Explore Lincoln City invites Lincoln City’s travel and tourism community to take part in National Travel and Tourism Week, May 5 -11.
The 36th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, unites communities across the country to celebrate how travel matters to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.
The theme of this year’s NTTW, “Travel Matters,” highlights the innumerable ways in which travel makes up the fabric of Lincoln City’s culture and economy. Each day of NTTW will celebrate a different facet of travel; the economy, new experiences, jobs, infrastructure, health benefits, hometown pride and how travel strengthens families.
“Just look at the numbers. Travel supports one in nine American jobs, including over 6,400 jobs right here in Lincoln County,” Explore Lincoln City Director Ed Dreistadt said. “This week, we are celebrating travel’s powerful impact on our community. We’re calling on everyone – from elected officials to all of our local friends and neighbors – to join us in saluting this important industry, and to support travel at the local, state and national level.”
“In every pocket of America – from the largest cities to the smallest towns – travel matters,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “I, like so many others, got my start in the travel industry, and it shaped my life in ways I could never imagined. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we’re celebrating how travel powers our economies, strengthens our communities, and changes our lives.”
From the Lincoln City Glass Center to Chinook Winds Casino Resort, travel employs a diverse workforce all over Lincoln County:
— 6,400 jobs are supported by travel and tourism in Lincoln County.
— Travel and tourism generate $614 million in economic impact for Lincoln County.
These local figures are an important part of travel’s economic importance nationwide.
— Travel is a $2.5 trillion industry in the U.S., and $12.3 billion in Oregon.
— These visitors support 15.7 million American jobs – roughly 8.9 million direct travel jobs, and 6.8 million indirect jobs.
— Travel-related spending generated $171 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2018.
“I have seen firsthand how much travel matters to our community,” Explore Lincoln City Public Relations Coordinator Eric Johnson said. “In the past four years, our transient room tax collections have increased by an average of 8.6 percent.
“Not only that, I see signs of growth all over town. The expansion of the Starfish Manor Hotel, renovations to the Coho Oceanfront Lodge, the new marquee at the Bijou Theatre and many other projects. I’m proud of what Lincoln City has accomplished and am eager to welcome our guests here to show them why we love Lincoln City so much.”
To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week 2019, visit USTravel.org.
Taft High 7-12 was one of 16 high schools honored recently at a banquet in Portland by the Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC) for outstanding achievement by its governing body.
Taft received Gold Status, the highest honor, for the second year in a row.
The OASC-sponsored award sets high standards for councils and recognizes their accomplishment when standards are met, OASC Executive Director Sara Nilles said.
Councils begin by setting goals in the fall and work hard all year to achieve them. In order to receive the award, councils must be involved in community service, activities that promote school spirit and pride, sportsmanship, unity, recognition, and involvement in leadership training.
“Student leaders have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the culture and climate of their school and the academic success of their student body by the activities they sponsor,” said Nilles, whose association serves middle and high school student councils around the state as a department within COSA (Confederations of Oregon School Administrators).
The schools were recognized at the annual Spring Conference banquet, held April 28 at the Red Lion Hotel on the River in Portland. High Schools will be recognized again at the annual Fall Conference in November in Seaside.
“Receiving Gold Status for the second year in a row is quite exciting,” Taft junior Fatima Lupercio-Rubio said. “We always knew we could get some sort of recognition when we attended conferences and were honestly surprised we got Gold Status the first year we had applied.
“I want to give a huge shoutout to Veronica Jin, our Historian, and Autumn Ellis, our ASB President, for putting together our application this year. I hope future ASB classes can continue to receive this recognition through OASC since the application itself offers plenty of ideas to better the lives of our Tigers.
“We wear the blue ribbons on our names tags at OASC proudly as they serve as reminder of all the things we as an ASB class have done to serve our peers, school, and community.”
Karissa Snelling, ESL/Leadership Teacher for Taft 7-12, said: “The OASC Leadership Recognition Program gives student councils not only the means to plan and evaluate events and participation throughout the year, but it also gives councils the ability to challenge themselves by offering up ways to expand upon the programs that are already a part of school culture. Next year, Taft ASB would like to push even further into the realms of spirit and service.”
Saying, “as a team, we feel we are 25 strokes above our potential,” Taft High stands in fifth place entering today’s final round of the Class 3A Special District 2 Boys Golf Championships in Corvallis.
