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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021
Brookings, Oregon
Fire destroys home; neighbors concerned By Diana Bosetti The Pilot
A devastating early morning fire that may have killed a dog was started by a person still squatting on the property who is now, according to the nextdoor neighbors, threatening to burn down their home. The fire occurred in the 97900 block of Court Street in Brookings at 2:53 am Monday. Timothy Capps, the person allegedly responsible for the fire, was inside a camper Tuesday afternoon on the property and was eager to talk about the incident. While showing the damage to the home, as well as a camper that was parked at the back of property - where Capps was previously staying - he spoke of “divine intervention” that included visions in his sleep of the female property owner escaping the fire unharmed. While Capps’ dog sniffed at debris near his feet, he also talked about previous fires he had
been in but was unable to elaborate except to say that divine intervention told him to wake up and leave the camper. He then dropped his jeans down to his knees, saying “I was wearing only these when it happened.” Underneath Capps’ jeans was a pair of red, flannel Santa Claus pajamas. When asked how the fire started, he pointed to what appeared to be the point of origin, and said “It started right there, on the kitchen table.” All that was left of where the kitchen table once sat was ash, debris and the metal framing of the camper. According to Capps, he lit a candle Sunday night and fell asleep while it was still lit. Witnesses and a first responder both said the scene of the fire was chaotic, and not just because of the intense flames. According to Fire Chief Steve McClintock, of the Harbor Rural
More Fire, Page A2
Photo by Diana Bosetti/The Pilot
Timothy Capps points to the location where he believes a fire started Monday. Capps said he left a candle lit when he fell asleep, which started the fire.
Controversy over St. Timothy’s is growing Significant
upgrades coming to Beachfront RV Park
By Diana Bosetti The Pilot
It’s Saturday afternoon, and members and volunteers of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church are huddled at a picnic bench under a stately tree, steaming plates of ribs and calzone before them. Joining them is Diana Akiyama, the R.T. Rev., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. It’s been at least a year since Akiyama has been to St. Tim’s, but she made the six-hour trek from Portland to show support to one of the 70 congregations she oversees. “Welcome!” shouts Father Bernie Lindley, the pastor of St. Tim’s who, for better or worse, is well known in the Brookings community. They all look up, including Bishop Akiyama. Lindley quickly unfolds his legs from under the wooden table and strolls across the grass while simultaneously explaining that it’s a slower Saturday than usual. Plus, it’s only 12:30 pm the start of the day for people to arrive to gain access to the many services the church provides. For all this unfettered comradeship, however, not everyone in the community is pleased that St. Tim’s has hot food available More Controversy, Page A11
By Diana Bosetti The Pilot
Photo by Diana Bosetti/The Pilot
Father Bernie Lindley, pastor at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, pulls a box of COVID vaccines out of the freezer to prepare for a vaccine clinic.
Rising seas could change coastal regions By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot
With climate change impacting the Earth, sea levels are beginning to rise again, and as they rise it will impact the shorelines many in Oregon and California call home. That's the message Kim McCoy shared during a virtual meeting celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition. McCoy recently updated the book, Waves and Beaches, which was originally written by Willard Bascom. The book is considered the leading authority on beaches, shorelines and the impact waves and weather have on them. McCoy, a physical oceanographer, adventurer and expert on coastal wave dynamics, said the impact on the coast is directly linked to weather events far away. "Everything that happens upstream impacts what happens More Change, Page A12
Photo by David Rupkalvis
As the ocean rises, waves are expected to increase along the coast, which could quickly change the coast we all enjoy. Each wave moves sediment and changes the coastal community.
Gold Beach looks for approval of "Granny Units" Gold Beach names interim police chief AT CURRYPILOT.COM
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Significant upgrades are coming to Beachfront RV Park in the Port of Brookings, starting early next year. On October 7, the Port of Brookings Harbor Commission approved sub-contractor and Brookings-based McLennan Excavation to make electrical upgrades at Beachfront RV Park. McLennan beat a competing bid by about $188,000. All told, upgrades to the busy tourist destination to the tune of $657,000 will start next year, with a projected completion date in April. According to harbor staff reports, the port budget for the project is $558,416, but another $100,000 was transferred over from the general fund to cover the remaining costs. “The project consists of providing six new RV sites and modifications to sites 76 through 98,” said Port Manager Gary Dehlinger. Specifically, the details include: ● Six new sites ● Front row sites will be upgraded to power 50amp/30amp/20amp GFCI service with new pedestals ● New water and sewer lines to sites 76 through 98 and the six new sites ● All RV sites will receive new spring-loaded sewer caps ● The relocation of up to two existing light poles, and the relocation of two transformers ● Sites 76 through 98: ● Demo of all existing concrete pads ● Demo of existing electrical building and replace with outdoor electrical panel ● Realign sites at 45 degree angle and pour new concrete pads More Beachfront, Page A12
INDEX Crossword.................................... A10 Classifieds............................... A6 Crossword Answers................. A8
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