Fall 2019
INSIDE
INSIDE
Cross Country opens season
Fall Real Estate Guide
Pages A10
R eal E state G uide
Headlight Herald
A Special Publication of
Headlight Herald
Citizen North Coast
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
Suspected ammonia leak sparks Feds HAZMAT response, evacuation prep 1.2 M acres for wildfire EXCLUSIVE season Headlight Report
With peak wildfire activity predicted in the coming months, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has been working tirelessly to implement preventative measures to limit the size and scope of wildfires, treat current wildfires already underway, and protect wildfire-prone areas to best safeguard people and their communities. “As stewards of one-fifth of the country’s public lands, primarily in the West, we know that our ability to be prepared for wildfires and reduce their severity is paramount to protecting communities and saving lives,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “In collaboration with local, state, and other federal partners, we are using everything in our arsenal to prepare for wildfires this year, treating more than one million acres.” As a part of the DOI, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) contribute to a total workforce of 4,500 firefighting personnel, 500 tribal firefighters, 151 smokejumpers, 18 interagency hotshot crews and 4 Tribal hotshot crews. These firefighters will have over 600 pieces of specialized equipment available for use, including engines, water tenders, dozers, and other equipment. Aviation assets also play a
n See WILDFIRE, Page A2
INDEX Classified Ads....................... B4-6 Crossword Puzzle....................B3 Fenceposts...............................B3 Letters................................... A5-6 Obituaries................................ A7 Opinions............................... A5-6 Sports................................ A10-11
HAZMAT teams have cleared the location of a possible ammonia leak in Tillamook County. Tillamook 911 was notified of a possible ammonia leak from storage tanks around 5:52 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 31595 Sandlake Road near Cape Kiwanda. Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that two large, older commercial tanks around 300-gallons in size were reported to be at the location, part of an old mink farm from about 50 years ago. The ammonia was used as a refrigerant in the cooling Image: Sandlake Road Google Maps system. The caller, Dan Krueger, Tualatin Fire and Rescue to assist. reported that he could smell amTwo nearby residences were monia in the area of the buildings. evacuated, according to the SherNestucca Rural Fire Protection iff’s Office. District units responded, notifying At around 10:13 a.m., response the Oregon State Fire Marshal as crews arrived and located the well as the Oregon Emergency Re- buildings and storage tanks, which sponse System, which dispatched were evaluated and found to be hazardous materials and deconclear of any gasses. At around tamination teams from Salem and 11:35 a.m. the scene was declared
ORIGINAL
free of any hazard. Emergency response crews were dispatched from Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Tillamook County Emergency Management, Tillamook Adventist Ambulance, Salem Fire HAZMAT, and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.
Rockaway Preparedness Fair slated
Emergencies large and small can happen any time at the coast, but we can be prepared to help each other and ourselves. And once we prepare, we can be confident and relax. “This Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 6-8 p.m. in the Neah Kah Nie high school gym, you can meet your neighbors, ask the local experts for advice on emergency response and preparedness, and sign up for some training.” said Patricia Jones, Event Coordinator. “What is the disaster plan for your family? Rockaway, like many coastal towns, has a history of coming together and helping each other in times of
trouble, but we have to take care of ourselves and our family first. The Community Preparedness Fair will teach you how,” Jones said. Rockaway Beach Police, Fire and the Tillamook County Sherriff’s Office will be there, as well as the Coast Guard, Red Cross, Tillamook County Health, Oregon Dept of Land Conservation, Pioneer Veterinary Hospital, First Student, 911, etc. Tillamook PUD will be there and handing out their tote bags for every-
n See FAIR, Page A2
VOL. 132, NO. 36 • $1.00
Manzanita council to add $6.5M bond to ballot Hilary Dorsey headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
T
he Manzanita City Council meeting met on August 7, at 7 p.m. at Manzanita City Hall. This meeting discussed the City Hall Project and offered a general update on the new city hall, as well as acting to place a bond measure on the November’s ballot. Randy Kugler, former city council manager, began by reading his latest presentation about the ongoing water budget issue. Kugler writes that at the July 10 meeting, the mayor attempted to explain how the city water utility operated in order to justify excessive salary payments from the water fund for the city manager and assistant city manager. Mayor Scott had stated, “If the water system was a separate business, it would have its own manager and board of directors.” “The city water system is not a separate ‘business’,” said Kugler. “It is a utility owned by the citizens of Manzanita, operated and managed by employees of the City, under the ultimate authority of the elected City Council who enjoys some discretion
EXCLUSIVE
ORIGINAL n See BALLOT, Page A2
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
Old Oregon Smokehouse known for fish & chips and more Cody Mann headlightnews@countrymedia.net
I
f you ask around in Tillamook County, Old Oregon Smokehouse has a solid reputation for serving up some of the best dishes around. An Oregonian article recently awarded two top slots to the Smokehouse for best fish and chips on the coast, one for each location, adding to a long list of accolades that includes a nod from USA Today for best seafood. With locations in Rockaway Beach and Tillamook, it’s likely you’ve seen the restaurants before. One is directly across from the Tillamook Creamery, the other is tucked away on the main drag in Rockaway. Both spots offer a surprisingly diverse menu that is highlighted by wide array of seafood, too much to list here. There is quite a bit choose from for taking home, too. Harold, Cindy and Adam Brecht own the Old Oregon Smokehouses. They run the restaurants themselves along with manager Sandy Dix-
son and a staff of around a dozen between both locations. They’re particularly proud of the fish and chips, hand-breaded with a dry batter and fried to perfection. The clam chowder is acclaimed as well, and the crab dishes are among the most popular. They scour the Pacific Northwest coast for the best to fill out the menu. It’s not uncommon to find a line outside the Rockaway Beach location at opening time. Hundreds of rave reviews on Yelp and strong local following keep the cozy spot packed year-round. During the Kite Festival this year, the line stretched down the sidewalk to the corner, dozens and dozens of people eager for a taste. Old Oregon Smokehouse is said to be the longest running restaurant with the same owners in the community. Harold ran his own logging company before an injury forced his retirement, leading the Brechts to the seafood market and later the restaurant business in Scappoose around 25 years ago. It was a natural fallback after growing up around
Old Oregon Smokehouse owners and staff. Cody Mann/Headlight Herald his mom’s restaurant. The Rockaway Beach Old Oregon Smokehouse opened seventeen years ago and hasn’t slowed down since. Around a decade ago, they opened the Tillamook location. The secret to their success is working for it. “If you want to be successful,
you’ve got to work hard,” Harold said. It’s paying off. The past four years have seen significant increases in business for the Brechts. As locals hear the good word and tourists flock to the shores, they expect to keep seeing crowds line up to check it out.
• Customized Orthodontic Care • State of the Art Treatment • Come see us! Exams are always free and we offer flexible payment options!
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