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Get your Gray Whale license plates beginning Friday in Oregon

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The Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute Gray Whale vehicle license plate will be available for Oregon passenger vehicles only starting Friday.

The plate is only for passenger vehicles titled and registered in Oregon. DMV cannot accept or process applications received before Feb. 1.

In addition to regular title, registration and plate manufacturing fees, the Gray Whale plate has a $40 surcharge due when you first order the plate and at each registration renewal. The surcharge is the same amount for four-year or two-year registration periods.

Customers who purchased a prepaid voucher may submit that with their application in lieu of the surcharge. The voucher may only be used once.

The OSU Marine Mammal Institute was required to sell at least 3,000 vouchers before DMV could start implementation of the Gray Whale license plate. Surcharge funds will go to the OSU Marine Mammal Institute to help fund marine mammal research and education.

For more information on the foundation, visit https://mmi.oregonstate.edu.

Custom (vanity) and Amateur Radio Operator (HAM radio) versions will be available on the Gray Whale plate. DMV cannot reserve specific number-letter configurations for license plates. Also, DMV does not sell “sample” versions of license plates.

People can apply for the plates by mail, at DMV field offices, online or through licensed vehicle dealers when they purchase a car. Customers cannot apply for a Gray Whale plate online if they are submitting a pre-paid voucher. Customers cannot replace vehicle plates through DEQ emissions testing stations (emissions tests are required only in parts of the Portland and Medford metropolitan areas).

The cost of a set of plates depends upon when and how a vehicle owner applies for a new set. Here are two common scenarios:

  1. Plates ordered within 120 days before a vehicle’s stickers expire:

Gray Whale surcharge: $40 (also paid at every renewal) or a pre-paid voucher Plate fee: $24 for the pair

Plate replacement fee: $5

Registration renewal: $112 (Multnomah County residents add $38; Washington County residents add $60)

Total without a voucher: $181 ($219 in Multnomah County; $241 in Washington County)

Total with a pre-paid voucher: $141 ($179 in Multnomah County; $201 in Washington County)

  1. Plates ordered more than 120 days before a vehicle’s stickers expire:

Gray Whale surcharge: $40 (also paid at every two-year renewal) or a pre-paid voucher

Plate fee: $24 for the pair

Plate replacement fee: $10

Total without a voucher: $74

Total with a pre-paid voucher: $34

People who purchase a new or used vehicle from a licensed dealer may order Gray Whale plates as part of the car-buying process and provide a pre-paid voucher to the dealer if they have one. Dealers file title and registration applications with DMV on behalf of car buyers. When buying a car, there are charges in addition to those listed above, such as title fees and dealer processing charges.

To order new plates from DMV more than 120 days before a vehicle’s stickers expire, customers need to fill out an Application for Registration, Renewal, Replacement or Transfer of Plates and/or Stickers, Form 268. Customers can get this form at their local DMV office to apply for the plate in person, or they can save a trip to DMV by downloading it at OregonDMV.com and apply online or by mailing in the application and fees.

Before going to any DMV office, the agency suggests that you first check OregonDMV.com to make sure you have everything you need and view current wait times for the large DMV offices. Common transactions such as renewing vehicle registration, changing your address, and reporting the sale of a vehicle can be done online.

Nighttime D-River Bridge construction work to begin Feb. 4

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d river bridge
D River Bridge in Lincoln City

Bridge improvements designed to protect and improve three coastal bridges that have deteriorated from salt air in the Lincoln City and Florence areas will shift from daytime to nighttime beginning Feb. 4.

Construction crews’ evening work on the D-River Bridge deck will continue through at least Labor Day for asphalt grinding and strengthening to accommodate summer visitor traffic.

D-River Bridge

Construction hours will be Monday through Thursday evenings, 7 p.m.-5 a.m. for three months with necessary nighttime lane restrictions.

Expect flaggers and some noise from drilling and cutting in early spring. Noise will increase as bridge rails are replaced. Nearby businesses will be accessible at all times with “Business Access” signs near entrances. There will be no daytime lane restrictions.

Schooner Creek Bridge

Work will begin in early summer and is expected to last 21 months, subject to weather delays. Work may occur day and night.

