DECEMBER 27, 2012 n SEASIDESIGNAL.COM
ONLINE
READ DAILY SEASIDE NEWS seasidesignal.com INSIDE
RECENT STORMS BRING DANGER
H
eavy rains and unstable hillsides increase possibility of dangerous landslides along the Oregon Coast. Page 7
SPORTS
HOLIDAY BASKETBALL
P
layers enjoy the chance to play teams they otherwise might not get to.
Page 8
INDEX Classifieds................ 6 Calendar................... 4 Crossword................ 6 Hocus Focus............. 6 Obituaries................. 4 Police Blotter............ 2 Sudoku..................... 6 Sports....................... 8 Viewpoints................ 4
W E AT H E R
YEAR 108 | WEEK 47
SEASIDE, OREGON | 75 CENTS
One hot dog with a side of toxins please Seaside resident campaigning to rid Oregon beaches of dangerous micro-plastics
Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
garbage are spinning around like a toilet bowl. Between UV degradation and the mechanical action of the spinning, the garbage – which
“I have butterflies in my stomach,” school board member Nancy Hauger told the rest of the board after it approved a resolution last week authorizing Superintendent Doug Dougherty to hire an architectural firm to design the new school super campus. “It’s exciting times,” Dougherty agreed. The campus would incorporate students from Seaside Heights Elementary, Gearhart Elementary, Broadway Middle School, Seaside High School and Cannon Beach Elementary into one location outside of the tsunami zone. The architectural project, which Dougherty said was one of the most sought after in the North West, hinges on a bond measure which will be submitted to voters in May 2013. While a $90 million dollar bond was discussed with the architectural firm Dull Olson Weekes IBA Group Architects Inc.,
See TOXINS, page 3
See SCHOOL, page 5
By Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
Marc Ward is no amateur when it comes to tracking and understanding the plastic debris that float our ocean’s currents, contaminating and killing marine life. In fact, he has spent every winter for more than a decade in Costa Rica saving sea turtles from this very issue. But three years ago, as he was enjoying his summer off on the pristine beaches of Oregon with his wife and young children, he was jolted with a shocking discovery: the same toxic-ridden microplastics that were killing sea turtles and other marine life were spread far and wide on his beloved home-town beach. And what’s more, his one-and-a-half-year-old had a piece of it in his mouth. “When I saw this incredible blanket of material that I knew was toxic, you can imagine how I felt,” he said. “I immediately went into action mode - how do we find a solution to this? It was a
Fate of new multi-school campus relies on the voters
PHOTO BY: ANTHONY RIMEL
Marc Ward loads sand into the filter system he has developed to remove plastics from beach sand during a workshop sponsored by the City of Cannon Beach in September. daunting problem when you think there is 300 miles of Oregon Coast.” Fortunately, through surveys and studies, Ward was able to more closely pin-point the specific areas
of beach called “high-density sinks,” areas where these plastic particles collect at an extremely high ratio. The problem starts in the North Pacific Gyre, where roughly 100 million tons of
KEEPING THE SPIRIT OF GIVING ALIVE
Community members gathered together last week to wrap presents for more than 550 kids, from nearly 250 families, who otherwise might not receive a Christmas present this year. The Seaside Fire Department delivered the gifts, which were donated through Toys for Tots and other toy drives. This holiday tradition has been a community asset for more than 15 years. Pictured at right, McKenna Roberts, 7, of Gearhart, helps her mom Nissa wrap presents. “We have several friends who come do this each year and we thought it was a good opportunity to do something as a family and help out the community,” Nissa said. Below: Laura Freedman of Cannon Beach.
Thursday Partly Cloudy High: 45 Low: 38 Friday Few Showers High: 46 Low: 39 Saturday Morning clouds High: 46 Low: 36 Sunday Sunny High: 45 Low: 38 Monday Cloudy High: 46 Low: 41
Despite rehabilitation efforts, stranded sea turtles pass away NEWPORT — The attempt to revive and stabilize the two sea turtles that were found on the Oregon coast on Monday Dec. 17 came to a sad conclusion last Thursday with both animals passing away. The Olive Ridley turtle (mis-identified as a Loggerhead) never recovered from cold shock and was unresponsive from the moment it arrived at the Oregon Coast Aquarium with very little to no detectable signs of life. Veterinarians pronounced the animal dead late Wednesday night. The Green sea turtle was extremely dehydrated and in cold shock but was responsive. It also had numerous shell and skull wounds. “We had a lot of hope that the Green sea turtle could pull through,” said Jim Burke, Director of Animal Husbandry at the Aquarium. “However, as we were able to warm the animal up it became apparent the wounds were much more serious. We maintained a 24-hour watch and attempted to stabilize the animal but eventually the turtle died early Thursday morning.” The next step for staff will be performing a full necropsy on both animals to determine the cause of death. “We will be looking for plastic in the gastrointestinal tract which may be a result of ingesting of marine debris. Other tests will look for signs of pneumonia due to extending periods of hypothermia caused by exposure to cold water and damage from the intense storm and pounding ocean,” added Burke. The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s animal care staff continues to work with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and NOAA to best prepare for the next animal that needs assistance. The agencies urge anyone who finds a sea turtle on the beach to contact the Oregon State Police Wildlife Hotline
Gearhart barn owner Shannon Smith is upset over city and judge’s decision By Sayde Moser
smoser@countrymedia.net
This Green sea turtle was found on Seaside beach last week. at 1-800-452-7888 to ensure appropriate transport and care of the animal. “It is unfortunate these animals didn’t make it. Rehabilitation of a wild animal is a challenging process and I am pleased we could give these turtles the best chance possible for survival,” said Carrie Lewis, CEO at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is committed to responding to calls about stranded wildlife and assisting in their rehabilitation. Donations can be made that support the Aquarium’s Urgent Care and Rehabilitation Program. To donate, call 541-867-FISH (3474) or send an email to donations@aquarium.org.
Shannon Smith, owner of the Neacoxie Barn events Center, pleaded no contest on Dec. 17 to the many violations stacked up against her for violating business, noise and city zoning ordinances. The fines totaled $7,000. Judge John F. Orr ordered Smith to pay half the fines, suspending the other half under the condition Smith would pay the $3,500 in full if she is cited with another violation or misses a monthly payment. Payments begin March 1 and are to be paid in 21 installments. “I am saddened that the city has again chose punishment over preservation,” Smith said about the plea bargain, adding she pleaded no contest upon advice of her counsel although she had reservations.
See BARN, page 5