RETHINKING WATER
TRUMPING THE TIGERS
Obama connects drought, climate change, A7
Coquille wins showdown, B1
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014
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Flood warnings for the coast this weekend THE WORLD Meteorologists say heavy rainfall this weekend could leave parts of Coos County underwater. According to the National Weather Service, a series of storms is causing a rapid rise in river levels throughout the area. The Coos County Emergency Management Office is predicting minor flooding in the South Fork Coquille River at Myrtle Point, which could threaten some farm buildings and cover roadways. 1 As of Friday afternoon, the river was at a little less than 25 ⁄2 feet, and was expected to reach just under 35 feet by Sunday morning. Moderate flooding is expected on the river’s main stem, with a predicted level of 23 feet by Sunday afternoon. Emergency planners are warning against trying to drive through high water on roadways.
By Alysha Beck, The World
Sixth-grader Ezra Coffer smiles as the main course of pork fried rice, cashew chicken, sweet and sour pork, and beef and broccoli is served at the Sunset School’s Valentine lunch prepared by students at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute on Thursday.
Minding their P’s and Q’s Sunset sixth-graders practice etiquette at OCCI Valentine’s lunch
Silver Surfer
BY CHELSEA DAVIS The World
COOS BAY — A bunch of Coos Bay kids are becoming proper gentlemen and young ladies. Busloads of chatty, giggly Sunset Middle School sixth-graders sat up straight, placed napkins in their laps and waited to take a bite until everyone at the table had their food at Oregon Coast Culinary Institute on Thursday morning. The sixth-graders practiced etiquette and table manners at the annual Valentine’s lunch served by OCCI students. The idea came to OCCI chef instructor Tom Roberts while he was swimming with Sunset’s sixth grade teachers in the Mingus Park swimming pool three years ago. The first year, only teacher Rebecca Peters’ class of 30 came. Last year, the entire sixth grade ventured out. See the photo gallery “Now it’s become a tradiand video for this he said. tion,” story online at The teachers organize the theworldlink.com/gallery or theworldlink.com/video lunch instead of a traditional Valentine’s party. “As sixth-graders, Valentine’s cards get a little iffy; it’s not so appropriate anymore,” Peters said. “This is something else they can look forward to instead of having a party.” In class, the kids have been learning about place settings, what to do if you come across food you don’t like (don’t make a scene) and refraining from asking for seconds. “It’s a really good experience for them,” she said.
Sixth-grader Kiana Holley delicately eats a bowl of wonton soup with bok choy, green onion, barbecue pork and pork wonton with shrimp. “They need to know the expectations of how to act in public.” Both the banquet hall and the kitchen were humming. As the kids waited patiently to be served, OCCI students were rushing around the kitchen, filling dishes with wonton soup, pork fried rice, cashew chicken, sweet and sour pork, and beef and broccoli. This lunch gives Roberts’ students the opportunity to feed a huge group of people as fast as possible. At most, they typically serve 60 to 70 at the Chef’s Table every Friday. Thursday’s lunch doubled that. Roberts’ 22 students managed to serve a threecourse meal in 40 minutes. “It helps them focus on feeding large groups of people really quickly and efficiently,” he said. “It’s become part of our curriculum; we look forward to it every year.” During lulls between courses, OCCI students were scattered throughout the kitchen sipping leftover wonton soup. “I’m totally OK with you eating, but don’t lose your momentum, OK?” Roberts called out.
The Associated Press
Noelle Pikus-Pace of the United States cries during the flower ceremony after winning the silver medal during the women's skeleton competition on Friday See complete Winter Olympic coverage in Sports.
SEE SUNSET | A10
The Associated Press
INSIDE
SALEM — Gov. John Kitzhaber says he’ll sign a bill that would allow Oregon schools to retain Native American mascots under certain conditions after state lawmakers addressed concerns that led him to veto a similar measure a year ago. The measure, approved unanimously in the state Senate on Friday, would loosen the Board of Education’s 2012 ban on depicting Native American mascots in
Police reports . . . . A2 What’s Up . . . . . . . Go! South Coast. . . . . . A3 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . A4
their nicknames and imagery. “I’m pleased that everyone stayed at the table and worked toward a bipartisan compromise that will increase awareness, respect, and communication between tribes and neighboring communities,” Kitzhaber said in a statement. His spokeswoman, Rachel Wray, said he’ll sign the bill if it clears the House without changes. Schools would be allowed to keep
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SEE MASCOTS | A10
DEATHS
BY CHAD GARLAND
Betty Dyer, Coos Bay Bessie Daugherty, Bandon Lila DeSersa, Sutherlin Winsome Hayes, North Bend Dr. James Holbert, Coos Bay Betty Worthen, Coos Bay
Gov’t lets banks, legal pot sellers do business BY PETE YOST The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday gave banks a road map for conducting transactions with legal marijuana sellers so these new businesses can stash away savings, make payroll and pay taxes like any other enterprise. It’s not clear banks will get on board. Guidance issued by the Justice and Treasury departments is the latest step by the federal government toward enabling a
Ralph Hoof, North Bend Prentis Taylor, Coos Bay Jack Ponting, Port Orford
Obituaries | A5
FORECAST
Kitzhaber says he’ll OK bill on school mascots
legalized marijuana industry to operate in states that approve it. The intent is to make banks feel more comfortable working with marijuana businesses that are licensed and regulated. Others have a keen interest, too, in a regulated financial pipeline for an industry that is just emerging from the underground. Marijuana businesses that can’t use banks may have too much cash they can’t safely put away, leaving them vulnerable to criminals. SEE BANKS | A10
Rain 54/43 Weather | A10