ONLINE
See primary election results online at tillamookheadlightherald.com
SPORTS
Local high school track athletes headed to state PAGE A10
Headlight Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014
Tillamook County same-sex couples can soon marry
Police seize illegal crab pots
by Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net U.S. District Judge Michael McShane ruled May 19 that Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. That ruling came after two cases challenged Oregon’s ban on marriage equality – also known as Measure 36 – before the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in late 2013. McShane wrote, “Expanding the embrace of civil marriage to gay and lesbian couples will not burden any legitimate state interest… The state’s marriage laws unjustifiably treat same-gender couples differently than oppositegender couples. The laws assess a couple’s fitness for civil marriage based on their sexual orientation: opposite-gender couples pass; same-gender couples do not. No legitimate state purpose justifies the preclusion of gay and lesbian couples from civil marriage.” McShane’s ruling makes Ryan Weber of Tillamook “so proud to live in a state that recognizes all forms of love. Love is love,” Weber told the Headlight Herald. “Regardless if it’s a man and woman, a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, love is love. “I believe that marriage should be defined as two individuals who love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together,” he said, “being able to publicly show their love and have it be valid in the eyes of all people.” Weber said he recently ended a seven-month relationship with his fiancé, whom he had planned to marry in Seattle because such a ceremony wasn’t legal in See MARRIAGE Page A5
INDEX Classified Ads...................B5-10 Crossword Puzzle................... B2 Fenceposts.........................B3-4 Letters....................................A4 Obituaries..............................A6 Opinions................................A4 Sports..................................A10
LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY SINCE 1888
VOL. 125, NO. 21 • $1.00
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
Courtesy photo
Oregon State Police and U.S. Coast Guard officials seize more than 150 crab pots and arrest two Tillamook County men on various charges.
An Oregon State Police investigation of a Garibaldi-based fishing vessel has led to the recovery of more than 150 illegal crab pots and charges filed against two Tillamook County men. OSP Sgt. Todd Hoodenpyl said the department is planning a public viewing June 9 of seized crab gear that has markings not associated with the fishing vessel Valkyrie believing some may be stolen. “Some of the pots don’t have enough markings to identify which vessel they belong to,” Sgt. Hoodenpyl said, “and they may have actually been purchased from other vessels. We just want to give everyone an opportunity to come and
see if they’re missing anything.” The viewing is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. at the State Patrol’s office in Tillamook, 5995 Long Prairie Road. OSP Fish & Wildlife Division troopers began their investigation last December after a mandatory hold inspection noted that the Valkyrie had deployed commercial crab pots in the Pacific Ocean and did not conduct a landing within 14 days as required by law. The Valkyrie is owned and supervised by Aron Steinbach, 34, of Bay City. It was being operated by two See CRAB POTS Page A3
Photo by Dale Harmer
The PB-Y Catalina is a plane in Jack Erickson’s private collection that is being moved to a new air museum in Madras.
Photo by Julius Jortner
The bike parking area in Pacific City filled up by mid-afternoon with more than 3,000 for the annual “Reach the Beach” fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon.
Thousands ‘Reach the Beach’ at Cape Kiwanda By JULIUS JORTNER For the Headlight Herald The population of Pacific City more than quadrupled May 17 when cyclists arrived at Cape Kiwanda to join in the 24th-annual “Reach the Beach” fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon. More than 3,000 riders were expected by day’s end. Many were greeted by crowds of friends and family – making for lots of people. The first cyclist to come across the finish line was Frank Insera of Portland, who began his ride in
Grande Ronde and made that 28mile trip in 1 hour, 47 minutes. Other starting points were Amity (55 miles distant), Newberg (80 miles) and Beaverton (104 miles). Some of the cyclists see “Reach the Beach” simply as the first major bicycle ride of the season. But many more have personal motivation for supporting the lung association. For example, while waiting for her husband to cycle in, Lorie Forcier told the Headlight Herald: “He’s 55 years old. He does it for personal achievement and to raise money for a good cause.”
Dick Adkins, 71, has been cycling seriously since 2004. This particular event, which he’s done three times now, is important to him because his father suffered from emphysema. Mark Winn, the first to arrive from the Portland area, wheeled in about noon. His trip was in memory of Ruth Cotton, a family member who died of cancer four years ago. By the way, Winn’s may well have been the most expensive bike in this year’s event. The wheels alone, their rims made See BEACH Page A5
Private collector now moving planes from Tillamook Air Museum By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@coutnrymedia.net The Tillamook Air Museum’s lease ends in January 2016 and the planes on display there are already beginning to leave. On May 12, a PB-Y Catalina and an A-26 Intruder, but a small portion of Jack Erickson’s private collection, were taken from Tillamook heading for their new home in Madras. There, they will be housed in a new 65,000-square-foot hangar at the Madras Airport that opens in late August. As of May 9, seven of Erickson’s 23 flyable planes had made the flight to central Oregon. All of the planes are expected to be gone by the end of this month. “The board is still contemplating what to do with the space, since the museum has decided not See PLANES Page A5
Local author third in national competition by Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net Local author Holly Lorincz thought she might have a slight chance of getting some regional recognition in the 18th-annual Independent Publisher Book Awards. She wouldn’t have guessed that of the 5,500 entries in the popular fiction print division, her book “Smart Mouth” would capture third overall. “I knew there were three big contests,” Lorincz told the Headlight Herald. “If you can win one of those contests, you’ll get your book noticed by publishing houses. So I just thought I
would try. “I’m really more surprised than anyone. I like my book; it’s a fun read. But I never would have thought I would beat out over 5,000 people.” “Smart Mouth” is the story of first-year teacher Addy Taylor and how she learns the ropes of teaching high school English … all while coaching a speech and debate team as well. Taylor quickly realizes that if she doesn’t become a responsible adult – and soon – her students will suffer. “It’s about one woman with a struggle that many, many people have,” said Lorincz. “It’s not neces-
sarily unique, but I think it speaks to a lot of people, because we’ve all struggled with self-identity and how to stand up and become the person we need to be.” An ex-teacher herself, Lorincz says her book is a window into high school education. “I think people think it’s either 100 percent awful and don’t like high school kids, because of the perception they have of them in the media. Or they have this glorified image of what high school is like, because they remember their days when they had an easy time going through high See SMART Page A3
Local author Holly Lorincz’s novel “Smart Mouth” recently took third place at the 18th-annual Independent Publishers Book Awards. She will be honored in New York City on May 28.