Students Offered Counseling
The death of a Siuslaw High School last weekend has prompted school officials to offer support for students and staff as they all try to process the loss. Formal and informal grief and emotional support counseling has been offered. A memorial service for Terrence Evans will be held next Monday, February 20th at the Florence Events Center. It will begin at one PM. Siuslaw Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak, in a letter to parents and guardians last week, also said a special account has been set up for the Evans family at Oregon Pacific Bank. Donations can be made directly to the account at the bank, or can be dropped off at any school office. A national three-digit hotline was established last summer. Anyone in crisis or considering suicide can call or send a text to 9-8-8.
Wind and Weather
Snow, hail, wind and rain blew through the coast last night, but according to Central Lincoln PUD there was little effect on the power grid. A handful of customers from Lincoln to Douglas county lost power with a larger swath of about 200 customers in Coos County lost power. Conditions are expected to improve, but overnight tonight the temperature is expected to drop below freezing in the Florence area with lows in the mid to upper 20’s. a high surf advisory is in effect until 4pm. Mapleton’s Winter Storm Warning recinds at 10 am.
Coast Guard Rescue
Just north of Newport three surfers had to be rescued by the US Coast Guard. The surfers were in the Agate Beach area at approximately 2 pm on Sunday when a report went out of two individuals being pushed up against the rocks. Coast Guard Sector North Bend rerouted a lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Yaquina station. They were able to retrieve one of the surfers and located 2 others but seas were too rough to get to them by boat and a rescue helicopter was dispatched from Newport. A rescue swimmer was deployed and was able to get to the remaining individuals where they were then hoisted onto the helicopter. The Coast Guard was aided by the Newport Fire Department.
Tree Removal (update)
Planned tree removal from a section of U.S. 20 has been postponed until tomorrow when conditions improve. A slide on the Corvallis-Newport highway had been cleaned up but some problematic trees are still causing concern. ODOT crews hope to begin the removal tomorrow and Thursday.
