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.
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.”
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.
Driftwood Public Library’s summer reading program for families: “A Universe of Stories,” is designed to entice youngsters to read, and the rewards are out of this world.
Driftwood has aimed the “Rocket Readers” program at youth who read for 15 minute intervals to get rewards. Each column filled up in the provided booklet awards items from a treasure chest, or they can save up six columns and pick a free book. Readers who achieve 15 hours will receive a Universe of Stories t-shirt. Fill out the entire provided booklet and get a medal for your efforts.
The summer reading program kicks off Tuesday, June 18, is for all ages and is sponsored by Friends of Driftwood Public Library and the Lincoln County Library District.
Family nights are coming:
June 19- RISEUP with Kacey (Kacey MacCalister is a motivational speaker and entertainer who never defines himself as handicapped, even though he has no legs. Watch him climb ladders, skateboard, defy all odds and use his wheel chair as an extension of his body.)
June 26- Tears of Joy Theater (Larger than life puppets take the stage with “Pegasus and the Stories of the Stars”)
July 3- Slug Races (Bring your own slug to race! This is a bi-annual event: come cheer on your favorite slug and be prepared to stay a while.)
July 10- Mo Phillips (A goofball Portland singer-songwriter who will ‘wow’ any crowd, especially if you think like a kid.)
July 17- Chris Leebrick (A storyteller for all ages: “Storytelling may be the world’s oldest art form. The need to hear and tell stories is inherent, and through the power of story we can grow in our understanding of what it means to be human.”)
July 24- Dance team ‘After Dark’ (Watch a group of young dancers spin their stuff doing the Lindy, Swing, Ballroom and much more in this incredible Universe of Dance.)
July 31- Explosions Inc. (Experience larger than life science demonstrations that will stun the audience.)
August 7- Rhys Thomas (Jugglemania: hilarity and dexterity.)
August 14- Creature Teachers (Wonderful bugs and crawling things visit the library.)
Driftwood Public Library is located on the second floor of City Hall at 801 SW HWY 101 in Lincoln City, just across the street from Burger King, and adjacent to McKay’s Market. For further information, please contact the children’s coordinator, Teena Nelson, at 541-996-1258, or via email at [email protected].
A passenger died and the driver charged with kidnapping, DUII, reckless driving, manslaughter and numerous other crimes Saturday following a single-vehicle crash near Toledo.
Nikolas Yost, 25, of Toledo, was partially ejected from a white Ford F350 and pronounced dead at the scene in a suspicious traffic accident at milepost 1.5 on 1000 Line Road, a mountainous gravel roadway leading into the forested coastal range.
Robert Lee Bauman
Driver Robert Lee Bauman, 30, of Toledo, who police said exhibited signs of impairment, faces 10 charges, including numerous felonies. Bail was set at $560,000.
According to a police report, initial responders located the caller, Brendon Thomas, 22, of Toledo, who was also a passenger, on the roadway. They found the vehicle, bearing OR plate 241 JQR, resting on its roof approximately 300 feet down a steep hillside.
Deputies and a Lincoln County police dog found the driver in the brush a short distance from where the vehicle left the roadway. He was detained without incident and taken into custody.
The Major Crash Team (MACT) was activated, and MACT members from the Lincoln County DA’s Office, Newport Police Department, Toledo Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the wreck, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit.
Investigation determined the vehicle was being operated unsafely by Bauman eastbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and it tumbled down the hill. It was learned that neither Yost or Thomas were willing passengers.
Bauman and Thomas were transported by Pacific West Ambulance to Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport, where they received treatment. Thomas suffered a serious injury, but was released. Bauman was medically cleared, then transported to the Lincoln County Jail.
Bauman was charged with two counts of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, DUII, Reckless Driving, two counts of Reckless Endangering, Felony Failure to Perform the Duties of Injured Persons, Felony Assault in the Third Degree, and Manslaughter in the First Degree.
The Rope High Angle Rescue Team responded to assist with the recovery, and multiple tow vehicles were needed due to the thick terrain. MACT will utilize Lincoln County collision reconstructionists to continue the investigation, the police report said.
Yard debris burning season will close Monday in North Lincoln County due to unusually dry conditions and low precipitation and re-open when fall rains return around Oct. 1, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue officials said.
Recreational fires are still allowed and do not require a permit. Anyone with questions regarding burn permits and back yard burning may call NLFR at 541-996-2233.
NLFR offers the following safety tips for recreational fires:
— Have a water supply available and extinguish your fire before you leave.
— Keep recreational fires at least 15 feet away from any structure or combustible materials.
— Extinguish all beach fires with water rather than sand.
In addition, Oregon Department of Forestry-Toledo Office reports that fuel moisture levels in the county are at remarkably low levels. The yard debris burning closure coincides with ODF beginning fire season and regulated use for the Western Oregon District.
Police are searching for a suspect in an armed bank robbery Friday morning at Bank of the West, 4659 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City.
According to a news release from Lincoln City Police, the robbery occurred shortly after the bank opened at 9 a.m.
Police said a male entered the bank at 9:18 a.m. wearing a balaclava, gray sweatpants, a black zip-up hoodie and gray and black hiking shoes. The blue-eyed man pointed a gun at two employees and took an unknown amount of cash.
The male is described as 5-feet-5 to 5-7 and weighing 140-170 pounds.
Lincoln County K9 Bonnie assisted in the search.
Police have requested information from the public at 541-994-3636.
Every day, law enforcement officers and emergency workers put their lives on the line to save ours. Even a routine traffic stop has become risky business. The following information comes from the Oregon Department of Transportation: www.oregon.gov/ODOT.
In the last 10 years, more than 700 officers have been killed in traffic incidents. In many of those cases, the officers were pulled over on the side of the road when inattentive drivers crashed into them at high speeds. That’s why there’s a strict law in Oregon designed to protect the people we depend on to protect us.
The Move Over Law (ORS 811.147) states that if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated, you must:
MOVE OVER into another available lane.
If you can’t safely change lanes, SLOW DOWN to a speed that is at least 5 mph below the posted or designated speed of the roadway.
In all cases, the driver must try to provide as much room as possible for the emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle.
The Move Over Law is in place to help protect law enforcement officers, emergency workers, tow operators and those who routinely provide assistance to motorists along the highways. This group of dedicated professionals face a deadly threat on a daily basis: speeding and inattentive drivers. But the law also exists to protect you. The flashing lights are your cue to move over and slow down.
If you are approaching the scene of a crash, carefully watch for emergency workers directing traffic and follow all of their instructions.
For more information and tips, visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and Like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.
