A head-on collision took the life of one driver, while the other driver and her passenger were injured Monday night as the result of a two-vehicle accident at NW 68th Street and Highway 101.
The deceased driver of a white Geo Metro has been identified as Candous Lee Holberg, 52, of Waldport. Suffering minor injuries were the driver of a Chevrolet S10 Blazer, Jacqueline Eve Read, 34, of Lincoln City, and passenger Carl Vincent Davidson, 44, of South Beach.
An investigation revealed the Geo was headed southbound on Highway 101 and crossed the center line, where it crashed into the Blazer, which had been traveling northbound. The driver of the Geo, who was trapped inside the vehicle, was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries.
Highway 101 was closed for several hours while the Lincoln County Interagency Major Crash Team completed its investigation. The team is comprised of members of the Oregon State Police, Lincoln City Police, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Toledo Police Department, Newport Police Department and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.
Senior Tyee Fisher, shown in a game earlier this season, led the way for the Tigers (File photo by Eric DeMello)
First-year Taft High boys basketball coach Andy Morgan was well aware his team’s toughest test of the young season awaited when it stepped up in class Friday night on the road at Tillamook.
So the upstart Tigers showed the Cheesemakers they don’t know jack.
Class 3A Taft of the newly founded Coastal Range League upset Class 4A Tillamook of the long-established Cowapa Conference 60-53 despite a depleted rotation that lacked its leading scorer and with three JV players who were eligible to play only one quarter each on the bench.
“As a young team, our expectation is to learn during the month of December, and, hopefully, be very competitive in January,” Morgan said of his new-look Tigers, who stand just 10 points away from being undefeated following a 2-2 start.
The Tigers exploded on a 22-8 second-quarter scoring barrage after trailing 21-9 after the opening period for a 31-29 halftime lead, then stretched the lead by a basket in both the third and fourth quarters to depart dairy farm country with a .500 record.
Senior Tyee Fisher led Taft with team highs in rebounds and blocks and junior Eli DeMello paced the Tigers in steals as Taft took the fourth-quarter lead for the fourth time this season.
“There have been some conditions that have led us to stay with our plan to grow and learn rather than win at all costs,” Morgan said. “I am not saying we definitely would have won all the games, but I do believe we have been committed to the process of team growth rather than wins during the preseason.”
With senior starting post player Ray Darrington benched due to academic issues by a last-minute coach’s decision, Taft used the 6-foot-9-inch center’s pregame talk as motivation to get maximum minutes and a disciplined group effort on both ends of the court, Morgan said.
“We discussed the importance of playing fundamental defense and keeping our feet in position and on the ground,” he said. “We knew we couldn’t get into early foul trouble while keeping aggressive on-ball and from the help-side defense.”
With starting junior guard Lucas Hindman inexplicably caught hesitating on a few early possessions that led to a 12-point first-quarter deficit, Morgan said he turned to senior Clay Nelson to help combat Tillamook’s potent shooting.
“It was a blow to the team’s defensive plan to send Lucas to an early breather.” he said. “Lucas is known for his sharpshooting, and is probably one of the smartest basketball minds on the team. He has ability to score from anywhere around the arc. [We] have recognized Lucas’s ability to be a very strong one-on-one defender. He is long, quick and has a huge heart. You won’t get more effort out of any other player.”
The Tigers shifted to a 2-3 zone, made some other minor defensive adjustments and used “the hustle and heart we talked about pre-game” to turn the tables into a two-point halftime advantage, Morgan said.
Hustle and defensive intensity throughout the second half allowed Taft to hold Tillamook at bay with junior guard Trenton Fisher leading the way. “Little Fish,” as Tyee’s younger cousin is known among teammates, was able to increase his offensive presence and limit his turnovers while playing nearly the entire game.
“By far Trenton’s best performance,” Morgan said. “He was able to stay aggressive on the defensive end while he found himself matched up against formidable athletes.”
Partnering with the younger Fisher in the ball-handling duties was DeMello, who had numerous key steals, Morgan said.
“Eli was also potent, sinking three shots from deep, adding to the layups from his steals,” he said.
Taft, which forced 23 turnovers while committing 17, overcame the fourth-quarter jitters that have twice proved the team’s undoing this season.
“Tyee Fisher was not going to let his teammates give up,” Morgan said of the senior post player, who had six blocks, two steals, two assists and 12 rebounds in Darrington’s absence. “The inspired team leader played a dominant game as the team’s sole big man.”
