LaRocque was born Dec. 30, 1922, in Rhode Island and passed away May 3, 1988 in Oregon. He and his partner, John E. “Jack” Coyne owned and operated Panache Antiques in Lincoln City for 10 years. The shop was located where Theatre West is now.
LaRocque worked for the May Company in Ohio and California before moving to the Oregon Coast. He was responsible for elaborate window displays for the department store chain and was a talented set designer.
The artist later taught watercolor classes in Lincoln City and worked with another local artist named Joan Farrouque. LaRocque was a member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon.
One of the paintings included in the exhibition, Rites of Spring, won special recognition in the Watercolor Society’s 1987 Fall Show.
Though best known as a watercolorist, LaRocque was an innovative and experimental artist who worked extensively with mixed media and collage.
The free exhibit starts showing 2 p.m. March 7, at 4907 SW Highway 101. Snacks and refreshments will be available and Art Curator Matt Blakeman will answer questions.
Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) announced their K-9 program fundraising efforts were successful Wednesday, saying a $75,000 goal had been reached and selection of a K-9 and handling officer was underway.
LCPD is in the process of selecting an officer who will train with a new patrol dog at a California-based K-9 training company for six weeks. Department officials have narrowed down the selection of K-9s to German Shepherd and Malinois breeds. The entire process is expected to take several months before a K-9/officer-duo appears on Lincoln City streets.
While some police dogs active in the United States are rarely seen by the general public, Lincoln City Police’s newest canine member will be available for public functions, autographs and photo ops.
Police officials thanked the public and local businesses for helping to raise the $75,000 needed to cover costs of K-9 classes, certifications and acquire necessary equipment for the dog, such as ballistic vests, a vehicle insert designed for transport and a kennel for housing.
Police department officials expressed special thanks to Meredith Lodging and Oksenholt Capital, who put out a matching funds challenge that helped push fundraising efforts up and over the initial goal.
Lincoln City Mayor Dick Anderson asks for clarification on a food cart ordinance item from Planning Director Anne Marie Skinner at Monday’s City Council meeting
The Lincoln City City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a pair of ordinances aimed at getting food carts up and running after much deliberation and multiple changes to the code.
Charity and fundraiser carts, including one ran by the Taft High Boosters, dodged a bullet as counselors discussed language in the ordinances that prevented class one and class two food carts from operating in city limits and requiring all food carts to provide non-plastic biodegradable cutlery and packaging.
Lincoln City Councilor Riley Hoagland
City Counselor Riley Hoagland said the ordinance as written would prevent carts from operating at school events providing snacks, candy and merchandise to raise funds for programs because of no plastics being allowed.
Grill 1646 restaurant owner and food cart proprietor Dan Clanton gave testimony before the council pleading with city leaders to allow class one and class two type food carts because it would hurt the local high school’s fundraising efforts and people looking to start up in the food cart industry.
“There are a large number of families here in Lincoln City that are operating in other markets, providing jobs in other cities and making money in other cities because this law is not in place,” Clanton said. “And we all want to come home and provide local jobs and bring our families back.”
Clanton expressed concern over the ordinance allowing generators, saying it would cause a noise problem and be hard to enforce. The city council removed that part from the ordinance later in the meeting.
Urban Renewal Director Alison Robertson spoke in favor of food carts, saying she believed it was something people expected to see in Lincoln City that has been lacking. She said it would be a great opportunity for economic development.
Counselors went back and forth on the ordinance language, asking for clarifications from Planning Director Anne Marie Skinner, who was assisted by City Manager Ron Chandler and City Attorney Richard Appicello.
Counselor Rick Mark testified about taking a trip to Portland and visiting a food cart where a trash can was overflowing, calling it “abominable,” and wanted to know how it could be prevented in Lincoln City.
Clanton responded to Mark’s question saying language was in the ordinance stating food cart operators must clean up in a 35-foot radius around the cart. Mark said he saw that and asked what would happen if a trash can was outside the 35-foot zone, at which point Anderson chimed in saying the public could call the non-emergency police number and report it and the property owner would ultimately be responsible.
Class 1 – These units can serve only intact, packaged foods and non-potentially hazardous drinks. No preparation or assembly of foods or beverages may take place on the unit. Non-potentially hazardous beverages may be provided from covered urns or dispenser heads only. No dispensed ice is allowed.
Class 2 – These units may serve foods allowed under Class I and provide hot and cold holding display areas from which unpackaged foods are displayed. Self-service by customers of unpackaged food is not allowed. Preparation, assembly or cooking of foods is not allowed on this unit.
