A routine traffic stop and subsequent high-speed chase through Lincoln City early today resulted in a rollover crash, the discovery of a stolen vehicle and two people’s arrest.
According to a Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) report, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Toyota traveling south on Highway 101 near N. 32nd Street at 12:35 a.m.
The driver yielded momentarily to the officer, then sped away in an attempt to elude police. Two LCPD units pursued the vehicle southbound on Highway 101, eventually leaving the city.
The driver, traveling at high speeds, lost control, causing the car to leave the road and roll over just south of Immonen Road.
Assisted by a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, LCPD officers detained the male driver and a female passenger. Neither occupants suffered significant injury as a result of the rollover.
During the investigation, officers determined the vehicle stolen out of Salem.
The driver, Keith Allen Schmidtke, 42. of Albany, was taken into custody and charged with Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He was taken into custody on outstanding arrest warrants issued by Marion County.
The passenger, Nicole Summer Connelly, 29, of Keizer, was taken into custody and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
Schmidtke and Connelly were lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
Taft High wrestling coach Robb Ellis took his team to school Tuesday night.
Saying his team “went toe-to-toe with a wrestling machine,” the Class 3A Tigers fell 63-15 to Tillamook, the state’s top-ranked Class 4A team, but experienced a “super fun night.”
Taft coaches Robb Ellis. left, and Josh Liner
“They are a 4A powerhouse with a possible State placer at every weight that is favored to win the State title,” Ellis said following his team’s lopsided, but educational, road defeat. “We went up there to get tough matches for our kids as we head into Districts.”
Six of Taft’s 15 points came via forfeit and the Cheesemakers wrestled a junior varsity competitor at heavyweight “to be nice,” said Ellis, who was an assistant coach for two years at Tillamook before taking over as Taft head coach last season.
Four of Taft’s wrestlers sat out the meet for various reasons, he said, “but their presence would not have changed the outcome.”
“While the final score was pretty lopsided, the Tillamook faithful, a true wrestling community, were impressed with the fight in our wrestlers,” he said.
Taft freshman Riley Ellis served as a prime example of the progress the Tigers have made this season as they prepare to host dual matches Thursday, Feb. 7, against Amity, Dayton and Rainier prior to the Special District 1 tournament Friday, Feb. 15, at Warrenton.
Ellis, the coach’s son, went 0-3 in the JV room at Taft’s first tournament this season at Tillamook, but earned a solid victory against a senior at the 132-pound spot.
Sophomore Jose Flores and senior David Jin were defeated, but fought hard against State-level wrestlers, Ellis said.
Alec Bosworth claimed a win after stepping up to the 285-pound classification, and fellow junior Jace Phippen, “wrestled his best match of the season at 220, losing 8-3 to a State-level wrestler,” Ellis said.
“Everyone else fought hard,” he said, “and both our girls, Kadence James and Autumn Barela, got wins in their final girls matches of the regular season as they head into the girls District tournament this Friday in Eugene.”
James, a freshman, finished the regular season 6-6 against girls, while Barela, a senior, finished 6-4.
“Super amazing for them as they are new to wrestling,” Ellis said. “Keep your fingers crossed for them as they go for broke against top girls competition this weekend.”
A cell phone found Monday in a Newport coffee shop’s public restroom led to the arrest of a 48-year-old transient man on child abuse charges.
The complainant who located the phone in a Starbucks bathroom described seeing images on it that were consistent with being child pornography. An additional witness described the man who left the phone.
With a Newport officer was on scene, Martin Lafever of Newport, who matched the witness’ description, entered the building and asked Starbucks staff about a cell phone he had left in the bathroom. Employees pointed Lafever out to the officer.
The officer contacted Lafever, who verified it was his phone. Lafever claimed the phone was exclusively in his possession for the past several weeks. When first asked, he denied knowledge of images of children on the phone.
During a search, images depicting child pornography and Internet search terms relating to child pornography were located. Lafever admitted to using the Internet, but denied knowledge of the images.
Further search revealed more images and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct of a child. Lafever then admitted having the images on his phone, but said some had loaded and saved themselves. Officers were able to show the images had been downloaded and moved between locations on the phone and the “cloud.”
Lafever was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on nine counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. His bail was set at $450,000.
