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CB School District bus route meeting
Superintendent Bob De La Vergne will be holding a town meeting at Blossom Gulch Elementary School, 333 S 10th St., Coos Bay, on Tuesday, August 31st at 5:00 PM to discuss changes in bus routes, particularly around Blossom Gulch Elementary School. Diana Whitmire of First Student will also be at the meeting. Superintendent De la Vergne will present the law regarding transporting students within a one mile radius of the schools and Diana Whitmire will present the routes as they currently stand. The public is invited to attend and input will be welcomed.
Fire Levels Lowered
Temporary weather changes have brought cooler conditions to the Coos Forest Protective Association district for the next several days. The reduced fire danger levels will be short-lived as fire mangers expect weather to return to hot and dry by the end of the week. Lands protected by CFPA within Regulated Use Areas CS-5 and SK-2 will lower to a Level II (two), as well as lands within CS-2 lowering to a Level I (one). All changes are effective as of noon Monday, August 30th. Industrial operators are advised to check their notifications for the area in which they are working. The Regulated Use Closure and Burn Suspension will remain in place at this time. For further information on fire danger levels and closures, contact the CFPA 24-hour closure information line at (541) 267-1789 or access CFPA’s website at www.coosfpa.net.
ODF wildfire update
The Oregon Department of Forestry released an update on the wildfires burning in the state as of late Monday morning. The View Lake Fire, burning on the Mt. Hood National Forest, is approximately 5,876 acres and 30 percent contained. The Scott Mountain Fire is burning approximately two miles northeast of Scott Mountain, 15 miles west of Sisters, and 14 miles northeast of McKenzie Bridge in the Mt. Washington Wilderness Area on the Willamette National Forest. The fire is approximately 3,454 acres and 30 percent contained. The Oak Flat Fire, burning on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Josephine County two miles northeast of the junction of the Illinois River and Briggs Creek, about 20 miles southwest of Grants Pass, is currently estimated at 6,350 acres and is 70 percent contained. The White Lightning Fire, burning on Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs lands 15 miles north of the city of Warm Springs, is currently estimated at approximately 33,732 acres and 90 percent contained.
Health Advisory for Sru Lake
A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Sru Lake, located 21 miles southeast of Powers on Forest Service Road 3348-080, was issued Monday, August 30th, by Oregon Public Health and Coos County Health Department officials. Water monitoring has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. These algae levels are likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines. Swallowing or inhaling water droplets should be avoided, as well as skin contact with water by humans or animals. Drinking water from Sru Lake is especially dangerous. Oregon Public Health officials advise campers and other Sru Lake visitors that toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating the water with camping-style filters. People who draw in-home water directly from Sru Lake are advised to use an alternative water source because private treatment systems are not proven effective in removing algae toxins. However, public drinking water systems can reduce algae toxins through proper filtration and disinfection. If people on public water systems have questions about treatment and testing, they should contact their water supplier. Oregon Public Health recommends that people who choose to eat fish from waters where algae blooms are present should remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking since toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Additionally, public health officials advise that people should not eat crayfish or freshwater shellfish harvested from Sru Lake while this advisory is in effect. Exposure to toxins can produce symptoms of numbness, tingling and dizziness that can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of skin irritation, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting should also receive medical attention if they persist or worsen. Children and pets are particularly susceptible. The public will be advised when the concern no longer exists. With proper precautions to avoid water contact, people are encouraged to visit Sru Lake and enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, catch-and-release fishing and bird watching. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray, which could lead to inhalation risk. For local information contact the Powers Ranger District, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest at www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou or 541-439-6200. For health information, contact the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program at 971-673-0400 or www.healthoregon.org/hab; also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767.
Harris Beach advisory lifted
The no water contact advisory for Harris State Park Beach, north of Brookings in Curry County has been lifted by the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program. The advisory was issued on August 12. Resample results from Wednesday, August 25, 2010 showed bacteria levels below the state standard. The lift notification was delayed in getting out. The results were received after Thursday and staff was unavailable to lift the advisory on Friday.
Life saving awards
A patrol officer and a dispatcher with the Brookings Police Dept. were surprised on Friday, August 27th, when they were presented with Lifesaving Medals for their separate actions earlier this year that saved the lives of two children. Dispatcher Tracy Lejeune gave CPR instructions over the phone to coaches at Azalea Middle School in April after a 12-year old girl collapsed during a basketball practice. Daryn and Alice Farmer were able to revive Casey Shaw and care for her until paramedics could arrive. Officer Tyler McCourt responded in May to a report of a 13-day old baby boy not breathing. He performed CPR on the child until medical personnel responded. The boy survived the ordeal. Police Chief Chris Wallace presented the awards to the two.
Micro-plastic journey
Five years ago Louis Hoock had never been on a sailboat. You see, in New Mexico there’s not too many opportunities to sail. Hoock attended the University of Alaska-Southeast to earn a degree in Environmental Science. He also began working as a crew member on sailboats to learn the trade. Then, with $500, he purchased a 26-foot long fiberglass hulled sloop. After restoring it, formed a non-profit organization and set out to conduct research and carry a message. Today, the 26-year old is sailing the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean from Juneau, Alaska to Patagonia, Chile. He hopes to arrive in the South American country by next May. Along the way, he has collected more than 10,000 lbs. of garbage from West Coast beaches, but his focus is microscopic plastic particles floating in the ocean and consumed by marine life. Hoock was most recently in Newport on the Central Oregon Coast. He hopes his voyage and studies will help build awareness about the growing proliferation of microscopic plastic particles in our ocean waters.
