Springfield man, off-duty Coast Guardsman, rescue two boys

Coast Radio News
Local News

Double rescue at the beach…

A pair of men teamed up to rescue two boys from the surf near the Siuslaw River’s North Jetty Saturday afternoon.

Fireman Dana Gagliardi, an off-duty Coast Guardsman from Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River and Angelo Santiago were able to return the boys to their waiting parents on shore and stood by until Western Lane Ambulance arrived.

It was about 4:25 Saturday afternoon when Gagliardi heard a woman screaming.  He spotted the two boys in the surf and saw they were being pulled further from the shore.

Gagliardi immediately went after one boy, while unknown to him, Santiago went for the other.  Both men fought through the breaking surf and successfully reached their targets, returning them to shore safely.

A press release from the U.S. Coast Guard did not contain the identities, nor home towns of either of the rescued boys.

Volunteers needed to help with shooter drill

Local emergency responders will conduct another simulated “mass-shooter” drill this Saturday morning at Siuslaw Middle School.

In order to make the training as real as possible for first responders, Siuslaw School District officials are asking students and parents to serve as volunteers… they would be playing the role of students involved in the incident.

They must pre-register with school district officials at the middle school or high school.  Students in both schools were given letters last week with details and a permission form that must be completed and returned no later than this Thursday.

Middle School Principal Andy Grzeskowiak said the volunteers will need to be available for four hours Saturday morning.

Florence and Tribal Police, along with Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies will be participating in addition to fire and ambulance personnel.

Anglers have fees waived this weekend

It’s coming up on Oregon’s annual “free fishing” weekend the 4th and 5th.  That means fishing licenses; tags and endorsements are not required for those two days in the state.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are making sure there will be plenty of fish to catch during that time.

This week more than 185-thousand trout will be stocked in 80 different lakes and streams around the state.  Others have already been stocked in recent weeks, providing for ample opportunity.

That’s according to Rick Hargrave, the administrator of ODFW’s Information and Education Division.  He said in addition to the trout and salmon fishing, there will be plenty of chances for crabbing and clamming too.

Hargrave’s agency will also be teaming up with the Oregon State Parks Department, which will be waiving day-use and camping fees June 4th.