Dunes City celebrates the lakes; Ty heads home to McMinnville; NOAA inks the deal in Newport; and South Coast Allstars claim Northwest Title

Dunes City Residents celebrate lakes…

Presentations on water quality, erosion control and drinking water protection were the technical aspects, but Susy Navetta says the annual Dunes City Festival of the Lakes was mostly about neighbors meeting neighbors and renewing old friendships. The first presentation of the day during Saturday’s event was by resident Mark Chandler who talked about reduced levels of phosphorous in Woahink Lake. Jackie Fern of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality discussed drinking water protection and praised Dunes City for efforts at protecting water quality. The keynote address was delivered by Doctor Mark Cherniak with the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide. Navetta, a Dunes City Councilor, said the festival mixes lake stewardship and education with what she called first class entertainment. That entertainment was evident at just about every turn Saturday afternoon.


The final paperwork on a deal to move the west coast operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from Lake Union, Washington to Newport was signed Friday. NOAA officials signed off on a 20-year lease, clinching the deal. Oregon Representative Jean Cowan says it will have a positive impact on the central coast.
210 – “I believe that the first year estimate was something like $19-million and then again there’s construction involved in this process. Part of the strength of the Port of Newport’s proposal was we’ll build to suit so there’s new dock and building construction going on.”

The move will directly affect about 175 people working at NOAA’s marine facility in the Seattle area. Another 1,000 personnel will remain in Washington State.

Spooked by fireworks, a 9-year-old blue heeler named Ty darted from a campground July Fourth near Florence. Her owners couldn't find her that night and made a return trip two weeks later when hikers said they had spotted the dog. But, Alicia Martin said Thursday she was just trying to think of a way to tell her six-year old son Cody that Ty was probably lost for good. Until she got a call from Florence with the news that Ty had been found, huddled, unable to move and covered with ticks on a trail about ten miles away from where she had run off. The Martins made a quick trip to Florence where they had found a veterinarian had spend about 45-minutes removing the parasites from their long-lost friend. Ty was otherwise unharmed, but exhausted and very happy.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Youth Baseball:
The South Coast All Stars will be representing the Northwest in the ‘Under-14 Babe Ruth’ World Series later this month. The team, including four players from the Florence area, swept three games over the weekend, taking the Northwest Regional title in Moscow, Idaho. The final game, against Meridian, Idaho yesterday afternoon, was tied at six-runs apiece going into the bottom of the seventh inning. South Coast picked up a run in that final frame for the ‘walk-off’ victory and the title. Alex Snow of Florence picked up the win on the mound, throwing five innings. Ryan Smith, also of Florence, finished up in relief. The team will head to Appleton, Wisconsin August 22nd for the 14-under Babe Ruth World Series.

Northwest League Baseball:
The Eugene Emeralds wrapped up their five game series at home against the Tri City Dust Devils Friday night with a 2-1 win… The Devils came away from that series with a 3-2 advantage. Saturday, Eugene made its way to Everett, Washington where the Ems came out on top 8-6 over the Aqua Sox. The Sox tied up the three game series last night with a 9-7 victory. The rubber game of that series is tonight.