Dragons are coming — well, pretty much finished, says local artist and fantasy movie buff Justin Sparks of Sparks Gallery in Lincoln City, about the new dragon mural in Taft.
“It was her vision to say I would like a dragon with really deep woods,” Sparks said about the green dragon adorning the west side of the Sapphire Center, 4840 SE Highway 101, owned by Claire Hagen.
Sparks was commissioned by Hagen in August to paint a “dragon in deep forest” in the historic Taft District that can be seen by anyone travelling south on Highway 101.
“Douggie Mike” waiting for his eye from Sparks
The local artist started with a forest backdrop, then painted an intricate log and is finally adding the “forest camouflaged dragon.”
“I love what ‘Douggie Mike the Dragon’ represents,” Hagen said. “It’s all about making people happy and reminding people to use their imagination and get back to nature.”
Sparks has been working on “Douggie Mike” for over a month and is using exterior latex paint with a two-inch angled sash brush as his go-to, and smaller brushes for finer details.
“Each little section I do I try to come up with something new to put in there and make it look a little different,” Sparks said. “It really makes the town look a lot better when you have artwork all over the town.
“It draws people in and is something people can enjoy looking at while they are walking through different districts,” he said.
“Douggie Mike” is a one-of-a-kind mural and is just one of Spark’s many murals painted in Depoe Bay, Geleneden Beach and now, Lincoln City.
Sparks paints wildlife-based paintings at his gallery, 1808 Highway 101, and loves watching fantasy and sci-fi movies. His wife and Taft High Drama Director Jennifer Sparks, said he can be heard humming Lord of the Rings music while he paints.
Hagen wants people to Like the Sapphire Center Facebook page for a “secret” fans of the dragon will want to “see” coming soon.
Harrisburg players display their frustration following a sack by Trenton Hall (24) late in the game
The Taft High defense, just a year removed from surrendering 60 points in a lopsided shootout loss to State-bound Harrisburg, limited the Eagles to only six points Friday to march off with a 14-6 home upset in the Class 3A football opener for both teams.
Led by two interceptions by junior defensive back Darius Smith, the Tigers took a 14-6 halftime lead on a 12-yard pass from junior quarterback Antonio Saurez to junior JJ French, and a 60-yard catch and run by senior Logan Gilleo.
Junior place-kicker William Calderon added both extra-point conversions.
Senior running back Gabe Knox returned a kickoff for a touchdown with 10:55 left in the first half for the Eagles’ only score that made it 7-6 after French scored the game’s first TD at the 11:12 mark of the second quarter.
Gilleo then caught a short swing pass from Saurez and ran the rest of the way to make it 14-6 5:37 before halftime.
Logan Gilleo celebrates after taking a pass from Antonio Saurez 60 yards for a score
The teams then played to a scoreless second half.
Harrisburg, which finished 7-3 and ranked 14th before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by eventual State runner-up Cascade Christian, defeated the Tigers 60-29 to open the season last year.
SD1 West member Taft, coming off a 1-8 season, returns to play at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Sutherlin, the only team the Tigers defeated last year, 14-13 at home.
Night work will begin Tuesday on U.S. Highway 101 Schooner Creek Bridge.
Lanes will be closed and traffic flagged through the work zone. Travelers should expect minor delays between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. at the southern entrance to Lincoln City.
Workers are grinding the asphalt off of the bridge and installing titanium strengthening bars in the deck. Work on Schooner Creek Bridge is expected to last a year and a half.
The Schooner Creek Bridge and Devil’s Lake Outlet Bridge (D-River Bridge) are being protected and improved, along with other coastal bridges. Between now and 2021, the bridges are receiving:
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.
Work on D-River Bridge continues during the day underneath the bridge. D-River Bridge is scheduled to be completed in spring 2020.
For updates on traffic, go to www.TripCheck.com or call 511.Access for pedestrians, including those with disabilities, is available and identified through or around work zones.
Update: Shelden’s BNSF Railway co-workers are searching for him Saturday and are seeking help from the public. Contact Jesse Rossmeier at 253-886-4145 to join the search.
Cameron Shelden’s favorite spot according to the friend he was visiting in Rose Lodge.
