Bandon
AN EDITION OF
WESTERN WORLD Thursday, October 16, 2014
theworldlink.com/bandon ♦ $1.00
Sports:
City Council:
Inside this edition:
Tigers get a win, see page B1for the full story
Profiles of the candidates, see page B2 for the full story
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 Bandon Police Log. . . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4
Arts and Entertainment . . . A5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2
Youth Center board closes thrift store By Amy Moss Strong Bandon Western World
BANDON — The Bandon Community Youth Center Board of Directors has closed Our Thrift Store, a facility originally set up more than eight years ago to train students in job skills and provide income for the Youth Center. Board chairman Angie GonzalesSmith said the store was closed Tuesday and one full-time worker and one parttime worker were given two weeks severance pay. The staff has known the board has considered closing the store since June, Smith said. Potential buyers have made an offer, but the deal has not yet been finalized.
The Youth Center remains closed, but the board plans to open it in January with a slate of free programs geared for youths ages 13-18. Former Youth Center Director Ollie Jones was asked to resign last spring, and Smith, along with then-board members Chris Powell and Mellis See, recruited an new board. Powell and See’s terms expired in June. Board members now include Smith, vice chairman John Ohanesian, secretary Kim Russell, treasurer Gina Allison, Karen Luther, Chris Schneider, Bill Stenberg, Jeana Kennon and Al Greenfield. Smith is working on a five-year strate-
Photo by Amy Moss Strong
■ See Thrift, A6
The new board of the Bandon Community Youth Center plans to reopen the center Jan. 12 with new programs offered free for youths ages 13-18.
Harbor Lights ranks among model schools By Chelsea Davis and Amy Moss Strong Bandon Western World
Photo by Amy Moss Strong
Burned out The softball dugout on 11th Street, which was refurbished last spring, was set on fire two times Oct. 9.
Suspect sought after softball dugout burned BANDON — On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Bandon Fire Department was dispatched two times to a fire at the softball dugout located on 11th Street Southwest. According to the Bandon Police Department, the first call came in at approximately 7:43 p.m. and the fire was extinguished with minimal damage. The second call came in at approximately 10:07 p.m., and that fire resulted in extensive damage. Bandon Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect, described as a young man who was seen in the area around that time. Anyone with information can call Bandon Police at 541-347-2241, and remain anonymous, if desired.
BANDON — The report cards are in, and Bandon’s Harbor Lights Middle School has, for the six straight year, been given the highest rating possible by the state. HLMS, along with North Bend’s Hillcrest Elementary both achieved “model school” designations on the Oregon Report Card 2013-14, despite rampant child poverty rates. Report D e p u t y Superintendent cards of Public For more Instruction Rob information Saxton released and to view the the annual report detailed Oregon cards for Report Card Oregon’s K-12 2013-14, visit public schools www.ode.state and districts last .or.us/go/Repo Thursday. rtCard. HLMS and Hillcrest were two of 28 highpoverty schools to earn “model school” designation, meaning they’ve shown significant academic improvement despite their high poverty status. Students fall into the “economically disadvantaged” category if they qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. During the 2013-2014 school year: ■ 84.5 percent of Harbor Lights and 78.2 percent of Hillcrest students passed reading. ■ 80.1 percent of Harbor Lights and 76.8 percent of Hillcrest students passed math. ■ 85.1 percent of Harbor Lights students passed science (there wasn’t information for Hillcrest). The state rated HLMS a Level 5 compared to other schools, which factored into the model school designation. A Level 5 falls into the top 10 percent of all schools. “Harbor Lights Middle School students are obtaining higher results on standardized tests in reading and math than other middle schools with similar demographics in Oregon and we are so proud,” wrote HLMS Principal Michelle Inskeep on the Oregon Report Card, which will be sent to parents on an upcoming progress report.
■ See Schools, A6
Bandon’s garbage rates are going up 2.1 percent By Amy Moss Strong Bandon Western World
BANDON — The Bandon City Council voted 5-1 to approve a 2.1 percent increase in garbage rates at its Oct. 6 meeting. Councilor Mike Claassen voted against the increase. A hearing on the proposed rate increase was required per Bandon Municipal Code. The adjustment will result in an about 35 cent increase per month for a basic 35 gallon residential cart, with other rates adjusted proportionately.
Bill Richardson, representing Bandon Disposal, answered questions at the hearing. Richardson said the rate is based on the Portland Consumer Price Index, which is currently at 2.8 percent. The last rate adjustment was a 1.66 percent increase on Nov. 1, 2013. Councilor Brian Vick asked Richardson about tipping fees and whether the local refuse is going to the Beaver Hill site. Richardson said the company takes some of the load to Beaver Hill and the
■ See Garbage, A6
Electronic health records now available to patients By Geneva Miller Contributing writer BANDON — Bandon residents can now find up to date personal medical records through Electronic Health Record patient portals. Portal access offered by hospitals and medical clinics provides a secure online environment for patients to review their health records, request appointments, even send messages to their medical provider. Once patients’ questions about information security are answered, it’s a tool many are eager to use, accord-
More information Patients can visit their provider’s website, or contact their clinic or hospital for details about patient portal registration. Learn more about Electronic Health Records at HealthIT.gov.
ing to Amanda Taylor, marketing director for North Bend Medical Center. “The people I talk to find it helpful and easy to use,” said Taylor. Electronic charts are quickly accessible to medical professionals within the same facility and speed commu■ See Records, A6