Playing late on an 83-degree day Monday in slow, crowded conditions at Trysting Tree Golf Club, the Tigers trail La Pjne (338). Blanchet Catholic (394), Regis (402) and East Linn Christian Academy (405) at 415 through the first round.
Senior William Brooks shot 95 to lead the Tigers in opening-round play, while freshmen Zac Wil shot 100, Ethan Unruh 101, Eston Whistler 119 and junior Jonathon Freilinger 126.
“We expect a long day again today,” Taft coach Andy Morgan said. “We will care for hydration and sunburn limbs and cheeks, as we concentrate on improving our performance during the second day of play.”
La Pine Tommy Rhode shot 73 for a five-stroke lead over teammate Bryce Tirrill.
“Our hope is to take advantage of our opponents, especially if they open any doors for our team to jump ahead,” Morgan said. “Our biggest hope is for William to turn in a season best, and work his way into the State championships.”
Taft’s first-round girls scores from the Class 3A SD 2 Championships at Santiam Golf course in Aumsville were not reported.
It will be “Anchors Aweigh” in more ways than one this week when Taft High senior David Jin hurdles his way into the Class 3A Special District 2 Track and Field Championships in Dayton.
The 17-year-old student leader, who has won eight of the 12 hurdling events he has competed in this season, will soon be off to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis to study mechanical engineering.
Taft’s starting quarterback and a decorated wrestler, Jin’s stellar high school sports career will likely cross the finish line May 17-18 when the Tigers compete in the Class 3A State Track and Field Championships at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.
“As a coach and school counselor for about 15 years, David is one of the most well-rounded individuals I have encountered,” Taft wrestling coach Robb Ellis said.
Jin is expected to compete in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles Tuesday and Wednesday in Dayton, and possibly even “anchor” a relay for Taft.
Jin’s future as a Naval Academy recruit is testament to the boundless academic and athletic achievements he has shared with his classmates in five years at Taft High 7-12 since his family moved to Lincoln City from Pasadena, Calif., five years ago.
“He is very respectful to his teachers and coaches, a great athlete, a leader, in the top 1 percent for academics and also has musical talents,” Ellis said. “He has a strong faith and a lot of integrity. He is hard on himself sometimes because he always wants to do the best job he possibly can.”
Born June 28, 2001, Jin is the son of Young-hoon Jin, senior pastor at the Lincoln City Korean Church, and Jae-heea, a homemaker and mother to Veronica, a 16-year-old Taft sophomore, and Ariel, a fifth-grader at Taft Elementary.
Jin’s introduction to high school sports upon his arrival in Lincoln City in the summer of 2014 has forged friendships he cultivates to this day. That includes his longtime relationship with former Taft multisport star Pete Lahti, among the school’s most highly regarded scholar athletes.
“The first thing that impressed me with David is how coachable he is,” said Lahti, who played football the past four seasons at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, where he will graduate this week with a degree in biology in pursuit of a career as a dentist. “I got to work with him at quarterback when he was first stepping up to play varsity. Anything I told him, he took it seriously, and I saw it being put to work every time he stepped on the field. He wants to learn as much as possible, and that is crucial for a developing player.”
Lahti was taken aback by Jin’s presence as a person as well as his promise as a player. Jin’s unwavering desire to excel paralleled his talent, his predecessor said.
“His drive impressed me. I could tell how bad he wanted to succeed,” Lahti said. “He didn’t just wish that he was talented; he went out and worked for it. It was a lot of fun to watch him grow as a player and mature as a person. He wanted to work out both on the field and in the weight room, and those things helped immensely.”
Lahti said it was Jin’s inquisitiveness that struck him most, however.
“He impressed me with questions that didn’t pertain to the physical side of sports,” he said. “He realized how important the mental aspects of sports are, too, which I think is rare in a high school athlete.
“He wanted to pick my brain to see how I approached things when I played quarterback in high school and how I approach things now, and he applied them to himself. He put all of these things into being a leader, and it showed.”
On the track, Jin has won four of the six 110-meter hurdle races and four of the six 300-meter hurdle events he has competed in this spring. He has also run a 11.97 100-meter dash.
He placed sixth in the Meet of Champions, which features only winners of this year’s races. He posted a personal-best 15.96 in the 110-meter hurdles at last week’s Toledo Twilight, and a 44.23 PR in a Special District 2 meet April 18 at Taft.