Seattle railroad engineer Cameron Shelden went missing Sunday, Sept. 1, after visiting a friend in Rose Lodge.
April Shelden said her 37-year-old husband left a residence in Rose Lodge and might be in the woods north of N. Widow Creek Road in the Otis area.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was activated Monday and performed several search operations over multiple days; utilizing ground search volunteers, specially trained K-9s and unmanned aerial systems.
The family is spreading word of his disappearance with flyers and on social media, spearheaded by his wife, who is in Lincoln City to coordinate search efforts.
“It’s out of character for Cameron to be out of contact for so long,” she said. “I hope he’s OK.”
According to Mrs. Shelden, search and rescue has been looking for her husband in the woods north of his last reported location. She said he is “semi-outdoorsy” and has some experience camping and hiking.
“He’s not hardcore, like go play survival or anything, but he has been camping and hiking,” she said.
Shelden has no vehicle and left the house near N Widow Creek Road without his wallet, keys or cell phone.
“He’s completely on foot and has nothing with him except for his work bag,” she said.
Shelden has blue eyes, blonde thinning hair, is 6-foot-4 and weighs 215 pounds. He might have his railroad work duffel bag with him.
Anyone with information pertaining to Shelden’s whereabouts are encouraged to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (541) 265-0669 or Lincoln County Sheriff at 541-265-0777.
From left, Joann Kangiser Schneider’s four brothers, Lawrence, Gilbert, Joe and Marion. who served in WWII
Joann Kangiser Schneider, a teenager during World War II, and North Lincoln County Historical Museum President Mick McLean will present “WWII on the Oregon Coast” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the museum at 4907 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City.
There will be a slideshow, and discussions and stories about “dim outs,” rationing cards, coast patrols and more about North Lincoln County during World War II.
Joann, a 1947 Taft High graduate, will share her experiences and those of her four brothers and future husband “Red” Schneider, who all joined the war effort.
McLean will describe how two regions a sea apart prepared for invasion; Lincolnshire England after the fall of Dunkirk and Lincoln County, Oregon, after Pearl Harbor.
“Both counties felt the threat of invasion was real,” McLean said.
A brutal schedule is nothing new to the Taft High football team — but playoff aspirations are — and confidence abounds as the Tigers prepare to open the season Friday at Voris Field against perennial power Harrisburg.
“Even though our schedule is loaded with playoff teams from last season, we feel we have gotten better and are in a position to make a bid for the playoffs,” head coach Jake Tolan said. “Our main goal is to make the playoffs.”
Head coach Jake Tolan
Class 3A Special District 1 West member Taft was outscored 42-19 on average last season while going 1-8 without a league victory but faced seven State playoff teams. This year’s schedule mimics last season’s, but Tolan insists the Tigers “look forward to competing against those schools again and testing who we are as a team.”
The examination will take little time to get started for the Tigers with a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Class 3A SD2 Eagles, who defeated seven opponents by an average of 37-23 last season and made the 16-team State playoffs. Harrisburg, which defeated Taft 60-29 at home, fell to Cascade Christian in the first round to finish 7-3, while the SD2 South champion Challengers marched all the way to the State title game before falling to SD1 West winner Rainier.
Junior wide receiver FCO Ramos
Besides Harrisburg and defending State champion Rainier, Taft will face semifinalist Amity, quarterfinalist Clatskanie, State qualifier Sutherlin, play-in representative Willamina, Class 2A power Knappa, Dayton — another traditionally strong program — and Yamhill-Carlton, which dropped from 4A to 3A just two seasons ago.
“We are very excited about the upcoming season,” Tolan said. “We have a strong group of leaders who are really buying into our concept of ‘team-first’ football.”
Foremost among the returners are running back/linebackers Logan Gilleo, Trenton Hall and JJ French, alongside wide receiver/defensive backs Fco Ramos and Darius Smith. They will be joined by “experienced” newcomers Jordan Hall and Trenton Fisher, who played as freshmen, but haven’t played since.
“Both have put in a lot of work this summer and both will start as receivers and on defense,” Tolan said. “They give us more depth, maturity and versatility on both sides of the ball.”
The 6-foot, 195-pound Gilleo, in particular, could be a major presence in Taft’s new-look three-back offense.
