The music that filled concert halls at the OSAA State championships will be presented in a more intimate setting Thursday, May 30, in the school commons when Taft High blows its horns the final time this year.
All three ensembles — symphonic band, choir and jazz band — competed in the Class 3A State championships for the second straight year, with the jazz band placing second, the symphonic band third and the choir seventh.
“I am extremely proud of the success and growth all of the students in the Taft 7-12 music program have accomplished this year,” Director of Music Mike Freel said.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students to the 6 p.m. event.
The 23rd annual Lincoln County Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet was held on Friday, May 17, at the Salishan Resort to honor local law enforcement for its work, dedication and commitment to serving the citizens of Lincoln County.
Agency Awards: The following agency awards were presented:
Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office:
Deputy District Attorney of the Year: Deputy District Attorney Lanee Danforth
Support Staff of the Year: Investigator Martin Bennett
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office:
Volunteer of the Year: Peter Benjamin
Outstanding Service Award: Lieutenant Adam Shanks
Patrol Deputy of the Year: Deputy Cody Tadlock
Corrections Deputy of the Year: Deputy Zach Fierro
Newport Police Department:
Officer of the Year: Officer Aaron Bales
Lincoln City Police Department:
Non-Sworn Officer of the Year: Code Enforcement Officer Craig Grabenhorst
Officer of the Year: Senior Officer Logan Smith
30 Years of Service Award: Detective Bud Lane
35 Years of Service Recognition: 911 Dispatcher Mark Hopkins
DRE Recognition Award: DRE Oscar Escalante
Oregon State Police:
Employee of the Year: Trooper David Wertz
Toledo Police Department:
Officer of the Year: Detective Aaron Pitcher
Volunteer of the Year: Kate Enyeart
Chief Award: Chief David Enyeart
Lincoln County Community Justice:
Outstanding Service Award: Work Crew Foreman Steve Britt
Excellence & Teamwork Award: Parole & Probation Officer Ken Krause
Making a Difference Award: Parole & Probation Officer Krista Lauer
WVCC:
Call Taker / Dispatcher of the Year: Seth Dunham
Employee of the Year: Kathy Bavaro
DUII and MIP Enforcement Awards:
The Partnership Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (PAADA) presented this year’s DUII Enforcers of the Year awards to Officer Hayden Tolzman (Lincoln City Police Department), Deputy Cody Tadlock (Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office), Officer Calvin Davis (Newport Police Department), Trooper David Wertz (Oregon State Police), and Officer Michael Henderson (Toledo Police Department).
2019 Inductee into the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Hall of Honor:
The evening closed with this year’s induction into the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed on a member of the Lincoln County law enforcement community.
Each year a selection is made by the LERB Committee, which consists of members from each agency, and represents a broad spectrum of law enforcement professions. The award is symbolized with a permanent plaque placed in the hallway of the first floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse.
Past recipients of the award have included Mike Hart, Trish Miller, Dennis Dotson, Rob Bovett, Mark Fandry, Larry Ballinger, Ernie Hansen, Ralph Turre, Maria Waldrip, John Meister, Christy Meister, Mike Menzies, Vangie Eisenbarth, Dave Bavarro, John O’Brien, Mark Huber, Jim Rivers, Maureen “Mo” Kelly, Mike Holden, Dan Glode, Bill Shawver, Pete Peregrin, Jim Hatch, Jim Hawley, Steve Tolliver, Larry Spencer.
Denis Bosque has been in law enforcement for 35 years. He started his law enforcement career at the Maryland County Sheriff’s Office in 1973, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in 1984, became the Chief of Siletz in 2003, and finished his paid career in 2008 with the Toledo Police Department. To this day, he volunteers his time, his vast knowledge, and expertise to the young officers of the Toledo Police Department. Today we are here to honor Denis Bosque as this year’s Hall of Honor recipient.
Bosque started his law enforcement career in 1973 at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland. He spent 5 years there before he decided to go West! In 1984, he joined the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office as a Property/Records Clerk. Within a year he was promoted to Civil Deputy. This was not a very prestigious job but Denis was eager to come to work every day and do his job. He was very thorough and he did it with so much energy that he was soon promoted to Patrol Deputy in 1987.
He received awards from the public, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, and a special award from Governor Barbara Roberts for his contribution on behalf of crime victims. He was a member of Lincoln County Interagency Narcotics Team and the Major Crime Team. He developed a great rapport with the family of the victims in the Christian Longo case which helped them as they navigated this difficult time. Denis Bosque was instrumental in developing solid connections with the Toledo Police Department to maintain police presence in the Siletz area. As we all know this helped the citizens of Lincoln County stay a little bit safer.
