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Headlight Herald WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014
VOL. 125, NO. 25 • $1.00
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
Beltz farm may be Tillamook’s next state park By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net Since the 1960’s, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has been interested in acquiring 357 acres known as the “Beltz property” on the south side of Sand Lake’s estuary. According to the Oregon State Parks website, if the purchase of the land is successful the “state park management would likely
focus on restoring and protecting natural water flow, plants and animals, and accommodating light trail recreation, mostly from nearby communities.” Ecotrust Forests Management LLC bought the 357 acres of private property just last month for $1.7 million. However, according to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission report from April 9 presented by Kammie Bunes and
Jim Morgan, “that purchase is contingent upon satisfactory indication that OPRD intends to acquire the property from Ecotrust.” The property has several features that make it attractive to OPRD including beaches that contain low amounts of non-native species, wetlands, and forests. Areas of the property have also been identified as potential self-sustaining habitats for the Western snowy plover. The April 9 commission report
also details that: “The complex of beaches, dunes, tidal and freshwater marshes on Beltz Farm is considered one of the best remaining unprotected coastal remnants.” OPRD hopes to purchase the property from Ecotrust before August 30 using Oregon Lottery funds. With the success of Whalen Island nearby, OPRD hopes the Beltz property would make another great addition to the state parks in the area.
OPRD previously tried to purchase the land in 2004. A meeting for public feedback was held at the Kiawanda Community Center on June 16. Locals
See FARM Page A2
For more photos, read the story online.
tillamookheadlightherald.com
Photos courtesy of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department hopes to acquire the 357 acres commonly known as the “Beltz property” south of the Sand Lake estuary to turn into Tillamook County’s newest state park.
Manderson appointed to Tillamook School Board By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net Eva Manderson, executive director of Tillamook Early Learning Center, has been appointed to the Tillamook School Board. See MANDERSON Page A3
INDEX Classified Ads.....................B5-10 Crossword Puzzle.................... B2 Fenceposts...........................B3-4 Letters......................................A4 Opinions..................................A4 Obituaries................................A5 Sports.....................................A12
LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY SINCE 1888
Courtesy photo
Ms. Harrington’s second grade class poses during their field trip to Bay Breeze Golf Course on June 3.
South Prairie teacher accepted to study in Italy By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net South Prairie Elementary’s second grade teacher Denise Harrington believes that life experiences make better teachers. So, when it came time for her to get re-licensed and earn univer-
sity credit, she knew she wanted to do something different than the typical online courses. “After my first three years, I was kind of frustrated with that because they were paying me nothing and making me go to more school,” Harrington told the Headlight Herald. “I said to my-
Courtesy Photo Representative Richardson will be running against Gov. John Kitzhaber in this year’s election.
Richardson seeks state improvements By Michael Waterloo mwaterloo@countrymedia.net
self, ‘I’m going to do programs that were free and outdoors.’” After some research, Harrington landed on the Center for Geography Education in Oregon through Portland State University to complete her requirements.
With over 30 years as a practicing attorney and 11 in the state legislature, Dennis Richardson decided he wanted to have his shot to run for governor. Richardson earned 66.6 percent of the vote, beating out Tim Carr, Darren Karr,
See ITALY Page A3
See RICHARDSON Page A2
Eugene man arrested following highspeed chase in Tillamook County Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and Manzanita Department of Public Safety, arrested a Eugene man after finding him hiding in brush near a crashed vehicle off North Fork Road near Manzanita. The suspect had eluded officers before crashing northeast of Manzanita and hiding in brush until his arrest. On June 10, 2014 at approximately 10:15 p.m., an OSP trooper attempted to stop a 2006 BMW passenger car northbound on Highway 101
near milepost 64 for failure to display headlights. The driver failed to yield and fled northbound at a high rate of speed until the trooper lost sight near milepost 57 and terminated the pursuit. Local agencies were notified to be on the lookout. A Tillamook County deputy saw the vehicle just north of Wheeler and unsuccessfully attempted to deploy spike strips. The vehicle continued northbound where the Manzanita police chief saw it. The driver attempted to elude
Manzanita police northbound on North Fork Road where the driver lost control and crashed near milepost 3. The driver fled on foot into a swamp. During the early morning hours officers spotted him in heavy brush. At approximately 5:00 a.m., the driver surrendered and was taken into custody. The vehicle was determined to be stolen out of the Eugene area. Matthew Owen Reniff, Age 36, from See SPEED Page A3