Public Safety:
Taft girls fourth in state golf
Election:
Lincoln City Police Log See Page A8
For the latest election results log onto thenewsguard.com
$1 | VOL. 86 | NO. 20 | 2 SECTIONS YOUR WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1927
See Page A10
MAY 22, 2013 | WEDNESDAY
www.TheNewsGuard.com
LINCOLN CITY, OREGON
$29.5 million city budget approved “ I
NEWS ONLINE including E-Edition TheNewsGuard.com
Council to vote on spending plan JEREMY C. RUARK The News Guard
The Lincoln City Budget Committee heard from only two people as it held its final public meeting on the proposed $29,500,000 city budget May 20.
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ thenewsguard
The proposal includes a four percent rate hike for water services and a four percent rate increase for city sewer services. Lincoln City resident Jeff Wiseman told the committee he was concerned about the impact the rate hikes will have on people with fixed incomes. “I suggest the committee consider an annual infrastructure fee,” said Wiseman. “That way we will know what we need to pay.”
Wiseman also complimented the committee. “I take my hat off to you for the work you’ve done,” he said. Another resident, Jerry Warner, voiced concerns about increases in salaries paid to city department heads. “It is absolutely ridiculous that the increases should have occurred during the recession,” said Warner. “I am
t is a decision not made lightly, but we do have a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers and that means running an efficient business and a fiscally sound business.
“
DAILY LINCOLN CITY
- Gail Kimberling, Lincoln City Community Center Director
See BUDGET, Page A9
Witness comes forward in fatal crash
McDonald’s Collector Page B1 INSERTS
JEREMY C. RUARK The News Guard
Safeway; Rite Aide; Sears; Walgreens; Price N Pride; Chinook Winds; Century Link; Bi-Mart; Roby’s Furniture
WEATHER GUIDE PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS
High Low Prec.
High Low Prec.
Tues., May 14
58
45
0
Wed., May 15
60
46
.15
Thurs., May 16
60
47
.15
Fri., May 17
62
50
.05
Sat., May 18
57
50
.15
Sun., May 19
57
51
0
Mon., May 20
57
45
.15
JIM FOSSUM/THE NEWS GUARD
This high-flying attraction and competitive jet ski racing drew many to Lincoln City over the past weekend for the first Devils Lake Dash. It is just one event helping to boost the local economy. See a photo essay of the jet ski races on Page A12.
Jet ski races, other local events capture attention, visitors, cash
Weekly Rainfall: .65 inches Yearly Rainfall: 24.46 inches
WEEKLY OUTLOOK Let’s hope the cool, unstable weather due to arrive will not produce damaging winds. It could produce rain showers and hailstorms. Saturday could be the driest and sunniest day of the week. Fly your flags proudly on Memorial Day weekend.
JEREMY C. RUARK The News Guard
Weather data provided by Roads End Weather Watcher Sheridan Jones
Rain on the first day of jet ski races at the first-ever Devils Lake Dash May 18-19 impacted the crowd numbers, but not the enthusiasm to make the races an annual event. “The weather did have an impact,” said Nonni Augustine, Lincoln City
Chamber of Commerce Director. “But I think the jet ski races is definitely going to become an anchor event in Lincoln City.” Augustine says the three hotels co-sponsoring the races were booked solid through the weekend. “I also noticed many area restaurants and other shops were busy through the weekend. So the jet ski
races combined with other events like the Soap Box Derby are helping boost the local economy,” she said. Race organizer Roger Harnack said the wet weather didn’t dampen the spirit of the racers. He said about 50 teams took part in the inaugural Devils Lake Dash. See EVENTS, Page A9
Lincoln City Police investigators are reviewing details from an eyewitness who has come forward following a fatal pedestrianvehicle accident on Highway 101 in Cutler City May 14 that claimed the life of 42-year old Richard Swanson of Seattle. “A witness has come forward and we are adding her details to the ongoing investigation,” said Lt. Jerry Palmer. “It gives us some significant additional information.” Palmer could not say why the woman waited before stepping forward. Under Oregon law, motorists witnessing a traffic crash are required to stop and report it to police. Palmer said it was unlikely that the woman would face charges. “We are not going to punish someone for coming forward,” said Palmer. “But drivers do have moral and legal responsibilities to come forward when they witness a traffic crash.” Palmer said the investigating team could have a more accurate account of See SWANSON, Page A9
Lincoln City day care facing new lawsuits
Samaritan Early Learning Center.
Open 8a-7p Mon-Fri, 8a-6p Sat
L41237
11,995
541.994.4556
We Buy Cars!
Over 600 cars online: www.powerford.com 2006 Nissan All prices and financing on approved credit (O.A.C). All vehicles subject to prior sale. Prices do not inclue title, license, taxes. Photos for illustration purposes only.
Altima
13,995
$
#P86067
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 $
nounced investigation of the Samaritan Early Learning Center in January and found that the center had violated state certification rules requiring that children be within sight and sound of a caregiver at all times. All three lawsuits claim that the day care director failed to immediately report the incidents to authorities. Calls to Samaritan Health Services for comment have not been returned.
#P88046
#D88083
3,995
$
4-year-old child, alleges negligence, breach of contract, violation of unlawful trade practices and abuse of a vulnerable person. All the lawsuits, filed in Lane County Circuit Court, claim a 4-year-old girl had abused the other two 4-year-old girls. The first two lawsuits were filed in April by another girl and her mother seeking $8.1 million. The Child Care Division of the Oregon Employment Department conducted an unan-
We find the right car for you and have it delivered to Lincoln City
#P88063
1997 Chevy Cavalier
COURTESY PHOTO
Two additional lawsuits for $3.5 million and for $500,000 have been filed against the operators and director of a Lincoln City day care center. The suits, filed by a 4-year-old girl and her mother, claim Samaritan Health Services, Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and the day care director, failed to protect a second 4-year-old girl from another 4-year-old child. The latest lawsuit, filed May 13 in behalf of the
2011 Toyota Yaris
12,600
$