Lincoln City, Oregon – High winds swept the beaches April 7, 2018. Gusts blew sand all over the place. Still, its better at the beach.
Lincoln City Homepage Publisher, Justin Werner, went down to see what the current conditions were like.
“Feels like I had sandpaper run across my face.” said Werner about the high winds.
While chasing storms can be fun, please remember to take the necessary precautions and never turn your back on the ocean.
PHOTOS BY LON FRENCH
Take Taft senior third baseman Naomi Rini’s word for it:
“Definitely clutch offense,” she said.
The host Lady Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak to bigger out-of-state schools in a spring-break tournament in California with a 4-3 home softball victory Friday over Amity in their West Valley League opener.
“Emma [Coulter] pitched amazing and we finally pulled it together,” Rini said. “We have always been a late-hitting team, but it was awesome to see us answer Amity’s three runs.”
Claira Tolan drove home two runs and fellow freshman Kyla Knott another for Taft in a four-run fifth. Coulter collected two hits for Taft.
“Tonight’s game was a big win for us,” Taft Coach Sandy Stuart said. “We have set a goal to be at the top of the West Valley League this season and tonight was a big step in the right direction.”
Rated No. 1 in the state’s Class 3A ranks after opening the season with six straight wins, the Lady Tigers (7-5, 1-0) handed eighth-rated Amity (6-4, 2-1) its first league defeat. The Lady Warriors entered play having defeated Willamina and Sheridan by 10 runs each.
“Amity is always a tough team,” Stuart said. “They swing the bat hard and they are aggressive. They scored first and got up, but we were able to get our own momentum going to make things happen.”
Taft’s scheduled home doubleheader Saturday against Colton was canceled due to severe weather warnings. The Lady Tigers return to action at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday against Santiam Christian.
“I was proud of the girls for working hard through the seventh inning,” Stuart said. “I was also proud of Emma for pushing past the tough inning and small strike zone, and working hard all the way to the end.”
Taft 4, Amity 3
AMITY AB R H BI
Keeley Graham 4 1 2 0
Brennae Huskey 4 0 0 0
Gabby Rolston 2 0 1 1
Morgan Croxford 3 0 1 2
Callee Roberts 3 0 0 0
Brittnie Brown 4 0 0 0
Breaha Wright 2 0 2 0
Gracee Wright 3 1 1 0
Dany Hammitt 3 0 0 0
*Kiah Stalker 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 28 3 7 3
TAFT TIGERS AB R H BI
Kyla Knott 2 0 0 1
Naomi Rini 3 0 0 0
Hailee Dannecker 3 0 0 0
Emma Coulter 3 0 2 0
Alyssa Tanksley 3 0 0 0
Kayla Lininger 3 1 0 0
Makena Cole 2 1 0 0
Claira Tolan 2 1 1 2
Madison Clanton 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 21 4 3 3
AMITY 000 030 0 — 3
TAFT TIGERS 000 040 x — 4
LOB–AMITY 9, TAFT 3. ERR–Gabby Rolston, Callee Roberts, Emma Coulter. SACB--Callee Roberts, Kyla Knott, Madison Clanton.
AMITY IP H R ER BB SO HR
Brittnie Brown 6.00 3 4 2 2 11 0
TAFT
Emma Coulter 7.00 7 3 3 4 8 0
PB–Breaha Wright (3). WP–Brittnie Brown (3). BALK—Emma Coulter. BB–Breaha Wright, Morgan Croxford, Gabby Rolston (2),Madison Clanton, Makena Cole.
Class 3A West Valley League standings
PHOTOS BY ERIC DEMELLO
Jack Stempel and Cody Knott hit three-run home runs in support of a one-hit, nine-strikeout pitching performance from senior right-hander Caleb King as host Taft High defeated Amity 10-0 in five innings Friday in West Valley League baseball action.
Stempel, hitting cleanup, had three hits and scored three runs as the top-ranked Tigers (10-2, 3-0) scored three times in the first, third and fourth innings against the sixth-rated Warriors (4-3, 2-1).
