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Uniform Tsunami Signal
Years of hard work have paid off for tsunami response on the Oregon coast. The Uniform Tsunami Warning signal is now in place and local communities have up to five years to transition to the new standard signal. Risk to lives will be reduced by applying a uniform siren signal to inform the public of an approaching tsunami on the Oregon coast. "Due to the recent earthquake events around the world, it has been clear the general public is uncertain how our alerting systems will work," said Althea Rizzo, Oregon Emergency Management Tsunami and Earthquake specialist. Taking lessons learned from the States Amber Plan and working with local broadcast mediums, a work group, together since 2006, has worked toward the goal of creating a standardized warning system. Under the direction of Oregon Emergency Management (OEM), a team of specialists has reviewed existing research and best practices on tsunami warning systems and decided on a uniform state signal that provides the necessary consistency to reduce potential conflicts and confusion. The new standard signal is the up-and-down wail that lasts for three minutes. The siren test time is designed to roughly coincide with the weekly National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio tests. Tsunami warning sirens will be tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Based on Oregon Senate Bill 557, Section 2 the uniform tsunami warning signal administrative rules must specify type of signal, duration of signal, volume of signal and location of delivery device.
Urgent need for blood
The American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region issued an urgent call for blood donors on September 1, 2010. The Red Cross closely monitors national and local blood supplies to ensure donations are keeping pace with hospital need for blood products in order to meet ongoing and emergency patient care. "There is a critical need for blood donors now," said Steve Stegeman, CEO for the Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region of the Red Cross. "This summer we have had a particularly difficult time recruiting enough blood donors to meet the requirements of our community's hospitals and the patients they serve." Donors with all blood types are needed, but especially those with type O negative. Red Cross officials say type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage. That's because type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type, and is most readily given to patients in emergency and trauma situations.
SWOCC or SOCC
The first chartered community college in the state was known as SWOCC, but in the late 80s school officials decided to change the acronym to SOCC. Not any more. The college’s President Patty Scott says they’ve gone back to being called SWOCC. Southwestern Oregon Community College will celebrate its 50-year charter next year and school officials are researching their records to find members of the first graduating class in 1962. Scott says there were 30.
Funds sought for feasibility studies
While the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay continues to work on reopening the embargoed Coos Bay to Eugene rail line for commercial shipping business, port officials are also busy filing applications to obtain funds to help pay for feasibility studies for researching the possibility of passenger service on the rail line from the Willamette Valley to the Coast, the possibility of a bike/pedestrian path on part of the rail right of way south of the Coos Bay Channel swing bridge (the line actually runs to Coquille, but Port spokesman Martin Callery says they are not interested in abandoning the line south of bridge as requested by an outside group.), and an analysis of cruise ships visiting the lower bay. Currently cruise ships only call on the Port of Astoria along the Oregon Coast. Callery says it would be costly as the ships would most likely only call on Coos Bay twice a year if the port had the facilities.
Bridge restrictions in North Bend
Until further notice, emergency weight restrictions are now in effect on the Vermont Street bridge in North Bend. The bridge is located on the east side of Pony Village and is commonly used to access Pony Village Mall from Harrison St. Heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 6,000 pounds shall be restricted from using the bridge over the westbound lane. This restriction is based on a recent recommendation by a senior bridge inspector for the state highway department. Passenger cars and light trucks are allowed to use Vermont Street. Heavy trucks that exceed the weight limit can detour around the bridge by entering Pony Village Mall from Virginia Avenue or Marion Avenue. The city intends to make repairs to the bridge as soon as possible. Questions concerning this notice may be directed to North Bend Public Works Department at 541-756-8500.
Sexual Abuse
A 50-year old Newport male was arrested Thursday, August 26th, following a Lincoln County Grand Jury indictment on crimes of Rape I, Rape III, Sex Abuse I, II and III and Contributing to the Sexual Delinquency of a Minor nearly ten years after the alleged assaults. Donald Willis Crabb Jr. was arrested following a traffic stop in Lincoln City. He was transported to the county jail at Newport with bail set at $1.5 million. According to a news release from the Newport Police Dept., “two victims had reported to the Newport Police that they were sexually assaulted by Donald Crabb when they were between 14 to 17 years of age.” The charges involved 87-counts for the time period in which the alleged crimes occurred.
