C M C M Y K Y K TOURNEY BOUND JUST A TEASE SWOCC men clinch NWAACC berth, B1 Sony gives a partial preview of its new PS4, A7 Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013 theworldlink.com I 75¢ Crash lands driver in prison THE WORLD COQUILLE — A man will spend more than four years in prison because of a crash that injured an Oregon State Police trooper. Coos County Circuit Court Judge Richard Barron sentenced 37-year-old Stephen Schuster on Wednesday to 50 months in prison, after Schuster pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, first-degree criminal mischief and a felony count of driving under the influence of intoxicants. Schuster was pursued briefly by North Bend police Sgt. Buddy Young on Dec. 3, after he was seen “doing donuts” in a stolen vehicle, Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier said. By Alysha Beck, The World The pursuit ended on the Guardsmen with U.S. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend performed helicopter training drills with the Coast Guard Auxiliary on Wednesday morning in Coos Bay channel. McCullough Bridge in North Bend The drills involved landing a basket on the deck of the Miss Linda to simulate a rescue. when Schuster crashed into a civilian-driven pickup and OSP trooper Jeff Smith’s car, which was blocking the northbound lane. Schuster is not eligible for a reduced sentence and must serve Dressed to Drill three year of post-prison supervi- sion as part of his sentence. His driving privileges also were revoked for life. BY THOMAS MORIARTY Static electricity generated by the helicop- The World ters is an ever-present risk. While not fatal, it can be a dangerous distraction for rescuer and HARLESTON — Boaters in the rescuee alike. To avoid shocks, the rescue lit- Charleston shipping channel watched ter and line touch the deck and discharge any C warily Wednesday morning as a Coast static charge before injured crew members are Coos Bay Guard helicopter lowered a wire basket to a loaded. fishing boat, where men in orange survival Once the basket touches the deck, the per- suits scurried around the deck. sonnel on or in the water have to act quickly. police see Despite appearances, there was no emer- “We do a slow count to 10 to simulate the gency. It was all a drill conducted by the U.S. time it takes to put someone in the basket,” Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Flotilla 51, with an Evans said. more car HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Air Station George Tinker, a retired teacher and Coast North Bend. The Miss Linda, a 76-foot for- Guard Auxiliary member, explained that in mer shrimp boat, served as a training aid for most cases an aviation survival technician — burglaries the helicopters to practice maritime search- better known as a rescue swimmer — is and-rescue techniques. It was the second deployed to a capsized or stricken vessel to THE WORLD exercise the auxiliary has conducted in the help offload its crew. past month with their full-time counterparts. “A rescue swimmer would be clipped on in COOS BAY — Police are urging The cost to taxpayers? place of the basket,”Tinker said, gesturing to citizens to take more precautions “I did this one gratis,”said Bob Pedro, a line being lowered from the helicopter. to stem a rash of thefts from motor owner of the Miss Linda. Auxiliary members are typically reim- vehicles. In many cases, they say, The orange helicopters, a regular sight in bursed for fuel costs incurred during training the vehicle was simply left the skies over Coos Bay, have been responsi- exercises in support of U.S. Coast Guard mis- unlocked with valuables in plain ble for dozens of rescues over the years. In sions, though tight purse strings are starting view. January, a helicopter from the air station res- By Alysha Beck, The World to make their training assistance a freebie Purses, wallets, cash, cell cued the crew of a crab boat that ran aground Jerry Evans, left, and Gary Taylor, Coast Guard proposition. phones, iPods and gasoline all have off Cape Arago. Auxiliarists, worked with guardsmen from Air Station “Things have been sparse this year because been stolen from vehicles in the As long as boats are on the water, the coast’s North Bend during helicopter training drills Wednesday of funding,”Pedro said. past month. Chief Gary McCul- stormy seas will provide the station’s flight morning while on the Miss Linda in Coos Bay channel. But helping their service counterparts is all lough said the Coos Bay Police crews with opportunities to ply their trade. The that matters, he said. Department wants to remind peo- Umpqua River bar at Winchester Bay is notori- mouth of the Charleston shipping