If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Bales or Detective France at the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348.
The Newport Police Tip Line is 541-574-5455 or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856.
Junior Jordan Hall looks for an open man at Tuesday victory over Warrenton
Jordan Hall scored a team-high 13 points to help the Taft High boys basketball team snap a three-game losing skid Tuesday night with a 47-33 Coastal Range League home victory over Warrenton.
The Tigers found Hall open on the perimeter on numerous occasions and the junior guard hit four 3-pointers behind 10 team assists and just nine turnovers.
“Jordan was feeling it and kept sending it to the net from deep,” Taft coach Andy Morgan said. “He could have been firing a cannon tonight. Jordan was hitting the target.”
Senior power forward Tyee Fisher added nine points, seven rebounds and six steals; his younger cousin, Trenton Fisher, had eight points; and senior center Ray Darrington grabbed 12 rebounds in the win.
“This matchup was one of Tyee’s premier performances of the season,” Morgan said. “His game was complete, and his leadership and composure were very important.”
Morgan also credited the floor play of freshman Kaden Hindman, who made his first varsity start, and the all-around contributions of seniors Clay Nelson and William Brooks.
Sophomore Fco Ramos
Sophomore Fco Ramos had a team-high three assists.
The Class 3A Tigers improved to 7-12 overall and 2-7 in league play, while the third-place Warriors fell to 12-5, 4-5.
The Taft girls (2-17, 0-9) fell to second-place Warrenton (16-6, 7-2), 72-17 in the second game.
Details from the girls game were not reported.
The Taft boys return to play at 6 p.m. Friday at first-place Rainier (11-7, 8-1), while the girls play the fourth-place Columbians (7-9, 2-7) at 7:30 p.m.
Photos by Lon French
Taft 47, Warrenton 33
Warrenton 4 8 12 9 — 33
Taft 10 8 16 13 — 47
Taft Boys Coach Andy Morgan’s Comments
“Ten team assists, with only nine total turnovers. was the key to the game tonight. The Tigers have been averaging less than six assists in their league losses this season, while averaging over 20 turnovers during that same stretch. To correct these numbers was critical on the offensive end, which has really been the Achilles’ heel on this Taft squad.
“Another exciting number was the four 3-balls by junior Jordan Hall. The often selfish Tiger team noticed Hall was in the zone and they selflessly continued to feed him the ball. Jordan was feeling it, and kept sending it to the net from deep. He could have been firing a cannon tonight. Jordan was hitting the target. Six of nine active Tigers found their way to the scorebook, including eight from junior Trenton Fisher.
Freshman Kaden Hindman
“The home Tigers started the game with freshman Kaden Hindman getting his first start at the varsity level. This younger Hindman brother has earned a spot on this roster by his commitment and curiosity. Kaden is the sole member of this squad to have perfect attendance at practice, and is never too shy to ask the smart questions that others fail to ask.
“A future leader, Hindman was eager to set the mood on the court for the return of his older brother, junior Lucas Hindman, who returned from nearly two months absence due to an injury to his potent shooting hand. The older Hindman brother was noticeably winded after chasing Warrenton shooting guard Dalton Knight.
“Knight scored 30 in Taft’s overtime loss to Warrenton in their first meeting of the year. Taft’s injured Graden Kehr held Knight to 17 in their second meeting — a Tiger win, 46-25. This time, with Kehr sidelined, sophomore Fco Ramos shared the responsibility with the returning Lucas Hindman. This time around, Warrenton’s Knight was held to four points, often frustrating the sharp shooter, eventually sending him to the bench.
The 12-point third quarter was the biggest disappointment on the defensive end for the Tigers. It was the team’s goal to hold the visiting Warriors to no more than nine points per quarter.
“While the Tigers were effective at holding Warrenton to under 36, the third period felt like a bit of a disappointment — allowing 12 in the frame. Senior scoring leader Ray Darrington was basically neutralized by a barrage of double- and triple-teaming by the much smaller Warrior defenders.
“However, senior power forward Tyee Fisher picked up much of the slack, managing nine points, seven rebounds, and the stat of the night — six steals. This matchup was one of Tyee’s premier performances of the season. His game was complete, and his leadership and composure were very important, as he committed only three turnovers while handling the ball much of the night.