Nighttime work will require lane closures. In each stage, expect nighttime delays up to 20 minutes. Nighttime traffic will be flagged through one open lane.

At certain stages, one side of the sidewalk will be closed with the opposite side open. People can cross at the traffic signal at SE 51st and at a temporary crossing on the south side of SE 54th Drive. Access to nearby businesses will be available at all times.

 Siltcoos River

This project is planned for spring 2020.

The structural integrity of the bridges are deteriorating to the point that they will soon need to be load rated, meaning large vehicles over a certain weight will not be able to use them.

From 2018 to 2021, the DRiver and Schooner Creek Bridges will receive:

  • Repairs to damaged concrete
  • Installation of a zinc coating or zinc blocks to protect the bridges from the harsh coastal climate
  • Replacement of bridge railings to meet current crash standards
  • Strengthening of the bridge structures with steel and titanium

Access for pedestrians, including those with disabilities, will be available and identified through or around the work zones. To learn more, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/projectdetails.aspx?project=18599 and sign up for project updates.  Know before you go and visit TripCheck.com for the most up-to-date construction information.

Pronto Pups ‘Carnage’ ensues in eating contest at Otis

Pronto Pup Eating Contest Otis

Competitive eater and YouTuber Max Carnage took home the $100 top prize Sunday in Otis Pizzeria’s first-ever Pronto Pup eating contest for charity by consuming 10 1/2 corn dogs.

Max Carnage
Max Carnage decimates a Pronto Pup

“I ate more than everyone else,” Carnage said of his winning strategy. “Calling a Pronto Pup a corn dog is an insult to the Pronto Pup. A pronto Pup blows corn dogs out of the water.”

Carnage, who runs the YouTube channel Big Eaters Club, said he plans to spend the $100 cash prize on “a bunch of milkshakes.”

“I’m going to go to Lincoln City and buy a bunch of milkshakes,” he said. “I’m serious. There’s a place that has really good milkshakes in there and they have booze in them. I’m gonna go get a bunch of boozy milkshakes.”

Pronto Pup Eating Contest

Eleven contestants used a variety of strategies to down as many Pronto Pups as possible in five minutes with only water to drink. Lincoln City Mayor Dick Anderson was one of four judges for the competition.

A group of five contestants drove from Salem for the event, and one, Rusty Shackleford, took second place and a $100 gift certificate to Otis Pizzeria.

Shackleford’s technique was to cut the Pronto Pups in half, shred them and soak them in ketchup. He said he didn’t feel very well after the competition and declined an interview, but said it was fun and he would be back.

Rusty Shackleford works on one of the nine Pronto Pups he devoured

Third place went to Brian “Shrek” Mead, who ate seven Pronto Pups for a $50 gift certificate.

“Not gonna lie, the grease was getting to me,” he said.

Mead dressed up for the occasion in a kilt and Buck knife strapped to his waist. He recently won a friendly eating competition at the Mexican restaurant Casa Rojas in Salem by downing 19 tacos in 15 minutes.

“This is my first competition with professionals,” he said.

Brian Mead
Brian Mead poses before the contest

Oscar Ochoa, 22, from Otis, ate six Pronto Pups and was the only local to compete.

Previous coverage:

Get paid ‘Pronto’ with Otis Pizzeria eating contests

Taft swimmers splash down third against bigger schools in Salem

Taft High’s Degen Sawyer (File photo by Lon French)

Taft High senior Joram Hoff won two events, and senior Lydia Prins, junior Hunter Lundstedt and freshman Sam Cortes one each Saturday to lead the Tigers to third-place finishes at the Blanchet Invitational swim meet in Salem.

Despite missing a boy and a girl and having to scratch a relay in both competitions at the Kroc Corps Community Center, Class 3A Taft placed third behind Class 5A Silverton and Scappoose, and the girls third behind Silverton and 4A Valley Catholic.

Hoff won the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley in a personal-best time to pace the Tigers despite battling the effects of a head cold, Coach Lissa Parker said.

“Joram had a great meet,” she said. “He’s getting close to the end of his senior year, so that was good for him.”

