Salem-News.com Newport articles Page 10

Newport Finance Director to be Fired After DUII Arrest

Lee James Gadinas is being held in the Lincoln County jail.

(NEWPORT) - The city of Newport's finance director was suspended without pay Monday and will be fired after his weekend arrest on a driving under the influence allegation, Newport City Manager Allen O'Neal said

On Saturday shortly after midnight, 46-year-old Lee James Gadinas, the city's finance director since 2005, failed to stop and continued to his home in Waldport, where he fled inside, said Deputy Lance Cummings.

California Sea Lions in Oregon Succumbing to Bacterial Disease

Persons seeing dead or sick marine mammals on Oregon beaches are encouraged to call the network at 1-800-452-7888.

(NEWPORT) - The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University is working with the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network to test California sea lions for leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can infect numerous animals, including humans.

New Jersey Man Arrested Along Oregon Coast

27-year-old Robert L. Rhoads, from Burlington, New Jersey faces DUII, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering charges.

(NEWPORT) - A New Jersey man has learned the hard way not to drink and drive in Oregon.

On Tuesday just before 11:00 PM a Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Deputy observed a silver Honda Accord, bearing New Jersey license plate, traveling south on U.S. Hwy 101 near SW Alder St. in Newport without headlights on.

Lincoln County Cell Phone Towers Vandalized

The vandals are attacking towers in remote timberland areas.

(NEWPORT) - The Lincoln County Sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect(s) who vandalized five cell phone towers.

The towers have been rendered useless because of recent thefts investigators said.

The suspect(s) stole copper wire from the towers, presumably to sell at metal scrap yards in the mid-Willamette Valley for drugs.

Anyone with information should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 265-4231.

City of Newport Fined $61,533 For Repeated Illegal Discharges

In assessing the penalty amount, DEQ officials were particularly concerned by the city’s failure to take action to either prevent the discharges or promptly work to reduce or eliminate them once they began.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined the city of Newport $61,533 for repeated illegal discharges of wastewater containing excessive amounts of the toxic chemical chlorine into Anderson Creek, which is a tributary of Big Creek and the Pacific Ocean.

The discharges, which occurred on 108 separate days between Dec. 22nd, 2005 and Sept. 12th, 2006, were of wastewater generated by washing out filters from the city’s drinking water treatment plant.

Discharges continued long after DEQ warned the city about the illegal discharges in a Feb. 27th, 2006 Pre-Enforcement Notice.

Winter Whale Watch Now Underway Along The Oregon Coast

Gray whales are the predominant whales seen along the Oregon Coast.

(NEWPORT) - Winter Whale Watch Week has begun along the Oregon coast.


During winter Whale Watch Week, Dec. 26th through Jan. 1st, 2007, trained volunteers are available at 28 sites along the coast from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

18,000 whales will pass by in 4 weeks, mid-December to mid-January.

The main body is about 5 miles off shore, but many are seen 1 to 2 miles off shore.

Man Arrested Twice by OSP Trooper Following Two Separate Alcohol-Related Crashes Sunday

70-year-old Wayne Davenport, from Seal Rock just couldn't resist from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

(NEWPORT) - A Seal Rock-area man was arrested twice by an Oregon State Police Trooper less than six hours apart Sunday afternoon following two separate alcohol-related crashes in the Newport area.

In both cases the man was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but following the second incident he was lodged in jail on multiple charges.

Health Advisories Issued For Water Contact at Six Coastal Locations

Although state officials discourage water contact, they continue to encourage other recreational activities on these beaches because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

(NEWPORT) - Public health advisories were issued Thursday due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at six beaches: Agate and Nye beaches in Lincoln County, Florence North Jetty beach in Lane County, Umpqua beach in Douglas County, and Bastendorff and Sunset Bay State Park beaches in Coos County.

Increased pathogen and fecal bacteria levels in waterways are common after heavy rain events, when runoff can wash pollutants into streams and rivers, and sanitary sewers may overflow.

Interactive Talks on Coastal Ghosts Given in Newport and Seaside

It’s a paranormal walk down the coast, covering just about every town from Astoria to Florence.

(NEWPORT) - Andre’ Hagestedt, editor of BeachConnection.net and all around coastal character and conspiracy theorist, will give two interactive talks on “Oregon Coast Ghosts and the Paranormal,” happening in two different ends of the coast.

The presentation will include spooky stories about lighthouses, the legends that are simply laughable, and a host of tales that defy category, covering ghosts, poltergeists, UFO’s, spiritual spots, conspiracy theories, sea monsters and myths that were debunked, as well as unusual historical tidbits and weird science that relate to the subject.

Large Rock Punctures Fuel Tank Causing Diesel Spill on Highway 101 Near Newport

State Police asks anyone traveling on area highways to pay attention for large rocks that could be lodged between vehicle tires or lying on the pavement.

(NEWPORT) - Another incident involving an airborne rock in the Newport area resulted in a punctured diesel fuel tank and spill on Highway 101 in the south end area of Otter Crest.

Approximately 70 gallons of diesel leaked onto the highway and shoulder area before it was contained.

This is the second time in recent days that a rock on the roadway caused a major incident; last week a woman died after a rock from an unconfirmed source struck the windshield of the pickup she was riding in, striking her in the head and neck.