Class 3 – These units may serve any food item allowed under Class II, and may cook, prepare and assemble food items on the unit. However, cooking of raw animal food on the unit is not allowed.
Class 4 – These mobile food units may serve a full menu.
Carts in Lincoln City must have wheels, class three and up must have warm hand washing stations, a dishwasher, access to restrooms and a wastewater plan. Generators outside the cart are prohibited. Pre-packaged foods are allowed and plastic items such as cutlery and packaging are also allowed.
Prospective mobile food unit operators will need to meet requirements with State, County and DMV before acquiring licensing through the City of Lincoln City. A written agreement with the property owner is also required and will need to be approved by the planning department. Insurance that meets city code is also required.
Also presenting to city council was Explore Lincoln City’s Ed Dreistadt. He covered ways to bring businesses and tourism to Lincoln City. A point Dreistadt made was figuring out ways to make Lincoln City a vacation destination rather than a weekend stay.
Dreistadt said the City’s marketing department spends a lot of money on the Portland market and his budget gets “vaporized” because it’s so expensive.
Dreistadt also called for caution towards an economic downturn. He’d like to see a contingency plan in place for a coming recession.
Counselor Hinton said Dreistadt’s presentation was “very nicely done,” with Mayor Anderson and others concurring.
Lincoln City Parks and Recreation staff presented results of a naming contest recently held for the new park located at SE 3rd Street & Keel Avenue at Monday’s city council meeting.
Lincoln City sponsored the “Name our New Park” contest and will award the winner with a year-long pass to the Lincoln City Community Center.
Parks and Recreation Ambassador LoRee LaFon organized the contest and 83 entries were received and narrowed down to six names by City Manager Ron Chandler and Parks and Recreation Director Jeanne Sprague.
The park name has been narrowed down to six names:
Birdsong Park
LakeWood Park
Moss Ridge Park
Neskia Park
Osprey Park
Raptors’ Roost Nature Park
Future plans include adding more trails, more nature play space and a dog park.
The city council will vote on a final name at a future meeting.
Dave Price presents before Lincoln City Counselors at Monday’s meeting
Monday’s City Council meeting saw Oregon Coast Community College’s Marketing Director and Sustainability Committee Chair Dave Price attempting to make Lincoln City “Oregon’s Greenest Beach.”
Price pitched that making Lincoln City “Oregon’s Greenest Beach” could give the city a leg up on other coastal communities by having 75 percent of all restaurants and lodging offer paper products instead of plastic, ultimately driving profits up and chemicals in waterways and trash on beaches down.
“We don’t believe polystyrene belongs on our beaches and it’s up to us to protect our seven miles of beach,” he said. “I think everyone shares the goal of being a progressive community where people want to come visit for more reasons than just the beach.”
Price encouraged a round-table discussion with grocers and restaurants who would be impacted, saying two-way communication was needed.
Price said he was misquoted in the Newport News Times newspaper recently and thanked City Manager Ron Chandler and Mayor Dick Anderson for giving him the opportunity to respond to it shortly after his introduction at the meeting.
“I took great umbrage to a quotation that was attributed to me that was 180 degrees from the truth…,” Price said.
Newport News Times printed a clarification in their following edition.
Counselors discussed what the cost would be to implement Price’s suggestions, covered the definition of “zero waste” and thanked the Sustainability Committee — and Price — for their work in putting a plan together.
Mayor Anderson said Explore Lincoln City could “grab onto this and expand on it” and told Price that city council would provide feedback and offer more direction going forward.
Price said the Sustainability Committee was well represented and was not “a bunch of lefty snowflakes…” and invited the public to come to a meeting. The next meeting is 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at city hall.
Lincoln City City Councilors will hear from the City’s Sustainability Committee this Monday at city hall on how to increase local businesses’ bottom lines by going green.
The Lincoln City Sustainability Committee (LCSC) will present its case that by reducing plastics through bans and providing a subsidy, consumers will choose businesses “going green” over other coastal tourism-based cities at “zero cost” to business owners.
LCSC is calling for a public hearing to discuss an outright ban on single-use plastics offered in a limited set of areas. LCSC wants the city council to vote on a city-wide ban of single-use plastics which can be found in places such as, restaurants, grocery store and convenience store delis and lodging breakfast bars.
