MASTERS CHAMPION
UKRAINE CLASH
Bubba Watson wins by three shots, B1
Deploying troops to stop attacks, A7
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014
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Push for SCCF transparency continues
A chorus line at Mr. MHS
Area educators show support of SCCF; some worry debate could push Jordan Cove away ■
BY CHELSEA DAVIS The World
“The herbicide was all collected,” Wall said. “Really, the focus of the incident was the jet fuel — the diesel.” The Region 15 Hazardous Materials Team, based at the Coos Bay Fire Department, was dispatched to handle the chemical containment and cleanup. State police say they’ve also notified the
COOS COUNTY — The public is regaining its trust in the South Coast Community Foundation. At a series of town halls over the weekend, Coos County commissioners asked for public input on the proposed nonprofit education foundation that would divert half of Jordan Cove Energy Project’s possible community service fees to county and Reedsport schools. The majority at the Lakeside, Myrtle Point and Coquille meetings supported SCCF. But concern about transparency and accountability lingers. SCCF’s original bylaws didn’t allow for open meetings. After public outcry and a few revisions, the bylaws are almost finished. The Community Enhancement Plan work group will meet 1-3 p.m. Monday at the Coos Bay library to review the amended bylaws. The work group consists of representatives from each of the Bay Area Enterprise Zone sponsors: the cities of Coos Bay and North Bend, Coos County, and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. “We as the public want to see openness and we want to be involved,” said Myrtle Point city Councilor Daniel Martin.“We want the people on this board to be directly answerable in some way to the public.” Dave Jennings, of Coquille, wants to see a legal opinion on SCCF before it moves forward. One of SCCF’s three initial directors, Bill Lansing, said that would be a “waste of time” since nothing in Oregon statute details equalization factors. County Assessor Steve Jansen pointed out that education foundations are not a new concept. There are at least 30 others statewide, he said, including Hillsboro Schools Foundation’s partnership with Intel. It’s possible the state Legislature could decide those foundations are illegal, “but if (SCCF) isn’t legal, then all those others aren’t legal,” he said. If that happened, Lansing said there would be a “bloodbath” at the capitol. “Just because it’s revolutionary for the South Coast, doesn’t mean it is for the whole state,” said county Commissioner Melissa Cribbins. Those who would actually see the money from SCCF — teachers, principals and superintendents — came out in support over the weekend. “We get less and less from Salem every year,” said Coos Bay teacher Hope Huntley. “All the school districts in Coos County are falling apart.” Myrtle Point schools Superintendent Bruce Shull said the bickering needs to stop. “People are arguing over the scraps and we could potentially lose the whole meal,” Shull said. “All this bickering and fighting over how to put it together and who gets the authority ... you need to push forward
SEE CRASH | A8
SEE SCCF | A8
By Thomas Moriarty, The World
Mr. MHS contestants cut a rug Saturday night at Marshfield High School. Senior Ty Bunnell was ultimately named Mr. MHS 2014 by a judging panel of school and community members.
Gold Beach man dies near Scottsburg BY THOMAS MORIARTY The World
A 22-year-old Gold Beach man died Saturday morning near Scottsburg in a head-on collision with a truck carrying aerial spraying supplies. According to Oregon State Police, Joshua Dale Ray Carter was driving westbound on state Highway 38 when his pickup truck traveled over the double solid center lines and collided with an eastbound Ford F550. Troopers, along with Douglas County sheriff’s deputies, local fire personnel and the Oregon Department of Transportation, were either on scene or on their way as of 7:25 a.m. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene. Mark Wall, forestry manager for Roseburg Forest Products’ land management division, Roseburg Resources Co., said the two occupants of the commercial truck were contractors from Applebee Aviation hired by the company to conduct aerial spraying of its timber lands. The truck was carrying both helicopter fuel and herbicides similar to Roundup.
By Steve Lindsley, The World
State troopers and Region 15 Hazardous Materials personnel tend to the scene of a fatal crash Saturday on state Highway 38 near Scottsburg. Wall said the driver, Todd Sims, wasn’t taken to the hospital, and was able to help with the initial cleanup efforts. The passenger, a helicopter pilot named Clay Clark, was taken to Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport for treatment of minor injuries. Several of the herbicide barrels fell off the truck, and the fuel leaked downhill towards the river.
Winds drop power line in NB
INSIDE
NORTH BEND — Sunshine on a Saturday in North Bend kept the roads full of weekend revelers, but some high winds in the afternoon almost created catastrophe on Virginia Avenue. A power line, running across the road in front of the Safeway parking lot and connecting with a house across the street, was pulled partially free of the home at about 2:30 p.m. Police said initial reports indicated it was an immediate hazard. “People were driving over the line, and under it, to begin with,” said North Bend police Officer Mike Olson. “We got here and blocked off the street and called for Pacific Power, just
Police reports . . . . A2 What’s Up. . . . . . . . A3 South Coast. . . . . . A3 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . A4
Comics . . . . . . . . . . A6 Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . A6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Classifieds . . . . . . . B5
Doris Henderson, Coquille Howard Neideigh, Myrtle Point Linda Wilks, Reedsport Mary Johnson, North Bend Hazel Alvey, Coos Bay
By Tim Novotny
North Bend police and fire departments block off a section of Virginia Avenue, in front of Safeway, on Saturday.The wind had knocked down a power line across the road. Pacific Power responded and had the road back open within an hour.
Growing problem Maple trees in Cottage Grove, that were once part of a “greening” of downtown have started to buckle sidewalks. Page A5
Obituaries | A5
FORECAST
The World
STATE
BY TIM NOVOTNY
tried to keep people safe.” Olson said the inhabitants of the home didn’t even notice the line had dropped, because they still had power. Traffic was rerouted on Marion Street, while other vehicles passed through the Safeway and mall parking lots. Pacific Power fixed the line and police reopened the road within an hour. According to the Pacific Power website, downed lines are not to be taken lightly. If you see one, do not approach it or touch it. If one falls across your vehicle, “stay in the car and wait for emergency personnel to cut the power. If your vehicle is on fire and you are in imminent danger and you must get out of the vehicle, jump, with both feet together, as far from the car as possible. If a part of your body touches the car and the ground at the same time, you could be electrocuted.” For more safety information, check out pacificpower.net.
DEATHS
People were driving over the downed line which happened near Safeway on Saturday ■
Mostly sunny 55/46 Weather | A8
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