Senior William Brooks
“Seniors Clay Nelson and William Brooks did not produce significant stats, but their presence and composure on the court were the perfect complement to some of the younger Tigers’ significant statistics. Brooks and Nelson added three rebounds, three points, an assist and much intensity on defense as Taft shifted gears often to keep visiting Warrenton on its toes.
“The Tigers look forward to the return of Kehr and junior Eli DeMello — who has been missing since the holiday break. The Tigers have managed a record of 2-7 since losing DeMello to a bone bruise during the team’s three-game trip to Central Oregon in late December.
“Looking forward to a road game Friday, the Tigers will welcome all the help they can get as they have been manhandled by the team from Rainier in their first two meetings of the year.
“Tonight’s victory was a good win for the home Tigers, who need some wins for a chance to make a league playoff. Taft may need some help from the other teams, but the Tigers will be focused on continuing to grow.”
A red pickup truck crashed into the trees off Schooner Creek Road early Tuesday morning, leaving a 52-year-old woman trapped behind the steering wheel for five hours before rescuers got the call to extricate her.
“It’s pretty precarious the way it’s sitting,” a responder said of the wreck that occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. near Milepost 3.5. “We need to pry the door open, but we need to secure the vehicle, probably with a chain.”
North Lincoln Fire and Rescue Ladder 57 and Engine 1407 responded to free the driver at approximately 7:45 a.m. by stabilizing the truck and prying the door open.
“Crews reported that she was dressed adequately for the weather and that might have helped her a bit,” North Lincoln Fire & Rescue Captain Jim Kusz said. “You should always travel with survival gear in your car.”
The woman was transported by ambulance to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and the car towed from the scene.
Sam “Aquaman” Cortes (Photo illustration by Justin Werner; Aquaman/Warner Bros. Pictures)
On the surface, Taft High’s Sam Cortes has been a fixture in local swimming circles for nearly a decade now. Dive deeper and you’ll learn much more about the personable teenager who has earned the distinction of being among the school’s most dominating freshman athletes ever.
“He’s been a natural in the water for many years now,” longtime Taft High and Lincoln City Swim Club (LCSC) coach Lissa Parker said. “Sam was a fast athlete at the age of 10 and under, and he transitioned into being a good swimmer and even better athlete in high school over the years.”
To know the 14-year-old sprint specialist is to know a lifelong Lincoln City resident who has transformed his fixation on chlorinated water and admiration for his older swimming sister into a head-churning career that has earned him statewide acclaim.
“Sam started swimming for LCSC when he was 5 years old, on the coattails of his older sister, Liz [now a Western Oregon freshman],” said Parker, who has coached Taft and LCSC for 21 years after first getting involved in youth swimming more than 30 years ago. “When he was in an 8-and-under swimmer, Sam was going to the State meet pretty regularly.”
While his friends were hitting plastic balls off batting tees, Sam was practicing racing dives and flip turns and studying the nuances of the flutter, frog, dolphin and whip kicks. Competing against older kids in various state-level events, he has made a splash on newspaper pages almost since he first stuck his big toe in the water.
“Lizeth was about 10 when Sam was 4 and was on the team and she loved it,” Sam’s mother, Maria, said. “We would go to all her meets and Sam would always cheer for her and want to be in the water swimming by her side.”
As a 7-year-old second-grader, Sam was among the swimmers to beat in statewide 8-and-under competitions, earning several ribbons and medals in Oregon’s most prestigious events.
The Cortes family, from left, Lizeth, Maria, Sam and Jorge, at the ‘Top 5’ awards ceremony in 2012
“He enjoyed eight top-five times at the Oregon Swimming Top 5 ceremony when he was in the 8-and-under age group, and several in the 9-10 age group, as well,” Parker, dean of Taft High coaches, said. “These are the fastest swims calculated from swimmers from around all of Oregon each year.”
After establishing himself as swimming’s leading man at just 8, Cortes placed in the top 10 in all six of his events as a 9-year-old fourth-grader at the Oregon State 10-and-under championships.
Needless to say, swimming moms and dads across the state breathed freely as if surfacing from a deep dive when Sam finally reached his teens. Cortes grew out of a triumvirate of promising local young powerhouse swimmers that included Mason Garding and Hunter Lunstedt, now a junior at Taft.