With Tillamook making a charge to tie the game midway through the final quarter, the Tigers seized command by turning to junior point guard Jordan Hall, who made 14 of 17 foul shots.
“It was Hall that changed the outcome with his aggressive play at the rim,” Morgan said. “He continued to attack the paint off the dribble. The team knew the challenges of a fast-paced game with a short roster. Hall recognized the benefit of the free throws.
“It did wonders to calm the heart rate and the breathing. The atmosphere is always electric in the Cheesemakers’ gym. The fans are rowdy and the band is loud. The pressure of the situation didn’t steal the moment.”
Morgan said assistant varsity and head JV coach Kyle Hamlin then stepped in to help the Tigers halt the comeback.
“A timeout by the Tillamook coach allowed a 60-second rally cry by Coach Hamlin,” he said. “The team responds well to his unique understanding of competition, teaching the boys to be calm and confident. As the clock ticked, it became more apparent that this Tiger team is becoming a strong, trusting fraternity.”
Taft will have 10 days off to regroup from the emotional victory before returning to the court Monday, Dec. 17, for its league and home opener against Warrenton.
Eli DeMello takes a shot in game earlier this season (File photo by Eric DeMello)
The Lincoln City Police Department plans on using the first of its 2018-2019 DUII grant funds during an enhanced enforcement event over the upcoming holiday season.
The national High Visibility Enforcement event, which runs Dec. 13 through Jan. 2, is designed to increase the number of patrol officers on the streets nationwide, with an emphasis on identifying drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs and removing them from the roadways. DUIIs continue to be a leading cause of motor vehicle deaths and injuries throughout the nation.
The Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) said the funds are a valuable resource that assist in improving traffic safety and is pleased to join forces with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on impaired drivers.
“Our goal is simple: to save lives.” the LCPD said in a news release. “Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk; if you drive drunk, you will be arrested.”
DUII Enforcement Grant funds from the previous grant allocation, made possible through Oregon Impact and the Oregon Department of Transportation, were last used during the 2018 Labor Day weekend. Results of two enforcement operations included three felony arrests (two subjects arrested on felony warrants and one subject for unlawful use of a motor vehicle), one driver was cited for driving while suspended, one stolen vehicle recovered and a number of traffic violation warnings issued.
Several underclassmen gave themselves and their teammates a big boost in confidence moving forward Saturday as the Taft High swim team won the boys competition and placed second in the girls at the Andrew Nygaard Invitational in Astoria.
“Several of the freshmen were able to help us out quite a bit with kids like Aubrey Sciarrotta, Charlotte Lunstedt, Cristofer Ochoa, Sam Cortes and Angel Moreno,” Taft swim coach Lissa Parker said. “We are beginning to see the pay off from having these swimmers swim for the Lincoln City Swim Club [LCSC] for several years.”
The Class 3A Taft boys defeated Class 4A Valley Catholic 106-70, while the girls narrowly lost to VC, 74-70.
Twenty-one of the Tigers’ 28 swimmers competed, with some having other commitments and some suffering from illness or injury. Taft is awaiting the return of junior Hunter Lunstedt, who has been sidelined with shoulder issues.
“Our novices got to swim in more events due to the fact that we didn’t have some people there, and that gave them more confidence and experience, so that was good thing.” Parker said.
Fourteen-year-old Cortes, a top youth age-group swimmer for years throughout the state as a member of Parker’s LCSC squad, helped pace the Tigers by joining two-event winner Joram Hoff, an 18–year-old senior, on the tallest podium with a victory in the 100-yard backstroke.
Hoff won the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley for the Tigers, while Cortes placed second in the 100 butterfly.
Junior Micah McLeish won the 200-yard freestyle and was third in the 100-yard backstroke.
Charlotte Lundstedt was second in the 200 IM; Sciarrotta second in the 100 free; sophomore Jose Segura second in the 500 free; and senior Lydia Prins second in the 500 free.
Junior Sammy Halferty and McLeish were third for the girls and boys, respectively, in the 100 back; and sophomore Isabelle Serrato and Moreno third for the girls and boys, respectively, in the 500 free.
“We are trying something new this year where I am switching the swimmers around from meet to meet so that they all get to do different events, and it makes it a little bit more fair for everyone,” Parker said. “That being said, I can’t really put novices the 500 free yet. We did get a lot of points for having several swimmers in tough events like the 100 fly, the 200 IM and the 500 free.”
