February 22, 2012

Marine Reserves clears House
On a 57-2 vote, the Oregon House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 1510 that establishes three additional Marine Reserves off the Coast to go with two approved earlier.  The three new Marine Reserves reportedly represent about 4-percent of the state's territorial sea.  Nearly 5-percent would be placed in less-restricted "marine protected areas."  Joining Marine Reserves established earlier at Redfish Rocks (Port Orford) and Otter Rock (north of Newport) are Cape Perpetua (south of Yachats), Cascade Head (north of Lincoln City) and Cape Falcon (Cannon Beach).  SB 1510 now goes to the Governor for his signature.  Coastal legislators reportedly agreed with the new Marine Reserves allegedly concerned that conservation groups would go for a statewide ballot measure seeking a far greater area in the Pacific Ocean set aside as no fishing zones.  

Counties honor House co-speakers at reception
The first co-speakers of the Oregon House in state history, Republican Bruce Hanna of Roseburg and Democrat Arnie Roblan of Coos Bay, were honored at a reception by the Association of Oregon Counties.  She showed a chart that depicted the intersection of county and state services — AOC’s version of the “red zone.”  Roblan: “It isn’t always easy to get along, and counties know that as well as cities. They don’t always see eye to eye about how they want to do things, and how we work with the counties to provide services. I think there are a lot of us here who have a bent toward local service … understanding that most of our citizens really recognize that services they receive from counties and cities are the ones that are most direct. Our job is to figure out the state’s stuff, but let you do what you need to do in your counties. I’m proud of the things we’ve worked on and done together to make those things happen… It’s going to bittersweet when it’s all over, because this is a rare opportunity to do some things together and move forward.”  Roblan referred to the Legislature’s Task Force on County Payments, which has recommended steps counties can take to consolidate services and save money if federal forest payments are not renewed or are revived on a declining scale. Both Hanna (Douglas County) and Roblan (Coos County) represent counties dependent on federal forests.  The Co-Speakers are recognized for their collaborative leadership of the Oregon House of Representatives during difficult times.  "The Co-Speakers have done an outstanding job of ensuring the delivery of vital public services to Oregonians," AOC Executive Director Mike McArthur said.  "They have also worked tirelessly to strengthen the partnership of the state and Oregon counties."

ATV accidental death
A 74-year old Bandon man was killed in an ATV accident just north of Whiskey Run beach north of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.  According to a news release from the Coos Co. Sheriff's Office, deputies assisted Bandon Police & Fire on Monday, Feb. 20, about 3:14 p.m.  Michael P. Keller was found near his overturned Polaris four-wheel drive ATV about a half-mile north of Whiskey Run Beach State Park.  The vehicle had appeared to have been through the surf.  Cause of death is still to be determined, but foul play is not suspected.

Aftershocks of Japan disaster being felt in U.S. earthquake planning
The repercussions of last year’s subduction zone earthquake and tsunami in Japan are now being felt in the Pacific Northwest, as experts and disaster managers better understand the enormous risks facing this region, plan for the challenges ahead and prioritize the most urgent needs.  Before the event, scientists knew that similar concerns faced Oregon, Washington, northern California and British Columbia from the Cascadia Subduction Zone. But they have now seen how such long-lasting events produce soil “liquefaction” far worse than expected, the potential for devastated roads and bridges, a collapsed infrastructure and even threats to their economic future.  “Just in Oregon we’ve got a billion dollar problem, but we don’t have a billion dollars,” said Scott Ashford, professor and interim dean of the College of Engineering at Oregon State University, and one of the international engineering experts who toured the affected area in Japan last year shortly after the disaster.  “The challenge for Oregon and our neighboring states is to prioritize the concerns, and figure out some way to preserve the most critical lifelines – key roads, airports, port facilities and utility networks,” Ashford said.

