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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2020)
THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY EDITION | APRIL 15, 2020 | $1.00 Hunting, fishing closed in Oregon to non-residents Sports & Recreation Calendar All sporting activities at Siuslaw and Mapleton high schools have been cancelled for the rest of spring Tide Tables COURTESY HECETA LIGHTHOUSE/OPRD Entrance Siuslaw River High Tide Low Tide April 15 6:25am / 6.2 8:39pm/ 5.7 12:44am/ 3.6 1:41pm/ 0.6 While restrictions and social distancing measures are in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, the Heceta Lighthouse continues serving as a solitary sentinel at Heceta Head from its home overlooking a stretch of the Oregon Coast north of Florence. I CONIC BEACON CELEBRATES 126 YEARS B Y M ARK B RENNAN Siuslaw News April 16 7:42am / 6.0 9:37pm / 5.9 2:09am / 3.4 2:48pm / 0.7 April 17 8:56am / 5.9 10:21pm/ 6.1 3:22am/ 3.0 3:45pm/ 0.8 April 18 8:56am / 5.9 10:21pm / 6.1 3:22am / 3.0 3:45pm / 0.8 April 19 9:58am / 6.0 10:56pm / 6.3 4:18am / 2.4 4:31pm / 0.9 April 20 10:50am / 6.0 11:26pm / 6.6 5:03am / 1.8 5:10pm / 0.9 April 21 11:35am / 6.2 11:54pm / 6.8 5:41am / 1.2 5:45pm / 1.1 T he Heceta Head Lighthouse and the near-by Lightkeepers House, two of Oregon’s most visited attractions, recently cele- brated their 126th anniver- sary. Originally opened to assist mariners with navi- gating the treacherous cen- tral Oregon Coast, the lighthouse is now main- tained by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) while the assistant light- house keepers’ house, operated as a private- ly-owned bed-and-break- fast inn, is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Unlike many of the pre- vious anniversary celebra- tions, there was not a pub- lic gathering to acknowl- edge what has become one of the nations most famil- iar landmarks, due to cur- rent social distancing restrictions. There was however an effort made by a new COURTESY PHOTO Heceta Head Lightstation Lightkeepers, Robert (Bob) Bay & Lillie Bay on the left. Eugene & Martha Hayward on the right. Circa 1920. munity members who want to share the rich his- tory and stories of life at Heceta Head Lighthouse with other interested indi- viduals. The building of the lighthouse began in 1892 and the 55 foot tall struc- ture was named for the Spanish seafarer Don Bruno de Heceta, who non-profit, “Keepers of the Heceta Head Lightsta-tion” (KHHL) which has been formed, according to the group’s Facebook page to share the story of Heceta Head Lightstation, and to support the preservation and enhancement of the structures and grounds so they are accessible to all. The founding board of KHHL is made up of Yachats and Florence com- See BEACON 2B ODFW is closing recreation- al hunting, fishing, crabbing and clamming to non-resi- dents due to concerns about travel to Oregon to participate in these outdoor activities. Such travel could spread the virus and put more of a burden on Oregon’s rural communi- ties. As of Friday, April 10, be- ginning at midnight, non-resi- dents may no longer participate in these activities in Oregon. The restriction extends un- til COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and it is deemed safe to travel into Oregon. This order does not apply to anyone living in Oregon for less than six months who has not yet established residency. Some states, including Washington, have closed hunt- ing and fishing to limit the spread of the virus. While seasons remain open in Oregon (except for Colum- bia River salmon/steelhead fishing), resident hunters and anglers should not be travelling to participate. ODFW is hearing concerns from rural communities about people visiting to hunt and fish and placing additional burdens on these communities’ limited resources. “Rural communities are con- cerned about the potential im- pact of COVID-19 on medical and emergency services, search and rescue and their citizens. Some have asked us to close seasons to reduce travel,” said ODFW Director Curt Melcher. “We would like to keep seasons open to give locals an outlet during this difficult time, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to travel to these communities. Stick close to home and fish at your local lake, pond or river and do not go crabbing or clamming unless you live on the coast, and then only to places where access is still open.” ODFW monitoring has shown that while Oregonians are still participating in fish- eries, clamming, shed hunt- ing, and wildlife viewing it is in significantly lower num- bers and that the majority of participants are doing it close to home and practicing social distancing. “We appreciate that many Oregonians are taking the Stay Home, Save Lives order seri- ously,” added Melcher. ODFW field staff monitor- ing participation in the field have seen out of state license plates and out of state angling and shellfish licenses in use. Staff are also fielding numer- ous calls from non-residents inquiring about plans come to Oregon to hunt or fish. “ODFW believes this action restricting non-residents will help local communities enforce the restrictions on out-of-state travelers violating the order, See CLOSED 2B ‘Message from outdoors to Oregonians: Stay home for now’ Sunny, warm weather typi- cally sends Oregonians out in droves to their favorite outdoor recreational destinations. ‘However, the message from state leaders, health care work- ers, and those on the front lines responding to the COVID-19 outbreak is: please continue to stay home to save lives … even when it’s sunny. State parks, many federal trail- heads, and all private and public recreational campgrounds are closed to prevent people from congregating and to protect the staff that maintain these areas. ‘ Some local parks are still open, but physical distance of at least six feet needs to be main- tained to stay safe. Whether in- doors or outdoors, the virus can still be easily passed from per- son to person, even if individu- als are not showing symptoms. All non-essential travel (such as for boating, hunting, or fish- ing) should be short and mini- mal, if at all. Oregonians who do not live at the beach should not travel there; most public access points are closed. Minimizing travel will less- en the chance of spreading COVID-19, especially to rural communities that do not have the hospital capacity to treat an influx of patients from other parts of the state. Visiting a closed area poses a danger to the visitor, the limit- ed park staff, and the area itself. Parking and restrooms are See HOME 2B Oh my goodness! Lynnette Wikstrom Broker Has it really been a month since we’ve started social distancing? It feels like the new normal may be the normal. It’s hard to only go to the store once a week when I can usually popped by any time I wanted. And darn it, gas prices are so low when we really can’t go anywhere? Th is will pass and hopefully it will make us thankful and appreciate where we live. Coldwell is still closed but we are answering the phone and still here to serve you if you need us! COAST REAL ESTATE My email is Lynnette@ cbcoast.com Or call me at 541-999-0786 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR • 541.997.7777 “We’re next to the Bridge.”