Registration for the second annual Lincoln City Police Department Summer Youth Camp is under way and forms can be obtained from the Lincoln City Police Department or Lincoln City Community Center. Registration forms should be turned in at the police station.
The free four-day camp, scheduled Aug. 26-29, at Oceanlake Elementary, is under the direction of Senior Officer Summer Danneker, with assistance from School Resource Officer Logan Smith, and in partnership with the Lincoln City Parks and Recreation Department. It attracted nearly 60 kids from kindergarten to eighth grade last year.
Youth are divided into teams, where they work together through games and challenges to build teamwork and leadership skills. Daily lessons are conducted on various topics, such as bullying, making good choices, being responsible and being a good citizen.
Participants are recognized for their achievements throughout the week in a small awards ceremony at the conclusion of the program.
Older students, grades 9-12 also are encouraged to participate, and are incorporated into the program as team leaders and coaches.
New members of Elks Lodge 1886 in Lincoln City (Photos by Tom Winters)
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) reopened Elks Lodge 1886 in Lincoln City recently with 113 Charter members, including 32 new members.
National officers, back row, left to right: Steve Meier, James Martsfield, Michael Spencer Front Row: Keith Mills, Roger R. True, James W. Damon, Michael T. Luhr, Dudley Williams
The May 11 ceremonial institution of the new Lodge was led by national President Michael T. Luhr and assisted by past presidents James W. Damon and Roger R. True, national Trustee Keith Mills, and other national committee representatives.
New officers, back row, left to right: Ed Hogan, Judith Cross, Paula Knoles, Carol Hunter, Jay Watne Jr., William Boscole III, Roy Bogeart. Front roe, Roger Gettis, Jeff White, Henry Gamester, Linda Walling, Gail Hogan, Babe Bogeart
Lincoln City Lodge was first opened in 1953 as Oceanlake Lodge and thrived there for more than 60 years. Following a recent reorganization, the Lodge has installed a new group of officers, lad by President Henry Gamester, who said he plans to make the Elks Lodge a predominant community service organization.
Traditionally, the Elks have supported youth, veterans and others in a variety of capacities, including scholarships for local high school seniors.
Since its inception, nationally, the Elks National Foundation has provided more than $480 billion to local communities and will allocate $13.7 million this fiscal year alone.
In the past Lincoln City Elks have also supported school lunch programs, food baskets, youth scholarships, various veteran’s programs and other activities.
National President Michael T. Luhr, right, installs new Lodge President Henry Gamester
For more information about the Elks, go to www.Elks.org and www.elks.org/enf. For additional information about Lincoln City Lodge or becoming a Lincoln City Elk’s member, contact Lodge Secretary Gail Hogan at [email protected] or 503-930-5511.
Taft High 7-12 graduate BillyAnn Stempel has been named the Julia McCullough Smith award winner by Western Oregon University for academic achievement, campus leadership and community/institutional service.
The award is the university’s highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior.
As recipient, Stempel, a 2015 Taft graduate, is invited to address students, parents, alumni, families and faculty at WOU’s annual commencement ceremony June 15.
Stempel will graduate summa cum laude, with a Bachelors of Science Honors Degree in Education. She is the daughter of Bill and Tara Stempel of Otis and has a brother, Jack, a 2018 Taft graduate.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has decided not to pursue allegations of felony sodomy, rape and sex abuse against a Lincoln City Police officer following an investigation by Oregon State Police.
According to an OSP report filed Feb. 27, 2019, Camille Etheridge, 44, of Neotsu, alleges that Sgt. Robert “Bobby” Bomar, 54, drugged and performed anal sex on her while she was incoherent in a Portland hotel room in December 2016.
“I spoke with the DA on Thursday and she doesn’t think that she will be able to convince an entire jury,” Etheridge said Saturday. “I would like her to have at least tried, but it is being dismissed even though she says she believes the assaults were committed.”
Sgt. Bobby Bomar
According to Brent Weisberg, spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office:
“After a thorough investigation into this matter, the Oregon State Police submitted a criminal case for review to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
“Upon a careful and exhaustive legal analysis, the District Attorney’s Office determined it would be unable to prove the allegations made against Lincoln City Police Sgt. Robert Bomar beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“As such, the District Attorney’s Office has decided not to file criminal charges in this case. The District Attorney’s Office has informed the investigating agency about our decision.
“Furthermore, this office worked closely with its Victim Assistance Program to inform the complainant, in person, that charges would not be filed in this case. A decision not to prosecute is different than a ‘dismissal’ of criminal charges.”
Bomar, who has been on administrative leave, said Saturday he was relieved he was “exonerated,” but could not comment.