“I’ve been in a little bit of a slump lately, so that was a nice way to pull myself out of it,” Stempel, a senior first baseman, said. “Caleb threw an outstanding game and our hitters were there to back him up.”
Amity sophomore leadoff hitter Luke Johnston had the only hit off King, who walked none in a game shortened to five innings by the 10-run mercy rule.
Senior Josh Salsbery and juniors Kam Kessler and Tyee Fisher also drove in runs for Taft, winners of four straight. Sophomore Caleb Jones joined second baseman Knott with two hits apiece for the Tigers, while Knott and King scored two runs each.
Sophomore Brody Roberts, who surrendered 12 hits, took the loss for the Warriors.
Taft, which hosts Santiam Christian at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, had its game Saturday against Wahkiakum, Wash., canceled due to severe weather warnings.
Taft 10, Amity 0
AMITY AB R H BI
Luke Johnston 2 0 1 0
Alex Nyseth 1 0 0 0
Brody Roberts 2 0 0 0
West Streeter 1 0 0 0
Russel Brown 2 0 0 0
Nate Clark 2 0 0 0
Brian Hatch 2 0 0 0
Dylan Nyseth 1 0 0 0
Keenum Grahm 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 14 0 1 0
TAFT 2018 AB R H BI
Josh Salsbery 3 0 1 1
Eli DeMello 3 1 1 0
Eli DeMello 3 1 1 0
Caleb King 2 2 1 0
Jack Stempel 3 3 3 3
Cody Knott 3 2 2 3
Kam Kessler 3 0 0 1
Tyee Fisher 3 1 1 1
Caleb Jones 3 1 2 0
Trenton Fisher 3 0 1 0
TOTALS 26 10 12 9
AMITY 000 00 — 0
TAFT 313 3x — 10
LOB–AMITY 1, TAFT 6. ERR–Brian Hatch. 2B—Cody Knott. HR–Cody Knott, Jack Stempel. HBP–West Streeter, Josh Salsbery, Caleb King. SACB–Alex Nyseth. SB—Caleb King.
AMITY IP H R ER BB SO HR
Brody Roberts (L) 4.00 12 10 9 0 1 2
TAFT
Caleb King (W) 5.00 1 0 0 0 9 0
PB–Jacob Bernards. WP–Caleb King.
Taft roster/schedule
Amity roster/ schedule
Class 3A West Valley League standings
Class 3A OSAA rankings
Taft High won seven events Thursday to capture both the boys and girls competition in the West Valley League’s Dayton Invitational track and field meet.
“I love this program and having the privilege in witnessing growth in our athletes,” Taft Coach Joey Arce-Torres said. “It’s growth that comes directly from discipline, hard work and a tenacious desire to cross the finish line first.”
The Tigers defeated host Dayton 138.5-125.5 to win the boys title, and Perrydale 152-79 to claim the girls crown.
“It was a huge win for the Taft track and field program today,” Arce-Torres said.
The coach’s son, senior Gabe Arce-Torres, won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, senior Preston Nightingale won the 1,500, and junior David Jin won the pole vault.
Juniors Logan Mclendon and Jacob Mayoral teamed with Nightingale and Arce-Torres to win the 4×400 boys relay, with Arce-Torres storming back in the anchor leg to pass Dayton by 1.39 seconds.
Nightingale was second the 800 and junior Micah McLeish second in the 3,000.
Freshman Autumn Ellis won the 3,000, senior Noe Napoleon won the discus, and sophomore Ella Knott won the javelin to lead the Taft girls to a runaway team title.
Knott was second in the 100 and pole vault, and third in the 200, while Ellis was second in the 400 and third in the 1,500.
Senior Margery Price was third in the 400, while freshman Victoria Jin was second in the 3,000. Junior Kayla Brown was third in the pole vault and junior Savanna Russo third in the javelin.
