Lincoln City Homepage

New buyers rush to obtain guns

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April 16, 2023

Nearly 40,000 people who bought firearms in Oregon last weekend were driven to gun stores to beat a proposed new law that makes it harder to acquire handguns and rifles, according to a leading dealer in Lincoln County.

Senate Bill 348, which has many of the same restrictions of a successful ballot measure currently stalled in court, appeared to be headed toward approval by the Oregon Legislature at press time.

“Together, these laws have expedited putting a million firearms into the hands of Oregonians who never planned to buy a firearm but thought they should because they felt their rights were being taken away from them,” commented Bruce Polvi, a licensed firearms dealer at Lincoln City Sporting Goods. “This is an end run around the courts, and in many ways it’s worse than Measure 114 that passed by less than a percentage point.”

By Tuesday afternoon, the backlog of background checks from a busy weekend of gun sales in Oregon had dropped to 13,858 from 40,000, reported Polvi after hitting a few keystrokes on his computer to connect with the Oregon State Police. The OSP is responsible for reviewing purchasers who fill out the seven-page application.

“The thing politicians don’t get is a lot of these buyers are first-time firearms owners coming to us after being told the sheriff or police aren’t going to respond in a timely fashion because of cutbacks or officer shortages,” Polvi said.

In addition to requiring permits and completed background checks to buy a gun, Senate Bill 348 includes Measure 114′s large-capacity magazine ban. It would be effective retroactively to Dec. 8, 2022, the date the measure was set to take effect.

The bill goes further than Measure 114, however, by raising the age for gun buyers, creating a new waiting period of 72 hours to obtain a gun and increasing the fees to obtain a gun permit. Polvi said the current waiting time for most purchases at his store is about two hours.

Senate Judiciary Committee chair Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, the author of the bill, claimed the wait would address “impulse buying” of guns and reduce potential suicides and domestic violence-related shootings by providing a “cooling-off period” before a customer would get a gun.

The proposed law would also raise the age to get a permit and buy a gun to 21, although buyers aged 18-20 could buy certain hunting rifles and shotguns without a permit until July 2026 as long as they have completed a gun safety course. A seller couldn’t transfer a gun to a customer without waiting 72 hours after receiving a state police approval number following a completed criminal background check.

“All I can say to that senator from Eugene is ‘thanks’,” commented gun clerk Drew Atherton as he serviced a line of buyers three-deep at his counter. “Business has never been better.”

New owners take over Sambos site

Don Williams

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April 3, 2023

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Little Sambos purchased by Game Over owners Chis and Jenny Donner

As surely as the Pacific’s tides will come and go, so will businesses in Lincoln City. Sometimes they disappear for good and sometimes they change into something different, yet familiar.

So it is with Lil’ Sambos restaurant at 3262 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City. Formerly owned by the Moore family, Sambos was an iconic bit of history in Lincoln City.

(from left to right) Realtor Debbie Williams, Jenny and Chris Donner

And now it faces a future with local residents and owners of Game Over Arcade 2821 NW Hwy 101, Lincoln City. Chris and Jenny Donner.

Purchased after lengthy deliberations within the family, the Donners plan to resurrect Sambos into a jungle themed children’s amusement facility complete with climbing cages and various games for everyone to enjoy.

Asked how the idea began, Chris explained. ” We knew , since covid, that this town has been losing kid’s stuff left and right. We kept thinking ‘something will reopen,’ but nothing did.”

He continues, “We were at an international amusement conference and saw the possibilities of indoor play structures and thought ‘This is doable!’

That was in November (2022). Right about that time Sambos closed and we thought, ‘That could be a great building (for a play structure)’ and we started thinking how it would work with the existing theming of the tigers and jungle and such.

We started brainstorming, then out of the blue our Realtor Debbie Williams called us on an unrelated subject and we started talking about Sambos and…here we are.”

Asked when construction might begin, Donner said, “Soon, I hope. But we need to get through spring break first.”

Chris Donner takes a final walkthrough and explains his goals .