Lundstedt, returning to the pool following a shoulder injury, captured the 100-yard breaststroke.

The 14-year-old Cortes continued his dominant season by winning the 200-yard freestyle and placing second in the 100-yard back.

Taft senior Sam Anderson

Other Taft boys, such as sophomore Jose Luis Segura and freshman Angel Moreno, were slowed by illness, “but pushed through” to contribute team points, Parker said.

“[Senior] Ayden Woodard continues to work hard and looks good in his first year swimming, and [senior] Sam Anderson is dropping time his senior year,” she said. “[Senior] Micah McLeish is doing well at distance events, and [freshman] Dylan Barrera is benefitting from his age-group training. [Senior] Tanner Landry is getting back in the swing of things recovering from illness. Degen Sawyer is also continuing to improve.”

Anderson, Barrera, Cortes, Hoff, Lundstedt, McLeish, Moreno, Sawyer and Woodard all posted season=best times for the boys.

On the girls side, Prins won the 200 IM to lead the way for the Tigers, while also contributing points in the 100-yard back.

“It’s her senior year and we can count on her to be solid,” Parker said of the Lincoln City Swim Club fixture.

Parker also cited the efforts of junior Sammy Halferty, who was third in the 200 free, and sophomore Napy Meyer, who was third in the 100 fly.

Freshmen Aubrey Sciarrotta, Charlotte Lundstedt and Cassandra Galvan; sophomores Isabelle Serrato and Brie LeBoeuf; and juniors Bryanna Paget and Hannah Weaver also excelled, she said.

Sophomore Isabell Mackie joined Galvan, Lundstedt, Meyer, Paget, Sciarrotta, Serrato and Weaver in posting season-low times for the girls.

The Tigers are scheduled to host the Taft Last Chance meet beginning at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lincoln City Community Center pool.

Complete Team and Individual Results

Taft Results

Taft Relay Results

Photo Gallery by Liz Cortes

Comic Con culture unveiled in living color in Lincoln City

Lincoln City Comic Con Mark Ross Phaser Blast
Mark Ross fires his phaser at Lincoln City Comic Con (Photo illustration by Justin Werner)

The first-ever “Lincoln City Comic Con” sprang to life Saturday at the Lincoln City Cultural Center with fantasy, sci-fi and comic book fans dressing up as their favorite fictional characters and vendors selling coveted collectibles.

Eight vendors of various comic-related goods displayed their wares on tables throughout the event, all reporting some measure of success.

“Woo hoo! We just paid off our setup fee,” said Mark Ross, a diehard fan of anything and everything Star Trek, who had just sold some items from his table. “I’m a Star Trek nerd. My father actually helped build sets for the original show.”

Sisters Emily and Diana Portwood set up tables next to one another for Robert’s Bookshop and Bob’s Beach Books, respectively. The duo had comic books, graphic novels, MAD magazines and Buffy the Vampire Slayer books for sale.

Lincoln City Comic Con Portwood
Diana Portwood, left, and Emily Portwood

Cameron LeClair from Pop Culture Collectibles displayed comic books from the 1940s for all to see.

“1938 to 1955 is the golden age of comics,” he said. “We have comics of all ages at our shop in Street Car Village.”

Pop Culture Collectibles

Mike Flynn of Punch It Graphics lives in Lincoln City and was driving by with his wife when he saw the Comic Con sign on the Cultural Center’s reader board.

“I think I can get in there, honey,” he said.

Comic Con staff welcomed him to a vendor spot, where he set up an impressive display that he carries in his van at all times. Flynn has gone to Comic Cons in major cities as a full-time job the last four years.

“I do shows all across the country,” he said. “I’ve been to L.A., Florida, Denver and even Portland.”

Mike Flynn
Mike Flynn of Punch It Graphics

“This show is really cool,” he said.

Timothy Melton with Beachtown Charities Thrift and Gift sold Dragon Eggs (color-changing glass floats) and acrylic pours over vinyl records.

Timothy Melton
Timothy Melton with Beachtown Charities Thrift and Gift

“What’s the difference between a dragon egg and a dinosaur egg?” Melton asked. “There’s no such thing as dragons.”

