INSIDE
Watch an attempt at the Cow Belle Cafe Bull Burger Challenge PAGE A11
SPORTS
Alderbrook Golf Course holds handicap tournament PAGE A14
Headlight Herald WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
VOL. 125, NO. 24 • $1.00
Richwine named State Farm, Headlight Herald Educator of the Year By Michael Waterloo mwaterloo@countrymedia.net Photo by Blayne Sheaffer
Senator Johnson plans to continue to work for the best interests of Oregon for the next four years.
Johnson comes from knowledge, honesty By Blayne Sheaffer bsheaffer@countrymedia.net Senator Betsy Johnson’s stance on her work can be summarized in only a few sentences; “I love what I do. I hope that it shows. I work at it really hard, so I’m signing up for another four years, and I’m just thrilled that I’ll continue to represent Tillamook County.” This enthusiasm continues even after sustaining an injury just a year ago, in which her hip suffered and required surgery, leaving Johnson unable to walk since without a wheel chair, walker or cane. “I had to go to a rehab facility just to learn how to move again. Plus, I had this enormous wound that had to heal,” Johnson said. “Then, as soon as I kind of came around… I began participating from my hospital bed, actually, in committee meetings. I pushed it pretty hard, and I came back quickly.” She pushed it hard—having sustained the injury in April and returning back to work full-time in mid-May of 2013—but it wasn’t easy being immobile and having to rely on others while performing her senatorial duties. See JOHNSON Page A10
INDEX Classified Ads.....................B5-12 Crossword Puzzle.................... B2 Fenceposts...........................B3-4 Obituaries................................A6 Letters......................................A7 Opinions..................................A7 Sports.....................................A14
LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY SINCE 1888
During the past year, the Tillamook Headlight Herald and Dave Hollandsworth State Farm awarded educators around the county for the Educator of the Month Award. With the school year ending, it was time to come up with the nominations for the State Farm and Headlight Herald Educator of the Year Award. “When we first started, we asked for the public’s help in nominating different educators for the Educator of the Month Award. In the end, a bunch of us sat down and came up with our final nominations,” Hollandsworth said. On Friday, Hollandsworth and the Headlight Herald went to Nestucca High School to present Ken Richwine with the Educator of the Year Award. “He’s got a vast repertoire of things that he can do that he’s skilled at as far as education. He’s been at it awhile. He knows the in’s and out’s, and he honestly puts the kids’interests first. He does what’s best for them,” said Nestucca High School principal, Randy Wharton. “I always try to
make my decisions on what’s best for the kids. So does he. The kids really like him. I’m sure that a lot of them voted for him, as well. He’s honest, straightforward and he does what’s best for them.” Richwine was named the Educator of the Month in October 2013, when he was surprised when Hollandsworth presented him with the framed certificate during the homecoming pep rally. “I had no idea I was getting it. I thought to myself that it was pretty cool that someone from the school was named the Educator of the Month. It turned out to be me, and I was just surprised. Of course it was right if front of everybody, too,” Richwine said with a grin. While he was surprised to earn the honor in October, he said that to be named the educator of the year was even more unexpected. “It was a bigger surprise. I didn’t expect it. A lot of my family emailed me telling me that they saw me in the Headlight Herald,” Richwine said. “It was pretty cool.” Richwine was one of the finalists for the See EDUCATOR Page A5
Photo by Michael Waterloo
Dave Hollandsworth (left), Ken Richwine (center) and Nestucca principal Randy Wharton (right) pose for a picture after Richwine was named the State Farm and Headlight Herald Educator of the Year.
Courtesy photo
Gov. Kitzhaber visits the Tillamook State Forest on Monday, June 2. Photo Courtesy of Tillamook County Public Works
Condition of the Cape Meares Loop Road around the time of its closure in January 2013. Potential money from the federal government may reopen the loop in the next few years.
Cape Meares may rejoin the ‘Three Capes Scenic Loop’ By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net Tillamook County’s “Three Capes Scenic Loop” has been missing access to one of it’s capes for over a year now, but money from Federal Highway Administration may reopen the Cape Meares Loop Road in the next couple years. “The Federal Highways Administration has an emergency relief pro-
gram that we qualify for,” Tillamook County Public Works Director Liane Welch told the Headlight Herald. “It was during the federally declared flood event that this thing took off, so they paid for a geo-technical study and alternative route analysis.” In conjunction, Cornforth Consulting engineers conducted several deep borings (about 135 feet) in the ground to determine the slide area. “The slide plain is probably 100
feet deep. This is a really large, deep seeded slide,” Welch said. The Cape Meares Loop Road closed in January 2013 after the road starting sliding down the hillside. The road was previously realigned in 2008 after it moved 90 feet to the right a way. “The road was relatively stable for three or four years. It took off See CAPES LOOP Page A10
Kitzhaber speaks with THH on state improvements By Blayne Sheaffer bsheaffer@countrymedia.net Oregon’s Gov. John Kitzhaber visited Tillamook’s State Forest on Monday, June 3, and took the time to speak with the Headlight Herald afterward about his visit, the work he’s See KITZHABER Page A5 Look for our profile on Gubernatorial candidate Dennis Richardson in next Week’s edition and online.
Tillamook’s downtown renovations By Chelsea Yarnell & Michael Waterloo cyarnell@countrymedia.net, mwaterloo@countrymedia.net
For the final meeting of the three-part Prioritized Action Plan workshop for the redesign of the Highway 6 and Highway 101 intersection in Tillamook, a list of common goals was discussed. The common goals were compiled from all the separate projects and renovations projected to take place downtown in conjunction with ODOT’s highway construction. The common goals include: • Promoting and supporting public involvement in decision making processes • Managing growth that improves economic viability while maintaining small town character • Preserving historic areas, buildings and traditions
• Improving pedestrians safety and access to city parks and recreation activities. • Making more and better city parks and recreation facilities • Capitalizing on the opportunities provided with the ODOT project • Creating clear communication of cultural, heritage, parks, projects and opportunities • Creating clean, attractive outdoor living environment • Creating and maintaining regional partnerships • Managing and improving parking access in the downtown area “Vertical housing,” or the idea of creating more apartment spaces above the business in downtown Tillamook, was one of the discussed items to improve economic viability while keeping small town charm. Redevelopment of the waterSee RENOVATION Page A10
Photo by Michael Waterloo
Crew members go over plans for the Highway 101, Highway 6 redesign project, while checking out a utility pole outside of Rodeo Steak House and Grill.