While he’s also anchored Taft’s 4×100 relay team, football remains Jin’s first love.
“I love football because of the unbreakable bond that can’t be formed anywhere else among a group of high school boys,” he said. “It also brings with it a complex layer of strategy and preparation, along with the high physical demand.
“I hold the quarterback position above all the other positions that I’ve played because it has been the most demanding, yet rewarding, experience. I need to be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to lead an entire offense for four quarters, and — no matter what — I need to be the one who keeps their head up. Ranging from quick decision-making skills, to maintaining composure under pressure, to even forming a unique connection with each player on the team, many skills are required of the quarterback.”
Jin reminisces about his first interception in a varsity game against Willamina his freshman season; beating Sutherlin on a toe-tap reception by fellow senior Tyee Fisher in the corner of the end zone; his time at Camp Rilea summer camp; hurdling a player and scoring three touchdowns on Senior Night against defending State champion Rainier; and his time learning from Lahti.
“My favorite moment watching David in athletics came watching him wrestle in the Taft gym,” said Lahti of Jin, who represented Taft at State in the 170-pound class despite weighing in at 162. “I wished him luck and he proceeded to pick up a kid, throw him over his head, slam him to the mat, and pin him in a matter of about 30 seconds. He came and greeted me with a big smile afterwards. That was awesome.”
Also a swimmer and State alternate in a relay, Jin is an accomplished guitar player and singer whose favorite subjects are math and science. He enjoys video games, working out with friends, nature hikes, beach walks, boogie boarding, kayaking, swimming in the lake and “eating constantly.”
Most of all, though, he cherishes his relationship with Christ.
“My main goal in life is to share the love of God with as many people as possible and become a worship leader,” he said.
Jin credits many people as being influential in his life, particularly his mom and dad.
“My parents have both acted as a huge encouragement during my athletic and academic endeavors, and they never doubted or rejected my hopes,” he said. “They found ways to devote their time and energy to see how I could be well-fed, well-rested and well-prepared for any job or opportunity that stood in front of me.”
Athletically, Jin cites Taft football coach Jake Tolan for helping him keep his abundant accomplishments in perspective.
“Mr. Tolan is a needed guidance in my life, as he knew just how to get in my head and make me a better man,” Jin said. “He was a great football coach with amazing smarts, but he focused even more on building my character.”
Then, there are those outside of sports and family who have had a lasting impact.
“My friend, Diego Vallejo, helped me grow as a man of Christ and made himself vulnerable and open to me, creating a bond with me that motivated me to reach out to others about God,” Jin said.
Others have watched admirably as Jin has grown from adolescence into adulthood.
“He has definitely matured over the years since I first met him in our Bible club,” said Pastor Phil Magnan, who has known Jin for about four years. “He is genuine and humble, and even has a good sense of humor. I think one of his most endearing qualities is that he shows respect and genuine concern for anyone he meets.
“Over the years, he has also shown how he has an inquisitive mind about virtually everything. He isn’t afraid to ask questions and attempt to grasp the greater meaning of the things he is interested in.
“It is also somewhat fascinating how he attracts the interest of other students so easily. They seek him out. This has only reinforced my notion that he must be a very approachable person and shows respect for anyone he meets. He never brags, nor sees himself as superior to others, but rather lifts those he meets.”
Magnan points to Jin as the type of young adult who will serve America and its Armed Forces well.
“He is very committed to doing what is right and loving towards those he meets,” he said. “I appreciate such a dedicated individual like David, as his example and demeanor gives me hope for the next generation.”
For his part, Jin, who will serve five years in the Navy after graduating from Annapolis, salutes the community he has represented.
“I’m so glad I had the chance to live in and experience Lincoln City,” he said. “It is so beautiful and jaw-dropping, and it gave me the opportunity to play sports and thrive, which would not have happened in California. God is to thank for everything good that has happened to me.”
Eight election signs for North Lincoln Fire & Rescue Board of Director hopefuls George Blacketer, Roy Cabal and Dan Stubdgen have been allegedly stolen or vandalized over the last few days.
“I’m just appalled by everything that has happened over the past few weeks, with the Facebook post by interim Chief Robert Dahlman, then the incident with the ladder truck, and now this lawsuit,” Blacketer said. “I’m really concerned about the direction this District is going right now.”
