Public Safety Log
Wave energy debate
See Page A7
See Page A8
$1 | VOL. 86 | NO. 22 | 2 SECTIONS YOUR WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1927
DAILY LINCOLN CITY
NEWS ONLINE including E-Edition TheNewsGuard.com
See Page A11
JUNE 5, 2013 | WEDNESDAY
www.TheNewsGuard.com
Omsberg death JIM FOSSUM The News Guard
A former Lincoln City mortician who made national headlines in October 1984 after several unembalmed, decomposing bodies were found stacked like cord wood in his chapel’s garage died from an apparent selfinflicted gunshot wound May 9 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Dale Patrick Omsberg, 63, who owned the property located on two highway frontage lots at the intersection of S.W. Fleet
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ thenewsguard
Free fishing for all!
and Highway 101 where The Eventuary now stands, was found barely alive at his home in nearby Socastee, S.C., following police response to an alleged attempted sexual assault at a mobile home park in Myrtle Beach. Officers found the alleged female victim at her trailer park residence, but the suspect had fled the scene and a search was launched in Omsberg’s neighborhood.
LINCOLN CITY, OREGON
Police chief recounts SPECIAL nightmarish episode REPORT
Haunting memories linger despite mortician’s suicide JIM FOSSUM The News Guard
word of the recent suicide death of 63-year-old Dale Omsberg failed to bring closure to an event that will forever impact his life. The same can be said of the untold victims of a gutwrenching tragedy that left their loved ones’ whereabouts
For former Lincoln City Police Chief Mike Holden,
See OMSBERG DEATH, Page A9
See OMSBERG HISTORY, Page A9
R o t e m s t e n m e ber! m o M
SUMMER KITE FESTIVAL Page B1 INSERTS
Emergency room expansion approved for hospital
Bi-Mart; Safeway; Rite Aide; Sears; Walgreens; Price N Pride; Chinook Winds; Charter Cable; Les Schwab Tire Center; Mills Ace Hardware; ProBuild; Roby’s Furniture
JEREMY C. RUARK The News Guard
It was a graduation with all the style, pomp and circumstances you’d expect, with a little extra attitude thrown in. Students, staff, parents, families and friends filled the Taft High School 7-12 gymnasium for the 2013 graduation ceremonies. The 90 seniors took the ceremonial walk into the gym dressed in
A $500,000 expansion of the emergency room at the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City could begin this summer now that the North Lincoln Health District (NLHD) board of directors has approved the project. “This will provide a short-term release valve for our current emergency room pressures while adopting a plan for the future of the hospital,” Gordon McLean, NLHD board chair, said following the district board meeting May 31. “We believe this is a wise investment.” McLean said the emergency room, built in 1967, is too small. “The most urgent need is space,” he said. “We need more elbow room. That ties in with the need for privacy and safe and efficient care of our patients.” The expansion will add approximately 1,000 square feet, providing space for a state-of-theart trauma treatment room and two emergency treatment rooms.
See GRADUATION Page A9
See HOSPITAL Page A8
CORRECTION
The child in the photo of the Depoe Bay Fleet of Flowers story in the May 29 edition was incorrectly identified as Matthew Broaderick. His correct name is Matthew Blankenship. The News Guard regrets the error.
WEATHER GUIDE
Above left: Brandon Terrill gets a hug from Sami Long following graduation. Above right: Lee Wagoner shows the emotion of the moment as he gets a hug from an unidentified admirer.
PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS
Taft High 7-12 Graduation 2013
High Low Prec.
Tues., May 28 Wed., May 29 Thurs., May 30 Fri., May 31 Sat., June 1 Sun., June 2 Mon., June 3
60 60 61 59 60 59 59
51 51 50 46 46 52 53
.9 .1 .o5 0 0 0 0
JEREMY C. RUARK The News Guard
Weekly Rainfall: 1.05 inches Yearly Rainfall: 30 inches
WEEKLY OUTLOOK Clouds are supposed to greet us each morning. If they do, they should not produce rain. There is a good chance they will burn off, making way for a sunny weekend. Weather data provided by Roads End Weather Watcher Sheridan Jones
Kerry Ann Sweitz gets a rose from her
City buys Villages at Cascade Head property for $2.5 million The City of Lincoln City has purchased 363 acres of property known as The Villages at Cascade Head. The $2.5 million purchase was funded by the City’s Open Space Fund, the Affordable Housing Fund and the General Fund, according to David Hawker, Lincoln City City Manager. The property was being sold to the highest bidder by ANB Venture, LLC, under the direction of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “The Villages at Cascade Head contains the majority of the remaining buildable land within the City limits and this purchase will assure that private development on the property will be facilitated,” said Hawker. “It is anticipated that development will occur through a series of property sales over a prolonged period.
Open 8a-7p Mon-Fri, 8a-6p Sat
L41373
- David Hawker, Lincoln City city manager
COURTESY PHOTO
This is a bird’s eye view of The Villages at Cascade Head. The property contains 4,600 feet of nearly completed street, concrete trails, water and sewer mains.” Prior to the City’s acquisition, it is estimated that the developer invested about $5
million in infrastructure to serve the development. The City anticipates an interim designation of the Villages as a park open to non-motorized public use. Hawker said the City plans
space bond issue in 1998. Over the years, the City has made numerous attempts to purchase The Knoll, with the most recent offer being $1.2 million (which included funds from a state grant) for 36 acres of land. “This purchase accomplishes three major goals” Lincoln City Mayor Dick Anderson said. “First, it puts The Knoll under public ownership for future generations
to preserve a portion of the development for workforce housing and will also designate the property known as “The Knoll” as open space. The Knoll is a well-known local landmark. It is a 570-foot high hill directly to the east of Roads End that offers panoramic views of Lincoln City and the Pacific Ocean. According to Hawker, “The Knoll” has been the No. 1 priority for open space acquisition since voters approved a $3 million open
See VILLAGES, Page A2
541.994.4556
We Buy Cars! Over 600 cars online: www.powerford.com 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.
2004 Kia Optima
8,600
$
P88015
8,800
$
his is a long-term investment by the City that will guarantee that suitable land is available for future growth and economic opportunities.
P88016
3,995
$
2007 Kia Spectra
T
“
We find the right car for you and have it delivered to Lincoln City P87009
P87036
1997 Saturn
niece. Photos by Jeremy C. Ruark
“
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
10,400
$