Free cervical cancer screening offered Saturday, July 28.

The Women’s Cancer Coalition and Samaritan Pacific Women’s Health Group are co-sponsoring a free cervical cancer screening on Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Samaritan Pacific Women’s Health Group. Enter the hospital at the south side, at 775 SW 9th, Suite H..

Screenings include a Pap test for all participants and are offered to women 21 and older who are uninsured or under insured, or who have not otherwise had access to a regular screening. Participating medical professionals include: Megi Morishita, MD; Matthew Renner, MD; Gavin Shumate, MD; Dianna Eshleman, ANP; along with office staff to help provide this free opportunity for the women in Lincoln County.

“This is the first time in Lincoln County that this event has been offered. We are very excited to offer this screening for women who might not otherwise have access to a regular screening,” said Cindy McConnell, Women’s Cancer Coalition screening coordinator and volunteer.

Also available at the screening: breast self-exam instruction, free educational materials, free on-site child care, and mammogram vouchers for Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Department. Light refreshments will be served. To learn more about the screening or how patients may register, call Samaritan Pacific Women’s Health Group at (541) 265-3955.

Share on Facebook

Click here.

Share on Facebook

From Newport Food Pantry Manager Katherine Myers

One of the families who came to the pantry this week is so glad to move themselves and their children out of their tent and into a friend’s garage. The dad has a job but they are having trouble saving enough to get into an apartment of their own. It’s a common story as resources are so strained during this long economic downturn. Receiving food that is high in nutrition is so important for children who are living in poverty. We are so grateful to all the people who are harvesting produce for the pantry. It truly does fly off the shelves faster than we can put it on.

Food donations can be dropped off here at the pantry Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM, and Saturday morning until noon. If the pantry location and hours aren’t convenient for you, many wonderful organizations and businesses keep our food collection containers on site. For a complete list, please click here. Every donation, large or small, helps us feed our hungry friends and neighbors.

With Much Appreciation,
Katherine Myers
Newport Food Pantry
541-270-0842
kmyers@newportfoodpantry.org
www.newportfoodpantry.org
www.facebook.com/NewportPantry

Share on Facebook

The once much heralded (but today heckled) No Child Left Behind federally mandated approach to public education is soon to be “no more” in Oregon. The state has been given permission to drop out of the highly criticized plan that many called a Faustian bet made by then very ill Senator Ted Kennedy, a long time champion of public education. Sen. Kennedy passed away soon after and so will his No Child Left Behind program that he worked out with then President George W. Bush. Kennedy later said it was the country’s best chance at raising education standards in American schools “based on the political realities of the times.”

More from the Oregonian. Click here.

Share on Facebook

A consultant working on a plan to expand the Port of Toledo’s Sturgeon Bend Boatyard gave port commissioners basically two ways to go this week. Build a rail system to haul out bigger boats than the port’s been able to work on so far, or buy a 300 ton portable lift system which would do the same thing. The consultant said the rail system has large lift capacity, it’s simple and works for many sizes of boats. But he added that the rail lift handles only one boat at a time, mixes small and big boat work areas, and building the thing would require major construction in the slough which will be hard to get permission to do and then be susceptible to an array of environmental protection regulations.

On the other hand, the consultant said, a travel-lift, capable of lifting 300 tons is probably the better choice. It can lift small boats and big boats and move them to appropriate work areas including the nine work zones just north of the proposed sanding and paint shop. The consultant emphasized that the travel-lift would make working in the boatyard’s limited space as efficient as possible, getting the most boats in and out quickly, which means good revenue flow to workers and to the port.

The consultant went over the costs for the travel lift and everything that would go with it. The list includes the lift pier, site electrical, strengthening the work surfaces, site preparation, sewer/utilities, the sand blasting, paint and repair shop, boat yard office, break room and restrooms and the lift itself ($1.5 million) for a grand total of around $7 million.

Comments from a small number of the public included former Toledo City Councilwoman Frankie Trujillo-Dalby and her husband Bill who complained that when they bought their home on the hill above the boat yard, they never dreamed that it would ever be resurrected, complete with a big sanding and paint shop rising up to partially obstruct their view. They said the noise and fumes would lower their property values and would make it impossible to ever sell their home. Port officials replied that the port has always been dedicated to economic development and that the site is designated as a boatyard and that it’s moving forward. As for the complaints about the sanding and paint shops, they said there are strict environmental controls on paint fumes escaping to the outside and that the shop’s location on the plans is just that..on a plan. Plans are flexible. Port Manager Bud Shoemake chimed in saying “All of this is not going to happen overnight. We’re talking three to five years out, based on funding. So we’ve got time to work on details.”