Shooter identified
A man involved in a shootout with North Oregon Coast police at a motel Feb. 12 has been identified as a 37-year old Washougal, WA resident.  Yevgenly Pavlovich Savinskiy was released from a hospital Friday, Feb. 17, and immediately arrested by police on two-counts of Attempted Aggravated Murder, two-counts of First Degree Attempted Assault, Felony Attempt to Elude, Identity Theft and Attempted Possession of a Firearm Silencer, Attempted Possession of a Destructive Device and five-counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.  He was arraigned on the charges Tuesday in Clatsop Co. Circuit Court.  Police were originally summoned to the motel in Astoria on a report of Suspicious Circumstances.  He allegedly opened fire on police when they knocked on his door and then fled south on Hwy. 101 after being shot twice.  Speeds reportedly hit 110 mph during the pursuit which ended on Hwy. 26 after spike strips were deployed and a Sheriff's Deputy made vehicular contact with his van.  

Stabbing
A 30-year old Vancouver, WA man was stabbed during a domestic disturbance at a residence on the Central Oregon Coast Monday, Feb. 20, about 11 p.m.  According to a Lincoln Co. Sheriff's Office news release, Brandon P. Dyer was stopped in a vehicle headed east on Hwy. 34 by a deputy.  He allegedly was stabbed by a girlfriend while attempting to choke her at a residence on Aqua Vista Loop in Yachats.  He fled the residence.  Dyer was treated for a stab wound and then placed in custody for Assault IV Felony, two-counts of Menacing, three-counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Strangulation, Harassment, Reckless Endangering, Interfering with Making a Report and Violation of a No Contact Order.  He was transported to the county jail at Newport.  

Roseburg Forest Products renewable energy commitment
Roseburg Forest Products, a privately held forest products company with a long history of conservation and promoting sound and sustainable forestry practices, is extending its sustainability commitment to renewable energy. Founded by Kenneth Ford as Roseburg Lumber Co. in 1936, the company has been a leading southern Oregon employer for decades. Roseburg Forest Products is one of the nation's larger privately held forest products companies. With more than 3,000 employees in six states, the company operates particleboard and specialty panel plants, melamine plants, plywood plants, a veneer plant, an engineered wood plant and a wood chip export terminal. The company also owns more than 600,000 acres of timberlands in Oregon and Northern California.  The Roseburg plants in Dillard, North Bend, Coquille, Riddle, Ore. and Weed, Calif.  together will purchase 3,580 100-kilowatt-hour blocks per month through Blue Sky. The Blue Sky purchase has tangible environmental benefits. Over the course of a year, the company’s commitment avoids putting nearly 2,600 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and is the environmental equivalent of avoiding nearly 5.1 million miles worth of driving.  Blue Sky provides Pacific Power customers a way to support wind powered generation and other renewable energy sources such as solar, low-emissions biomass and geothermal. Supporting renewable energy through the voluntary Blue Sky program helps stimulate even more investment in new renewable generation facilities.

WBC
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's WBC is your place to be on Wednesdays.  Sponsored, in February, by the Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR).  WBC luncheon Forum Presents:  Dawn Granger, Superintendent—Coos Bay Schools, Education on Oregon’s south coast.  This Wednesday February 22nd at the Mill Casino-Hotel in the East Salmon Room 11:30 to 1:00 pm.  Please RSVP the Chamber office at 266-0868.

Coos Co. Commissioner's Meeting
Wednesday, February 22:  1:30 PM, Hearing- Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Deliberations- Owen Building, Coquille.

Egyptian Theatre
Egyptian Theatre Restoration Steering Committee, February 22, 2012 – 5:30 p.m., Visitor Information Center Conference Room, 50 Central Avenue, Coos Bay.  Agenda:  1. Update on the Market/feasibility Study; 2. Status on the Project to Repair the Egyptian Theatre Sign; 3. Review of the Draft Time Line / GANTT Chart for the Restoration Project; 4. Review of the ETPA’s Report –  Intended Egyptian Theatre Uses After Re-opening; 5. Discussion of Façade Project for the Theatre – Suggestion from George Kramer at the January 25th Meeting; 6. Around the Table Committee Comments; 7. Public Comments; 8. Adjourn.