Six signs have been allegedly taken from various locations throughout Lincoln City and Otis since Thursday and two were defaced today with brown spray paint in broad daylight, the men running for the board seats said. The candidates said they paid $358 for 50 signs.
“To top it off, we have our signs stolen and even vandalized?” Blacketer asked. “We have done nothing more than run for an elected position. We have not slandered anybody, insulted anybody, nor have we stooped so low as to dig into anybody’s past in any way. We are trying to run a clean and professional campaign.”
The alleged vandalism occurred on East Devils Lake Road and S. Hill Road in Otis, near Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides. Signs were reported missing from Highway 101 & East Devils Lake Road near Faith Baptist Church, near Coastal Appliance and Mattress Experts (Sears), North Lincoln Fire Rescue Station 1300, and Highway 18 & Old Scenic Highway 101.
Homepage is seeking comment from NLFR regarding the sign situation.
Five Taft batters collected three hits Monday, including underclassmen Kyla Knott. who drove in four runs, and Claira Tolan and Olivia Coulter, who scored three times each in a 17-5 nonleague softball victory at Blanchet Catholic.
“I was a little bit nervous when we got there today because we had some girls fighting off illness and it was a very warm day in the Valley,” Taft coach Sandy Stuart said. “Ultimately, though, our offense was strong and we really came to play at the plate.”
Fourth-ranked Taft improved to 16-6 behind junior starter Emma Coulter by scoring five runs in the second inning, four in the third and three in the fourth for a 12-4 lead.
Emma Coulter and junior battery mate Hailee Danneker also had three hits for Taft in the win over eighth-rated PacWest member Blanchet Catholic, which fell to 10-9.
“Emma and Hailee worked hard as the battery in the heat and kept their hitters from doing too much damage,” Stuart said.
Senior Caitlyn Rundstrom, freshman Addie Gates and sophomores Kayla Lininger and Knott all scored twice for Taft, while freshman Chloe Peterson drove in three runs and Emma Coulter and Lininger two each for the Tigers.
“We executed some key offensive moments to get runners in scoring position and we were aggressive on the bases,” said Stuart, whose team collected 21 hits, including nine for extra bases. “We took lots of advantages to score extra runs today.”
The Tigers game against PacWest member Scio on Wednesday was canceled Monday. Senior Night activities to honor Rundstrom, Taft’s lone senior, will be rescheduled, Stuart said.
Taft closes out its regular season with a 3 p.m. doubleheader Friday at No. 1-ranked and undefeated league counterpart Clatskanie.
“Now we have a few days to rest and get healthy,” Stuart said.
Taft 17, Blanchet Catholic 5TAFT AB R H BI BLANCHET CATHOLIC AB R H BI
Hailee Danneker 5 1 3 1 S Barchus 4 1 2 2
Addie Gates 4 2 1 1 K Ruiz 4 1 1 1
Emma Coulter 5 0 3 2 A Davila 4 0 1 0
Kayla Lininger 4 2 2 2 L Jensen 3 1 1 1
Olivia Coulter 5 3 3 0 H Ostby 3 0 0 0
Claira Tolan 4 3 3 1 A Jones 3 0 0 0
Kyla Knott 4 2 3 4 L Elmore 3 0 1 1
Lily Hatton 5 1 1 1 O Banning 3 1 0 0
Chloe Peterson 4 1 2 3 S Archer 3 1 1 0
Caitlyn Rundstrom 0 2 0 0
TOTALS 40 17 21 15 TOTALS 30 5 7 5
TAFT 054 310 4 -- 17
BLANCHET CATHOLIC 004 010 0 -- 5
LOB--TAFT 6, BLANCHET CATHOLIC 9. E--Kyla
Knott, K Ruiz, S Archer. 2B--Kyla Knott, Addie Gates, Kayla
Lininger, Hailee Danneker, Chloe Peterson, Claira Tolan,
Emma Coulter (2), S Barchus. 3B--Chloe Peterson, K Ruiz, L
Jensen. SACB--Kyla Knott, Claira Tolan. SB--Kyla Knott,
Addie Gates, Hailee Danneker (2), Claira Tolan.