Donner hopes to come to agreement with a company that specializes in indoor play structures to design, deliver and build the amusement. There will be food available but as of this article no concrete plans have been established.

The Donners also plan on creating a private party room for birthdays.

Locals and tourist alike will be pleased to know that the familiar umbrella carrying tiger will remain as will the latest fan favorite, the life sized Sasquatch.

No new name has been chosen.

Be sure to subscribe to Lincoln City Homepage for updates and Grand Opening dates.

Local theatre and World Theatre Day

Local News

Don Williams

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March 26, 2023

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The English word “theatre” comes from two Greek words: theasthai, meaning “to behold”, and theatron, referring to a place where people gather to watch a performance.

On this World Theatre day it seems only right to share a story about a Lincoln City theatre troupe that is a sight to behold. It’s a theatre troupe (to paraphrase President Lincoln) for the kids, by the kids and about the kids.

It is the Lincoln City Playhouse (LCP).

But it is a “playhouse” in name only.

The definition of “troupe” is, “a group of actors or other entertainers who tour different venues.” and because they have no home to call their own, the LCP players must appear wherever they can.

Founded in 2019 by Ray and Karen Bonelli-Sanquist as a club that met once a week because as Karen puts it, “Our daughter Tessa and I love the theatre, and there was no full time theatre for kids. And I adore working with kids.

There are kids out there that have have passion, but they don’t know for what. As soon as they get into a theatre they usually break out of their shells. Kids gain confidence from their theatre experience.”

LCP’s first production was Seussical the Musical.

“We started that with 12 kids,” adds Karen. With their current production of “Into the Woods” in rehearsal they boast a cast of 21 speaking roles with 47 kids having auditioned.

The boys and girls are seen over a two day period and are asked to sing a one minute song and say a poem or monologue. If they don’t have anything prepared they can use a book to read from. According to Bonelli-Sanquist, “Everyone gets a part whether speaking or not.”

Aside from the performance, the children have a responsibility to help with every aspect of production-from set creation to concessions.

“Kids need something, and maybe sports aren’t their thing. We turn into a family. We buddy up the younger with the older kids so they get to know and watch out for each other.” said Bonelli-Sanquist.

“Theatre kids are different, in a good way” she continued. “They have such a drive to perform even when they’re not on the stage. Even the quiet, shy ones, something lights up in their eyes.”

Parents of the young thespians tell Bonelli-Sanquist how much it means to them to see their kids interested in something.

Asked if, with so many youngsters running around, that there must be some disciplinary trouble Karen replies, “Of course. But I nip it in the bud very quickly. On the first problem, I speak with the child. If there is a recurrence, I bring in the parent(s) to talk it over. If there is a third instance we have to tell the child they can’t be in the play at this time.

We try to convey to the child that they have the choice to continue being negative or they can change and be in the play.” She adds that they seldom have to invoke the third option.

“I come from a very abusive family” she continued, “I learned that somebody, in their head, has to make a decision that negative things aren’t going to continue. I have a degree in psychology and my family background allows me to understand that there are issues that occur in the world and families that affect kids. I’m thankful that the parents trust me with their children.

Just to be a little, tiny, memory in a child’s life-perhaps they can look back at this time and carry it forward as a positive.”

When asked if any of her now older performers have ambitions to continue in performing arts Bonelli-Sanquist tells the story of young J.R.

“J.R. was originally our curtain boy. He didn’t want to act. When we were getting ready to stage Grease I knew that J.R. should be our “Danny” (think John Travolta’s role). He didn’t want to but I talked him into just auditioning. He said he would but that he didn’t want a lead role.

He auditioned and as he left he said ‘I’ll be anyone but Danny.’ I had heard him sing at his church and knew he was perfect for the part. He was and he did ultimately star as Danny. One day we were speaking to the local Kiwanis club and J.R. sang a song from Grease. When he finished a man in the audience raised his hand and asked if J.R. would audition for Theatre West.

