13 July 2015
School Board Looks to fill vacancy
There was a clear cut winner in the May election for all five spots on the Siuslaw School Board. The only problem is, one person won two of the races.
Nobody filed for position seven or three and Eric Rines ran as a “write-in” candidate.
He received more votes than anyone else in those two spots, so Lane County Elections was required by law to declare him a double winner.
Rines was sworn in to one of those spots last week, leaving the other still vacant.
Three others were sworn in last week. Guy Rosinbaum was elected for the first time, Suzanne Mann-Heintz and Tammy Butler were reelected.
The School Board is soliciting applications from qualified electors to fill the vacant spot. Interviews will be conducted next month. Information on how to apply can be found at the School District’s Website, or by calling the district office.
Local woman faces charges in alleged murder for hire plot
A Westlake woman made an appearance before a federal judge in Eugene Friday. She is charged with using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire.
According to an FBI investigation, 57-year old Pamela Jean Gygi (GEE-gee) allegedly hired a parolee to kill her ex-husband. The ex-husband, a Utah resident, reported to police he had been contacted by the parolee at his home and warned of the plot.
The alleged would-be hit-man told the FBI that Gygi had promised him $600 cash, a home, a car and the ex-husband’s online business in exchange for cooperation in the scheme.
Gygi and her ex divorced late last year. As part of the settlement, he was required to purchase a $100-thousand life insurance policy naming her as the sole beneficiary.
The woman was ordered to remain in custody until her next court date… likely sometime in August.
Highway 126 safety to be addressed
A major transportation funding bill may have fizzled this year, but the Oregon Legislature did allocate some extra money in the waning days of the session last week to improve transportation facilities in western Oregon.
Out of a $90-million statewide transportation package, $7-million will be used to improve stretches of Highway 126 between Florence and Eugene. State Senator Arnie Roblan said several recent fatal crashes in that stretch over the past two years highlighted the need for safety improvements.
$10-million will be set aside for the Coos Bay Rail Link. Work on the line connecting Coos County with the Willamette Valley is expected to increase access to rail shipping to coastal employers.
Escape the Ordinary at Siuslaw Public Library
The Siuslaw Public Library is offering members of the “Adult Summer Reading Program” a chance to “escape the ordinary” this weekend.
The folk-do of Laurie Jennings Oudin and Dana Keller will be performing at the library Saturday evening beginning at six pm.
Jennings is a Shakespearian actress turned café owner and is now a traveling troubadour with an extensive repertoire.
Dana Keller has an “extensive resume” as a Nashville session player. He’s performed with Marvin Gaye, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Stevie Wonder.
The pair will not only sing original songs, but will also explore the history and impact of early folk singers on today’s music.
Corvallis to Coast trail
Development of the first 35-mile stretch of the Corvallis-to-the-Sea trail is expected to begin soon. Siuslaw National Forest officials and members of the C-2-C group signed a permit Tuesday that will give authority to construct and maintain the trail on Siuslaw National Forest land between Corvallis and the tiny community of Harlan near Mary’s Peak.
C2C President Gary Chapman said the group, which was originally organized in 2003, will be working “very hard over the next year” to get trail constructed, along with maps and signs.
Eventually, the trail would stretch from the south side of Corvallis, crossing public and private lands, and end at Ona Beach State Park just north of Waldport.
Spill sullies Siuslaw
The U.S. Coast Guard, firefighters and a crew from the Port of Siuslaw worked to contain a spill of diesel Friday at the Port’s Commercial Marina.
Port of Siuslaw Manager Bob Forsythe said it’s not clear how much diesel leaked from the 50-foot Fishing Vessel Summer Breeze; but, he said, a coast guard crew responding could see the slick and smell the oil several hundred yards downstream.
Forsythe said it appeared the vessel’s fuel tank or fuel lines leaked into the bilge, and from there, the oil contaminated water was pumped into the basin. The slick was discovered at high slack tide; so there was little current. That made the slick more apparent. Forsythe added the entire basin reeked of diesel.
The vessel is owned by Greg Helmer. He and his wife Barbara live aboard the boat.