TAFT IP H R ER BB SO HR
Emma Coulter 7.00 7 5 5 5 7 0
BLANCHET CATHOLIC
A Davila 5.00 16 13 13 2 1 0
S Barchus 2.00 5 4 4 0 2 0
PB--L Jensen (2). SO--Kyla Knott, Kayla Lininger, Lily
Hatton, K Ruiz (2), O Banning, S Archer, A Davila, A Jones,
L Elmore. BB--Addie Gates, Kayla Lininger, O Banning, L
Jensen, H Ostby, A Jones, L Elmore.
The Lincoln City Police Dispatch Daily Desk Log is a public record of police calls. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Friday, April 26
Crash – 10:20 p.m. – S 50th St. & S Highway 101 – Report of a non-injury crash with vehicle over the median.
Saturday, April 27
Found Property – 4:21 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Security found wallet with ID and possible drug paraphernalia at casino.
Follow Up – 11:36 a.m. – 1503 SE East Devils Lake Rd. – Dennis J. Nelson (4/26/64) cited and released for theft and computer crimes.
Crash – 1:30 p.m. – 2900 SE Highway 101 – Eight patients were transported to SNLH and Newport hospital with minor injuries after a three vehicle rear-end crash blocking Highway 101. One driver was cited for following too close.
Criminal Mischief – 2:57 p.m. – 4438 SE 51st St. – Car window smashed overnight.
Domestic – 6:51 a.m. – 171 SW Highway 101 – After receiving multiple 911 hangups, officers responded with information a male had a knife to a female. Laurence Joseph Stephens (3/13/86) was taken into custody for violating a no-contact order, menacing, strangulation, assault, coercion and harassment. Stephens was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Theft – 9:06 a.m. – 1523 SW Dune Ave. – Items stolen from vacation rental property. No entry into home made. Wet suit and mountain bike taken.
Found Property – 11:54 a.m. – LCPD – Citizen turning in old fireworks to police department.
Disturbance – 8:10 p.m. – 4343 SW Highway 101 – Report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance in apartment complex parking lot. Report taken.
Crash – 10:48 a.m. – 1200 NW Highway 101 – Two vehicle rear-end crash. No injuries.
Trespass – 9:02 a.m. – 2030 NE 66th St. – Shawn E. Manzow (3/25/80) cited and released for criminal trespass after report of trash cans being gone through at property.
Tuesday, April 30
Found Property – 6:57 a.m. – 4250 SE Highway 101 – Transient left bag at bus stop. Property taken for safekeeping.
Assisting Outside Agency – 1:10 p.m. – 180 SE Highway 101 – Two subjects wandering looking into cars. Michael Wehling (9/21/92) taken into custody and transported to Lincoln County Jail for probation detainer.
Extra Patrol Request – 1:45 p.m. – 426 SE Jetty – Caller reports cars travelling at high rate of speed consistently on Jetty going south bound. Caller states there are no speed limit signs so she is contacting Public Works. Requesting extra patrol to deter speeders.
Theft – 3:17 p.m. – 711 NW Highway 101 – Male in older green truck snuck into Dutch Brothers and stole coats.
Extra Patrol Request – 1550 SE 14th St. – Requesting extra patrol in area for siphoned gas.
Fraud – 7:40 p.m. – 1179 NE Lakewood – Caller reports she received a call from Social Security. She called number back and provided personal banking information. Victim was advised to contact financial institution and put safeguards in place.
Domestic – 8:46 p.m. – 1220 SE Oar Ave. #112 – Caller reports his girlfriend pulled a knife on him. Female left before officers responded.
Wednesday, May 1
Warrant Arrest – 1:18 a.m. – N 17th St. & N Highway 101 – Laura Black (1/22/70) arrested after traffic stop revealed warrants out of Lincoln County for theft.
Warrant Arrest – 10:25 a.m. – 2752 NE Reef Ave. – Michael Cook (6/25/74) taken into custody for warrant out of Lincoln County for failure to appear.
Disturbance – 11:30 a.m. – 2328 NE Holmes Rd. – Dakota S. Tougas (12/23/00) violated a protection order and started a disturbance. Her probation officer placed a detainer and she was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Criminal Mischief – 11:25 a.m. – 2010 SE Lee Ave. – Vandalism to City water facility.
Theft – 3:34 p.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Mathew G. Smigielski (5/5/87) cited and released for warrant out of Marion County during wallet theft investigation.