J.A. Sparks
Taft High 7-12 Drama Director and Sparks Gallery co-owner J.A. Sparks

J.A. Sparks, Taft High 7-12 drama director and co-owner of Sparks Gallery, had the idea for the event, with help from LeeAnn Gabler and Sabrina Delugach, who routinely set up events to benefit Taft students.

Gabler knew the drama department needed a fundraiser and Sparks said, “Let’s try a Comic Con.” Delugach suggested vendors be welcome for $10 a table.

The plans for the convention grew with a DJ, dance and costume contest added to the bill.

“A cosplay contest would give the drama kids a chance to dress up and character act,” Gabler said.

The Cosplay contest was judged by Lori and Joey Arce-Torres and the winners are:

10 and under –  Bria as Wonder Woman

11 to 17 – McKenzie as Eleven from Stranger Things

18 and over – John as The Walking Dead

Couple – Steve and Tanya as Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora

Lincoln City Police Crime Log Jan. 18-24

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Lincoln City CrimesThe Lincoln City Police Dispatch Daily Desk Log is a public record of police calls. Homepage will run the log every Friday. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Friday, Jan. 18

Burglary – 4:43 a.m. – Dutch Bros – Broken window. Report taken.

Burglary – 7:30 a.m. – Lighthouse Coffee, 2015 NW Highway 101 – Electrical box broken into and damaged.

Fraud – 3:12 p.m. – TLC Credit Union – ATM skimmer placed on business ATM. Surveillance of suspect available.

Crash – 4:57 p.m. – 4422 NE Devils Lake Blvd. – Two vehicle crash with no injuries. Officer assisted information exchange.

Fraud – 8:20 p.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Credit cards used fraudulently at location although caller still has possession of cards.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Assisting Other Agency – 7:16 p.m. – 2230 NE 29th Dr. – Chenoa Kannis (10/11/77) arrested on felony warrant.

Fraud – 7:58 p.m. – Beach Club Bar – Report of counterfeit $20.

Theft – 8:38 p.m. – 2150 NE Oar Pl. – Report of theft out of locker. Keys and wallet stolen.

Disturbance – 9:01 p.m. – 1585 SE 19th St. Apartment A12 – Physical altercation between a male and female. Male voluntarily allowed a shotgun to be removed from home for safekeeping.

Theft – 11:59 p.m. – America’s Best Inn & Suites – Alex Kelley (8/13/86) arrested for theft of services after Taxi 101 ride not paid for.

Sunday, Jan. 20 

Assault – 12:55 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Brice K. Palen (10/7/94) reportedly struck staff when asked to put a shirt on. Palen taken into custody and transported to Lincoln County jail.

Found Property – 2:14 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Found contraband, appears to be drugs.

Fraud – 6:51 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Counterfeit $50.

Monday, Jan. 21

Overdose – 2:58 a.m. – 1501 NW 40th Pl. #B330 – Caller reported female not breathing and began CPR. Officer arrived and administered Narcan while awaiting medics. Victim transported to SNLH.

Animal – 5:46 p.m. – 3565 NW Highway 101 – Car struck deer. Deer was dispatched.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – 4:28 a.m. – North Shell – A traffic stop revealed a stolen vehicle out of Medford. Carla Maldonado Moreno (4/20/91) had a misdemeanor warrant out of Polk County for failure to appear on meth charges and was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. Carlos Chavez Velazco (6/14/89) was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. Both transported to Lincoln County jail.

Harassment – 3:33 p.m. – 2456 NE West Devils Lake Rd. #19 – Faitha Kobinski (5/4/76) arrested after a report of a disturbance and transported to Lincoln County Jail.

Peace Officer Hold – 8:38 p.m. – 1123 SW 51st St. #1 – Caller requested police and medical for possible suicidal male.  Male transported to SNLH for evaluation.

Wednesday, Jan. 23 

Missing Person – 8:36 a.m. – 1740 NE 17th St. – Subject missing from home. Vehicle, wallet, blood pressure and diabetes medication left at home. Possibly suicidal. Entered missing LEDS/NCIC. Statewide alert sent.