channel. “It’s all about them.” ple of simple ways to prevent theft: ously treacherous. Coos Bay, while typically “That’s a boat eater.” Reporter Thomas Moriarty can be reached at I Lock your vehicle. tamer, poses dangers of its own. As the four-ton helicopter edged closer to 541-269-1222, ext. 240, or by email at I Close the windows. “See that breakwater out there?” auxiliary the boat, its rotors kicking up sea spray, boat [email protected]. Follow crew members talked with its pilot by radio. I Lock passenger compart- member Jerry Evans asked, pointing to the him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. ments inside your vehicle, such as the glove box and center console. I Never leave valuable items in plain view. Take them out of the vehicle or lock them in the trunk. Obama weighs stepping in on gay marriage I Park in well-lit areas. People also can help the police BY JULIE PACE brief with the justices outlining official said Obama — a former ty-nine other states have consti- by reporting suspicious activity, The Associated Press its opinion on the California ban, constitutional law professor — tutional amendments banning such as unfamiliar people or vehi- known as Proposition 8. While an was not foreshadowing any legal gay marriage, while nine states cles in the neighborhood, and by WASHINGTON — Facing administration brief alone is action in his remarks and was and Washington, D.C., recognize observing the person’s physical heightened expectations from gay unlikely to sway the high court, simply restating his personal same-sex marriage. appearance, clothing, license rights supporters, the Obama the government’s opinion does belief in the right of gays and les- Solicitor General Donald Ver- plates and other details that can administration is considering urg- carry weight with the justices. bians to marry, though the official rilli is consulting with the White help identify a suspect. ing the Supreme Court to overturn Opponents of the Proposition 8 said the administration was con- House on the matter, according to They say one person often com- California’s ban on gay marriage — ban believe the president signaled sidering filing a brief. a senior administration official, mits multiple crimes of this type. a move that could have a far- his intention to file a brief when he The Proposition 8 ballot initia- who spoke only on condition of The non-emergency number to reaching impact on same-sex cou- declared in last month’s inaugural tive was approved by California anonymity because the official report suspicious activity is 541- ples across the country. address that gays and lesbians voters in 2008 in response to a was not authorized to address the 269-8911. If you believe a crime is The administration has one must be “treated like anyone else state Supreme Court decision that in progress, please call 911. week to file a friend-of-the-court under the law.”An administration had allowed gay marriage. Twen- SEE GAY MARRIAGE | A10 Sonja Woodson, North Bend Police reports . A2 Comics . A8 Bernard Machalke, North Bend T S S George Huppert, Reedsport E A H Betty King, Myrtle Point D What’s Up. A3 Puzzles . A8 Marjorie Branson, Coos Bay I C T Rosielle Hawk, Myrtle Point E A S South Coast. A3 Sports . B1 Cheryl Murphy, Coos Bay Rain E R N Robert Peterson, Springfield | 48/42 I Obituaries A5 D Opinion. A4 Classifieds . B5 O Peggy McLain, Coos Bay F Weather | A10 Pick - A - Watt H HeatersHeeaatteerrss COOS BAY COQUILLE ¡ $$ 000000 1155 OOFFFF 541-267-2137 541-396-3161 15 OFF Expires 3/16/13 A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS SERVING COOS COUNTY FOR OVER 96 YEARS. C M C M Y K Y K C M C M Y K A2 •The World • Thursday, February21,2013 Y K South Coast City Editor Ryan Haas • 541-269-1222, ext. 239 theworldlink.com/news/local UO confirms Oregon to honor century farms Facebook Dalai Lama threats lead EUGENE (AP) — The Uni- The Oregon Century Farm asked to fill out the budget school of their choice. versity of Oregon has con- and Ranch Program is seeking BAY AREA candidate information sheet To obtain an application, to Myrtle firmed details of the Dalai applications for 2013 Century and return it to Coos Bay call Sylvia Stoddard at 541- Lama’s visit to Eugene on May and Sesquicentennial REPORTS Public Schools, Attn: Board of 756-7661 or email to bstod- Creek arrest 10, following his stop in Port- Awards. The application Directors, 1255 Hemlock Ave., [email protected]. deadline is May 1. Coos Bay, OR 97420. Infor- The deadline for applica- land. bers must live on or actively MYRTLE CREEK — Police The Tibetan Buddhist Families throughout Ore- manage the farm or ranch mation sheets can be found at tions is April 1.