Hundreds turned out for the 24th anniversary celebration of Chinook Winds Casino Resort Saturday night to watch fireworks on the beach in Lincoln City.
Families gathered around beach fires and drones were in the air for a steady pounding that started shortly after 10 p.m. and culminated in a finale that left the crowd cheering.
Traffic was snarled leaving the event, but the smiles and laughter of citizens walking to their cars was indicative that everyone enjoyed the show.
A massive turnout for Explore Lincoln City’s Zoom Summer Kite Festival took place Saturday with spectators watching kites soar over the beach at D River Wayside under near perfect weather.
Hundreds of watchers lined the seawall as the emcee called out events and kite flyers expertly showed off their talents with choreographed piloting as the clouds burned off and the wind picked up mid-day.
“People are Zooming their way to the D River Wayside right now,” Explore Lincoln City Public Relations Coordinator Eric Johnson said. “We have professional kite fliers demonstrating their latest tricks today and tomorrow.”
Kite flying pro Phil Burks flew “Dino the Baby Dragon” for the first time in public Saturday and Burks’ story is an interesting one.
“Last year we saved a family from a rogue wave at this very kite festival,” Burks said. “I was waist-deep when I grabbed the baby… as a firefighter, I knew what to do.”
An announcement advising event-goers to watch the ocean was heard over the PA system shortly after hearing Burks’ story about the water rescue.
Burks said he suffered a brain injury while firefighting and kite flying was part of the therapy to fully recovering after 2 1/2 years.
“Flying kites is good for you every day and this is my spot in the world,” he said.
Taft High’s Tiger Boosters were at the event selling hot dogs, hamburgers and other refreshments to raise money for middle school programs. Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Supervisor Boone Marker was helping out on the grill.
“I’m melting my hands,” Marker said. “The trick here is not only adding the seasoning but most importantly — is the sweet & savory mix.” Marker said, referring to the secret sauce added to the hamburgers.
The beach was full of families, the skills of professional kite fliers were witnessed and it’s safe to say the first day of the 2019 Summer Kite Festival was a success.
Zoom continues Sunday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
A series of Earthquakes registering 5.0, 5.3 and 5.4 and accompanying aftershocks were detected by the United States Geologic Survey 230 miles off the Oregon Coast Saturday.
“A number of smaller aftershocks from the larger quakes were also detected ranging from 3.5-4.7,” USGS Geophysicist Robert Sanders said. “So it’s a nice little swarm of shallow earthquakes in the spreading zone off the coast of Oregon.”
“These are too small to have any tsunami generating effect,” Sanders said. “There is no concerns currently for any sort of damaging waves. It’s highly improbable these will cause any damage to coastal cities.”
According to Sanders, a handful of people reported feeling the largest quake in North Bend.
“It was very lightly felt, so just minor shaking experienced, no damage, violent shaking or anything of that nature,” he said.
“There is no way to predict any major earthquake. The area off the Oregon Coast has the ability to generate a large magnitude earthquake on both the subduction plate that runs along the Pacific Coast and the spreading zones that are on the Pacific side of the Juan De Fuca Plate, but this particular series of events is not a foreshadowing of things to come,” Sanders said.
“There is no scientific backing saying these quakes are a precursor to a larger event.”
A pressurized sewer line ruptured around 9 a.m. Friday underneath Logan Road causing an estimated 1,000 gallons of sewage to be discharged through a storm water culvert onto the beach at Roads End State Park.
The discharge flowed though a culvert, onto the rocks and onto the beach, a City of Lincoln City news release said. The sewer line has been isolated and is no longer spilling sewage into Logan Creek and the affected area has signs posted.
City of Lincoln City officials notified Oregon Emergency Response and the Department of Environmental Quality.
Everyone is invited to enjoy golfing for a great cause at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort on Friday, Aug. 16.
For the 24th year, North Lincoln Hospital Foundation (NLHF) is hosting the popular fundraiser. Proceeds will help purchase life-saving and life-enhancing medical equipment for the new Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, now under construction and scheduled to open in February.
“The scramble has been a hugely popular event over the years,” said Cathy Sandoval, NLHF executive director. “Whether you are a champion on the course or don’t know the difference between a wedge and a nine iron, the goal is simply to have as much fun as you can while helping to raise money for an important cause.”
The $42 million hospital project is entirely funded by the nonprofit Samaritan Health Services, and NLHF has committed to raise an additional $7 million through community philanthropy.
Among those supporting this year’s golf scramble are Andrews Ersoff & Zantello, Corvallis Radiology, and WorldMark by Wyndham. Each business committed to a $10,000 sponsorship.
“Financial support such as this from local businesses is incredibly appreciated,” Sandoval said. “It tells me that this community values their local hospital. Not everyone can give at this level, so we have tiered sponsorship to make it easy for those who want to help our hospital thrive.”
Golf Scramble activities will begin with registration and boxed breakfast at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 9 a.m. The barbecue awards luncheon follows the conclusion of tournament play. Those who wish can turn the day’s event into an overnight stay with a special guest rate at the resort for reservations made before July 16. Call Salishan at 800-452-2300 for details.
To register for the Charity Golf Scramble, visit samhealth.org/NLHFGolf. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call Leslie James, NLHF development specialist, at 541-557-6434.
North Lincoln Fire & Rescue sent two trucks to put out a vehicle fire at 23rd St. RV & Boat Storage around 11 a.m. today.
