Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet

Ernie Hanson – 2012 Inductee Hall of Fame

The 16^th Annual Lincoln County Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet (LERB) was held on Friday, May 18, 2012, at The Inn at Otter Crest Restaurant in Otter Rock. This annual event put on by the LERB Committee in partnership with the Newport Police Volunteer’s Association, pays tribute to local law enforcement for their hard work, dedication and commitment to serving the citizens of Lincoln County.

2012 Inductee into the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Hall of Fame: Ernie Hanson

This year’s induction into the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the Lincoln County law enforcement community. Each year a selection is made by the LERB Committee, which consists of members from each agency, and represents a broad spectrum of law enforcement professions.

The award is symbolized with a permanent plaque placed in the hallway of the first floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Past recipients’ of the award have included Ralph Turre, Maria Waldrip, Christie Meister, John Meister, Mike Menzies, Vangie Eisenbarth, Dave Bavarro, John O’Brien, Mark Huber, Jim Rivers, Maureen “Mo” Kelly, Mike Holden, Dan Glode, Bill Shawver, Pete Peregrin, Jim Hatch, Jim Hawley, Steve Tolliver, and Larry Spencer.

 This year retired Chief Ernie Hanson was inducted into the Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. Hanson began his career with the Lincoln City Police Department in 1977, as a Police Recruit. By 1988, he had been a Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Detective, Narcotics Officer, Supervisor, Sergeant and Chief of Police.  He was one of the first to create a solid study on what have become widely accepted guidelines on the need for and the “how to” transition from wheel guns to semi-automatic weapons. His approach to this move was adopted widely throughout the Northwest and in other parts of the United States.

 He is a highly skilled instructor and shooter. He attended International Training Consultants courses (now known as Thunder Ranch) and became one of their lead instructors with expertise in “Defensive Shotgun”, “Tactical Pistol”, “Urban Rifle”, “Tactical Handgun” and “Subdued Light Tactical Handgun”. Hanson taught at DPSST for many years and his course work and instruction is still a large part of all firearm courses. He is a National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Firearms Instructor (Police Expert and Distinguished Expert).

 Around the year 2000, Hanson was appointing as Acting Interim Chief of Police for the Lincoln City Police Department. In 2001, Hanson was permanently promoted to Chief of Police for the Lincoln City Police Department. Chief Hanson retired with honor in January of 2006. He continues to serve law enforcement and his community in many ways.   It is with great pride and honor that the Lincoln County law enforcement community inducted retired Chief Ernie Hanson into the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.

ODOT Asks For Public Feedback On South Beach Congestion Plan

Newport area residents are encouraged to attend an open house to discuss plans to address future congestion on US 101 in the South Beach area. The open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., May 24^th at Newport City Hall. This is the third and final open house and will focus on a preferred alternative that incorporates land use tools to help balance congestion and development.

Road projects to help address congestion over the next 20 years  and changes to state mobility standards to balance congestion on the highway. Community development director Derrick Tokos said the idea is to look at not only the heavier traffic that the city experiences during the summer months but what will also be allowed for future development in the South Beach area.

The tradeoff according to Tokos is for the city, working with Urban Renewal and future developers in the area to put together a plan to help with traffic flow such as moving the light from 32^nd street to 35^th street. The plan will be implemented through amendments to Newport’s Transportation System Plan, zoning and development code, and ODOT’s Oregon Highway Plan.

Governor Signs Bill To Help Food Bank

Governor John Kitzhaber signed House Bill 4068, clearing the way for fish, previously gone to waste, to make its way on to the plates of people who are hungry. The legislation targets bycatch, which is fish caught unintentionally while commercial fishing for another species. In Oregon, bycatch is mostly salmon, caught while fishermen are fishing for whiting. Bycatch can be a great source of food for Oregonians who are hungry. This new law allows bycatch to be processed for food-bank distribution.

The new legislation makes it clear that food processors are allowed to process bycatch for food banks and are allowed a portion of the bycatch to help defray processing costs. “This bill offers an innovative way for commercial fisheries, local fish processors, and the food bank network to get nutritious, protein-rich food to hungry families across Oregon. It’s an excellent example of the important relationship between government, commercial businesses, and community-based organizations accomplishing more together than we ever could on our own,” said Gov. Kitzhaber.

State Rep. Deborah Boone, D-Cannon Beach, and State Sen. Chuck Thomsen, R-Hood River, were the bill’s chief sponsors. “Oregon Food Bank thanks Rep. Boone, Sen. Thomsen and Gov. Kitzhaber for their leadership on this new law, which provides an innovative solution to hunger. This legislation will provide an important source of rich protein and other nutrients to people in need,” said Jon Stubenvoll, director of advocacy, Oregon Food Bank. “This was a bi-partisan bill,” said Boone. “It’s a good example of partnerships. Everyone gets a win out of this.”

Siletz Valley Warriors Will Need A New Mascot

The Oregon State Board of Education voted 5-1 to adopt a rule prohibiting Oregon public schools from using Native American names, symbols, or images as school mascots. Schools have until July 1, 2017 to comply. Key in this decision was research, which showed that exposure to Native American mascots had a negative impact on the self-esteem and self-image of Native American children.

The Siletz Tribe however felt differently. In March, they passed a resolution that was sent to the board of education regarding Native American Logos and Mascots, recommending to the Board of Education that it “recognize the authority of the Tribes of Oregon to approve the use of Native American mascots and logos in their community schools.” The resolution went on to say that, “other schools in the State of Oregon who wish to establish or maintain a Native American logo and mascot be required to promote cultural studies that combat stereotypes, teach students the value of cultural symbols and portray the true history of the people of their local Tribal community, so that they promote pride in and respect for a Native American logo and mascot.

Sheriff Deputies Search For Suspicious Vehicle and Persons

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies are currently investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle that was last seen on Breeze Street in Lincoln Beach on May 22 around 4:15 pm. The vehicle was described as a two-door sedan, dark blue in color with a large dent on the driver’s side. The vehicle was reported to be driven by a white male in his 40’s, wearing a red baseball cap. The passenger was described as a black male in his 40’s. Detectives are seeking information regarding the vehicle as they received a report that an 11-year old girl had been approached by the subjects and attempted to convince her to get in the car.

She refused and reported the incident to her parents who called police. According to the Sheriff’s Office there have been no more reports of this nature however police are investigating. The public is urged to call police if they have any information on the car or have seen the driver or passenger. The public is encouraged to call police right away if the vehicle is spotted again it is described as a dark blue two-door sedan with a large dent on the drivers’ side. Anyone with any information should call the Sheriff’s Office tip line at (541) 265-0669.

Traffic Crash On Hwy 101 and SW Abby

5/22 at 3:40

On May 22nd at 3:20 p.m., Newport Police Officers and medical personnel were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of SW Highway 101 and SW Abbey Street. The investigation revealed that56-year old Paul Davis, of Siletz, was driving a  GMC pickup. As he was stopped on SW Abbey Street, he attempted to pull out onto Highway 101 to go north. 63-year old Meredith Maislen of Newport, was driving her  Honda Accord south-bound on Highway 101. She collided with the driver side of Davis’ pickup. The impact of the collision spun Davis’ pickup around; it rolled over, coming to rest on the passenger’s side facing west.

Maislen was transported by ambulance to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital with minor injuries. Davis received a small bump to his head, but refused medical treatment at the scene. Davis was issued a citation for Dangerous Left Turn. North-bound lanes of Highway 101 were restricted to one lane; south-bound lanes were blocked for one hour.