HAPPY HALLOWEEN CHAMPIONS Boston celebrates World Series win, B1 Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 theworldlink.com I 75¢ Natalie Hill 1995-2013 Mysteries of North Bend BY EMILY THORNTON ground labyrinth, so the stories go. The World However,it is nothing more than rumor, said Dick Wagner, historian NORTH BEND — Construction for the Coos Historical and Mar- crews stumbled over a problem itime Museum. recently when they tried to add “There might have been walk- accessible sidewalks to the corner ways between two buildings on the of U.S. Highway 101 south and Vir- same side of the street, but not ginia Avenue. across the street,”Wagner said. A hole in the sidewalk threat- There were no opium dens and ened to swallow crews and equip- secret passages, Wagner said. ment, said Randy Cotton, with Still, Renee Majeski maintains Knife River Corporation. The area there was an underground system is part of a $6.5 million Oregon of tunnels. Department of Transportation “People were shanghaied and project that stretches from mile- taken down to the water to work,” post 234 to 238. Cotton expects to she said. finish the project within the next Majeski has owned the building week, but surprises like this put a adjacent to where the hole was damper on things. filled for the past 25 years. She also “A hole dropped 7 feet into the manages the antique shop on the By Lou Sennick, The World earth,”Cotton said. Crews quickly ground floor and rents the other Natalie Hill gets a tattoo in Coquille last December, one of the things on her list of things to do. filled the gap with concrete. spaces to offices and a nightclub. Crews ended up filling a 30-by- “That’s what I’ve always heard,” 8-by-7-foot area. However, they Majeski said of all the stories. discovered the hole was part of an She said she has a problem with underground sidewalk system dat- people trying to find artifacts left Cancer claims Natalie ing back to the early 1900s. behind from those reported tunnel Legend says the underground days. But they won’t find anything, sidewalks were part of an elaborate since the area is used for storage system for folks to walk from bars and remnants from remodeling BY TIM NOVOTNY to brothels without being seen, the nightclub. The World From Cotton said. Some people were even shanghaied from the under- SEE MYSTERIES | A8 COOS BAY — The announce- ment came simply, but the impact Facebook hit many like a freight train. Natal- Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 2:50pm ie Hill, 17, of Coos Bay, passed away Natalie Hill Updates Hi everyone, this is Nat's mom. I just wanted Wednesday at her home in Coos you to know that Nat passed away today around noon. After a 3 year Bay. You can still help battle with her cancer she got her angel wings. She was appreciative This is the story no one wanted of all your support and was having me read your comments to her to write, or report. It is too soon, daily. As a parent it was amazing to watch all of you following and too painful. supporting our little girl. God bless you and thank you for all your with holiday event But Natalie Hill, in her short life, prayers. taught us many lessons; primary Love Jeff and Shaunne among them was how to handle a THE WORLD a Beaver tree sponsor, who is going bad hand when it is dealt. to sponsor a Duck tree?” She was diagnosed with shot hoops with the Portland far more prevalent. The Festival of Trees raised more Following the decorating party a osteosarcoma, a particularly than $13,000 for Bay Area charities Trailblazers in the Rose Garden As things took their final bad panel of judges will award the top aggressive form of cancer, on July 1, in 2012, but it is in need of a boost of and, most recently, got to meet her turn she didn’t run and hide. As she choice in the following categories: 2010. In true Natalie fashion, she local Christmas spirit for 2013. favorite singer, Taylor Swift. wrote to her Facebook friends on Most Whimsical, Most Original, would later say she laughingly This year’s event, sponsored Through it all, as she kept smil- Oct. 25, she didn’t know how. Best Theme, Best Wreath, Judges’ remembers that day as “Natalie again by The Mill Casino-Hotel and ing, she kept fighting the cancer “I’ve been fighting for over three Choice and, of course, Best of Show. Day.” the Bay Area Rotary Club, is hoping that would not give up. She fought years now,”she wrote.“And despite The decorated trees and wreaths The cancer would start by taking to eclipse that amount. will be placed on display through- her leg, but it was never able to take it tooth and nail. All the way, and my current condition, I’m still “We are looking forward to out The Mill’s hotel lobby through her ever-present smile. got back to her feet smiling every going to fight. I’m not giving up.” another great event this year,”festi- Dec. 4. Soon the community started time it thought it had her defeated. She never did. She simply ran val coordinator Heidi Proett said. Then, on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., the real taking notice of the little girl with a When we spoke with her in out of time, but not out of fight. “Proceeds from this event will ben- huge heart. Her circle of support August of 2012, she shook her head Her mother, Shaunne, took over fundraising kicks in as each tree will efit BARC programs such as, Shots go to the highest bidder during a would start to grow through social at the thought that others marveled the last few posts, including the for Tots and Teens, Women’s Safety media, eventually numbering in at her outlook. “I just go with the one that brought the news on Oct. public auction in The Mill’s Salmon and Resource Center, Rotary’s Room. the thousands and reaching far flow. I’m still going on and enjoying 30 that no one wanted to hear. plight to End Polio Now and other The fully decorated trees will be beyond just those of us on the life,”she said with a giggle. “Hi everyone, this is Nat’s mom. community and worldwide service delivered (up to 30 miles away) to South Coast. (The Natalie Hill While it was that very attitude I just wanted you to know that Nat projects.” the winning bidder’s home or office Updates page on Facebook stands that won the hearts, and amaze- passed away today around noon. Businesses, organizations and at more than 17,000 likes.) ment, of so many people, she and “After a 3 year battle with her individuals choose to sponsor a tree on Friday, Dec. 6. Auction winners When spots showed up on her her family were just at amazed at cancer she got her angel wings. She or a wreath by Nov.4,or while avail- may also request to have their tree lungs in 2011, Natalie laughed it off. the commitment of those who was appreciative of all your sup- able trees last. Then, at 4 p.m. on donated to a needy family on Dec. 6. Thumbing her nose at the dour were determined to help in some port and was having me read your Monday, Nov. 25, sponsors bring The Mill Casino-Hotel con- prognosis, she created a “bucket way. “I’m really thankful for every- comments to her daily. their chosen decorations to The Mill tributes to the purchase of the trees list” in defiance. While she said she thing,”she said, with a look in her “As a parent it was amazing to Casino’s Salmon Room for the and wreaths so that sponsorship never intended to share that list, it eyes that showed just how much. watch all of you following and sup- annual Festival of Trees Decorating and auction proceeds from the Fes- was her own statement that she Once in a while someone comes porting our little girl. God bless you Party, complete with complimenta- tival of Trees can go directly to local was going to take life by the horns along who has an incredible gift to and thank you for all your prayers. ry refreshments and holiday tunes. charities. In addition, local vendors and live the heck out of it. share. They have the ability to Love, Jeff and Shaunne.” “It’s a great time to gather your are used when purchasing trees and Her friends got hold of the list show others how to live, but, just as Thousands now join her family co-workers and promote your busi- wreaths for this Bay Area Rotary and shared it on Facebook; others rare, they also can show you how to in their sorrow. ness, all while helping your com- fundraiser. rallied to the cause and formed face your own mortality. Natalie That sorrow will come out in munity,” Proett said. “There are Businesses, organizations and “Team Natalie” to make sure there Hill was such a person. different ways. Natalie showed us several ways to participate in this individuals interested in helping was nothing on that list she would Sure, there were bad days, you how to face life’s toughest news great event; sponsor a tree or wreath those in need are encouraged to par- miss.