Logan Gilleo
“There’s not going to be many teams we face that have a running back like Logan,” Tolan said. “He’s spent the entire offseason in the weight room getting stronger. That’s going to be an asset for him.”
Complemented by the speed, agility and elusiveness of Hall and French, Taft hopes to use the power-running Gilleo to take advantage of the clock, Tolan said.
“Mixing in Trenton and JJ, who was a second-team all-leaguer at running back last year, that three-person rotation will give us fresh legs in there,” he said. “It will help us on the defensive side by keeping fresh bodies out there.”
Assistant coach Tracey Taylor concurs.
“It’s a different mentality,” he said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people with a lot more runs than in the past. We’re running with the three backs swing. We got Gilleo, JJ and Trenton, and all three are going to see a lot of playing time and will be running hard. It’s going to be run-first, setting up the pass.
“That’s a little bit different mentality — smash-mouth football — than Taft’s had in the past. Our mentality is we’re going to run right down some people’s throats. No timid pass-happy here. It’s going to shock some people. We’re going to manage the clock. We’re going to run down your throat. We’re going to use our power runners to set up our passes.”
Throwing the ball will be junior Antonio Suarez, who played a spot role at quarterback last year when senior starter David Jin was injured. Tolan said Saurez could target as many as six or seven teammates in Friday’s opener, including Jordan and Trenton Hall, Trenton Fisher, Ramos, Smith, Kaden Hindman and Tristan Beach.
“Antonio fits well in the offensive system we run as a dual threat, both running and throwing the ball,” Tolan said. “Offensively, we feel our strength will be our running game behind three quality running backs in Logan, Trenton and JJ, as well as having a quarterback who is also a threat to run.
“I think it’ll be a nice system. As long as our line continues to develop and open up holes for us, we’re going to run. That’s going to be an element in our offense we haven’t had in several years.”
That’s a little bit different mentality — smash-mouth football — than Taft’s had in the past. Our mentality is we’re going to run right down some people’s throats. No timid pass-happy here. It’s going to shock some people. We’re going to manage the clock. We’re going to run down your throat. We’re going to use our power runners to set up our passes.
Coaches are also optimistic about the improvement they’ve seen on defense.
“Defensively, we will look to improve on our inability last year to stop the run and tackle better,” Tolan said. “Our defensive end play has to be better from a year ago.”
Look for Tony Garcia (5-11, 260) and Elin Fitch (6-4, 185) to “hold the edge,” on the line, Tolan said. “Defensively, we’re solid with a couple of guys that have gotten much better at defensive end.”
Tolan said he is also optimistic about improved play at linebacker. Gilleo and Trenton Hall will play on the inside, with French and Jordan Hall as bookends.
“Our linebacker group this year could be our greatest defensive strength, with three of them being selected all-league last year,” he said. “We’ve got some really good returning linebackers.”
Tolan said the secondary is expected to be improved with Smith’s return to the backfield.
Darius Smith
“We feel that having Darius back at safety will help our defense tremendously against the pass and the run,” he said. “His job is to play back and read the quarterback, fly up and make plays, which is going to be nice.”
The Tigers also appear improved in the place-kicking department on special teams with soccer star William Calderon a threat from long distance, “which is something we haven’t had,” Tolan said.
“He also has the potential on kickoffs to put the ball in the end zone, and that’s big at the high school level. Their team gets it at the 20 and it forces them 80 yards every time. It’s an element we haven’t had, so it will be a nice addition.”
Taft also appears to better in the numbers game with a deeper squad to send into the trenches against much of the State’s best opposition.
“We have more depth than in past seasons and feel like we are further along as a team,” Tolan said. “Our kids are working hard and are ready for the challenge in taking on such a challenging schedule.”
Gilleo confirmed his coach’s suspicions.
“I think we have a lot more potential than we’ve had before,” he said. “We’ve got better leadership. There’s a better mindset with everyone buying into the team.”
North Lincoln Fire & Rescue and Lincoln City Police are investigating a burned out Toyota 4Runner stolen from Salem and left in Devils Lake at Holmes Road Park early Thursday morning.
LCPD news release update: The Oregon Environmental Response System was activated due to possible hazardous substances that may have leached into the lake.