LCPD Chief of Police Jerry Palmer said:
“The Lincoln City Police Department and the City of Lincoln City take all allegations of abuse very seriously. The complaint against Sgt. Bomar was made to Newport P.D. When I became aware that a criminal investigation had been opened, Sgt. Bomar was immediately placed on paid administrative leave.
“As is customary in allegations of this magnitude against a local police officer, the investigation and case review was turned over to agencies outside of the county. The Oregon State Police Criminal Division took charge of the investigation, which has taken several weeks.
“This case and the OSP report was then given to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for review. LCPD has received verbal notice from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office that, after reviewing the case, no charges will be filed against Sgt. Bomar. Sgt. Bomar remains on administrative leave, until I receive the official copies of the report from Multnomah County and can review the ruling.”
In recorded interviews, phone calls and Facebook messenger communications detailed in the OSP report, Etheridge claims she and Bomar — her boyfriend of three months at the time of the alleged incident — checked into the Courtyard by Marriott at 550 SW Oak St. before walking to a restaurant/bar at approximately 7 p.m.
She alleges that after visiting the restroom and taking sips of a cocktail, she began feeling “hot and nauseated” before waking up hours later on her hotel room bed with Bomar inside of her. She said she does not remember how she got from the bar to her room.
Etheridge said she has had to see numerous doctors and counselors since the alleged incident.
According to documents shared with police that Etheridge said were Facebook messenger screenshots of conversations between the two parties, Bomar was apologetic and said he never meant to hurt her.
A Taft High graduate, Bomar, whose law enforcement career spans over 25 years, was sworn in as LCPD sergeant in September 2018.
After completing enlistment with the Army and employment with a private company in the Portland and Salem area, he became a reserve officer with the Gervais Police Department in 1994.
After spending a year in Gervais, he was hired by the Newport Police Department in 1995 and spent 10 years there before joining LCPD in 2005.
South Beach resident Derrick Jasper was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted aggravated murder and arson after an investigation found evidence linking him to a May 4 fire in his hometown.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to an address in South Beach to investigate a suspicious house fire. According to a police report, deputies observed what appeared to be an incendiary device placed against the residence.
Deputies requested resources from the Lincoln County Fire Investigation Team. Investigators developed a suspect based on evidence identified at the alleged crime scene.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence; items found during the execution of the search warrant were consistent with the device used at the point of origin in the original complaint.
Jasper faces charges of attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, first-degree arson, second-degree arson, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device and possession of destructive device.
Jasper was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on $500,000 bail. His next court date was scheduled May 22, according to the Lincoln County Jail’s website.
Newport Fire Department, Lincoln County Fire Investigation Team, Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, Oregon State Police and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.
As if by script, Taft High sophomore JJ French saved his best for last, soaring to a second-place finish Friday at the Class 4A/3A OSAA State Track and Field Championships in Gresham.
French leaped a personal-best 12 feet, 9 inches to place runner-up to senior Dylan Hopper of Pleasant Hill, who won the 3A competition at Mt. Hood Community College at a height of 14 feet.
“Honestly, going into it, I wasn’t very nervous,” French said. “I was happy I made it to State, and I had kind of achieved my goal for the season, so I went into it kind of just having thoughts of planting good and having good form.”
French bettered his sophomore record by three inches, but fell three inches short of tying a school mark at 13 feet.
JJ French
“Up until my first jump, where I hadn’t jumped or cleared a bar yet, was probably the most nerve-racking part, but it still wasn’t that bad,” he said. “Once I got over that first bar, it was a fun experience.”
Sutherlin’s Keith Sorenson placed third in the pole vault at 12-6.
“He’s also a sophomore, so there’s always competing with him in the future, which is exciting,” French said.
Ella Knott
Meanwhile, junior Ella Knott finished fifth for Taft in the javelin at 119 feet, 7 inches to culminate a courageous comeback from a serious knee injury, while senior Savannah Russo placed eighth at 106-08. Knott, the school record-holder in the event, placed second at State last year with a throw of 137-2, but was an unlikely participant this season.
Savannah Russo
Also contributing team points were Taft junior Elin Fitch, who placed sixth in the boys triple jump at 38 feet, 7.5 inches, and senior Mad Scott, who finished eighth in the javelin at 152 feet.
Elin FitchMad Scott
Taft junior Kaden Wright placed 10th in the 100-meter dash in 11.82 and 11th in the 200-meter race but failed to reach Saturday’s finals.
Kaden WrightDavid Jin
Seniors David Jin (110-meter hurdles; 300-meter hurdles) and Jacob Mayoral (pole vault) both placed 11th and did not advance.