“Overall, I’m very proud of the entire team,” said Arce-Torres, who credited Lon French, Kate Quinn, Kelsey Hart, Jon Nightengale and Josh Vredenburg for their coaching assistance. “It’s a good group of kids — no drama at practices — and they are steadily improving on a weekly basis.”
Taft, which has yet to bring a full squad to a meet this season, is scheduled to compete at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Mark Dean Tillamook Invitational.
Click here for complete results
Boys
| 1. | Taft | 138.5 |
| 2. | Dayton | 125.5 |
| 3. | Horizon Christian | 123.5 |
| 4. | Sheridan | 97.5 |
| 5. | Nestucca | 82.5 |
| 6. | Falls City | 41 |
| 7. | Perrydale | 18.5 |
Girls
| 1. | Taft | 152 |
| 2. | Perrydale | 79 |
| 3. | Dayton | 73 |
| 4. | Horizon Christian | 69 |
| 5. | Nestucca | 68 |
| 6. | Falls City | 67 |
| 7. | Sheridan | 55 |
Lincoln City, OR – The Taft High 7-12 Drama program had a rehearsal last night for their new production, The Wizard of Oz. It was a fun-filled night full of flying dogs, band music, and non-camera-shy kids.
Director JA “Momma” Sparks has been instrumental to the success of the drama program at Taft. Her previous production credits include: Aladdin, Fiddler on the Roof, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. She treats the student actors like family and in return they have given her the nickname “Momma.”
When asked why she does it, Sparks said: “I do it because the kids want to do it. I don’t think people realize how difficult musical theater can be. They learn teamwork, public speaking, stage presence, deadlines, memorization, improv. And those talents are lifelong skills. Not all kids play sports. This gives those kids another avenue to show their talent.”
Sparks has help from a talented group of individuals who also make this production possible.
Music is provided by a combination of Taft High band members and members of the community that make up “The Pit.” Conductor Lindsey Pierce is in charge of making sure the music matches the scene.
Beth Towers reached out to Lincoln City Homepage and invited us to come check out the production. Towers is in charge of marketing and advertising.
LeeAnn Gabler runs the fundraising and without her the show would not have all the things necessary to pull off such an ambitious play.
Sparks’ husband, Justin Sparks, is in charge of set design. His background as an artist allows him to make a strong contribution to the production as the sets are high quality and visually striking.
Kendra Novoa has the unique title of “Munchkin Manager.” Without a Munchkin Manager the show would be in danger of the littlest actors becoming “unruly.”
Sabrina Delugach, is known as “Momma’s Keeper.” She handles food, tickets, and backstage.
Student actors were willing to give an exclusive interview and spoke highly of their director. They said Sparks was great to work with and all of them made the comment that she was “awesome.”
Taft High Drama is putting on six shows in April: 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, @ 7:00PM. Tickets are $6 for adults, and $3 for kids and students. Kids Night is April 13th @5:30PM. A special VIP Night is April 14th @5:30PM. Class of 2018 Night is April 21st.
Yellow Brick Road “Bricks” are being sold to raise money for the Taft High Drama program.
This hood-mounted Lincoln City drive starts in the Historic Taft District and goes all the way to the north end of town. It was filmed in the rain and is sped up 250% so you can get an idea for what the drive is like without wasting your time. Check it out in 1080 at 60 frames per second.
The speed limit was strictly adhered to in this video.
The Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce wishes to congratulate the nominees for 2018 Business of the Year.
These businesses have been recognized for their outstanding service and/or products, their commitment to the community and their positive impact on the local economy.
The nominees for Business of the Year are:
The Chamber Board of Directors will pick one winner and they will be announced at the Community Days Banquet on April 21 at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.
For tickets or for more information, please call 541-994-3070.
Last week the Lincoln County Board of commissioners approved a lease between the Curry Family Trust and Lincoln County for property located at on SE Bay Blvd in Newport for a Veterans Services office. County Council Wayne Belmont explained money for the space is available through the state from voter approved funding. The space is located on the left side of Bay Blvd across the parking lot from the county OSU building.