February 22nd is the next open enrollment date!!  
The Mortgage Payment Assistance Unemployment Program (MPA-U) is a news foreclosure prevention program from the Oregon Homeownership Stablization Initiative (OHSI).  MPA-U helps approved homeowners pay their mortgage for up to one year, or for up to $20,000, whichever comes first.  MPA-U is available to qualified homeowners that are currently receiving Unemployment Insurance.  An online eligibility test with full eligibility information and a program application is available at www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org.  Please share this information with your family, friends, co-works and neighbors.  A limited amount of applications with be accepted every two weeks, so if they could not apply during this enrollment week, let people know to keep visiting the website and be ready for the next enrollment date.   Carrie Mason, Program Specialist, Umpqua Coastal Housing Center, A division of NeighborWorks Umpqua, 29692 Ellensburg Ave., P.O. Box 1862, Gold Beach, Or 97444, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Phone (541) 247-9638.

ODFW Fish Passage Task Force to meet in Salem
Oregon's Fish Passage Task Force will meet Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Headquarters Office at 3406 Cherry Avenue NE, Salem to consider current statewide fish passage issues.  The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to the public. The agenda includes Task Force member updates, review of fish passage approvals and waivers, fish passage program initiatives and other Task Force business.  The nine-member Fish Passage Task Force meets quarterly to advise ODFW on fish passage policies and issues. Task Force members represent water users, fisheries and conservation interests, and the general public.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the Information and Education Division at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6002 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. For more information, call Lisa Kingsley, Fish Screening and Passage Program Assistant, at 503-947-6224.

Coastal DUII
He told police at the scene of a three-vehicle accident on the Central Oregon Coast Saturday, Feb. 18, that he had blacked out and woke up to find himself involved in an accident.  According to a news release from the Newport Police Dept., the driver, Eddie Laverne Bowdish, of Newport, displayed signs of impairment and admitted to officers that he had been drinking alcohol, using prescribed pain killers and using both marijuana and Methamphetamine prior to the crash where he plowed into the rear of two vehicles stopped for a red light about 8:50 a.m. at Hwy. 101 and SW Hurbert Street.  He was arrested on charges of DUII, Unlawful Possession of Meth, Reckless Driving and two-counts of Recklessly Endangering.  He was also cited for Driving While Suspended and Driving Uninsured.  Bowdish was lodged in the Lincoln Co. Jail.  

ATV accident
A 60-year old Othelo, WA man injured his back while riding an ATV on the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area north of North Bend Saturday, Feb. 18.  According to a news release from the Coos Co. Sheriff's Office, a deputy traveling south on Hwy. 101 about 10:52 a.m., noticed a quad upside down on a sand hill above the railroad tracks between Beaver Slide and V-8 Hill.  "Several ATV riders appeared to be attending to the person involved in the accident.  The deputy notified Coos Co. Dispatch Center to have medical en route.  Steven Fultz was suffering from a lower back injury and had no feeling in his legs after he flipped his ATV backwards while climbing a steep hill.  His riding companions kept him immobilized while emergency personnel responded.  Stokes was placed in a litter and winched up the hill where he was then transported by ambulance to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay.

Menacing
A report of Domestic Menacing Monday, Feb. 20, 10:04 a.m., led to the arrest of a 19-year old male on Grinnell Ave. west of Coos Bay.  According to a news release from the Coos Co. Sheriff's Office, Michael Wayne McKeny, Coos Bay, was charged and transported to the county jail at Coquille.  The victim was reported to be a 50-year old family member who was not injured.  

Intoxicated
He was walking northbound on Tremont Ave. (Hwy. 101) and reportedly falling multiple times when North Bend Police were contacted Monday afternoon, Feb. 20.  According to an entry on the police log at 3:04 p.m., an "officer contacted the subject who was intoxicated, courtesy ride provided to a motel."

Driving complaint
According to an entry on the Coquille Police log for Monday, Feb. 20, 6:47 p.m., 400 block W. 4th St., 46-year old female reported, "vehicle just drove into their yard, almost hit their fence, and took off back toward town."

Warrant
According to an entry on the Coos Bay Police log for Monday, Feb. 20, 5:07 p.m., Portland State University, PSU served valid CBPD warrant on 23-year old William Ryan Street for Failure to Appear on seven-counts of Criminal Mischief.

WX
Overcast with rain along the Oregon Coast today.  Highs in the 50s with winds from the southwest at 5-10 mph, but shifting to the northwest by afternoon.  Partly cloudy with a chance of rain tonight.  Lows in the upper 30s and winds less than 5 mph.  Partly cloudy on Thursday.