The SUV was pulled up from the embankment and investigators were able to determine it was a 2019 Toyota 4runner reported stolen out of the Salem area.
The vehicle was towed from the scene by Car Care Tow Pro.
Lincoln City Police are calling this a “suspicious circumstances” fire and is still under investigation.
Update: The vehicle has been identified as a Toyota 4Runner by a 45-year ASE Master Technician.
The burning 4Runner was called in to Lincoln City dispatch around 1:40 a.m. with a person in the area saying the “horn was blaring” and the vehicle was fully engulfed.
North Lincoln Fire & Rescue arrived and subdued the blaze that had spread to surrounding brush.
A multi-agency investigation is underway and anyone with information should report it to Lincoln City Police at 541-994-3636
Because buses are large vehicles, it’s hard to see around them and illegally passing a stopped school bus is potentially devastating for children and drivers.
Law enforcement agencies continue to receive reports each year from bus drivers and citizens about motorists failing to stop for school buses. With nearly 6,000 school buses operating in the State of Oregon, drivers need to be alert.
Oregon law requires motorists to stop whenever the red lights on a school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction they are traveling. The law applies to any roadway with two or more lanes of traffic, including multi-lane highways such as Highway 101.
ORS 811.155 (2017)
Failure to stop for bus safety lights
(1) A driver commits the offense of failure to stop for bus safety lights if the driver meets or overtakes from either direction any vehicle that is stopped on a roadway and that is operating red bus safety lights described under ORS 816.260 (Bus safety lights) and the driver does not:
(a) Stop before reaching the vehicle; and
(b) Remain standing until the bus safety lights are no longer operating.
A driver need not comply with this section if the vehicle operating red bus safety lights is stopped on a different roadway.
Failure to stop for bus safety lights, is a Class A traffic violation.
The only exception to the law is for divided highways with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, such as in the Lincoln and Gleneden Beach areas. In this case, only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus must stop. A painted median strip or a center lane used only for left turns does not create two separate lanes. Where this situation exists, all lanes of traffic must stop.
When a bus is flashing amber lights, motorists should prepare to stop. When the red lights begin to flash, motorists traveling in both directions must stop before reaching the bus and must remain stopped until the red lights are turned off. The same rules apply buses equipped with amber and red flashing lights.
Please do your part to make roads safe and be aware that any type of bus may be making frequent stops. Following these tips can reduce the risk of traffic crashes and pedestrian injuries in our community.
Returning setter Lily Hatton should play a key role for the Tigers beginning at 6:30 p.m. tonight
Optimism runs high as Taft High volleyball coach Kelsey Hart hopes tonight’s home opener against Amity will provide some of the many answers she is seeking for a promising season.
“We have a lot of flexibility with who can play what positions,” she said. “Most spots are still up in the air because we have so many great options. We’ve got some great talent in the back row –both as passers and back row attackers — and a wide variety of hitters in the front row.
“We’ve also been doing quite a bit more blocking in practice. I think we can expect to see a much more aggressive, offensively strong Taft team this year.”
Returner Lily Hatton should play a key role for the Tigers beginning at 6:30 p.m. tonight, but Hart said she’s uncertain how the sophomore setter will be deployed.
“We’re not sure if we’ll be running a 5:1 or a 6:2 with her this year. All we know for sure is that she’ll be our main setter and most likely our floor captain for the year,” she said.
Senior Corey Van Damme
Hart said she is also expecting big things from returner Corey Van Damme, the squad’s lone senior.
“We’ll need Corey’s experience to help guide our younger players,” she said. “Her passing and hitting will also be important assets for our team this year. There are several players who I think will be key hitters, but we’ll have to see how they do.”
“Great new talent” will also be unveiled tonight with the likes of freshman Nat Gates and Aleah Bailey.
“Nat is going to be a great asset to our back row play — passing and some setting — this year,” Hart said. “Aleah is looking to be a great addition to our front row. I’m not sure yet which area of the net she’ll play at, but she’s got quite an arm.”
Being more competitive while enjoying themselves on the court will be among the Tigers’ chief goals, Hart said of a team that went 2-17, 1-7, but got its first league victory in several years when it claimed back-to-back wins in early October.
