 - SIERRA CLUB WILSON RIVER CLEANUP, Wilson River - Kansas Creek to Lee's Camp Store, Tillamook, 8:00AM- 3:00PM Join the Sierra Club in their first cleanup of Wilson River near Tillamook. The cleanup will take place along 15 miles, on both sides of the river, from the rivers edge to 20 feet back on both sides. Registration will be open at 8 am, cleanup will take place from 9am-2 pm, followed by a celebration, location to be determined.
Marshfield Sun
The Annual Meeting of the Marshfield Sun Printing Museum Association will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009, at the Museum on Front Street in Coos Bay. Annual Board Meeting will begin upstairs at 10am; a short General Membership meeting will begin downstairs at noon, immediately followed by a potluck lunch. Call 267-4027 for further information. The Marshfield Sun Printing Museum is a unique printing museum located at the north end of Front Street on Coos Bay’s historic waterfront. The Marshfield Sun was a working newspaper office and print shop from 1891 to 1944—and is today essentially as it was left in 1944. In addition to personal tours to see and learn about several different presses and other printing equipment, the Museum is also home to antique office equipment, historic photographs, archives, and more. Admission is free.
Coos Watershed
The Friends of the Coos Watershed – the community support group of the Coos Watershed Association (CoosWA) – in collaboration with the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (South Slough NERR), will host two free events in September focused on water quality both nationally and locally. Are you interested in water quality issues nationally and locally? Have you ever wondered what is in your drinking water or what land use has to do with water quality? Join South Slough and CoosWA for two FREE events in September. Saturday September 26: National Estuaries Day at South Slough - View the PBS Frontline documentary Poisoned Waters and learn about water quality issues from the Chesapeake Bay to Puget Sound. Learn about sources of pollution, why stormwater is a major threat, how land use affects water quality, and much more. There will be two FREE screenings at 10 am and 1 pm at the South Slough NERR Interpretive Center in Charleston. Wednesday September 30: Green Night at Java Jones - Then join South Slough NERR and CoosWA for a discussion of water quality in the Coos watershed. Discussion leaders will focus on drinking water and land use issues, and lessons from “smart growth.” This FREE public discussion will be from 7 to 9 pm as part of Java Jones’ Green Night program at 757 Newmark Avenue in Empire. About the Coos Watershed Association (CoosWA) – The Coos Watershed Association is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1994 as a way for people with a wide range of interests to get together and discuss the “big picture” of the conditions of the Coos watershed. The Association implements restoration, monitoring, and outreach projects throughout the Coos watershed with the goal of restoring and maintaining healthy, functioning stream systems. The Association also helps individual landowners decide how to manage and restore the watershed’s natural systems.
Vineyards
Bay Area Sunrise Rotary Club is sponsoring an “Afternoon at the Vineyard” on Sunday, September 27, at three wineries in Elkton, Oregon. The Vineyard bus leaves Pony Village at 9:30 AM and returns about 5:00 PM. From 11:00 to 3:00 there will be wine tasting at River’s Edge, Brandborg and Bradley wineries paired with a Tomaselli’s lunch. Live entertainment on the bus will be provided by a professional DJ from St. John Entertainment and Mary Luther of Soulpie and Hudson Ridge fame. A ticket is either $60 for the front half of the bus and a gift bag or $45 for the back half of the bus with no gift bag. Bus seating is limited to 40. The event also features a $500 cash raffle gift provided by WalMart*. Tickets are $5 for one ticket or $20 for six tickets. You need not be there to win. The event will benefit Sunrise Rotary’s philanthropic activities. For more information and /or tickets, contact Jan at 290-1850 or Mary at 260-8760.
Warrant
According to an entry on the North Bend Police log for early Thursday morning, 2:50 a.m., Sheridan Ave. & Wall St., 32-year old John Samuel Harris was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of DUII.
Fight
A report of a male-female argument on the 1500 block of Union Ave. in North Bend early Thursday morning, 12:46 a.m., led to Disorderly Conduct warnings to the 25 & 28 year olds, according to an entry on the police log. Disputes were also reported on the Coos Bay Police log at 2:19 a.m., Hwy. 101 & Coalbank Bridge; 12:23 a.m., 1000 block Flanagan; and, 11:27 p.m., 200 block No. Wasson St.
Speeding
Citations and warnings were issued to two motorists Wednesday night in North Bend. According to back-to-back entries on the police log involving the same officer, a 23-year old female was cited for speeding, 42/25 at Newmark St. and Sheridan Ave. at 9 p.m. She was also warned for Failure to Carry and Present a Driver’s License. At 9:38 p.m., Virginia Ave., a 20-year old male was cited for speeding, 42/25, and warned for Failure to Carry Current Proof of Insurance.