Taft returns to the pool Thursday for the Rhonda Relays at Philomath.
Senior Devon Lindquist, who placed second at Districts last season, won the 145-pound division while three other Taft High wrestlers placed second Saturday to lead the Tigers to a third-place finish among 13 teams at Scio.
Calling it “a huge day for Taft wrestling,” second-year coach Robb Ellis also watched seniors Cody Knott at 160 and Jacob Mayoral at 152 join sophomore Jose Flores at 113 with runner-up finishes in just their second tournament of the season.
The Tigers got third-place showings from Kaden White at 120 and first-year wrestler Jace Phippen at 285; fourth place from William Calderon at 138 and Victor Carrasco at 182; and fifth from David Jin at 170 and Eriq Aquino at 220.
The Tigers are scheduled to compete Friday in the Derek Blake Invitational at Yamhill-Carlton and Saturday at the Bill Haggerty Invitational at Nestucca.
Newport Police chased 21-year-old motorcyclist Jason Avery through Newport Friday evening while trying to stop him for traffic violations near the intersection of South Coast Highway and SW Case Street.
When officers activated their emergency lights to conduct the traffic stop, Avery quickly accelerated southbound on South Coast Highway, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit.
Officers said they observed the motorcycle speeding through traffic over the Yaquina Bay Bridge at an estimated 80-90 mph. They said they lost sight of the motorcycle and terminated the chase.
A short time later, officers were notified by a passing motorist that the motorcycle had crashed near the intersection of South Coast Highway and SE 32nd Street. Police responded and located a male subject walking away from the area. The motorcyclist was identified as Jason Avery, 21, of Newport.
Avery was detained while the investigation continued and officers were able to locate his motorcycle hidden off the roadway on SE 32nd Street Officers said Avery stashed the motorcycle in an attempt to evade being caught.
Avery was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of attempt to elude police and reckless driving. Avery was also cited for speeding, unsafe passing and having no motorcycle endorsement.
A man who regularly comes into US Food Mart, 4700 SW Hwy 101, bought a Fortune scratch-it and won $250,000 Saturday morning.
The odds of winning the top prize in the Oregon Lottery’s $250,000 Fortune game were one in 144,000 with only two top prizes available.
Patrick Thompson, a store clerk on duty at the time, said the man was “freaking out” and said he would bring the clerk $1,000 for selling him the winning ticket.
“We were both freaking out. This is so awesome to happen with Christmas coming up,” Thompson said.
“I ran the ticket like I’ve done many times before and the screen just filled up with zeros. I thought it was $250 million at first,” said Thompson.
According to Thompson, the Fortune game will be pulled from stores Monday when the lottery offices open as all the top prizes have been won.
A promising start to the year last week at Tillamook and daily progress on the mat has Taft wrestling coach Robb Ellis encouraged about possible record participation at State in the 2018-19 season.
Taft, which will compete Saturday against Amity, Central Linn, Philomath/Alsea, Sheridan and host Scio, started the season with 26 wrestlers and has 23 currently competing, Ellis said.
“Usually, in wrestling, your goal is to finish with about two-thirds of what you started with,” said Ellis, whose Tigers began with 26 wrestlers and ended with 18 a season ago.
Ten Tigers are wrestling for the first time and can look to returners Jose Flores and Biz Byrum as inspiration, he said.
“They went to State as first-time wrestlers last year, so it is not impossible,” he said. “Usually, athletes who are talented in other sports have an advantage when they try wrestling for the first time. It can be tough to go out and be competitive when sometimes you face wrestlers who have devoted their lives to it.
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“Many wrestlers who have wrestled year round at tournaments have a huge advantage over wrestlers who are just trying to learn the sport. Often, though, if wrestlers work hard during the season and focus on conditioning, lifting and eating well, they can still be competitive and have a chance to qualify and even place at State.”
Ellis points to senior team leader Cody Knott as an example.
“He is a well-rounded kid who also competes heavily in baseball and has many other hobbies,” he said. “Even though he hasn’t made wrestling his life focus, he was able to place sixth at State his 10th-grade season and has an excellent chance to place again.”
