31 August 2015
Identity and cause of death still undetermined
The dead body was discovered in the sand dunes just north of Sandpines Golf Links yesterday afternoon. Florence Police Lieutenant John Pitcher said it was discovered by someone picking mushrooms in the area.
So far, details are few.
John Pitcher – “Right now it appears to be a suicide. We’re investigating. Right now we think it was an adult male. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, black and gray Nike athletic shoes. The body was in such a condition that we’re not able to say whether or not it was a white male; black male.”
Pitcher said there was no ID on the body, and no evidence of foul play, and there are no missing persons reports in the area that fit. He said the coroner estimated the person had been dead for about ten days. An autopsy will be done today but it could be several days before any additional details are available.
Meanwhile, Pitcher says anyone who may have any information on the death should contact Florence Police.
Likely cause determined for small scale power outages
A series of brief power outages… each lasting only a second or two… caused some consternation this morning. Central Lincoln PUD’s Stewart Jarmain in Reedsport said the problem was with a distribution line belonging to the Bonneville Power Administration.
Stewart Jarmain – “Bonneville, between Florence and Reedsport, they have a 230,000 volt line, and they got something hitting it.”
Jarmain said a BPA crew investigated and found a logging crew working next to the right of way between Canary Road and Tahkenitch Lake. They had the crew stop operations and the problem stopped as well.
He said the Bonneville crew will continue to investigate as to exactly what happened, but said the line is stable now and there should not be any further problems.
State’s largest wildfire continues to grow
The Canyon Creek Complex of fires south of John Day broke the 100-thousand acre barrier over the weekend, increasing to 101,465. It’s 49-percent contained with more than 750 personnel working the blazes. It “blew up” over the weekend, expanding and threatening additional homes and farm structures Friday and Saturday but crews were able to head off flames.
Fire resources are still strained across the region and crews battle dozens of blazes in Oregon and Washington. Cooler and more humid air that moved across the region this weekend helped firefighters, but they’re looking at a return to more dangerous conditions again by midweek.
Fire restrictions to remain in place
If you’re going to mow your lawn, you still have to get it done by 11 in the morning; and you still cannot have a fire in your back yard fire-ring.
Tight restrictions on activities because of high fire danger remain in effect for now. That’s despite rain that fell over much of Western Oregon over the weekend.
Siuslaw Valley Fire Chief Jim Langborg said yesterday said they’re going to “hold tight” for just a while longer and see what the weather does over the next few days.
While the area did get some rain, the moisture could dry up very quickly if conditions dry out.
Forecasters are saying the Oregon Coast could see some rain showers between now and Thursday, but the long term forecast is calling for a return to warmer and dryer conditions.
Open house set for information on bridge project
Another round of preservation work will begin next month on the Highway 101 bridge over the Siuslaw River. Oregon transportation officials will be holding a special meeting next week to give more information about the project to area residents.
The meeting will be Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30 to 6:30 at Florence City Hall.
Work will begin in September on a “cathodic protection system”. It applies a low level electrical charge through a thin zinc layer that will be applied to the bridge. That will help stave off corrosion of metal structural elements of the bridge. Repairs to damaged concrete, and a complete replacement of the bridge railing system will also be done at the same time.
The work will restrict traffic on the bridge for more than a year.
Storm causes plenty of response work for Coast Guard crews
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to more than 30 calls for assistance in the Pacific Northwest during high winds that blew through the region over the weekend.
There were ten different reports of people in the water; most of those in the Puget Sound area, but there was one in Tillamook Bay. All were rescued safely.
13th District Command Duty Officer John Hawk said there were 20 reports of vessels in distress or adrift in the winds. He said Saturday was a “very busy day” for Coast Guard crews in Oregon and Washington.