Theft – 3:40 p.m. – Medication taken from a vehicle.
Warrant Arrest – 8:32 p.m. – 3550 SE Harbor Dr – Pamela Kay Farrar (11/2/56) cited and released on warrant out of Lincoln County for possession of heroin.
Assault – 9:20 p.m. – 1803 SE 14th St. – Darrell Gene Richards (6/7/68) taken into custody after report of a disturbance and transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Thursday, May 2
Eluding – 2:56 a.m. – NW 14th St. & N. Highway 101 – Shannon Uretta Thomas (12/8/85) ran from officers after a traffic stop. Thomas was taken into custody for driving while suspended and felony eluding.
Suspicious Activity – 8:16 a.m. – Report of juveniles fighting on the bus.
Hit and Run – 9:22 a.m. – 1163 SE Fleet Ave. – Fence hit and damaged overnight by a white 2013 Chevy Silverado.
Counterfeit – 9:30 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Counterfeit $50 found on third story of parking structure.
Found Property – 10:56 a.m. – 4048 NE Highway 101 – Flat screen TV found near transient camp.
Found Property – 12:24 p.m. – 660 Highway 101 – Citizen found a Samsung 7 phone. Property taken for safekeeping.
Criminal Mischief – 12:39 p.m. – Snack Attack – Front door of business shattered. Caller also had phone messages complaining about business not being open at 11 a.m.
Missing Person – 5:09 p.m. – 3780 SE Spyglass Ridge Rd. – Caller reports her son got in a car with a Josh Shepperd. He has been told not to have contact with Shepperd. They are possible in a white Honda.
Michael Scott Garrett, 34, of Berkeley, Calif., told a crowd he was going to stab each one of them in the head Saturday at Newport’s Loyalty Days & Sea Fair Festival.
According to a Newport Police Department news release, two people watching the 63rd annual Loyalty Days Parade took Garrett to the ground around noon after hearing the threats and held him until Newport Police could arrive and take him into custody. Garrett was brandishing a metal pick.
Garrett faces charges of unlawful use of a weapon, disorderly conduct and menacing.
He was taken to Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $135,000.
Officers Cody Snidow and KC Claunts recently joined Detective Jayne Johnson in accepting a $5,000 donation from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund to the Lincoln City Police Department’s new K9 program.
With police departments expanding K9 programs around the state, the LCPD has added a K9 unit to strengthen its relationship with the community it is protecting.
The LCPD’s K9 fund raises money to lessen the financial impact on the city and keep citizens up to date and involved in the program, its activities and events.
Donations can be made in any manner. Checks should be made out to the Lincoln City Police Department K9 Unit to ensure donations are placed in the proper account.
Contact the LCPD at (541) 994-3636 or by email at [email protected].
The ball fields at Kirtsis Park were bustling with Lincoln City Youth League players of various ages Saturday as scores of parents watched and rooted on teams and cringed as foul balls flew toward cars.
A game played between powerhouses sponsored by Weiss Install and Mo’s saw hitting and fielding displays put on by both clubs in a battle of instructional-league titans.
Here’s the rundown:
Both starting pitchers went the distance and displayed remarkable consistency in getting the ball over the plate with every pitch.
Visitors to Kirtsis Park enjoyed refreshments, fresh hamburgers, hot dogs and assorted other staples offered by the two snack shacks, and the smell of cooking meats was carried by the wind throughout the day.
Teams came from as far as Nestucca to prove their mettle on the diamond.
“I think it’s funny to see people actually rooting for the foul balls to hit the cars,” a parent said. “It’s funny because it’s not our cars, you know?”
It was a beautiful day for baseball, according to Taft High baseball parent Kristina Good, whose son Fco Ramos was umpiring. “Now, if we could just get the wind to cooperate.”
Taft High 7-12 middle-schooler Gavin Koceja also umpired games and enjoyed the snack shack benefits.
Taft assistant baseball coach Tom Nelson showed his approval for the day’s events.
“I love watching these kids play at this level,” another coach said. “They are learning how to become good ball players, as well as good sports.”
The 36th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, unites communities across the country to celebrate how travel matters to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.
“Over the years, he has also shown how he has an inquisitive mind about virtually everything. He isn’t afraid to ask questions and attempt to grasp the greater meaning of the things he is interested in.