Ellis said Taft upped the ante a bit in the offseason this year by attending a Nestucca wrestling camp that had Oregon State wrestlers teaching. In addition, Richard Jensen, a well-known wrestler and motivational speaker, conducted a camp for Taft, and 10 Tigers participated in a July tournament in Washington, where most wrestled 12 to 15 matches over 2½ days.
“I think the work in the offseason will pay off on the mat this year,” Ellis said.
Depth and leadership could also prove valuable, he said, and have factored into the goals he has established for the program.
Foremost is to qualify six wrestlers to State at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, one better than the five the Tigers sent last year, which tied the school record.
“To go to State, a wrestler has to place third or better in your weight class at the District tournament,” he said. “We have all five State qualifiers back from last year, and three or four others with the talent to qualify. No guarantees, though.”
Taft’s second goal is to place fourth or better among the seven teams in Special District 1, which features defending Class 3A State champion Willamina and powerful programs in Rainier and Dayton.
The Tigers will showcase their talents to local fans Jan. 5 at the Taft Holiday Crab Pools Invitational, which will feature Amity, Nestucca, Newport, Reedsport, Sheridan, Siletz Valley, Toledo, Waldport, Willamina/Falls City and Yamhill-Carlton.
Coach’s Capsule Comments
Cody Knott (Sr.) — Placed sixth at State as sophomore, but got mono early in junior season and was not at 100 percent at State. Back at full strength and should return to the 152-pound class with good seeding at Districts and State.
Devon Lindquist (Sr.) — Placed second at Districts last year and third at a tough recent tournament at Tillamook. Looking strong to place sixth or better at State. Wrestling at 152, but will likely cut down to 138 and have good seeding from last year.
Jace Fostveit (Sr.) — State qualifier who placed second at season-opening match at Tillamook and looked stronger than ever. Wrestling at 195, but can also return to 182 for good seeding at Districts and State.
Jose Flores (So.) — Went to State at 113 as a first-year wrestler. His State weight plan will allow him to drop to 106 for Districts and State, giving him a huge advantage.
Biz Byrum (Sr.) — Placed fourth at Districts last year. Went to State at 182 as an alternate first-year wrestler. Hard worker who keeps getting better. May drop to 160 for Districts this year.
Jacob Mayoral (Sr. ) — Had State-level talent last year in a very competitive 145-pound bracket at Districts and did not qualify. OSAA weight plan allows him to go down to 138, which could help him qualify this year.
David Jin (Sr.) – Taft football quarterback who showed State-level talent last year but season ended early with a broken ankle. Looked good at the Tillamook tournament and has shot of qualifying for State at 160.
Gio Salazar (Sr.) — Came close to going to State by placing fourth at Districts. Hard worker who will return to 126, giving him a good shot at getting third or better and going to State.
The 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, Nov. 30
Theft – 8:33 a.m. – 1638 SE Reef Pl. – Caller reported two suspects in a maroon pickup had stolen tools and batteries. The caller had one subject blocked in, the other ran on foot. Federico Tschebotarjew (4/11/69) was arrested for first degree theft, four counts of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, third degree criminal mischief and possession of burglar tools. Tschebotarjew was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Menacing – 4:46 p.m. – Old Oregon Tavern, 1604 NE Highway 101 – Caller states a male bumped into him on the sidewalk then threatened him with a handgun. White male, 5′ 8″, 120 pounds, red hat, black jacket and jeans last seen running south on NE Mast Ave.
Theft – 6:34 p.m. – Taft High School – VIctim left his iPhone on desk at school. It was gone when he returned.
Saturday, Dec. 1
DUII – 2:47 a.m. – 1545 NW Highway 101 – Traffic stop initiated and field sobriety tests performed. Jerry Fielder (2/4/77) taken into custody for DUII. Cited and released from LCPD.
Criminal Mischief – 10:12 a.m. – 4645 NE VOyage Ave. – Caller reported tires slashed on both of his vehicles and a broken windshield. Blood was found on rear drivers side tire.
Theft – 1:40 p.m. – Best Western – Caller reported a female who is not a guest has come into the hotel on two separate occasions. On both occasions she has gotten into a room, showered and stolen the bedding. White female, dark blonde hair, 5′ 6″, thin and possibly driving a 1999 Ford Ranger.
Sunday, Dec. 2
Theft – 3:23 a.m. – 5001 SW Highway 101 – Stolen purse while at Snug Harbor. Money, iPhone 7+, wallet and key fob were inside.