The Port Commissioners were told that the travel lift configuration could easily double the boatyard’s monthly run of boats (currently up to 30 a month) with even higher revenues from the much larger boats that they will be able to handle.

So, the future looks bright for the Port of Toledo as long as they can find funding for the lion’s share of the $7 million price tag. A number of Oregon state funding sources are going to be approached, funds which focus on economic development, port creation and expansion, transportation and family wage jobs. The consultant added, however, that one major issue looming on the horizon is that local schools and colleges must begin gearing up to train tomorrow’s boatwrights, electricians, engineers and painters, because many of today’s workers are nearing retirement.

Toledo Port Commissioners will soon hold another public meeting on the boatyard master plan, after which they’ll vote to move forward and begin tracking down the dollars to make it happen. Again, they’ve given themselves a five year window to get everything in place.

Share on Facebook

Because a street and sidewalk contractor is already scheduled to be doing some work in Toledo, Public Works Director Adam Denlinger convinced the city council Wednesday night to do a hurry up drill on getting ADA curb cuts on both sides of North Main at Business 20.

Denlinger said the city could save $2,500 on the curb cuts if the contractor didn’t have to come back later and do it. The council did an emergency add to the council agenda, voted on the quick response to the ADA project, and it was a done deal. Denlinger thanked the council saying the curb cuts could be done and ready for ADA use within a few weeks.

The other side of North Main is already ADA compliant for curb cuts.

Share on Facebook

Toledo City Councilors voted to chip in no more than $13,000 to ODOT to fix the slumping section of Business 20 between JC Market and Port Station One. Public Works Director Adam Denlinger says it doesn’t seem to him that the slump is getting worse, which leads him to believe it’s more of a “settling of the asphalt” than a big piece of moving earth that could jack-up the price of the fix hundreds of thousands of dollars.

ODOT hopes that they can fix the road for an asphalt regrind and some subsurface work, which could run around $115,000 total – 11% of which Toledo is on the hook for. If it’s a bigger problem, Denlinger worries the sticker price on the fix could hit a half million dollars, with the city’s share likely to be over $60,000.

However, Denlinger says until a thorough geologic study of the slump area is done, they won’t know what’s required to fix the road. However, it turns out, Denlinger says, ODOT wants the road fixed by October before the rains come.

The council was told by City Manager Michelle Amberg that the city’s budget this year does not have the capacity to pay more than the $13,000 pledged to the project. If it turns out that the city has to pay beyond that, Amberg says the council will have to dig back through the whole budget to find out what’s going to get cut in order to come up with the money.

Share on Facebook

Chrystal Wright, 25, left and Jeffery Codwallader, 32, right

What began as a simple allegation that somebody stole a gym bag from a local fitness center has mushroomed into what appears to be a two person crime spree that had set up shop in Newport. The long and convoluted story is told in this news release from the Newport Police Department.

Newport Police Offices arrested Salem residents Jeffery Codwallader, age 32, and Chrystal Wright, age 25, for theft and charges related to stealing a gym bag. During the investigation, Officers learned that Mr. Codwallader and Ms. Wright were involved in numerous criminal acts in addition to the reported theft that initiated the Police investigation.

Officers learned the gym bag was stolen from ME Fitness at 11:50 p.m. on July 11th. Over the next two hours, Mr. Codwallader and Ms. Wright unsuccessfully attempted ATM withdrawals using a stolen credit card, purchased two Kindles using a stolen check, purchased cigarettes with a stolen credit card, and purchased a laptop with a stolen check.

Shortly after the couple purchased the laptop with a stolen check, Officers arrested both subjects. Officers then executed search warrants on the couple’s vehicle and motel room. During the search of the vehicle, Officers were able to recover the majority of the property related to the stolen gym bag, and the fraudulently purchased Kindles and laptop. Officers also located a small amount of marijuana.

During the search of the couple’s motel room, Officers recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Officers also located evidence of such fraudulent activity as check-making software, blank checks, and ID belonging to other individuals.