The subsidy will use a percentage of transient room taxes (TRT) or money from the general fund to offset the cost local business owners will incur to switch to more expensive paper and compostable single-use alternatives. LCSC would like to see a subsidy last for 18-36 months.
LCSC believes a more devoted and loyal customer base will equal more business and higher profits for participating businesses.
Some businesses have already made the switch, including the iconic coastal landmark restaurant Lil’ Sambos.
“There’s already pressure from the public and within the industry to switch to paper straws and biodegradable containers,” Lil’ Sambos Owner Cary Moore said. “Restaurants are doing this now. The switch started a long time ago. Big chains like Burgerville have already switched.”
Sustainable landscaping will also be presented, where reducing the need for pesticides and herbicides will be discussed. A plan on how individuals and households can be guided and encouraged to garden organically is in the works.
Sustainable food rounds out the three topics LCSC will present to the council and deals with a proposed week-long food festival for locals and tourists named “Flavors 101.” According to LCSC, the event could reduce reliance on transported products, provide healthy nutrient-rich alternatives to packaged food and reduce food waste.
From LCSC presentation materials:
One problem: Plastic = cheaper One solution: Change that equation
Lincoln City City Council meets at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 801 SW Highway 101.
Oregon Department of Transportation officials have called in geologists Thursday to take core samples of a hole on southbound Highway 101 in Otis.
The hole appeared between N. Clancy Road and NE Highland Road after National Weather Service Portland issued a flood advisory and recent rains deluged the area.
According to ODOT officials, geologists will take core samples to test the durability of the ground and determine the best course of action for a fix.
Otis and Lincoln City residents told Homepage about a “dip” in the highway before the appearance of the hole, with some reporting “bottoming out” while travelling 45 mph.
ODOT crews have traffic down to one lane while the problem is addressed.
As of 10 a.m. Friday no estimated time of completion is available and ODOT crews continue to work on the hole. No word on what the geologists found.
As of 8:30 a.m. Saturday ODOT crews are not present and the hole appears to be fixed.
East Devils Lake Road in Lincoln City (Photo by Gary Fromm)
National Weather Service Portland (NWS) issued a “flood advisory” Wednesday through this evening for Clatsop, Lincoln and Tillamook counties.
The urban and small stream flood advisory is in effect until 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.
According to NWS, at 12:46 p.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated flooding in small streams and urban areas after 1-3 inches had fallen.
An additional inch of rain is expected and reports of ponding water and minor flooding in Tillamook County and Lincoln County are coming in.
NWS warns drivers to be vigilant at night when it’s harder to recognize flooding dangers. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.
Landslides are possible during this flooding event as recent weeks of rain have saturated the soil and heavy rain can trigger slides.
From left. Reggie Butler Sr., Lillie Butler, Loraine Y. Butler, Robert Kentta, Angela Ramirez, Selene Rilatos, Sharon Edenfield, Bud Lane and Delores PigsleyLoraine Y. Butler, Robert Kentta and Selene Rilatos were elected to the Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Saturday, Feb 1.
Butler, of Siletz, and Kentta, of Logsden, were re-elected, while newcomer Rilatos, of Toledo, was elected with 268 votes.
The three will serve three year terms on the nine-member council with Reggie Butler Sr., Sharon Edenfield, Angela Ramirez — whose terms expire in 2021 — Lillie Butler, Alfred (Bud) Lane III, and Delores Pigsley — whose terms expire in 2022.
Eight hundred twenty-two ballots were cast by Siletz Tribe members 18 and older. The Tribe has over 5,400 enrolled members.
The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected council members took place Feb. 2. Officers are elected on an annual basis and those selected for 2020 include:
Delores Pigsley, chairman
Bud Lane, vice chairman
Sharon Edenfield, secretary
Robert Kentta, treasurer
Pigsley currently has served 34.5 years as Tribal chairman out of 41 years on the council, while Lillie Butler has served 28; Reggie Butler, 23; Bud Lane, 22; Robert Kentta and Loraine Butler, 15 each; Sharon Edenfield, nearly 10 years; Gloria Ingle, 6 years; and Angela Ramirez, 2 years.
The Siletz Tribe has spent the last 42 years rebuilding its government and economic structure. The signing of Public Law 95-195 in 1977, which restored government-to-government relations between the Siletz Tribe and the federal government, started this process. The Siletz Tribe was the second in the nation – and the first in Oregon – to achieve restoration.
The Siletz Tribe was among the first to become a self-governance Tribe, giving Tribal government more control over services provided to Tribal members. Under self-governance, the U.S. government provides general funding to the Tribe (rather than to specific programs), then Tribal employees and the Tribal Council decide how funds will be spent.