“My ultimate goal is for us to have our own building,” said Bonelli-Sanquist. “a place where we could stage two weekend run plays, I’d like to start a junior theatre for little kids. Our teens have said they want to start an improv group and the adults overhear us talking about it and they want to also do improv.”

Lincoln City Playhouse is a non profit organization that relies on donations for its support. In addition to a fifty dollar production fee collected from each performer, an Amazon wishlist is established with each plays particular needs like costumes and props. “Each production cost about five thousand dollars with the smaller summer plays costing about a thousand. What we can’t pay for with donations and concession sales I make up out of my personal funds.” said Bonelli-Sanquist.

“This is all about the kids,” she concluded. “If someone were to read this story and say, ‘I could help!’ That would be great.”

For more information go to: www.lincolncityplayhouse.com or contact Karen at [email protected]

Taft Softballers dominate Neah-Kah-Nie 15-0

Don Williams

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March 24, 2023

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Nat Gates ready to send another ball to the outfield.

Outstanding batting was the order of the day for the Taft Tigers girls varsity softball.
Two inside the fence home runs and a late inning blast over the fence made short work of the Pirates.

An enthusiastic crowd was on hand to cheer the teams.

The team plays against Gladstone Friday March 24 at 4 p.m. Then off to the North Medford Spring Break Tournament on Monday the 27th .

Go to https://www.osaa.org/activities/sbl/schedules?date=2023-03-27 for more scores and schedules.

State to finally drop health care facility mask mandate April 3rd

Local News

Don Williams

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March 23, 2023

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Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Human Services sent this bulletin at 03/03/2023 08:15 AM PST

Salem, Ore.— Workers, patients and visitors in health care settings will no longer be required to wear masks starting April 3, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced today.

OHA is rescinding provisions in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-019-1011 that require workers in health care settings – such as hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulances, outpatient facilities, dental offices, urgent care centers, counseling offices, school-based health centers, complementary and alternative medicine locations – to wear masks. The requirement has been in effect since August 2021.

In addition, Executive Order 22-24 will expire on March 6, 2023. The emergency gave hospitals needed flexibility to respond to a surge in respiratory infections, including COVID-19, RSV and influenza.

The decision to end statewide health care mask requirements aligns with decisions in other states, including Washington.

Taft Tigers struggle against the Riverhawks in Varsity Baseball

Don Williams

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March 23, 2023

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Taft Tigers struggle against the Riverhawks in Varsity Baseball

Tigers trying to strike out the Dalles hawks batter.

Wednesday, the Tigers faced a strong challenge from a physically larger Dalles team at the Pit.

The Riverhawks lead from the first inning with strong bat work that tested the legs and arms of the Tiger’s outfielders.

Run after run scored thanks to soaring balls swatted by the Dalles batsmen. At times the balls reached the fence line in right, center and left fields.

First baseman Armando Fajardo keeps a runner in his place.

The Tigers pitchers and infielders put up a strong defense and thanks to some early poor pitching by the Riverhawks they were able to keep the game competitive though the 1-15 score might not reflect it.

“Size doesn’t necessarily mean much in baseball.” said coach Dustin Hankins. He noted that only a couple of plays per inning gave the Hawks the lead.

“We’re still finding out about each other and learning to trust on the field.”

Baron Delameter waits for the right pitch.

Asked about some highlights of the game, coach mentioned, “Gavin Koceja got his first hit of the pre season, Baron Delameter hit the ball hard as did Kai Bayer.”

So far, the mighty Tigers are 2-2 in preseason action. Their next match is against the Newport Cubs starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Pit 3951 SE High School Dr, Lincoln City, OR 97367

Community meets with Sheriff Landers

Don Williams

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March 22, 2023

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Gleneden Beach Community Hall hosted Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking to the crowd of over 50 attendees, Sheriff Landers shared his background in law enforcement including his early days doing ride alongs.

“Going on the ride alongs and driving fast was fun.” He said, which drew laughter from the crowd. “But now that I’m responsible for things…no more driving fast. For anyone.”

He shared about his time as a contract deputy with the city of Depoe Bay. Feeling, at first, he was being punished somehow by being assigned to a very small town, he soon changed his mind.