Found Property – Community Center – Employee turned in three cell phones to LCPD that were left at Community Center.

Theft – 11:34 a.m. – 2510 SW Dune Ave. – Theft of a yellow 10 foot kayak.

DOA – 10:52 a.m. – 1400 SE 19th St. – Pricilla Birch (1/2/20) found deceased in room.

DUII – 1:15 p.m. – 860 SW 51st St. – Jennifer McCracken (1/7/58) arrested for DUII.

Assisting Other Agency – 426 SE Jetty Ave. – Victim reported that her neighbor violated her restraining order by walking past her. Report taken.

Thursday, Jan. 24

Theft – 7:34 a.m. – North Shell, 4031 NW Highway 101 – Caller reported theft of his wallet from gas station.

Warrant Arrest – 9:57 a.m. – Caller reporting an open door at rental property with unknown person inside. Olivia Encinas (3/31/93) was arrested for felony warrant out of Clackamas County for delivery of heroin and two counts of giving false information. Encinas transported to Lincoln County Jail.

Theft – 11:39 a.m. – Devils Lake State Park – Purse and phone taken out of tent during the night.

Theft – 1:45 p.m. – 1905 NW Jetty Ave. – Wallet taken out of vehicle in the night.

Assault – 1:57 p.m. – 5325 NW Jetty Ave. – Victim reported he was assaulted by his ex-girlfriend. Report taken.

Theft – 4:32 p.m. – North Shell – Theft of alcohol by a transient male.

Taft wrestlers tune up for Districts with road split

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Taft junior Alec Bosworth celebrates a pin against Dayton

Taft High won one match and lost another Thursday, but Coach Robb Ellis said his team performed like champions in both competitions in the absence of four top wrestlers and the aftermath of a punishing defeat.

“Great bounce back tonight in our league duals,” the second-year coach said after his Tigers defeated Warrenton 53-41 but lost to host Dayton 48-24 after falling at powerhouse Harrisburg 48-18 the previous day.

“With our full lineup, we could have pulled off the win against Dayton,” he said. “We have been looking forward to seeing Warrenton because they have some wrestlers some of our guys might see in key third- and fourth-place matches that they need to win at Districts to go to State.”

Seniors Biz Byrum, Gio Salazar and David Jin got solid wins to improve their seeding in the District bracket, while younger wrestlers Kevin Acosta Lopez and Riley Ellis also performed well, Ellis said.

Bigger 220-pound juniors Jace Phippen and Alec Bosworth “recorded a couple of nice pins,” he said.

“And our lovely ladies, Kadence James and Autumn Barela, both won their matches with a pin,” he said before announcing the addition of a third girl, Lucy Reyes, to the team.

“She jumped right in with only a couple of practices with no fear,” he said of Reyes’ debut. “Now, we get to rest this weekend, regroup and pick up the intensity in practice.”

The Class 3A Tigers return to the mat Tuesday at Tillamook, the state’s top-ranked 4A team.

“We will be looking to just get some top competition as we head into Districts and State,” he said, “and Tillamook will give us all we need and more.”

Kadence James, left, and Autumn Barela

Barela, a senior, and James, a freshman, will wrestle at the girls District tournament Friday and Saturday at Thurston High School in Springfield, where wrestlers from Class 6A to 1A schools will compete against each other due to a lack of girls in a growing sport.

“Our girls will face some tough competition from girls who wrestle at programs like Elmira, Hood River, Forest Grove and big 6A schools, where girls wrestling has been established for a number of years,” Ellis said.

“Often those programs have separate girls teams at their schools of 20 or more,” he said. “While it is unlikely either of our girls will get in a position to qualify for the girls State tournament, they are both ready to go there and fight and see if they can win a match or two.”

Ellis said he plans to continue building the women’s program and try to hold separate practices with a dedicated girls coach.

“We may only be two or three years away from that,” he said. “We are also upping the intensity as teams who are shooting to finish strong when heading into Districts.”

Ellis said the Tigers would have optional Saturday morning practices and optional 30-minute Cross Fit workouts Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before school for the remainder of the season in preparation for the State tournament, Feb. 22-23, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

The Special District 1 tournament is scheduled Friday, Feb. 15, at Warrenton. Taft is set to host dual matches Thursday, Feb. 7, against Amity, Dayton and Rainer.