Naked
He was reportedly naked in a Central Oregon Coast motel shortly after midnight Wednesday morning, September 1st. According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year old Demetrius Distefano, of Ferndale, CA, was arrested by Sheriff’s deputies at the Waldport Beach Resort after he allegedly activated the fire alarm in the building. There was no fire. However, several guests evacuated their rooms and the Seal Rock Fire Dept. responded. During an investigation, two fire alarm boxes were found pulled off the wall in a hallway and several phone lines pulled out of an access panel. They also found a guest room flooded by water left on in a bath tub. Distefano was charged with Criminal Mischief II and Disorderly Conduct I. He was transported to the county jail at Newport with bail set at $30,000.
Newport terminal
DEQ would like to hear from the public on a proposed cleanup plan for the Port of Newport’s International Terminal. The proposed cleanup consists of removing one ship and stabilizing the other ship that comprise the terminal facilities near Dock Rd. in Newport, Oregon. The two concrete ships, the S.S. C.W. Pasley and S.S. Hennebique, were scuttled and incorporated into the dock terminal in 1948 by a private company.
Glide bank robbery
On September 1st, at about 1011 hours, the 911 center received a report of a holdup alarm coming from Premier West Bank in Glide. Sheriff's deputies, BLM Law Enforcement and Roseburg Police responded to the bank. Bank employees said that a male subject had entered the bank and told a teller he was robbing the bank and to put the money into a bag. The man then left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. Officers began canvassing the area looking for the suspect that was described by bank employees. The responding officers were assisted by a citizen who called 911 reporting she saw the suspect near her home on S. Estelle Street. At about 1054 hours, the suspect was located hiding in a wooded area a short distance from the bank. 32-year old Paul Harland Helgerson, Baker City, was taken into custody without incident. Investigators recovered cash, during the arrest, that is believed to be from the robbery. Helgerson was taken to the Douglas County Jail and lodged on First Degree Theft and Third Degree Robbery charges. Helgerson was also held on an outstanding Douglas County Circuit Court warrant charging him with First Degree Theft and Second Degree Forgery.
Humbug Mtn. State Park
Humbug Mountain State Park's campground, six miles south of Port Orford, will be closed for improvements beginning Sept. 7. The park's day-use area and trails will remain open during construction, which will keep 90-plus campsites out of service until Feb. 28, 2011. The improvements will include a new restroom-shower building, a new RV dump station and upgraded electrical service (from 30 amp to 50 amp) for the park's 35 electrical hookup sites. Cape Blanco State Park, nine miles north of Port Orford, offers the nearest south coast camping option with its 53 electrical hookup campsites, all open year round.
ODFW 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast available online
ODFW released its fall hunting forecast today. Based on surveys by staff biologists, the report offers hunters a good look at what to expect this fall. The forecast can be accessed on ODFW’s website through a link at the top of the Hunting Resources page or at the following location: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/hunting_forecast/fall_forcast.asp. In the forecast, hunters can learn how big game (deer, elk, cougar, bear) and game bird (upland birds and waterfowl) populations are doing in areas statewide. Staff biologists also offer tips on where and how to hunt.
CB School District meeting
The Coos Bay School District Board of Directors will hold a Special School Board Meeting on Thursday, September 2, 2010, in the Community Room at Milner Crest Education Center, 1255 Hemlock Ave., Coos Bay, Oregon. The Special Board Meeting will begin at 12:00 noon. The purpose of this meeting is to review and vote on a supplemental bussing plan for Blossom Gulch Elementary School. All Coos Bay School District Board Meetings are subject to the Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.610-192.710). The public is welcome to attend.
Come and Enjoy Coos Art Museum’s Annual Fall Fling Fundraiser
Mark you calendars for Friday, September 24th from 5- 8 pm. Coos Art Museum announces its 2010 Fall Fling for the Arts fundraiser. All art lovers and museum supporters are cordially invited to attend this annual autumn fundraiser at the Museum. The evening will be a grand experience, blending delightful socializing, scrumptious gourmet eating, and wonderful art. Coach House Restaurant will cater the event and a no host wine service will be offered. The highlight of the night’s festivities takes place on the Museum’s main floor in the Maggie Karl Gallery where a silent auction of fine art will take place. The occasion will be a wonderful opportunity to acquire original art works by many of the finest artists of the South Oregon Coast . A wide variety of other quality goods and services donated by generous local businesses and individuals will also be available for your bid. You are invited to come, enjoy, and help support the efforts of Coos Art Museum. This cornerstone of visual arts is the only art museum on the Oregon coast and a destination for visitors from near and far. Event tickets are $35 or $30 for members of the Museum. For ticket information, call 541-267-3901, or visit us online at www.coosart.org. Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged, please RSVP by September 21.