“A big goal this year is to get a few more wins,” she said. “We’re hoping to continue our trend of improvement and be a league contender this year. I think if we can rise to our potential, we have a great shot at meeting our goal. As always, our goal is also that all of the girls improve and have a fun season.”
Of primary importance tonight will be to get a start on filling in the blanks, Hart said.
“We’ve got about the best problem you can have on a team,” Hart said. “We have so many options for who can play what positions. Typically, by this time in the season, I know who will be playing what positions.”
Lack of varsity experience has played into that.
“Our biggest area of potential weakness is our inexperience,” she said. “We have a very young team this year. We’ll be looking to our upperclassmen and returners to provide the younger girls with on-court leadership.”
Stretching opponents to a fifth set will likely be tantamount to squeaking out a team win or two.
“Our conference is fairly evenly matched,” Hart said. “I expect all of our opponents to make us work hard for a victory, but I think we’re capable of coming out victorious if we can rise to our potential. I expect there will be quite a few more five-game sets this year.”
Regardless, optimism runs high for the 2019-20 campaign, Hart said.
“This should be an excellent season,” she said. “We would love it if we could pack the gym for home games and really make it a loud, supportive environment. I’m expecting great things from the girls this year.”
County high school students earning college credit
Local students can earn college credit while still in high school once again as Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) and Lincoln County School District are partnering to provide students with easy access to some fundamental courses, with credits they can transfer to four-year universities or community colleges upon graduating high school.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with so many dedicated and skilled high school teachers,” said Dan Lara, OCCC’s Chief Academic Officer. “These instructors meet all the qualifications required by OCCC and Portland Community College.”
OCCC is regionally accredited through an Educational Services Agreement with PCC.
Since July 2014, Oregon Coast Community College has been engaged in an effort to earn independent accreditation. In August, the College submitted a report to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities that amounts to its application for initial accreditation. Complete details about the College’s pursuit of independent accreditation can be found on its website, oregoncoastcc.org.
Earning college credits
Like Oregon State University, Western Oregon, University of Oregon and other four-year schools, OCCC operates on a quarterly schedule (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer), while the Lincoln County School District and its high schools operate on a semester schedule.
There are a variety of Dual Credit courses students may take this year, and some operate on a trimester schedule (Biology 101, 102 & 103 – taught by Sara Pursel at Taft High School), others are available on a semester basis to more closely match the high school calendar, and still others are presented as year-long classes (Math 111, taught by Jingyi You, plus Writing 121 and Comm 111, both taught by Kriste York, all at Siletz Valley High School).
The semester course lineup offers classes at Toledo, Waldport, Newport and Taft high schools. First semester classes include Early Childhood Education (ECE 120 and 124), Health & Fitness (HE 295/PE 295), College Algebra (MTH 111), Calculus (MTH 251), and English Composition (WR 121).
In the second semester, students can continue on with similar classes, including Elementary Functions (MTH 112), Calculus II (MTH 251), and English Composition (WR 122), along with three Early Childhood Education courses.
Offerings vary by high school and interested students should check with their advisors.
Planning for the future
Lincoln County high school seniors are invited to schedule a visit at Oregon Coast Community College any time. Call 541-867-8501 or check oregoncoastcc.org for details.
Scholarship opportunities, including the Oregon Coast Scholars scholarship program, can provide free tuition for any student graduating with a 3.5 GPA or better. Complete details are available on the college website.
Each year, county graduating seniors choose to start their college careers at home, saving money and preparing for the four-year degree experience by earning the first two years of their credits at OCCC.
The College has transfer agreements with many Oregon schools – for example, students pursuing a business transfer degree can meet with OSU College of Business academic advisors to ensure they are taking the most appropriate courses for the particular degree(s) they plan to pursue once transferring to Corvallis for their junior and senior years.
Learn more about transfer degrees, and OCCC’s other two-year degree and one-year certificate programs, by meeting with an OCCC academic advisor. Meetings are free and can be scheduled any time at oregoncoastcc.org/advising.
Dragons are coming — well, pretty much finished, says local artist and fantasy movie buff Justin Sparks of Sparks Gallery in Lincoln City, about the new dragon mural in Taft.