Tafts Eriq Aquino

Suspected drunken driver crashes into tree near Devils Lake

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Lincoln City Crash

A 32-year-old Neotsu woman suspected of driving under the influence crashed into a tree Friday morning off SE East Devils Lake Road east of SE Oar Avenue.

At about 8:52 a.m., Lincoln City Police responded to a single-vehicle crash off the roadway. Officers found a 2010 Ford Fusion had gone off the north side roadway, where it struck a tree, caused air bag deployment and substantial damage to the front of the car.

Medical personnel from North Lincoln Fire & Rescue and Pacific West Ambulance began providing medical treatment to the driver, who was found standing outside the vehicle. She was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital for treatment of undetermined non-life threatening injuries.

The driver’s dog, which was in the car, had no visible injuries, but appeared scared. It was turned over to the woman’s roommate. No other persons or vehicles were involved in the crash.

An investigation determined the vehicle was traveling west on SE East Devils Lake Road approaching an “S” curve when the driver failed to negotiate the first curve and drove off the road.

No skid marks were observed. The investigating officer developed probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

A search warrant was obtained for a blood draw and the sample was submitted to the Oregon State Police Crime Lab to determine blood alcohol content.

The driver was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Driving. Due to medical issues, she left in the care of hospital staff and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Bulldogs sweep Taft boys, girls in league basketball play

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Taft senior Tyee Fisher (File photos by Lon French)
Taft senior Tyee Fisher (File photo by Lon French)

Willamina handed the Taft High boys and girls basketball teams Coastal Range League home losses Friday.

The loss all but eliminated the Taft boys from the playoffs.

“Early in the season, I honestly believed this team was in a position to contend for the league’s top spot, but injuries, lack of consistent play, confidence, and, at times a shortage of commitment, have all led to under-performance,” first-year Coach Andy Morgan said.

The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 42-29 in boys play to improve to 10-8 overall and 2-6 in league play, while Taft fell to 6-12, 1-7.

Senior Ray Darrington led the Tigers with six points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Senior Tyee Fisher, sophomore Fco Ramos and freshman Kaden Hindman scored five points each for Taft, while Fisher added five rebounds and three assists.

Taft freshman Lily Hatton (File photo by Lon French)

The Taft girls fell to 2-16 overall and 0-8 in conference play with their 15th straight defeat, 64-29.

The third-place Willamina girls improved to 12-7, 4-4.

Details from the girls game were not reported.

The Tigers return to the court Tuesday at home in league play against Warrenton.

Willamina 42, Taft 29

Taft                  7          8        7       7  — 29

Willamina        8        12      10     12  — 42

Boys Coach Andy Morgan’s comments:

“The Tiger boys played the early game, as the Coastal Range League moves into the second half of its inaugural season. The lady squads will get the feature slot for the remainder of the season.

“Preparing earlier in the day, the Tiger boys went into the contest needing a win to end a two-game skid and give them a chance at a league playoff opportunity. Now defeated twice by three of the four league opponents, the Tigers will need a near miracle to make the playoffs. While the math allows a chance, the door is nearly shut on the chance of extra basketball for the team.

“Early in the season, I honestly believed this team was in a position to contend for the league’s top spot, but injuries, lack of consistent play, confidence, and, at times a shortage of commitment, have all led to under-performance.

Freshman Kaden Hindman

“As a coach, I shoulder some, or much, of the responsibility. I do not feel like I had this group properly prepared for a win against Willamina. Our lineup was, once again, dictated by injuries and illness. Our practices look something like an episode of M*A*S*H, and we haven’t had three consecutive practices in which all of the available players have attended.  Some of the absences have been regarded as necessary, while some have not.

“As a coach, I need to be determined to set a standard of commitment, and I must expect every member of the team to develop as a leader. We have experienced moments of greatness, but have suffered as much. The staff has spoken of conviction and fearlessness, and I do not yet feel like this has become the threads that make up the fabric of this program. We are still looking for a vocal leader — one whose words are respected, while the unspoken and uncompromising work ethic becomes a habit that becomes the norm rather than the exception.