Significant Tribal accomplishments since Restoration include opening the original health clinic in 1991 and a new much larger clinic in 2010; building more than 150 homes and multiple dwellings for Tribal members, including 28 units at Neachesna Village in Lincoln City that have opened since 2009, 19 apartments in Siletz that opened in 2010 and 20 homes in the Tillamook subdivision in Siletz that have opened since 2013; completing the Siletz Dance House in 1996; opening the Tenas Illahee Childcare Center in 2003; opening the Tillicum Fitness Center and a new USDA food distribution warehouse in Siletz in 2008; and opening the Siletz Recreation Center in 2009.
Through its economic development division, the Siletz Tribal Business Corporation, the Tribe purchased the Lincoln Shores office complex in Lincoln City in 2001 and opened the Siletz Gas & Mini-Mart in Siletz in 2004, the Logan Road RV Park in Lincoln City in 2004 and the Hee Hee Illahee RV Resort in Salem in 2006.
Tribal offices in Portland, Salem and Eugene are housed in Tribally owned buildings. The Eugene office moved to its current location in 2005, the Salem office did the same in 2006 and the Portland office moved to its current location in 2008.
The Tribe also played a lead role in opening the Siletz Valley School in 2003 and the Siletz Valley Early College Academy in 2006.
The Siletz Tribal Arts & Heritage Society (STAHS) was formed in 2013 as a nonprofit to enhance the Tribe’s ability to develop the Siletz Tribal Cultural Center. STAHS also helps the Tribe with acquiring object and archival collections.
Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City opened in 1995. In 2004, the Siletz Tribe purchased the former Shilo Inn adjacent to the casino and opened Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Chinook Winds Golf Resort opened in 2005 when the Tribe purchased the former Lakeside Golf and Fitness Center in Lincoln City.
The combination of Tribal employees and those at Chinook Winds Casino Resort has made the Siletz Tribe the largest employer in Lincoln County.
The Siletz Tribe has honored its tradition of sharing within the community by distributing more than $17.6 million through the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and other Tribal resources. Chinook Winds has donated more than $6.5 million in cash and fund-raising items since 1995. It also provides in-kind donations of convention space for various fundraisers as well as technical support, advertising and manpower for events.
City Manager Ron Chandler “redirects” a question asked to Helping Hands at a Thursday, Jan. 30 meet-and-greet
The City of Lincoln City hosted a meet-and-greet with the public for Helping Hands Reentry Thursday, Jan. 30, where CEO Alan Evans gave a presentation on the structure and functions of homeless outreach services and transitional housing.
“We live in a society that makes it hard to make ends meet,” Evans said. “Everybody deserves a chance. Everybody has a story.”
During the presentation, Evans covered the evaluation process that allows Helping Hands staff to pinpoint needs and roadmaps to success. He went over data the outreach center collects and how it helps the nonprofit get the homeless back on their feet with housing and breaking down barriers to employment.
Helping Hands CEO Alan Evans presents homeless outreach services before the public in City Council chambers
Lincoln City citizen Jay Roelof said Helping Hands had a great opportunity to do some good work in Lincoln City and brought up the “unvetted” homeless population problem.
Lincoln City Homeless Solutions President Lynne Rudstrom spoke in favor for the transitional housing venture.
Local business owner Randy Mallette asked pointed questions to Evans, drawing the City Manager’s attention with a reminder to stay within the bounds of the meeting’s purpose.
Evans fielded Mallette’s question, “where people go after the program,” but the question was ultimately redirected by City Manager Ron Chandler who wanted to keep the discussion geared towards “meeting Helping Hands.”
“We’ve never failed to place a person in housing,” Evans said. “We do the best we can.”
Evans gave a tentative timeline for placement of homeless in permanent housing at around 6-8 months with a “cap” of 18 months, but cautioned everyone’s needs are different and it was hard to give an exact date.
“I’ve got a million questions,” Mallette said.
“And I’ve got a million answers,” Chandler replied. “Grab a card from the back and contact me after the meeting.”
Lincoln Woods Apartments and Ashley Inn & Suites owners were at the meeting but acting on advice from their lawyer, declined to ask questions or engage with Helping Hands, who reportedly hired an attorney in response to a legal challenge of the City and Helping Hands’ transitional housing deal.
Mallette asked questions surrounding the deal and was told there would be no discussion about any legal issues.