Fraud – 11:48 a.m. – Casino security reported a female was trying to cash a fraudulent check. Anna M. Gibson (7/5/88) was taken into custody and transported to LCPD where she was cited and released for forgery and possession of a forged instrument.
Theft – 1:55 p.m. – 1713 NW 28th St. – Shed broken into. Lawnmower and stepladder stolen.
Found Property – 2:18 p.m. – North Shell – Military ID and other items found in parking lot. Property seized for safekeeping.
Burglary – 6:04 p.m. – 591 SW 24th Dr. – Caller reports finding the house she cleans open with lights on.
Suspicious Activity – 7:25 p.m. – 1206 SE 48th Pl. – Warming Shelter staff reported a red PT cruiser parked near location with multiple people partying near it. Jeffery B. Barnes (3/30/74) taken into custody on felony warrant out of Multnomah County for second degree assault and additional charges of possession of meth. Barnes was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Monday, Dec. 3
Patrol Info – 1:03 a.m. – Dutch Bros – Shed behind clinic found broken into and empty. Door hanger left for Dutch Bros personnel to advise if they wish to report it.
Stolen Vehicle – 10:21 a.m. – 145 SE Mast Ave. #6 – White Toyota 4Runner stolen.
Found Property – 12:48 p.m. – 850 SW 51st St. – Black wallet/purse found near Mo’s. Property taken for safekeeping.
Found Property – 2:01 p.m. – 2015 NE 39th St. #100 – Meredith Lodging reporting a Taurus 9mm firearm found at rental property at 3705 NW Jetty Ave.
Theft – 3:36 p.m. – Dollar Tree – Diaper bag with wallet and phone was taken from cart outside Dollar Tree.
Theft – 7:48 p.m. – Game Over – Wallet and contents stolen from a knapsack while in Game Over Arcade.
Recovered Stolen Vehicle – 8:38 p.m. – Schooner Creek Rd. MP 3 – Recovered White Toyota 4Runner.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
DUII – 2:13 a.m. – 1900 Block S Highway 101 – Benito Allen Munoz, Jr. (7/1/92) cited and released for DUII.
Theft – 3:53 p.m. – 4101 NW Logan Rd. – Theft of Social Security check.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Hit and Run – 7:46 a.m. – NW 12th St & NW Inlet Ave. – Caller reports a bus struck a stop sign and continued on.
Fraud – 9:58 a.m. – 1545 NW Highway 101 – Caller reports a male trying to cash a $1,000 check out of Florida, unable to verify funds, reports also tried to cash it at casino.
Thursday, Dec. 6
Possession of Controlled Substance – 5:51 a.m. – Chinook WInds Casino – Baggy of white substance found at casino. Mark J. Hopkins (3/2/61) cited and released for possession of meth.
Possession of Controlled Substance – 5:55 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Subject in women’s room not leaving. Paraphernalia found on subject.
Trespass – 10:04 a.m. – 1210 SE 48th Pl. #45 – Trinity S. Rowland (8/1/00) reported a male had fallen down a ravine and was hurt. Officers determined there was no victim. Rowland taken into custody and transported to Lincoln County Jail for second degree trespass.
Theft – 3:13 p.m. – 1754 NW 26th St. – Theft of “Deer Crossing” sign from post near driveway.
Theft – 2:47 p.m. – Marci’s Bar and Bistro, 1343 NW Highway 101 – White Mini Cooper seen illegally dumping at business.
Two people were hospitalized Thursday morning following a traffic rollover near the 3400 block of North Highway 101 in Lincoln Beach.
Depoe Bay Fire was dispatched at 10:02 a.m. to the scene of a two-car accident with one vehicle upside down. One person was sent to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City and the other to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport.
The driver of a yellow pickup was uninjured.
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Photos by R. J. Salazar
“We send them to different hospitals to spread out the burden,” Depoe Bay Fire Chief Bill Johnson said. “The crews worked well together and got these people out in a hurry. We were able to get Highway 101 traffic flowing quickly.”
Johnson said the two people in the rolled-over vehicle had to be extricated using the Jaws of Life and stabilizers to keep the vehicle from moving.
Depoe Bay Fire, Pacific West Ambulance, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Oregon State Police, Lincoln County Sheriff and Oregon Department of Transportation were all involved with handling of the accident.
The Lincoln City Police Department plans on using the first of its 2018-2019 DUII grant funds during an enhanced enforcement event over the upcoming holiday season.
