Token of Affection

C M C M Y K Y K MARRIAGE DEBATE CLOSING IN Legally married couple can’t get benefits, A7 Heat put win streak on the line, B1 Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27,2013 theworldlink.com I 75¢ Token of affection By James Casey, for The World District Attorney Paul Frasier walks back to the prosecution table with evidence in the trial of Ronald Wayne Ambill. Witness links accused with Photos by Alysha Beck and Lou Sennick, The World motel victim Gail Common created a memorial quilt for her son,Jeff Common, who died in the Coos Bay Far West Truck and Auto building fire on November 25, 2002.The quilt squares are made up of badges from the fire departments that came to Jeff’s memorial service and photos of Jeff with family and friends. Top: One of the fundraising efforts in memory of Common and firefighter safety are memorial tokens, such as this one, being offered. I Jurors take graphic video trip through scene of July slaying Turning tragedy into training BY JAMES CASEY BY TIM NOVOTNY years of preparation and a year of For The World The World work was finished just days before Want to contribute? the tragedy’s 10th anniversary. It While planning continues for a fundraising event COQUILLE — A witness Tuesday in the murder COOS BAY — It’s been a produc- hangs in the new Coos Bay Fire Sta- later this year, there are other ways people can con- trial of Ronald Wayne Ambill placed the victim and tive year for Gail Common, though tion, displaying patches from most of tribute to the Jeff Common Line Of Duty Deaths the defendant at the same place and time. not in the way she would have liked the fire departments that sent repre- Memorial Foundation. In a day that saw 20 prosecution witnesses, only it. Instead of creating memories with sentatives in 2002. I The Memorial Challenge Coin has Jeff Common’s Brandon Davidson — a clerk at Ashworth’s Market in her son, she has spent the year mak- “I didn’t think it would turn out face on the front and his favorite safety motto on the North Bend — identified Ambill in the courtroom. He ing sure her son’s memory never the way it did, but it’s really pretty, back: “Safety never takes a day off. It can’t afford put him and David Marion Barker together in the store fades. and I’m really proud of it.” to!” The coin costs $20 and is available at Marshfield July 16 before Barker was slain at the nearby Itty Bitty On Nov. 25, 2002, Jeff Common Along with the quilt, efforts to Bargain House and the Charleston Fire Station. Inn, 1504 Sherman Ave. and fellow firefighters Randy Car- build the Jeff Common Line Of Duty I Anyone wishing to contribute to Common Two other witnesses picked Ambill out of a “line- penter and Chuck Hanners died in Deaths Memorial Foundation have Foundation can also go in to any Umpqua Bank up” of six photographs. the Far West Auto Supply fire in also been gaining momentum. branch to make a donation. Police say Ambill beat and repeatedly stabbed downtown Coos Bay. Firefighters Gail Common and foundation There are foundations in honor of all three fire- Barker and slashed his throat nearly to the bone. So from around the state, and even all members met last week to update the fighters who died in 2002. The Randy Carpenter far, the prosecution has offered no reason for the the way from New York City, would public on those efforts. North Bay Memorial Foundation and the Common Foundation killing. Barker’s son said his father had no enemies. attend their memorial service at Fire Chief Jim Aldrich, Charleston offer firefighter training, and the Chuck Hanners Fire Davidson testified that Ambill pushed Barker in his Marshfield High School. Fire Chief Mick Sneddon, and Steve Prevention Scholarship supports education with an wheelchair into the market to buy three containers of Finding a way to say “Thank you” Schneiderman, past president of the emphasis on fire prevention at Southwestern Oregon would lead to two huge projects. Community College. SEE PROSECUTION | A6 A hand-made quilt that took her SEE COMMON | A8 Oregon bill would let teens ‘Financial factors’ sink register to vote at age 16 energy buoy timeline requirements as one of the factors. the measure would increase participation THE WORLD I Lawmakers hope legislation The project has suffered three among younger voters. As registered voters, major delays to date. The original would improve youth engagement they’d automatically get a ballot in the mail REEDSPORT — The much-vaunted installation was planned for late 2011, before the first election in which