Jeffery Codwallader was charged for the following crimes: Parole Violation Warrant, Parole Violation, six counts of Identity Theft, four counts of Forgery, two counts of Possession of Forged Instrument, Possession of Methamphetamine, Theft I, two counts of Theft II, two counts of Theft III, two counts of Attempt Theft II, and three counts of Possession of Lost or Mislaid Property.

Chrystal Wright was charged with the following crimes: Parole Violation Warrant, Felon in Possession of a Firearm Warrant, Unauthorized Departure Warrant, Parole Violation, seven counts of Identity Theft, four counts of Forgery, two counts of Possession of Forged Instrument, False Information to a Police Officer, Possession of Methamphetamine, Theft I, two counts of Theft II, two counts of Theft III, two counts of Attempt Theft II, three counts of Possession of Lost or Mislaid Property, and DWS-Felony.

Mr. Codwallader and Ms. Wright continue to be held in the Lincoln County Jail without bail.

Share on Facebook

During a multi-week voting period online, that ended Tuesday night at 8pm, Independent Party members within the state House District 10 boundaries elected Lincoln City businessman David Gomberg as their nominee for the District 10 seat, being vacated by the retiring Jean Cowan. Gomberg beat Newport City Councilman David Allen 22 votes to 8 votes.

Since Gomberg had earlier wrapped up the Democratic Party nomination as well, there are just two surviving candidates to take each other on this fall as they run for the November ballot. Gomberg and Republican nominee Jerome Grant, a restaurant owner in Depoe Bay.

Here is David Gomberg’s brief bio and introductory offering to the voters in the House 10th District:

Over the past 25 years my wife Susan and I have built a thriving small business. We design, manufacture, and sell kites all around the world. We do entertainment programs for groups like Disney, motion pictures, and the SuperBowl. And we have opened retail stores on the Oregon coast where we have been able to put people to work during this down economy. We are fortunate to have created a successful small business in a community that we love.

We live in a part of the state blessed with natural beauty and remarkable economic potential. But we face challenges here. Our median family income is $33,000 — far below the state average. We have record unemployment, overcrowded classrooms, and a disturbing disconnect between the jobs available and people seeking work. The economy, job training, schools, health care, and the justice system all need help!

In the end, these challenging times demand that we all do what we can to make things better. That’s why I have decided to run for the State Legislature.

I’m running because I can make a real difference fighting for the working families who live in my district. I believe that difficult times provide opportunities for real and constructive change. And after 25 years of marriage, I have learned that compromising doesn’t mean losing.

Eighty percent of new jobs come from businesses like mine and yet few legislators share my small business background.

I want to put my small business experience, my education, and my values to work for our community. I can’t do this without you. I need your help talking with neighbors and friends. I need campaign volunteers. And I need your financial support.

While this campaign will be difficult, I am not willing to let this position slip away and do nothing when there is so much that needs to be done. I’m running hard and plan to win. I’m asking you to join me in this effort.

For more than 20 years Susan and I have lived here on the Coast, built a successful business, created jobs, and worked to make our community better. I’m ready to use my experience and my enthusiasm to help create a brighter economic future for families in Lincoln, Tillamook, and Yamhill Counties.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email. I look forward to working with you over the coming months as we take our state in bold new directions and build a better Oregon for all of us. David Gomberg: David@Electgomberg.com
541-996-3083

For information from Republican nominee Jerome Grant, a Depoe Bay Businessman, click here.

Share on Facebook

Murre seabirds are taking a beating up and down the west coast as what were once threatened or endangered species have made a huge comeback thanks to the protections that were given them. Brown Pelicans along with crows, seagulls and ravens are now raiding Murre nesting and brood areas like Flat Top Rock and Colony Rock just north of Newport.

Earlier this week a wave of young brown pelicans flew up the Oregon Coast to Yaquina Head and decimated thousands of Murres raising their young on the big rocks just offshore from the lighthouse. The invading pelicans grabbed and shook young birds that had just been fed fish by their parents. The birds regurgitated their meal which was then re-eaten by the pelicans. Many Murre parents were frightened off and their offspring, which were not quite ready to fly, were either forced or fled over the cliffs to a watery death, either from hypothermia or being crushed by waves against the rocks. Their bodies have been washing up on Agate and Nye Beaches just to the south.

More on the plight of the Murres is in this video.

Share on Facebook