CCP 102619

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WEEKEND EDITION

A rising star in the Brookings PD page A6

barronshomefurnishings.com

Saturday October 26 2019

www.currypilot.com

Brookings, Oregon

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

Rifle barrel plant burns down Jeremy C. Ruark Pilot Editor

“Thirty-five years of my life went up in this fire,” Chris Dichter said. Dichter owns the Pac-Nor Barreling plant at 99299 Overlook Rd. in Brookings plus an adjacent 10 acres. The plant manufactures precision rifle barrels. Dichter was watching flames rolling through the plant, which sits in a wooded area just east of U.S. Highway 101. A heavy blackand-gray plume from the Wednesday-morning blaze could be seen throughout the surrounding area. While fire investigators have not yet released spe-

Fire crews used a defense tactic in battling the blaze keeping the flames from spreading to adjacent structures and the nearby forest. Photo by Jeremy C. Ruark. cific details about the cause of blaze, Dichter described what he saw when fire erupted inside the 7.000-squarefoot building. “We had a part worn out on a lathe and

were waiting for a replacement part,” he said. “As one of the guys moved the electrical conduit attached to the lathe that comes out of a box in the wall, some sparks

flew.” Dichter said other employees pulled the main breaker to cut the power, but shortly after the fire burst from the wall.

“I’d never seen anything go like that,” Dichter said. “It blew up with smoke and fire. It sounded like a tree fell on the plant.” Employees witnessing

Linda Pinkham Staff Writer

f and when disaster strikes here in Curry County, at least one group of experienced volunteers here will be well prepared. A group of local and global citizens representing Reach Out WorldWide routinely pack up their gear and deploy into disaster zones following floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, volcanic eruptions and typhoons. Gold Beach resident Josh Stout became the organization’s director of program development for in 2017. “At Reach Out WorldWide, we really pride ourselves on getting to the scene within 72 hours of the event,” Stout said. “Oftentimes, we’re one of the first groups of Americans into that area.” Reach Out began in 2010 when founder Paul Walker put together a relief team of firefighters, EMTs, doctors and a helicopter to help victims of a devastating earthquake in Haiti, according to the organization’s website. On the ground, Walker recognized the gap between the availability of resources and the need for skilled personnel in post-disaster zones. When he returned from Haiti, he established Reach Out WorldWide, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Walker was better known as an actor famous for his role in the “Fast and Furious” action film series. He died from a car accident in 2013, but the organization lives on through like-minded volunteers. More World on Page A2

F

A R A Reach Out WorldWide crew removes a tree uprooted by Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Merit Draven (left) and Josh Stout (right) are with two volunteers. Photo courtesy Reach Out WorldWide.

Curry County unemployment rate remains steady C

urry County’s latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.7% was up slightly from August, but down compared to the 6% rate in September 2018, according to the Oregon Employment Department. Overall, 8,668 county workers were employed, with 450 unemployed, last month. Curry County’s total non-farm

Index

Classifieds.................A9-12 Crosswords...............A4 Calendar...................A7-8

payroll employment changed slightly in September compared to previous months. Declines were estimated in leisure and hospitality, down by 60 jobs. The construction industry reported 30 fewer jobs. Government employment gained 80 jobs. Local government education added 100 jobs, while non-education local government and federal govern-

Weather HIGH LOW

Fri 67 49

Past four days

Thurs 84 64

Wed 78 65

Tues 69 52

5-day forecast, tides and complete weather: Page A8

More Fire on Page A4

Gasoline prices up more

Gold Beach man races to help out around the world I

the incident immediately grabbed fire extinguishers and attempted to put out the flames. Seeing that

ment both shed 10 jobs over the month. Industries adding jobs over the year in Curry County include construction (+20), retail trade (+20), and financial activities (+20). Industries with estimated overthe-year job losses were private education and health services (-20), leisure and hospitality (-20), and professional and busi-

Tides LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

Call us 541-813-1717

Sat 4:33 AM 10:49 AM 12:04 PM 11:18 PM

ness services (-10 In Coos County, the Oregon Employment Department reported that 25,154 people were employed and 1,280 were unemployed in September in Coos County. The county’s seasonably adjusted jobless rate of 5.3% was the same as September 2018. Coos County’s total payroll employment rose by 70 jobs in September.

Sun Mon 5:18 AM 12:13 AM 11:26 AM 6:01 AM 5:59 PM 12:04 PM 6:46 PM

Fax 541-813-1931

Jeremy C. Ruark Pilot Editor

or the second straight week, Oregon has posted the highest gas-price increase in the nation - 7 cents a gallon - according to the Oregon/Idaho American Automobile Association. For Brookings, the current average price is $3.44 a gallon. California continues to lead the nation’s pump prices, averaging $4.13. “Drivers can expect a rollercoaster ride at the pumps for the next couple of weeks, especially here on the West Coast, due to ongoing maintenance (at refineries) and tighter gasoline supplies,” said Oregon/Idaho AAA public affairs director Marie Dodds. Peak travel times continue to be during the summer months, Dodds said, but popular tourist destinations, such as the Oregon coast and central Oregon, tend to see elevated numbers during the spring and autumn seasons, as well as a rush during December for the holidays. “This year, AAA surveys showed a record number of travelers during the major holidays, including Memorial Day and Independence Day, and our travel bookings remain strong through the end of the year,” Dodds said. Other key factors influencing the price at the pumps includes the price of crude oil, which Dodds said is impacted by the global economy and geopolitical events. “Every $1 increase in the price More Gasoline on Page A4

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