“This group is the fastest and has the most potential talent that we have seen in the club since before [future seven-time state high school champion] Aly [Viles] was little — probably back to the late ‘80s, early ‘90s,” Parker said at the time. “I hope they stay interested, have fun and keep at it.”
Mason Garding. left, Hunter Lundstedt, middle, and Sam Cortes
Cortes’ arrival on the Taft High squad as a champion freestyle, backstroke and medley specialist has helped make the Tigers a formidable presence whenever and wherever they compete. They’ll do so again at 1:30 p.m. Thursday when they host the Taft Last Chance meet at the Lincoln City Community Center.
“The highlight of my swimming career has been my high school team because it has been a different experience than swimming in age group,” Sam said. “It has shown me different skills to make me better.”
“Sam is a super-motivated kid,” his mom, who took on the role as LCSC and Taft assistant swim coach not long after Sam hit the water in an all-out sprint. “He finds motivation in others — swimmers and his friends — really anything he can. He always wants to improve.”
Most recently, Cortes has turned much of his attention to soccer as one of his main areas of interest, but has maintained his swimming off and on year round. He also participates in several music activities such as pep and jazz band.
“His mom has done a great job helping Sam and his peers stay motivated in the sport,” said Parker, noting that Sam’s dad, Jorge Lopez, assists with the timing system for meets and serves as president for the LCSC Board of Directors.
Sam’s dad is general manager at Pig ‘N Pancake at Newport, while mom divides her time as parent/coach with her duties as hostess at the popular restaurant’s Lincoln City store.
Mom Maria is Sam’s biggest supporter
“Throughout the years Lizeth and Sam have been swimming, I have been 100 percent committed,” Maria said. “That was the reason I also started being assistant coach, not only because I liked it, but because I could always be there to be part of my kids’ swimming journeys.”
Cortes has practiced about two hours a day, five days a week, with the community team and high school squad in addition to dryland conditioning and weightlifting workouts ever since he can remember.
“He also plays other sports, which is something that really helps him,” Maria said.
Besides scoring a goal as a freshman for the varsity soccer team, Cortes has been a “Student of the Month,” plays drums and enjoys electronic gaming.
“He also loves to play soccer, and has gained a lot of conditioning from doing that,” Parker said. “He has kept his interest in swimming, but also excels at soccer, so he does not do high-level swim meets year-round. His parents have supported him in being a multi-sport athlete, and he is also a good musician.”
“I just want to get better every year with both my technique and speed,” Sam said. “I owe it to my family, friends and others for supporting me in everything I do.”
Police are seeking help in identifying the driver of a car similar to this one that led them on a high-spreed chase.
Lincoln City Police are looking for a silver Mitsubishi Outlander with New York license plates following a harrowing chase exceeding 85 mph through Lincoln City today.
Sgt. Jeffrey Winn said he observed the SUV failing to stop while exiting the Sea Gypsy Motel at 145 NW Inlet Ave. and attempted a traffic stop. The Outlander sped away onto Highway 101 northbound, reaching speeds of 80 to 85 mph while weaving into oncoming traffic.
Winn said he lost sight of the vehicle, but people in cars pointed towards NW 22nd Street, where the officer saw the back of the suspect’s vehicle cresting the hill by Oceanlake Elementary School.
The chase continued on West Devils Lake Road, where concerned citizens pointed to where they had seen the SUV drive down Lake Drive. Winn said he saw the back of the vehicle and continued the pursuit.
Winn said he last saw the suspect vehicle at West Devils Lake Road and NE 14th Street and decided to call off the pursuit.
“It was a safety issue,” Winn said. “Given the time of day with that many vehicles on the road, our concern for the safety of our citizens far outweighed catching the driver.”
The Lincoln City Police issued a BOLO (Be On The Lookout) for the vehicle to all agencies and the driver faces reckless driving and felony eluding charges.
If you have information on the whereabouts of the Outlander, call the police at (541) 994-3636 or dial 911.
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.
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:
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)
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.
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.
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 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.”
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 poses before the contest
Oscar Ochoa, 22, from Otis, ate six Pronto Pups and was the only local to compete.
“This matchup was one of Tyee’s premier performances of the season,” Morgan said. “His game was complete, and his leadership and composure were very important.”