“As for the game, the Bulldogs of Willamina showed something we had not yet faced much of this year — a zone defense. Myself, and the other Taft coaches, had expected a zone during the preseason. With a formidable post in Darrington, and able backups like Tyee Fisher, William Brooks and Clay Nelson, we had expected teams to make us prove ourselves from distance, rather than the paint.

“Surprisingly, every team has matched up, playing us pretty straight-up, paying little attention to our sizable advantage in the middle. As a result, Darrington has averaged a double-double, nearly adding 20 in each category of points and rebounds. The Bulldogs had a new plan, after our first meeting came down to missed Tiger free throws, an overtime period, and an eventual win for the host Bulldogs. This matchup became a bit uncomfortable for the Tigers, having to adjust to the defense.

Jordan Hall, floor general

“Eventually adjusting to the Willamina zone, the Tigers ended the game with 11 assists — equaling the total of the past two games. This was an emphasis for the Tigers, and junior Jordan Hall was determined to set the stage early, passing the ball to the interior, trusting the teammates in the middle. Unfortunately, Taft couldn’t find the net, bouncing balls off of the rim all night long.

“There were seven Tigers with points, but none produced double-digit numbers — the team never scoring more than eight in a period. Our team goal was to hold the Bulldogs to less than 10 in each frame, but we were able to reach this goal in only the first period with eight points to open the contest. The second period was more productive for Willamina, adding 12, as the home team only managed eight, for a halftime score of 20-15,  advantage Bulldogs.

“Clay Nelson, earning a start, played hard and scored two in the first period, finishing the game with a steal, two rebounds and a single turnover. Aside from solid play, freshman Kaden Hindman contributed big minutes for the Tigers, scoring five points, a steal, an assist and a rebound. The Tigers, as a team, were better at sharing the ball, and solid on defense, but the rebounding was disappointing, as was the overall scoring.

“We were just not selective enough, not aggressive in the lanes, and could not convert on most shots. It was a terrible night to go so cold from the floor, as the 42 points allowed were right within our game plan.

“As a team, we are going to look forward to hosting Warrenton on Tuesday. The young members of the team are committed to sending away the seniors on a positive note, while the oldest members of the team will remain dedicated to leaving this young program with opportunity, and optimism for the future.

“We know we have dug ourselves a hole, and we will stay committed to stay the course and continue to learn, grow and lead the Tigers into the future.”

Points

Ray Darrington 6, Fco Ramos 5, Tyee Fisher 5, Kaden Hindman 5

Rebounds

Ray Darrington 7, Tyee Fisher 5, William Brooks 4

Assists

Trenton Fisher 3, Tyee Fisher 3

Blocks

Ray Darrington 3

Steals

Jordan Hall 2

OGEC clears City Council of public meetings law violation

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OGEC Lincoln City

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission rejected its own investigation’s findings that Lincoln City Homepage was illegally barred from a Lincoln City City Council meeting and dismissed the case on Friday.

“I’m pleased to announce that the Oregon Government Ethics Commission [OGEC] rejected the conclusion of the investigated report and dismissed all charges against the City Council pertaining to allegations that they improperly excluded a member of the media from an Executive Session,” City Manager Ron Chandler wrote on his personal blog.

OGEC’s ruling follows a five-month investigation of an allegation of potential violation of state ethics law filed by Homepage Publisher Justin Werner. The case was heard over a two-hour period Friday morning at the Commission’s regular session in Salem.

“There is a preponderance of evidence that a representative of the news media [Werner] was excluded from attending an executive session held by the Lincoln City City Council in violation of ORS 192.660(4),” OGEC Compliance and Education Coordinator Diane Gould concluded in her findings.

Homepage maintained it was illegally excluded from attendance at a June 14, 2018, special session under Oregon public meetings law because it regularly attends and covers City Council meetings and local government and corresponds regularly with City officials to report the news.

Homepage is awaiting the release next week of audio tapes of Friday’s hearing for a follow-up story on the decision.

Previous coverage:

Ethics Commission investigation supports Homepage as news outlet