Toledo Supplying Water to South Beach

Because of a break in the drinking water line from Newport to South Beach, the City of Newport asked the Toledo Water District to divert some of its supply to South Beach during repairs. Toledo Public Works Director Adam Denlinger said “the Toledo water system has the capacity to provide water for Toledo, (Seal Rock) and South Beach residents collectively. Operators at the Toledo water treatment plant inform me that both source water intakes are fully functional and available if needed, with Toledo’s supply at maximum capacity,” Denlinger said. He added toledo plant operators are working closely with their Newport counterparts to control flows through the system.

Newport can obtain water from Toledo through a metered connection in the Surfland subdivision, Denlinger said. Newport expects repairs to be completed sometime today, with chlorination, and disinfection process to take a few days more. The City of Toledo has a practice that provides for the sale of water to the City of Newport. A draft provisional Water Supply Agreement between Toledo and Newport is being developed and will be available as soon as completed, Denlinger said.

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Corrections Deputy Challenges Dotson For Sheriff

Deputy Steve Frey

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Frey will challenge Dennis Dotson for Sheriff in the general election. Frey is a 10-year veteran with LSCO. Although he is assigned to the County Jail, he has been visible outside as supervisor of inmate work crews. Frey was quick to praise Dotson for the innovations he has brought to the department in recent years. “I respect and admire Dennis Dotson. He has done a great job. And I think (the department) can move in the same directions, but make it better,” Frey said. He is a believer in the fiscal discipline the Sheriff’s Department has practiced but said some of his spending priorities may be a bit different. He also said he would like to see an increase in transparency in the Sheriff’s Office.

Frey is a supporter of the specialty courts active in Lincoln County, but would like to see it made more clear to participants that there are parameters to work in, and consequences for not following the rules. For example, he said, “They need to know that if they are ill and can’t make an appointment, they should call and tell us that…not show up the next time and say ‘oh, I was sick and couldn’t make it.’” Specialty courts are about rehabilitation and reintegration into society, Frey said, and as Sheriff he would support making them more effective.

For information about Frey’s campaign call 541-961-2785 or email.

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Libraries Plan for Catalog Changes

The Lincoln County Library District Board is preparing to change its online catalog system, as a result of the upcoming realignment of local libraries. In July, the Newport and Driftwood (Lincoln City) libraries will be aligned with the Tillamook system instead of the existing Coastal Resources Sharing Network. Beginning July 1, the Lincoln County Library District system will include Toledo, Waldport, Siletz, Oregon Coast Community College and Tillamook Bay Community College. According to District Librarian Diedre Conkling, “We will…work very closely with the Newport, Driftwood (Lincoln City) and Tillamook County libraries in sharing all of our resources. The Library District courier van will continue to visit each library four times a week so that you can continue to return items to any library in the county.” Toledo Library Director Peter Rayment told City Council members at their January work session that the new group will use an open-source catalog system that will be relatively inexpensive to maintain. “We don’t have the IT expertise so we need a hosted system, which is possible because of the web, which is what Bywater solutions offers,” Rayment said. He added that ordering books from other systems will be more clumsy after July 1, but using library cards among multiple libraries will not change. However, it may be more difficult to place a hold on material in another system. For more information, call your local library.

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Be Jeweled Five-Hour Jewelry Sale around the Corner

The Fifth Annual Be Jeweled fundraiser is held Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 – 2:00 at Shilo Inn Newport (536 S. Elizabeth Street). Be Jeweled is a once-a-year vintage, fine, ethnic and costume jewelry sale for Food Share of Lincoln County. All items are donated by the community and all proceeds help feed hungry families. Over six thousand mostly one-of-kind items include vintage pins, earrings and pendants, ethnic jewelry, brightly colored gemstones, pearls, jade, fine jewelry of silver and gold, Native American items, abalone pieces from New Zealand, and tables and tables of earrings both pierced and clip-on. There’s a special table for jewelers and artists looking for components to make their own unique pieces.

Be Jeweled originated in 2007 in response to USDA cutbacks in commodities for Food Share. Organizers say similar cutbacks “make this year’s event essential to helping relieve food insecurity in Lincoln County.” Nancy Smith, Food Share Executive Director, believes the appeal of Be Jeweled lies in its uniqueness. “There’s no other event like this on the coast,” she says, “ It’s a great way to help Food Share by donating your gently used jewelry then shopping the sale for treasures new to you. This year’s sale will be better than ever,” she said. For information, call 541-265-8578 or visit Food Share’s website.

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ODFW Art Contest Announced

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wants artists to enter its Habitat Conservation Stamp art contest. The winning artist will receive $3 thousand and the artwork will be used to produce a stamp and other promotional items. Deadline for entries is 5:00 p.m. Feb. 29, 2012. Artwork must feature one of the fish or wildlife species identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy, in its respective Strategy habitat. Adopted by the 2011 Oregon State Legislature, the new Habitat Conservation Stamp allows Oregonians to purchase an annual stamp to benefit conservation of Oregon’s native species and habitats. Stamps sell for $40 a year and include a free ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Pass (a $22 value). Revenue will be used for restoration of the native habitats that are home to the state’s fish and wildlife. Habitat Conservation Stamps will go on sale in 2012. Rules and entry form are found on the ODFW website.

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