Central Coast Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
A Douglas County army officer; a 1993 graduate of Reedsport High School; has died in the southeastern Afghanistan province of Ghazni (GAHZ-nee). 37-year old Army Captain James D. Nehl (NEE-ul) was killed by small arms fire while on patrol Friday.
According to the Defense Department, Nehl was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. The unit was based at Fort Riley, Kansas and is part of the joint American-British and Afghan military campaign. He was from Gardiner and is reportedly the eighth Douglas County resident killed in Afghanistan or Iraq since 2005; Nehl is the 136th soldier with strong Oregon ties to die in either conflict.
Wharf Rehab Held Up By Permit Delays
The work was scheduled and expected to begin nearly two weeks ago. But, so far there’s been no action on the project to replace the understructure beneath Mo’s and ICM Restaurants. Port of Siuslaw Manager Bob Forsythe said the hold-up is in the permit process. He’s received permits, or assurances of permits from all federal, state, county and city agencies… with one exception.
So far the National Marine Fisheries Service, which has jurisdiction because of salmon runs in the Siuslaw River, has declined to take action on the permit request to remove old pilings beneath the wharf; drive new ones along the perimeter; and suspend heavy beams beneath the buildings. Forsythe said the Port only has a brief window of opportunity… through the end of February… to complete the “in-water” work. Legacy Contracting is expected to begin staging equipment and materials in the Old Town Area this month with work set to begin as soon as all approvals are obtained.
Write In Count Begins
It still could be several days before Florence residents know who will fill the single open seat on the City Council. Joshua Greene was the single candidate on the ballot last week, but there were two open spots. Greene received 2,299 votes and there were 536 write-ins marked on ballots. Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart said work on counting write-ins would not begin until today. There are three declared candidates that actively sought write-ins… Clarence Lysdale, Jane Nieborsky and Joe Henry.
There were write in votes also cast for Florence and Dunes City Mayor, as well as for Dunes City Council. They will not be counted as there were declared candidates on the ballot for all of those positions and each candidate received an easy majority.
Lane County is also counting the 34-thousand or so votes cast in the 7th District Circuit Court Judge race where the incumbent failed to file for the ballot. There are at least five write-in candidates there.
Hall of Famer to Head Viking Baseball
College Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Dietz will take over the reigns of Siuslaw Baseball again. Principal Matt Henry said Dietz, who coached the San Diego Aztecs for 32 years, has an “incredible baseball IQ and cares deeply about each player”. After three years at the helm former coach Josh Thomas-Dotson took another position in the community and was unable to continue as coach.