“I gained so much valuable experience by working in a small town… I learned a lot, It was a valuable lesson getting out and meeting everybody, solving crimes. It was very valuable.”

Bringing the group to the present day Landers added,

“I’m now in my third year of my second term as Sheriff and I really enjoy it.”

He then opened the floor to take some questions from the audience where questions ranged from current staffing levels to jurisdictional boundaries.

Landers said he was encouraged about his staffing levels but did say they were still lower than he would like.

He shared that his department’s areas of coverage were anywhere in the county that isn’t already covered by a city’s police force, adding that they often relied on the State police for assistance and back up when needed.

One question dealt with his department’s interaction with the mentally ill.

“Unfortunately it is the mentally ill and drug addicted that are filling our jails. It’s a huge problem and as you can imagine it’s not a good environment for someone like that to be in. Someone who comes into the jail environment suffering from mental illness really starts to deteriorate quickly in there.”

“We are doing a lot of things-we have two mental health counselors, which is almost unheard of in a jail our size. We try to determine the level of someone’s mental illness as quick as we can.”

He went on to talk about the assessment process and how, sometimes, it is the first time someone’s mental state had been addressed. He spoke of how, in the past, someone suffering a mental crises could remain in custody longer than if they had pled guilty, served their time and were released on schedule. “We don’t see that as much anymore.”

Lincoln City Homepage asked for the sheriff’s observations about how the decriminalization of marijuana in 2015 and the decriminalization of more dangerous drugs via ballot measure 110 passed in 2020 is affecting the community.

“I remember when any amount of marijuana was a criminal offense. Now, basically if any one is caught with a small amount of those drugs, they are fined one hundred dollars and given the number to a hotline and if they call that hotline there would be no record of the citation. No consequences.”

“I can tell you,” he continued. “Very, very very few people have reached out to use the hotline. Basically how the measure was sold and passed was that we would get all these people (drug users) help via funding from marijuana sales. They aren’t taking advantage of the resources promised.”

“Part of the reason of why some people get help in the first place is that they were arrested or repeatedly arrested until they reached a point in their lives where they saw that they needed a change.”

He went on to say that some of those convicted would take advantage of programs offered in jails.

“Sometimes it’s a wakeup call and not having that (experience of jail time) no one is taking advantage of treatment that is in place for them. I think our youth see the lack of consequences to being arrested and don’t see the harm (of drug use). It’s really unfortunate.”

“I’ve asked people that finally got clean, ‘what worked for you? What made a difference?’ Their response is, ‘I’d had enough. I started participating in the programs while incarcerated and turned my life around. If I hadn’t been arrested and convicted I don’t think I would have gotten clean.”

Gleneden Beach Community Center is at 110 Azalea Street, Gleneden Beach, Oregon 97388.

They plan on presenting speakers once per month throughout the summer.

Call 541-921-9573 for their schedule.

Your chance to have a voice in the state budget process

Don Williams

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March 19, 2023

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The Oregon Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee has scheduled a series of public hearings on the state budget.

An example of citizen input to government representatives.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to testify at each of these scheduled hearings regarding their perspectives and priorities around the state budget.

The series of hearings will start on April 8, 2023 at Portland Community College- Sylvania Campus.

Coastal residents will have their opportunity to share their thoughts in Newport.

Friday, April 14 (5:00 – 7:00 pm)
Location: Newport Performing Arts Center
777 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365

To testify, members of the public will be able to access sign up links on the Ways and Means Committee’s webpage on the
Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/JWM/Overview

Sign up links will be available online in the next week.

Tigers train for track season

Don Williams

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March 17, 2023

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It was a beautiful sunny day in Lincoln City and the Taft 7-12 track was blooming with future track stars.

Under the watchful eyes of coaches Doll, Snelling, Tolan and Williams the boys and girls varsity track squads practiced running, dashing, jumping, throwing discus and handing off batons.

The young athletes all seemed excited for the new season and listened carefully as each coach handed out pointers about techniques they would need to improve upon.