Dispute
According to an entry on the Coquille Police log for early Wednesday morning, 5:19 a.m., “victim of possible assault in ER.” The alleged victim at Coquille Valley Hospital was identified as a 31-year old male.
Fire
A shed was reportedly on fire on the 500 block of So. Wasson St. in the Empire District of Coos Bay early Wednesday morning. According to an entry on the police log, the fire was reported at 1:02 a.m., and the fire department was dispatched.
Fled on foot
According to an entry on the Coquille Police log for Tuesday night, 11:34 p.m., 12th & Folsum, “attempting to locate subject who just fled on foot.” Forty-one year old Thomas A. Gunn was arrested on a Parole Violation, Escape III and Criminal Trespass II. He was transported to the Coos Co. Jail at Coquille.
Wanted subject
A request for assistance from the Coquille Police Dept. in “getting property from subject,” resulted in an arrest Tuesday night on the 800 block of East 11th St. According to an entry on the police log for 11:30 p.m., 27-year old Brooke L. Johnson was arrested on a Coos Co. Sheriff’s warrant for three-counts of Forgery II. A parole officer also placed a detainer. Transported and lodged in the Coos Co. Jail at Coquille.
DUII
As a result of a traffic stop, 67-year old Ronald G. Boucher was arrested on a charge of DUII Tuesday night, 10:40 p.m., at Ocean and Vine in Coos Bay. According to an entry on the police log, Boucher was transported to Coos Co. Jail at Coquille, and his vehicle was towed.
Disorderly
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for Tuesday, 9:26 p.m., 200 block No. Broadway, 22-year old female reported, “elderly male urinating & exposing himself.”
Arrest
A report of “indecent exposure” at John Topits Park in the Empire District of Coos Bay Tuesday, 11:04 a.m., turned up no suspects, but a 26-year old male, who was picking berries, was arrested for possession of marijuana. According to an entry on the police log, Daniel DeRoest was cited for PCS Less than 1 oz. of Marijuana, and his Parole Officer was advised.
Shoplifting & Trespassing
According to an entry on the Coquille Police log for Tuesday, 10:45 a.m., 400 No. Central Ave., “adult male in custody for shoplifting and trespassing.” William Hurst arrested for Probation Violation and cited for Theft III, Criminal Trespass I, PCS less than 1 Oz. Marijuana.
Warrant
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for Tuesday, 10:13 a.m., 275 No. Broadway, “reports a wanted female in the office of the Tioga. A Probation Officer was just there. The Probation Officer is no longer on scene.” Forty-three year old Elizabeth Bernice McDonald arrested on Coos Co. Sheriff’s warrant for Probation Violation Amphetamine Possession.
DUII
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for Tuesday, 7:57 a.m., So. 10th St. & Elrod Ave., “BCA following a possible intoxicated driver. Vehicle has already struck a telephone pole in Green Acres and left the scene (OSP en route).” Forty-nine year old Billy Steven Edge arrested for DUII, and cited for Driving without a license and Failure to obey Traffic Control Device. Transported to the Coos Co. Jail at Coquille.
UEMV
The reports stated two male juveniles were attempting to get into vehicles on the 700 block of So. 4th St. in Coos Bay early Tuesday morning. According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for 1:03 a.m., the two were identified as 20-year old Joseph L. Johnston, and 23-year old Daniel D. Farnum. Both were charged with Theft II and two-counts of Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicles. Three complaints were received by police.
Smoldering fire
According to an entry on the North Bend Police log for Tuesday, 5:48 p.m., 2100 block Madrona, NBFD responded to a report of a small smoldering fire in the grass at Bangor School.
WX
Partly cloudy then clearing along the Oregon Coast today with highs in the lower 70s to lower 80s and north winds 10-15 mph. Mostly clear then becoming mostly cloudy tonight with lows in the lower to mid 50s and northwest winds 5-10 mph, shifting to the southwest after midnight. Mostly to partly cloudy along the coast Friday, sunny inland.
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