Salem-News.com Oregon Coast articles Page 24

Portland Woman Dies From Crash Into Coastal River

Police have identified the victim in a fatal traffic crash on the Little Nestucca Highway, east of Highway 101‏.

(CLOVERDALE, Ore.) -
Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation and have identified the victim of a vehicle found on its top Tuesday afternoon in the Little Nestucca River about 3 miles east of Highway 101. The vehicle reportedly drove off Highway 130 where it was spotted in the river.

The victim is identified as 38-year old Charlee Maxine Russo of southeast Portland.

OSP says Tuesday around 3:30 PM, occupants of a school bus reported seeing a vehicle on its top partially submerged in the Little Nestucca River in southern Tillamook County. Emergency responders arriving on scene near milepost 3 confirmed the report as the passenger car was down an approximate 30-foot embankment with an adult female inside.

Video of Fishing Vessel Network`s Capsizing Released

The Coast Guard released the clip of the tragic incident in Tillamook Bay today.

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - The U.S. Coast Guard has released video of a tragic capsizing that took place early last Friday morning in Oregon's Tillamook Bay. The heart wrenching scenes were recorded by a Coast Guard volunteer named Sherry Newman.

In one clip, we see the fishing vessel Network struck by a large wave while the crew was struggling to make headway in the tremendous surf, very close to the end of the north jetty at the mouth of Tillamook Bay.

The Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat that responded to aid the Network stayed very close during the ordeal. It seems amazing that the Coast Guard boat was actually there as the tragedy occurred. It speaks to the extreme conditions that overtook the fishing vessel.

When It`s Raining Cats and Dogs Outside

It's winter and that means some rainy days and nights. What can you do with your dog when it is raining cats and dogs outside? Here are 11 suggestions…

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - Take your dog to the beach anyway, who cares, let it rain, let it pour, the water in the Pacific ocean is wet and splish splash. Some fun doggie beaches can be found along the Oregon coast in Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, Bandon and others).

Give your dog a treat and watch a doggy movie together like Lassie, Big Yeller, or 101 Dalmatians… woof woof woof…chestnuts roasting by the fire, cuddle up by the fireplace, if you have one and enjoy popcorn and doggie treats…

Visit the pet store, outlet mall or indoor mall where you can roam around with your pooch… My dog Cici loves to visit folks so this has been a big hit when it was too hot outside to breathe in the summer, but this can also work on rainy days.

Police Say Sleeping at the Wheel Caused 6 Hour Traffic Delay on Coast

Fatigue Contributing Factor in Minor Injury Crash into Power Pole - Highway 101 north of Lincoln City‏

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - Oregonians streaming into Lincoln City for a Friday night getaway saw traffic grind to a halt from a pair of crashes that completely blocked Highway 101 at the entrance to this coastal city. All traffic was diverted south onto East Devils Lake Road which passes around the lake and into Lincoln City.

Aquariums Swap Harbor Seals and Hope for Pups

Mammalogists at Oregon Coast Aquarium and Seattle Aquarium collaborate.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - The Oregon Coast Aquarium exchanged a female harbor seal for a male harbor seal from the Seattle Aquarium in hopes of producing pups. The Oregon Coast Aquarium exchanged 22 year old female, “Pinky,” for 9 1/2 year old male, “Q”, who is currently becoming acclimated to his holding pool.

In a few days, “Q” will be introduced to the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s four females, two of which, “Swap and “Boots” are potential mates. The breeding loan will last two years. If pups aren’t produced in that time the animals will return to their homes at their original aquariums.

“We’ll bring the other seals in after he’s calmed a bit,” said Judy Tuttle, Oregon Coast Aquarium Curator of Mammals. “Meanwhile, he can interact with them between the gates and the females have already been vocalizing to him.” Tuttle said the male will be with them all winter in hopes they will produce spring 2010 pups.

The Struggle Continues Over Immigration Laws in Columbia County

Community members reflect on significance of Anti-Immigrant Ballot Measure and plan next steps.

(SCAPOOSE, Ore.) - Columbia County has been thrust into the public eye statewide after the passage of an anti-immigrant ballot measure last Tuesday.

Measure 5-190 intends to impose a $10,000 fine on any employer found to be hiring undocumented immigrants, and require county employers to register with the federal E-Verify program. On Election Day, the vote was split with 57% in favor and 45% against.

A local community organization waged a strong grassroots campaign against the measure knowing that the odds were not in their favor. Throughout the last few months, Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity (CCCHD) mobilized over 300 volunteers to have personal conversations with 13,387 of the 28,053 voters in the county. This army of volunteers logged 1,652 volunteer hours, hand-addressed 11,000 postcards, had 26 letters to the editor published in local papers, and prevented a landslide victory of the measure.

Nelscott Reef Surf Contest in Lincoln City Sees Seasonal Setback

Contest organizer says too much wind for first big swell of the season.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - The only big wave surfing contest in the world that breaks within view of a residential neighborhood, The Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic, will take place a little later this year.

Contest organizer Behemoth, LLC changed the contest status back to red last Friday after a week of monitoring the first big swell of the season. A large swell was forecast for Saturday, but unfortunately, the wind did not want to cooperate.

Although the holding period for the 2008 Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic began on October 1st, good swell and wind combinations usually start in November, says contest founder John Forse.

“We are looking for a solid swell with offshore winds for the event. This was just too much wind, from the wrong direction, to call the event”, Forse said.

Portland Man Swept From Jetty at Newport Remains Missing

Search suspended for man near Newport Jetty.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - Coast Guard officials say the search for a 23-year old man who was swept from a jetty near Newport, Oregon, was suspended at 5:47 PM Sunday.

Members of the Coast Guard, Oregon State Police and Newport Fire Department scoured the area by foot, boat and helicopter for six hours before suspending the search.

"Searchers looked for this man longer than the estimated survivability time," said Jeff Griffin, a watchstander at the Coast Guard Command Center in Seattle.

Expect Wind, Rain and Temperature Drop from West Coast Storm

Satellite images show a large plume of moisture streaming into the West Coast. Rain and wind will intensify through the day from northern California to the lower mainland of British Columbia, with winds gusting as high as 60 mph in coastal areas along with rain and strong surf.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The powerful Pacific storm moving into the Pacific Northwest today will not only bring dramatic changes to the West, it will influence the weather across the country through early next week, according to AccuWeather.com.

A weak storm system moved into the Northwest on Thursday, setting the stage for the second, more powerful storm arriving today. On Saturday, the precipitation fans out across the Intermountain West.

FBI Offers Up to $1,000 Reward in Lincoln City Bank Robbery

The FBI asks for the public's assistance in locating the female bank robber.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the woman responsible for the robbery of the Washington Federal Savings Bank at 1545 NW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, Oregon, on Tuesday, September 2nd.

The woman walked into the bank, approached a teller, demanded cash and left with an undisclosed amount. She was last seen on foot headed northbound on Highway 101.

Witnesses describe the bank robber as a 5'5"-5'7" white woman, 35-40 years old, about 200 pounds with sandy blonde hair.