Buoy 10 chinook fishery will not be extended
Oregon and Washington fishery managers announced today that they will be unable to extend retention of chinook salmon in the popular Buoy 10 fishery beyond the scheduled closure date of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31. The fishery will remain open through Dec. 31 for hatchery coho salmon and hatchery steelhead. The relatively slow catch of chinook in recent weeks had fueled speculation that the chinook fishery might be extended. To date, sport anglers have caught approximately half of the expected chinook quota. Although the total chinook catch was well below expectations, the allowable catch of wild tule chinook, which are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, has already been exceeded. Given that, extending the chinook fishery at Buoy 10 may have resulted in less recreational fishing upstream of Tongue Point.
Marketing workshops scheduled for October
Have too many marketing needs for your budget? Want to increase your sales potential? The Southwestern Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a “Marketing on a Shoestring” workshop on October 11 in North Bend. The interactive workshop, scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., will provide business owners and managers with ideas to stretch their marketing dollar. Participants will learn a seven-step easy marketing plan, thirty ideas for low- to no-cost marketing, the difference between marketing and sales, how to convert leads to actual sales, and more. Presenter Arlene Soto, CMA, is the Director of the Southwestern Oregon Community College SBDC, has owned her own business, and has worked with thousands of business owners and individuals wishing to successfully market their own business with innovative and low-cost marketing ideas. A workshop fee of $39 per person covers all materials. To reserve space and register, call the Southwestern Oregon Community College SBDC at 541-756-6866.
Tanker accident
No chemical leakage was detected after a semi truck and trailer crashed at an intersection just outside of Toledo on the Central Oregon Coast Monday morning. According to a news release from the Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office, the truck went off the edge of an intersection and into a slough about 10:15 a.m., while attempting to turn from Business Hwy. 20 onto NE Sturdevant Road. The cab was partially submerged, but the driver, 29-year old Robert Bellisle, of Vancouver, WA was not injured. Concerned about a potential hazardous chemical spill, the roadway was closed to all other traffic. The semi was carrying a Sodium Hydroxide solution bound for the Georgia-Pacific paper mill. A hazardous material clean up company responded along with tow trucks to recover the semi and its load.
ATV accidents
Three All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) accidents were reported in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA) over the weekend. According to a news release from the Coos Co. Sheriff’s Office, one was reported on Saturday and two on Sunday. On Saturday, a 63-year old man from Ireland, traveling the West Coast by motorcycle with his son, decided to try riding an ATV on the dunes. However, he flipped the rented ATV at Boxcar and it landed on top of him. Gerald Walsh was transported to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay with back and rib pains. On Sunday, 36-year old Carroll R. Norwood, of Tippitte, OR was riding a motorcycle when he went off a dune and crashed. He was transported to BAH with a broken leg. A 26-year old male from Grants Pass, Tyler J. Reinhart, wrecked a motorcycle on the south side of V-8 Hill, but refused medical treatment. However, he was taken to BAH by friends with a broken collar bone and possible head injuries.
DUII
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for early Monday morning, 2:48 a.m., Public Square, North Bend, “traffic stop,” 24-year old Amanda Wales arrested on charge of DUII, transported to the Coos Co. Jail at Coquille.
Drinking & fishing
Two males were cited for Drinking on Unlicensed Premise and Angling without a License, Sunday evening, 6:12 p.m., on the Coos Bay Boardwalk. According to an entry on the police log, Terry White and Bruce Loreman were both cited.
Ran
The caller told 911 dispatch that a “male took off running thru his front yard and is now in the back yard hiding. Caller wanted to know if the police were chasing anyone on So. Wall St right now. Told the caller we were on North Wall looking for kids calling 911 – but not chasing anyone on South Wall St.” According to an entry on the police log for Sunday, 8:21 a.m., 29-year old Daniel Frye arrested for Criminal Trespass II, False Information to a Police Officer and Probation Violation.
DWS
The vehicle was parked, lights on, running, but the driver was sleeping. According to an entry on the North Bend Police log for early Monday morning, 4:39 a.m., 1735 Virgnia Ave., Safeway, 23-year old Felipe Hurtado Tomas, Coos Bay, cited and released for DWS Misdemeanor. Also cited for Failure to Carry Proof of Insurance.
Employee
According to an entry on the North Bend Police log for Sunday, 4:11 p.m., 1611 Virginia Ave., “Macy’s reported employee in custody in manager’s office for theft, request an officer.” Kasey Elizabeth Carpenter cited for Theft II in lieu of custody.
Restraining order
According to an entry on the North Bend Police log for Sunday, 3:31 p.m., 2600 block 13th St., “reported her ex was at her home all day and refuses to leave, states she has an active Restraining Order against him. Officers responded / during response subject took the phone from the RP and hung up when first officer arrived.” Thirty-year old Daniel Alan Ward, North Bend, charged with Violation of Restraining Order, also Interfering with 911. Transported to the Coos Co. Jail at Coquille.
Soulmate
He told the Coos Co. Sheriff’s Office dispatch that he believed his “soul mate” just had a heart attack in Austin, Texas. According to an entry on the Sheriff’s log for Sunday, 10:35 p.m., “dispatch attempted to find phone # for Austin to make transfer when RP stated that he felt this spiritually. RP advised to use 411 to obtain phone # for Austin.”
Sex offender
The caller was “concerned about sex offender living in area.” According to an entry on the Coos Co. Sheriff’s log for Sunday, 6:56 p.m., Spinreel Road, 40-year old Barford Adams was arrested for Failure to Register as Sex Offender and transported to the county jail at Coquille.
WX
Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy along the Oregon Coast today, but a chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s and northeast winds around 5 mph, shifting to the east late in the morning and then the west by afternoon. Mostly cloudy tonight, chance of showers, lows in the lower to mid 50s and southwest winds 5-10 mph. Mostly cloudy on Wednesday with a chance of showers.
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