This Week in History

25 years ago (1999)

Work begins on repairs to Yaquina Bay North Jetty

General Construction Co. of Poulsbo, Washington, is beginning work this week to remove displaced jetty stone from the channel side of the Yaquina Bay North Jetty in Newport.

The Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded the $2.4 million contract to remove the dislodged jetty stone and make the channel safer for users crossing the entrance bar.

The rock had been causing severe wave conditions at the entrance during the past winter. Work will be completed by Sept. 30.

Newport skatepark moves ahead

Plans are moving forward for the construction of a skateboard facility at Sam Moore Park in Newport.

The Newport City Council heard a report from advocates of the skate park project when the council met Tuesday evening.

The council first endorsed the idea of a skate park last September. A citizen committee has been formed and is meeting regularly to begin soliciting donations and organizing volunteer help.

Military shell found in Waldport

A military artillery shell discovered in Waldport on Saturday was removed by an Army team and blown up, according to Oregon State Police.

The projectile, said to measure six inches in diameter and two feet in length, was reported as found in the 1700 block of Highway 34.

OSP Detective Steve Sigurdson said the shell was thrown in a pile of scrap by persons discarding things belonging to a deceased relative. Sigurdson said the shell originally had been found about 15 years ago alongside a California highway.

Taft Elementary structures hit by fire Monday

A house on the grounds of Taft Elementary School in Lincoln City was heavily damaged by fire early Monday morning.

The cause of the fire, which reduced the structure to blackened timbers, is still under investigation

The “Tackett house,” as the building was known, is located on the corner of Southeast Keel Avenue and Southeast 50th Street. It was used for various student support functions, including counseling and early interventions.

50 years ago (1974)

Fisher families want school open

Residents of the remote Five Rivers area of southeast Lincoln County told the county school board July 9 that they would like to have the Fisher School reopened.

The school has been closed for several years, and the school board is studying a report from the district business division recommending that the property be sold.

Perpetua Campground opens after seven years

After being closed for seven years, the Forest Service Campground at Cape Perpetua south of Yachats re-opened July 3, thanks to the persistent efforts of Lloyd Colette, resource assistant at the Waldport Ranger Station.

A series of storms between 1965 and 1967 combined with a failing septic tank system to force the campground closure.

Speeders beware, new radar said to be free of error

If you’ve been fudging a little on the speed limit, you’re lucky if you haven’t received a citation from state police officers.

A new radar unit recently introduced in the state enables state police officers on regular patrols to monitor the speeds of all cars approaching them, with virtually no possibility for human error, according to Lt. Robert Rothermel, commander of the Newport station.

Gambling luck runs out; man arrested

Edmund Murray’s gambling luck ran out Monday afternoon when a snooze at the wheel started a chain of events resulting with the Lincoln City Police Department housing two slot machines.

At 3:30 p.m., Murray, of Corvallis, apparently fell asleep at the wheel while driving northbound on Highway 101. His vehicle crossed over the centerline and struck two other vehicles.

Police discovered that Murray was driving with a suspended license and was harboring two contraband gambling devices in the back end of the Volkswagen station wagon, which turned out to be a borrowed car.

75 years ago (1949)

26-room Hotel Newport open

Joe Hammagren’s fine new 26-room Hotel Newport opened for business last weekend.

Most rooms have private baths, the building is of fireproof construction, and heat is from concealed hot water pipes in the walls and ceilings. Glass bricks are used in the façade.

Hammagren built and operated the Hotel Albany for several years.

Runaway says ‘cops are really great here’

Two 17-year-old boys, hungry, broke and cold, were picked up in Toledo by Sheriff Tim Welp and are being held in the county jail on a vagrancy charge.

They had run away from their home in Long Beach, California. Sheriff Welp notified the boys’ parents, and the frantic mother of one called her son and talked to him long distance.

Nye sewer extended

Newport city workers Friday extended the Nye Beach sewer outlet 120 feet further into the ocean.

Concrete pipe was laid in a trench on the beach and covered.

Formerly, the sewer emptied on the beach directly in front of the natatorium. Now, the discharge point is about at the low water mark.

Warning flags up for surf bathers

Twelve flags now are on display on North Lincoln beaches, warning surf bathers as to incoming and outgoing tides.

The red flags indicate an incoming tide and warns bathers to stay out of the surf. The yellow flag denotes an incoming tide and to bathe with caution.

The green flag, which would indicate safe swimming, is not used locally because according to the Coast Guard, the ocean never is safe unless a lifeguard is on duty.

100 years ago (1924)

Sheriff’s force surprisingly idle during celebration

Sheriff Horsfall and his detail of deputy sheriffs were more than surprised at the extreme scarcity of booze here during the two-day Fourth of July celebration.

The sheriff had the jail all slicked up and in fit condition to take care of those who might overload themselves with “moon” and had spoken for extra space in another building should occasion arise the jail would not hold them.

Dr. Lytle to test cows for the T.B.

Doctor W. H. Lytle, state veterinarian, was in and arranged with County Agent Beck to attend the testing on the Beaver Creek community cattle to be exhibited at the county fair and in and around Toledo and Newport.

If you want your cattle tested, write the county agent at once, and if possible, he will see that you are accommodated, particularly if you live in the above mentioned area.

Do you honor the flag when it is passing on parade?

No matter when or where Old Glory is passing on parade, every loyal American man and boy should remove his hat unless in military uniform. The uniformed man always stands at attention and salutes while the flag of his country is passing.

Old Glory passed in parade on the streets of Toledo last Friday, July 4. Lots of men removed their hats, but many failed to do so, we hope unconsciously.

Failing to remove your hat when the flag is passing on parade is an act of disrespect, men. Let’s be a little more careful in the future.

Hospital for Toledo endorsed by businessman at Tuesday meet

The Business Men’s League is unanimously in favor of a hospital here, according to a decision reached at a meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms last Tuesday evening. The hospital will cost $30,000 fully equipped, $15,000 of which will be subscribed by the Pacific Spruce Corporation. The Pacific Spruce will also donate a plot of ground should board of directors see fit to accept it.