According to witnesses at the scene, a man and his dog went inside the business, located at 2818 SE 23rd Dr., and upon exiting, found the Ford Explorer ablaze.
NLFR’s Dennis Knudson was first to respond in his personal vehicle and said another man was using a garden hose on the burning Explorer. He told the man the vehicle was a total loss and to wait for the fire department to show up as they were on their way.
NLFR responded with two trucks and due to no water at the location, the on board tanks were used. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, battling sparks, in a matter of minutes.
A front passenger tire can be seen exploding in the video, and the sound startled bystanders.
Firefighters used an axe to access under the hood where they sprayed the last remnants of fire.
No one was injured and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Family, friends and members of the community showed up Thursday morning in Lincoln City for the last ride for Staff Sgt. Kyle Roland Boozer, with the mission to ride to Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, where Boozer will join fellow fallen servicemen and women.
Boozer, a lifelong Lincoln City resident and Taft High graduate, 25, passed away Friday, May 17, in Moore County, N.C., after a vehicle struck his motorcycle.
Boozer’s father, Bret, led the way for a pack that would not be dissuaded by rain in the forecast. The bikes headed out from Tony’s Top Shop, SW 12th St, at 8:30 a.m. sharp for the Armed Forces cemetery in Portland.
“One of the biggest problems these days is phones,” said a biker who came because he saw a Facebook post announcing the ride. “I’m here to help a fellow bike rider on his last ride.”
“Whenever we have a soldier who is lost, the military assigns a casualty assistance officer for the family,” Oregon Army National Guard Major Robert Earheart said. “I was asked to take on this honor to help out Bret and Julie to help them navigate all the things that are coming their way. Help them with the funeral, help them understand the paperwork, military benefits — it’s going to be a long-term relationship with the family.”
“I want to thank everyone for coming. We really appreciate everyone for coming,” Tony Latino Sr. said. “It means a lot to the family and to Kyle to give him a good send off.”
Latino led a prayer and rode alongside Boozer’s father as the bikes pulled onto Highway 101 headed north.
“I saw it on Facebook,” Army National Guard Specialist Andrew Harris said. “Being a Veteran, I thought it would be good to be able to give him his last wish.”
“Airborne all the way,” sister Katrina said.
Kyle Roland Boozer
(June 19, 1993 – May 17, 2019)
SSG Boozer was a Company Supply Sergeant assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
SSG Boozer was born in Edmonds, Washington on June 19, 1993 to Bret and Julie Richter Boozer. After enlisting as a supply specialist in April 2012, he graduated from Basic training, AIT, and Airborne school before reporting to duty at the 82nd. He later served as a Supply Specialist and later NCO with 173rd in Vincenza, Italy.
SSG Boozer then returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Supply Sergeant in 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne).
His awards and decorations include:
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal X 3
Army Good Conduct Medal X2
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terror Service Medal
NCO professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Parachutists Badge
Driver’s Badge
He is survived by his wife, Merly; his parents, Bret and Julie; his brother Donald, and sisters, Cynthia, Katrina, and Michelle.
A lifelong love of arts and culture brought Niki Price to her role as director of the Lincoln City Cultural Center. View her video below, then share your story on why you support the Cultural Center, or another local arts organization, and win admission to the Siletz Bay Music Festival.
Compiled by Price for an online certificate course through Oregon State University, the video, filmed at the Chessman Gallery, briefly describes her story on how she became involved with the local nonprofit.
Log on to Facebook and share your story and, in return, you could be selected to win one of four sets of two tickets to the Festival.
Text, photo or video entries will be accepted. Deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. Winners will be contacted via Facebook with instructions on how to pick up your prize.
A $30,000 grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company will allow Lincoln City Parks and Recreation to build a Nature Play Space at SE 3rd Street and Keel Avenue.
Lincoln City Parks and Rec is the first such agency in Oregon to be chosen for the grant program, which will allow it to build a Nature Play Space, including a “Story Circle” with trails, to provide kids and families with greater access to recreation.
“We are thrilled to have the support of NRPA and The Walt Disney Company in building our first Nature Play area in Lincoln City,” Parks and Recreation Director Jeanne Sprague said. “We hope to incorporate many park amenities into our new park, and this is the first step in the right direction.”
As part of the national “Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces” grant program, park and recreation agencies across the country shared their ideas on increasing access to play spaces for children and families in their communities. Agencies with the most innovative and impactful ideas received $30,000 grants to build their projects.
“NRPA is proud to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company to help more children and families experience the benefits of play,” Kellie May, NRPA vice president of programs, said. “By increasing access to play spaces, this program will also provide unique activities tailored to the local community that support healthy lifestyles.”
For more information about Lincoln City Parks and Recreation, visit lincityoregon.org/parksandrec.
To learn more about Meet Me at the Park, visit www.nrpa.org/meetmeatthepark.
A Taft High 7-12 student allegedly hid under pinball machines at Game Over Arcade this evening, reportedly getting away with close to $50 in quarters.
The teen was caught on camera entering the business at 821 NE Highway 101 in Lincoln City, got under the pinball machines when nobody was looking, and pried into the backs of several machines, owner Christopher Donner said.
Video footage shows the boy in the arcade shortly after 9 p.m. when the alleged theft took place, Donner said.
“He also broke the top of the kiddie rides and an employee found the cash bucket next to the machine,” Donner said.
Donner said the teen had been in the arcade on a number of occasions.
Damage to the machines is estimated at around $100 and will take significant time to repair, Donner said.
“Crime doesn’t pay,” he said.