they’re eligible first wave energy buoy off the South but OPT pushed back work until the to vote. Coast may not be finished this year, in summer of 2012. BY JONATHAN J. COOPER part because of financial troubles. “This bill would greatly enhance our ability to When the company finally began The Associated Press engage the young people who we so desperately In its third-quarter financial results, Ocean Power Technologies installing the giant undersea anchors need in our democracy,”said Rep. Ben Unger, of for the first buoy, inclement weather SALEM — The Oregon House on Tuesday said “regulator, business and financial Hillsboro, a freshman Democrat and political brought an end to work after only one approved a measure backed by Democrats that factors” may delay installation of its consultant who was one the measure’s chief of the three anchors had been placed. Mark 3 PowerBuoy off Reedsport would allow teenagers to register to vote when sponsors. And in February 2013, OPT reported they turn 16 and get their driver’s license. Lawmakers rejected a Republican counter- beyond 2013. The company cited The teens wouldn’t be able to cast a ballot compliance with Federal Energy Reg- until their 18th birthday, but proponents hope SEE VOTING | A8 ulatory Commission reporting SEE BUOY | A8 Curry County Curry loses deputies amid budget cuts Sheriff John Bishop stands by BY JEFF BARNARD taking jobs with a better The collapse of federal tim- his truck in The Associated Press future. ber payments that for many Brookings. Faced “We’re all concerned about years bolstered the second- with uncertain GRANTS PASS — Faced the stability of the county and lowest tax rate in the state has funding for his job, with uncertain funding for his the funds, the levy and just the left Curry County struggling to Bishop is leaving job, the undersheriff of Curry general way the county seems keep the sheriff’s office staffed. the struggling County is leaving the strug- to be headed,”Bishop said. “It’s Voters will decide in May coastal timber gling coastal timber county for going to hurt us, but we’ll move whether to triple their tax rate county for a new a new post with the State on.” to pay for the sheriff’s office post with state Police. Bishop said he encouraged and other services. The police. Sheriff John Bishop said Undersheriff Bob Rector as he prospects of passage are Tuesday that he also lost a looked for a new job, and this uncertain. patrol deputy and is losing a jail one will pay him significantly deputy. He said all three are more money. SEE BUDGET | A8 The Associated Press Lilli Schultz, North Bend Rising costs D Police reports . A2 Comics . A6 T Kenneth Gowen, Coos Bay L S S E New study finds that R A L H David Johnson, Portland D What’s Up. A3 O I L Affordable Care Act may C Puzzles . A6 T Diane Wylie, Coos Bay E E A S South Coast. A3 W not be so affordable for Showers T E R N Robert Montgomery, Coos Bay E 57/49 I insurers. Page A7 D O Opinion. A4 Sports . B1 H Obituaries | A5 F Weather | A8 T C M C M Y K Y K C M C M Y K A2 • The World • Wednesday,March 27,2013 Y K South Coast Changes in flood maps Fresh snow could cost landowners BY TIM NOVOTNY house will be held from 6 to The World Insurance rates 8 p.m. April 8, at the Owen Building, 201 N. Adams, COOS BAY — Property will rise for many Coquille. Workstations will owners could face new The head of the Federal be set up for the public to insurance mandates — or Emergency Management Agency review the proposed maps. escape old ones — based on says people who buy federal flood Once formerly adopted, new maps from the Federal insurance need to plan for big rate the maps can be difficult and Emergency Management hikes. Craig Fugate says some peo- costly to change. So the pub- Agency. ple now paying hundreds of dollars lic is encouraged to attend a year could wind up paying thou- FEMA proposes to update the open house in Coquille to sands, because Congress says the its flood insurance maps to learn about the changes and program must at least pay for offer feedback. better define flood hazard itself. areas. The proposed The Oregon Department He said in New Orleans Tuesday of Geology and Mineral changes were prompted by that the increases will be phased Industries and Oregon new technology and topo- in over three to four years. Department of Land Con- graphic information. Associated Press As a result of the update, servation and Development designated floodplains will be available to answer need flood insurance.

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