C
M
C
M
Y
K
Y
K
JUNIOR TOURNAMENT Luckman wins at Bandon Crossings, B1
World C las New Em ploymseifieds nt Rate Sm
all Bu and Se siness Emplo asonal yment Cal
541-2 l Valer i 69-12 22 exet .
269
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878
Tip of the pyramid in sight for Egyptian BY TIM NOVOTNY The World
COOS BAY — Work may finally be about to begin on the re-opening of the historic Egyptian Theatre in downtown Coos Bay. The Urban Renewal Agency gave the official goahead this week after approving a low bid from a local contractor. Approving a thorough recommendation, the agency authorized staff to enter into a construction contract with DLB Construction for the structural improvements and the construction of new ADA restrooms. The bid came in at $620,000. But it wasn’t the only expenditure approved Tuesday night. They also approved spending up to $82,500 for a needed utility vault, special inspections, hazardous material abatement, utility boring and project contingency. “If there is a place where they are opening up and there is asbestos we have to remove it,” said Coos Bay City Manager Rodger Craddock. “Additionally, we have to hire someone for special inspections; you usually don’t have the engineer or the contractor doing their own inspections when it’s that critical.” The total amount is expected to exceed $702,000, with the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association less than $33,000 away from raising the full amount. Although fundraising has continued in recent weeks and other grants are still pending, time was becoming an issue. To speed the process, the URA also approved bridge financing until the total goal is reached. However, all of these decisions, Craddock added, are also contingent upon the full award of the Collins Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, and MJ Murdock Charitable Trust top-off grants. Climate and commerce weighed into their decision to move now, he added. “We have this outdoor work window that’s going to go SEE EGYPTIAN | A8
By Alysha Beck, The World
Customers enter the Coos Bay Kmart on Ocean Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon. The store will close permanently on Nov. 8.
The end is near BY EMILY THORNTON The World
COOS BAY — Kmart will close its doors permanently Nov. 8. The store’s revenue wasn’t enough for corporate managers, who announced the closure July 30, said Bobby Charitar, general manager. “We just weren’t making money,” Charitar said. Charitar said employees were “OK with it (the closing),” although several employees declined to comment. The store averaged $4 million in sales a year, Charitar said. He said he couldn’t discuss any other numbers. The corporate downsizing leaves 25 workers without jobs, although they can apply to other Kmarts and Sears, said Howard Riefs, the director of corporate communications at Sears Holdings Corp.,
After 35 years, Kmart will close for good on Nov. 8 which owns Kmart. The closest Kmart is in Roseburg. There is a Sears in North Bend and Florence. The store has been open since 1978, said Charitar. He said they renewed their lease every five years until recently, when they had been renewing yearly. Charitar said they would begin liquidation sales Aug. 25. Riefs said the store was closing “because the lease was not renewed.” Riefs also said the closing was part of a larger plan to help the company. “The store closures are part of a series of
Andrew Davenport sits with his attorney Donald Scales during the second day of his murder trial Wednesday at the Coos County Courthouse. Davenport is on trial for the alleged murder of Randy Harless on Aug. 25, 2012.
SEE KMART | A8
City to publicly address Memorial controversy BY TIM NOVOTNY The World
Daughter testifies at Davenport murder trial COQUILLE — On day two of the Andrew Wade Davenport murder trial, two witnesses testified that Davenport confessed to killing Randall Harless on Aug. 25. But it was the third confession that drew the most intrigue. Emily Davenport, the defendant’s 16-yearold daughter, was one of the last witnesses to
Police reports . . . . A2 What’s Up. . . . . . . . A3 South Coast. . . . . . A3 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . A4
take the stand in the afternoon. She was asked about her father’s confession to her. That followed testimony by Davenport’s ex-girlfriend Dawn Davis and acquaintance Jimmy Austin that Davenport confessed to them after the homicide. In his opening statement on Monday, defense attorney Donald Scales said Emily never said he confessed to his daughter in SEE DAVENPORT | A8
Comics . . . . . . . . . . A6 Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . A6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Classifieds . . . . . . . B4
Brett West, Coos Bay Eldora Lively, Coos Bay Andra Enscoe, Coos Bay Nina Lippincott, Portland Carol Kirk, North Bend
Obituaries | A5
California evacuations
NATION
The World
DEATHS
BY GEORGE ARTSITAS
More than 1,500 people had to move out of the way of a fire that grew to 10,000 acres early Thursday.
Page A7
FORECAST
COOS BAY — For four months the Coos Bay City Council has been digesting a mountain of comments, and additional legal input regarding the Vietnam War Memorial in Mingus Park. Now, they are ready to discuss the status of the potentially costly controversy at a special meeting at the Coos Bay Library on Aug. 27. This time, however, without public comment. This all stems from a February letter the city received from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, requesting the removal of the memorial due to the image of a cross. Their argument is that it is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. On April 2, the Council held a meeting that was primarily intended to get input from the public. The meeting lasted nearly four hours, with hundreds of others sending in comments via mail and email. “Since then the city engaged an organization, the Liberty Institute, to conduct an analysis for them,” said City Manager Rodger Craddock on Wednesday. “They are an attorney firm and, as
By Alysha Beck, The World
INSIDE
actions we’re taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model,” Riefs said in an email to The World. “These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail – at the store, online and in the home.” Charitar said he wasn’t surprised by the decision. “We didn’t have the business like we used to,” he said. “Retail’s a little tough right now.” Another patron, Nina Woldseth of Coos Bay, said she didn’t like having fewer options. “I think it really limits our selection,” Woldseth said. “Now we just have Fred Meyer or Walmart.”
this is a potential litigation, the results of that report was revealed to the council in executive session. In fact, two executive sessions.” Mayor Crystal Shoji asked for this next meeting because, she says, “now the Council needs to respond.” Craddock says the Council will meet and have a discussion, and says that there may even be a decision at that time. And, while the public will not be able to comment during that meeting, public comment is still encouraged ahead of time by submitting a letter or email to the city prior to Aug. 22. That will give members an opportunity to review it before the Aug. 27 meeting. A large crowd is expected to turn out, and Craddock said the city is planning to accommodate as many as they can. “We will open the doors at 5:30. We will have some speakers outside and we’ll rope off a section of the parking lot to allow people to see through the window what is going on and be able to hear it as well.” Letters can be sent to the City Manager’s Office at 500 Central Ave., Coos Bay. Emails can be submitted to Rodger Craddock at rcraddock@coosbay.org. Again, public comments should be submitted no later than Aug. 22.
Partly sunny 63/55 Weather | A8
WE’VE GOT PUMPS COOS BAY 541-267-2137 Installation Available - CCB#49282
COQUILLE 541-396-3161
A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS SERVING COOS COUNTY FOR OVER 97 YEARS.
C
M
C
M
Y
K
Y
K