Jacob Mayoral
Taft junior Edson Fuentes placed 12th Saturday in the boys 1,500-meter run, while sophomore Avery Nightingale did not place in the girls pole vault.
Edson FuentesAvery Nightingale
Meanwhile, Taft’s 4×100-meter relay team — comprised of Wright, Jin, sophomore William Calderon and freshman Brayan Mateo-Perez — placed seventh.
From left, Brayan Mateo-Perez, Kaden Wright, William Calderon and David Jin.
Photos by Lon French
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Boys - 3A - Team Rankings - Five Events Scored
===============================================================================
1) Pleasant Hill 20.50 2) Brookings-Harbor 16
2) Salem Academy 16 2) Warrenton 16
5) Westside Christian 14 5) Sutherlin 14
7) Umatilla 13 8) Taft 12
9) Rainier (OR) 11 10) Willamina 10
10) Amity 10 12) Riverdale 7
12) St Mary's 7 14) Nyssa 6
15) Burns 5 15) Yamhill-Carlton 5
17) Vale 4 17) Catlin Gabel 4
19) Douglas 2 20) La Pine 1.50
21) Cascade Christian 1
Girls - 3A - Team Rankings - Four Events Scored
===============================================================================
1) Burns 24 2) Nyssa 19
3) Oregon Episcopal 16 4) Sutherlin 14
4) Westside Christian 14 6) Douglas 10
6) Willamina 10 8) La Pine 6
8) Cascade Christian 6 10) Taft 5
10) Vale 5 10) Yamhill-Carlton 5
10) Catlin Gabel 5 14) Pleasant Hill 4
15) Riverdale 3.50 15) Santiam Christian 3.50
17) Salem Academy 2 17) St Mary's 2
19) Scio 1.50 20) Horizon Christian 0.50
The following is a news release from the United States Coast Guard:
The Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay Officer-in-Charge, Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Molloy, provided testimony for the Mary B II case yesterday.
Molloy’s testimony described the dangerous conditions of the sea during the evening of the capsizing incident.
Molloy said that it was dark and waves where up to 16-feet high. Two Coast Guard vessels tried to assist the Mary B II by using MK127 illumination flares to assist in visibility.
“I could see his halogen lights and then it went dark,” said Molloy of the Mary B II as it neared the north jetty of the Yaquina Bay Inlet as it capsized.
Conditions were described as dangerous for recreational and commercial vessels due to the darkness and intensity of seas and was closed to recreational vessels.
For more information about the Mary B II hearing, Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read can be reached at (206) 819-9154.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites Oregonians outdoors for a day of free camping, free parking and special events at Oregon’s state parks on State Parks Day, Saturday, June 1.
Several state parks are holding free events that day, and camping is free at all tent, RV and individual horse campsites. Day-use parking will be free June 1 and 2 at the 25 parks that charge a day-use fee.
“State Parks Day is our way each year of thanking Oregonians for their commitment to our state parks,” said Lisa Sumption, OPRD director. “We invite people to discover a new park or revisit an old favorite.”
State Parks Day is organized by OPRD and has been held annually since 1997.
Oregon Lottery returns as an event sponsor this year and they’re providing support for events at six state parks: Champoeg State Heritage Area, Fort Stevens State Park, Tumalo State Park, The Cove Palisades State Park, Wallowa Lake State Park and Silver Falls State Park.
Oregon Lottery is also sponsoring a new addition to State Parks Day: commemorative State Parks Day pins. The limited-edition pins will be available for free at more than two dozen state parks on June 1. See the full list of parks distributing the pins at the end of this release. Note: parks have a limited supply of pins and they will be given away first come, first served.
In total, 11 state parks will host free events June 1:
Willamette Valley
Champoeg State Heritage Area
Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area
Silver Falls State Park
Coast
Fort Stevens State Park
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Cascade Range and Central Oregon
The Cove Palisades State Park
Prineville Reservoir State Park
Tumalo State Park
Portland Metro Area
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Southern and Eastern Oregon
Collier Memorial State Park
Wallowa Lake State Park
Events include disc golf, living history, outdoor concerts, ranger-led programs and more. Full details about events at each park are on the official State Parks Day webpage.
To guarantee a campsite for State Parks Day, reserve online at oregonstateparks.org or call (800) 452-5687 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. While campsite rental is free, an $8 non-refundable transaction fee is required at the time of the reservation. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of your stay. Approximately half of state park campgrounds accept reservations.
As if by script, Taft High sophomore JJ French saved his best for last, soaring to a second-place finish Friday at the Class 4A/3A OSAA State Track and Field Championships in Gresham.