Mr. Belmont explained what the expanded services for Veterans will look like with this new veterans services center. ” The expansion of services would allow outside consultants including doctors and others to come in and do an examination or review of veterans who are applying for benefits.” He added “this will allow the services to come to the veterans rather than the veterans having to go out to the services.”
Commissioner Bill Hall stated “this will be a great step forward for providing additional services to our county veterans.” He added “when I first took office he asked to become the liaison for the county veterans services and I am proud to see this program be able to grow.” In 2005 the county had one veterans services officer and now the county has two people working full time and a front desk person.
Now he added with this extra money from the state they will be able to hire a third person part time to work with veterans in Lincoln City. It was pointed out that Lincoln County could become a model for other areas showing what can be accomplished to help veterans.
Lincoln City, OR – Pacific View Memorial Cemetery has heeded the concerns of local Cub Scouts and accomplished its mission of honoring our military Veterans by marking the graves of the unnamed fallen.
New Pacific View Location Manager Guinevere Crispin said members of Cub Scouts Pack 47, who had come to plant flags for Veterans at the Lincoln City cemetery, asked why some of the headstones were blank. Crispin flew into action. She tracked down the necessary discharge papers and ordered military markers in the soldiers’ honor.
Crispin said she wants people to know that Veterans are entitled to military markers when buried in a private cemetery. A common misconception is that Veterans must be buried in a military cemetery to be recognized. The military does not pay for installation of markers in private cemeteries, but it does grant acknowledgement of Veterans who are honorably discharged.
Retired Cpl. Nicholas Carton, from Neskowin, heard of the Scouts’ concerns and paid to have the markers installed.
Carton is a veteran Marine who served from 1967 to 1973 in Aviation Electronics working on the A-4 Skyhawk. When asked why he offered to pay for the markers, he said, “It’s what we do. As former active Marines, it’s our responsibility. It’s time for payback.”
Crispin contacted the Honor Guard, who will provide two active duty military personnel to raise the flag Friday, May 25, at Pacific View Memorial in honor of the following Veterans:
Samuel Robert Chorneau (Oct. 2, 1923-June 16, 1994). Chorneau was in the U.S. Army and served in World War II. He was the father of Shawn Chorneau, who died the same year and is buried with his father.
Elbert Mather (Aug 5, 1917-April 15, 1996). Mather was in the U.S. Army and also served in WWII. His marker says he was “spouse of Norma Mather,” who is buried with him.
The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony, which will begin at 11 a.m.
Pacific View Memorial has been nominated for Business of the Year for Lincoln City by the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce.
Lincoln City, OR – The Lincoln City Youth League ran a Facebook post recently highlighting a shortage of coaches due to an unexpectedly large turnout for T-Ball. Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams answered the call with the reply, “I’d be happy to help.”
The first practice for new T-Ball Slugger League coach Williams’ Gray Wolves was held at the Lincoln City Cultural Center field. Players ran through a series of drills like the “Alligator Clap,” which showed the concept of fielding ground balls. Another fundamental to learn was to roll a ball back and forth with a teammate. There were very few passed balls, and the kids stayed focused, not only on Williams, but his daughter-in-law, Becky Williams, the assistant coach. The two of them held the team’s short attention span very well.
The 5- and 6-year-olds displayed a willingness to learn that could only be called eager. No kids wandered away from the area. Parents watched intently as the practice progressed, and it could be heard in the crowd that the Mayor was doing a great job as coach.
When asked why the team wasn’t named the “Sandwich Artists,” Williams broke into laughter. “That would have been great,” said Williams, who owns the local Subways. The decision to name the team the Gray Wolves came from Alejandro. As soon as he said it, the team name was passed by unanimous decision.
When asked why he decided to offer his leadership skills as a T-Ball coach, Williams replied, “I just wanted to make sure the kids could have a team.”
Williams played Little League as a kid and umpired in junior high school. He said he wasn’t the best player, but “the best players rarely make the best coaches.”
The Gray Wolves’ first league game is at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at Kirtsis Park.