Trees
Two male juvenile brothers, ages 12 & 13, were allegedly seen “tearing up trees” at Airport Hts. Park Wednesday, 5:13 p.m. According to an entry on the police log, both were warned for Criminal Trespass.
Log truck
A log truck snagged a few overhead lines at Virginia Ave. and Union St. in North Bend Wednesday afternoon, 2:19 p.m. According to an entry on the police log, “log truck hit multiple lines that are now down and lying across vehicles.” NBPD, CBPD, OSP, NBFD, ODOT, Verizon, Pacific Power and Charter Cable crews responded.
911
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log, a call to 911 from a 73-year old female Wednesday night involved “water from her toilet is bubbling up and overflowing. Thinks it is something to do with OMI.” Call came in at 10:59 p.m. from the 3000 block of Pacific Loop.
Junk
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for Wednesday, 3:24 p.m., 280 So. Wasson St., the Code Enforcement officer reported “accumulation of garbage, inoperable vehicles and junk stored on right of way.”
Back to school
According to back-to-back entries on the Coos Bay Police log for Wednesday, 11:23 and 11:26 a.m., Marshfield High School, a 54-year old female reported “large number of students blocking the alleyway” on the 700 block of South 7th St., alley near Harding. The second call involved a “potential fight brewing near the ticket booth, headed south.” A 16-year old male was listed as the arrestee. There was also a report earlier at 8:41 a.m. from a 62-year old female, railroad tracks by Lucky Logger, “group of junior high kids smoking at the end of the railroad tracks.” At 8:27 a.m., 800 block So. 4th St., a 48-year old male reported, “he saw a group of about 6 kids (3-4 boys & 2 girls) just came down from the school & they went upstairs at this location.”
Cats
According to an entry on the Coos Co. Sheriff’s log for Wednesday, 7:58 p.m., McKenna Lane, a 32-year old male complained “neighbor stole his cats.” Cats were returned.
WX
Mostly cloudy in the morning and then clearing along the Oregon Coast today with highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s and north winds 10-20 mph. Partly cloudy tonight with lows in the lower to mid 50s and north winds 10-15 mph, but shifting to the northeast at 5-10 mph after midnight. Cloudy and then sunny on Saturday.
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OREGON COAST SPORTS
Pirate QB Club
Marshfield Football's Pirate Quarterback Club meets this morning, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the Coney Station in downtown Coos Bay with head coach Justin Ainsworth. All Pirate football fans and parents of players are encouraged to attend.
NB Golf Benefit
Still time to sign up for the Dawg Leg Scramble Golf Tournament September 27th! All proceeds benefit North Bend Athletics. Contact Boyd Bjorkquist at 751-7159 to register your team.
Prep fb
Marshfield travels to 6A Grants Pass tonight for a non-league prep football game. Both teams are 2-1 so far in the preseason. The game will be broadcast live on “Pirate Radio,” FM 91.3 KMHS and streamed on the radio station’s web page around the world. North Bend (0-3) travels to Phoenix (3-0) to play the Pirates. The non-league game can be heard on “The Wave,” FM 105.5, and also streamed on the Internet. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs JV team will take on Phoenix in an early game scheduled to start at 4 p.m. South Coast Youth Football has three games scheduled at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay on Saturday, and two at Myrtle Point High School, beginning at 9 a.m.
Prep vb
Marshfield travels to the Rogue Valley Invitational volleyball tournament at No. Medford High School in Southern Oregon Friday and Saturday. North Bend will head to Central Oregon for the Sisters Tournament Saturday. Marshfield’s JV team is scheduled to compete at the Springfield Invitational on Saturday. Sunset Middle School will be at Siuslaw in Florence on Saturday.
Prep sc
Marshfield hosts Coquille in non-league prep boy’s soccer on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Coos Bay’s Pete Susick Stadium.
Prep xc
Marshfield’s cross country teams will be at the Northwest Classic at Lane Community College in Eugene on Saturday. North Bend will travel up the coast to the Seaside “3-Course Challenge.”
Pac-10 vb
No. 7 Oregon hosts No. 3 Washington in a Pac-10 volleyball opener at Mac Court in Eugene tonight. The Ducks are 10-0 in the preseason. Oregon State (10-2) hosts Washington State in Corvallis. The two teams will swap opponents on Sunday.
Pac-10 fb
Both Oregon and Oregon State enter the Pac-10 race Saturday with 2-1 records. The Ducks host No. 6 California in Eugene at Autzen Stadium, while the Beavers take on Arizona at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. The Oregon-Cal game will be on ABC TV.
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