Volunteers Needed For Seabird Surveys

Surveying for beached birds provides clues not only to the state of bird populations, but to the health of the ocean environment.  Volunteers are needed to help with collecting such information for the Oregon coast. The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) is holding a training session for potential volunteers on Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the
Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr. in Newport (South Beach).  The training is co-sponsored by the CoastWatch program of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, COASST’s Oregon partner.

COASST (based at the University of Washington) is a citizen science project dedicated to involving volunteers in the collection of high quality data on the status of coastal beaches, and trends of seabirds. The goal is to assist government agencies and other organizations in making informed management and conservation decisions, and promote proactive citizen involvement and action. COASST volunteers systematically count and identify bird carcasses that wash ashore along ocean beaches from northern California to Alaska.  

Volunteers don’t need expertise with birds, just a commitment to survey a specific beach site each month. Those who might be interested in participating are invited to join COASST staff for a full, six-hour training session, led by volunteer coordinator Liz Mack.  Hear about how COASST started, learn how to use the custom Beached Birds field guide, and try out your new skills with some actual specimens.

There is no charge to attend the training, but plan to provide a $20 refundable deposit if you would like to take home a COASST volunteer kit complete with a COASST Beached Birds field guide.  Training activities take place indoors, and include a break for lunch—please pack your own or plan to buy lunch nearby. RSVPs are helpful to COASST in planning.  If possible, please contact coasst@uw.edu, (206) 221-6893, if you plan to attend.  For more information, go to the coasst.org website.

 

Zavala Sentenced To 20-years For Sex Abuse Of Two Children

Following  a  four  day  trial  in  the Lincoln County Circuit Court, Edward Zavala, 30, was
convicted  of  three  counts  of  Sexual  Abuse  in  the  First  Degree,  as  well  as  Tampering  with  a Witness and Bribing a Witness.   On May 16, 2013, the Honorable Thomas O. Branford sentenced Zavala to 20 years and 10 months in prison.  The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Cable.
 
  “The victims  in  this case were brave  to have come forward and  tell what happened,” said
Mr Cable.  “Their courage meant that Mr Zavala was held accountable for his crimes.”  
This case involved the abuse of two girls under the age of 12. “The lead detective took the time to tell me about the great job by Mr Cable handling and prosecuting this matter,” said Lincoln County District Attorney Rob Bovett. 

“It’s another example of how our law enforcement community, and our Office, have sent a strong message that we don’t tolerate this type of conduct.”   The  Lincoln  County  District  Attorney’s  Office  takes  a  strong  stand  against  all  sexual assault,  and  all  abuse  of  children,  and  will  continue  to  aggressively  seek  to  hold  offenders accountable for such crimes whenever possible.

State Economic Forecast Looks Positive

The latest state economic forecast was released May 16th. It shows Oregon’s economy continues to improve with each passing month and quarter, although the pace of improvement remains slow from a historical point of view. However, the rate of growth may now finally be picking up. Sentiment has improved among both businesses and households, with economic forecasters beginning to highlight upside risks to the outlook.

Expectations for near-term General Fund revenue growth have become somewhat stronger since the last forecast. In recent months, both personal and corporate income tax collections have been coming in larger than was expected. In particular, the April tax filing season brought with it a big jump in personal income tax payments relative to last year.

According to State Representative David Gomberg the positive economic forecast means good news for the Oregon Coast. He said a positive economic outlook means more people are working and who may have some extra money to spend coming to the coast. This means more money for the small businesses this summer. Gomberg said now the work begins in seeing how much money is available for the state to utilize in keeping their promise to increase funding for schools.

Along with underlying job growth, personal income taxes paid out of wages and salaries are expected to accelerate during the 2013-15 biennium. With the housing market and public sector no longer holding back, the baseline outlook calls for a pickup in job growth over the next two years. The housing rebound is now in full swing with sales, starts and prices all increasing at strong rates. Stock markets are reaching all-time highs and home prices are rising briskly from recessionary lows.

Public Weighs In On Bike And Pedestrian Improvement Plans On Hwy 101 In Yachats

Many attended the town hall meeting in Yachats Wednesday night to learn more regarding plans being considered by the city and ODOT regarding safety improvements to hwy 101 in Yachats. Participants and a chance to learn about and discuss improvements for detailed areas including Bicycle, Sidewalks and Crosswalks, Parking, Highway access and driveways.

The city has received a grant from ODOT for $1.2 million to make the bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The city has been working on these improvement plans for the past 17-years. Dave Rieseck a citizen and volunteer with the city working on this plan said many things have changed in the city with more businesses and more people and now a plan needs to be developed that will work for all.

One of the big issues is that many of the smaller shops and businesses have parking right in front of their stores so cars are having to back out onto hwy 101 creating an unsafe situation for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. The idea of the plan is to increase the parking and safety. There was a lot of feedback given from those businesses who are concerned about loosing their parking and not getting the spontaneous business. 

Someone driving through town seeing the ice cream shop for example and just pulling in, instead of turning around and having to find public parking and going in. It was emphasized that this was the first meeting and the city will continue to work with the local businesses to modify the plan to address their concerns in the best way possible while still satisfying ODOT who owns hwy 101.

Family Fishing Day At Eckman Lake Waldport

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a Family Fishing Event Saturday, May 18 from 8:30-2 at Eckman Lake in Waldport.   This event is organized and sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Waldport and is a great opportunity to take your family fishing.

 This event is part of the ODFW Outdoors program and is designed to introduce young people and their families to the sport of trout fishing. The department will loan out rods, reels, and tackle to individuals who are learning to fish or do not have their own gear. Participants are welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer. The department will also provide bait.

The Family Fishing event is free and open to the public. ODFW staff and volunteers will be on hand to help participants learn how to bait the hook, cast the rod and land the fish. Volunteers will even help clean the catch and teach participants about fish anatomy and physiology. Eckman Lake is located 2.5 miles east of Waldport on Highway 34.  The family fishing area will be set-up at the Nelson Wayside State Park across from the church parking lot.

Southbound Lane Of Hwy 101 In Lincoln City Closed

ODOT Crews have temporarily closed the southbound lane of Hwy 101 in the Cutler City area as State Police are working on crash investigation from Tuesday’s fatal pedestrian accident. No other details are available at this time. Drivers should use caution and expect delays as it is unknown how long the lane will be closed.