http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel en-us N/A engageinlife@gmail.com Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:01:22 EST 20 http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2121/1/Falling-Snow-Chess-Tournament/Page1.html
Saturday, despite the threat of falling snow, varsity and junior varsity chess teams from Southern Oregon converged at Coquille High School for the first Chess League chess tournament. An elementary individual chess tournament was held as well. Varsity teams Marshfield and Coquille battled it out and ended up in a absolute tie, so the trophies were deferred to a future tournament to battle out a tie breaker event.

Due to the lack of varsity teams that were developed at the schools, an adult team made up of coaches and parents was formed to give some variety and hopefully tough competition for the high school teams. Coquille beat Marshfield first round, 3 to 2, Marshfield fell to the adult team during the second round, 2 to 3, Coquille beat the adult team during the third round, 3 to 2 and then Marshfield managed their revenge and beat Coquille during the final round, 3 to 2. So Coquille and Marshfield ended 5 to 5 after the 2 rounds against each other. Coquille’s Varsity team was made up of Jessi Ross, Tasha Keller, Stephen Mast, Deven Johnson and Ivy Hallmark. In the Junior Varsity division with six teams, the Coquille Middle School junior varsity team were undefeated and won the first place trophy. The team was made up of Jasmine Lambson, Hailey Riley, Aaron Grabinsky, Tyler Neuschwander and Jonathan Logan. Coffenberry Junior Varsity team from Myrtle Creek got second place and Marshfield got third.

In the Elementary Division, fourth grader Josiah Perkins continued to dominate as he won all five rounds. Fifth grader Jace Sperling was second place overall with 4 wins. Elementary results: Fifth grade: Jace Sperling first place, Kaden Johnson second place, James Hoper third place. Fourth grade: Josiah Perkins first place, JJ Newman second place, Cooper Page third place. Third grade: Jed Wright first place, Jordan Henderson second place. Second grade: Ethan Zigler from Myrtle Creek first place, Izabella Sperling second place. Kindergarten/First grade: Joshua Grabinsky first place & Gracie Wright second place.¤
]]> no@spam.com (Nancy Keller) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2121/1/Falling-Snow-Chess-Tournament/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2102/1/The-Invisible-Artists/Page1.html
The show, which consists of about sixty works, some done specially for the exhibit, includes acrylics, pastels, and tempera paints, but the bulk of the work is done by artists working in their small (poorly lit) cells with nothing but some colored pencils, a plain graphite pencil, or a ball point pen. All the works have been matted and framed by local Coos County framers who have donated their time and in some cases the materials as well.

 Victoria Tierney, who curated the show, says, “People who have seen the catalog of the exhibit are amazed; we have no idea of the level of excellence of the work being done in our state prisons.” The show opens with a reception at the Coos Art Museum on Friday , December 11th from 5-7 pm; Black Market Gourmet will also be open on that afternoon from 1-5 p.m. For more information call the museum at (541) 267-3901 or Black Market Gourmet at 269-0194. Admission is free to both openings, and the public is invited.¤


"Grace" by Steven Abbott
This drawing was awarded first place in the graphite pencil division of this
year’s Department of Corrections show in Salem. Steven Abbott is an inmate
at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. He was raised in Coos Bay.


"The Blue Parrott" by David Clark
David Clark is an inmate at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario,
near the Idaho border, the "Siberia" of the Oregon Prison system. Six of the
seventeen artists in this show are from the Snake River Correctional Institute.
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Staff) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2102/1/The-Invisible-Artists/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2049/1/Former-Coquille-Student-Sent-to-Prison-for-Child-Pornography/Page1.html
He was taken into custody after the hearing. Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Slauson prosecuted the case. Hudson’s arrest followed an investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) unit, which investigates and prosecutes predators who use the Internet to target and sexually exploit children. The unit works with 160 district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and regional task forces that investigate online predators. ICAC is the only program in Oregon that is equipped with the necessary resources to catch sex predators throughout the state. Recent budget cuts threatened to end the program in Oregon, but Attorney General Kroger made restoring the funds a top public safety priority.

 This spring, Kroger announced that the Oregon Department of Justice had received a $665,000 federal stimulus grant to keep the program operating. Since 2005, more than 100 Internet predators who targeted Oregon children or operated in Oregon have been convicted as a result of ICAC investigations. Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.¤
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Staff) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2049/1/Former-Coquille-Student-Sent-to-Prison-for-Child-Pornography/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2008/1/Junior-Class-Wins-Airband-Contest/Page1.html
The Junior Class won the Airband Contest at the Pep Assembly on Friday.
They did a routine featuring Michael Jackson singing his hit song, Thriller.
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Editor) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2008/1/Junior-Class-Wins-Airband-Contest/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2007/1/Cory-Courtrights-Quest-for-Justice-Mother-Asks-Law-Enforcement-to-Turn-the-Heat-Up-on-her-Daughter-Leah-Freemans-Cold-Case/Page1.html
 After an autopsy was performed, it was determined that Freeman died from homicidal violence. Nearly a decade after her death, the murder remains unsolved, and Courtright is making a plea to local law enforcement, “I am simply asking Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier to dedicate a cold case team to re-investigate Leah’s murder. I don’t feel like the agencies handling the case have ever been in sync and with all of the personnel changes at the Coquille Police Department. I fear that crucial details of the investigation could very well have fallen through the cracks.” Courtright says she was aware of an active investigation before her daughter’s body was found, but has heard very little about other developments in the case since that point in time.

 Legal documents that were released to the public several years ago detail the initial investigation and can be found at http://www.leahfreeman. com/documents.ht m. In June, Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier explained to local media that while the case is considered “cold,” investigators remain active following any and all tips they receive. Courtright doesn’t feel like this is enough, “They need to do more than follow-up on tips. They need to have a dedicated team go back and look through all of the files again, re-interview everyone involved and re-examine all of the evidence.” Anyone with information regarding Leah’s murder is encouraged to contact the Coquille Police Department at (541) 396-2114, or Coos Stop Crime at (541) 267- 6666. Courtright’s family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. For more information please visit Justice for Leah on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pa ges/Jutice-for- Leah/143634984432, or at http://www.leahfreeman.co m.
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Staff) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2007/1/Cory-Courtrights-Quest-for-Justice-Mother-Asks-Law-Enforcement-to-Turn-the-Heat-Up-on-her-Daughter-Leah-Freemans-Cold-Case/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2000/1/Soldier-Thanks-Fairview-Community-Church/Page1.html
Bob Sullivan of the Fairview Community Church recently received this letter of appreciation and photo from local soldier, Tom Little, after he received a care package from the Fairview Community Church. Bob, I want to thank you for the Care Package. My team and I greatly appreciated your kindness. I have enclosed a signed picture of everyone you and your church have touched. Thanks once again. OOHRAH & Semper F1. Tom Little, USMC Kabul, Afghanistan
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Staff) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/2000/1/Soldier-Thanks-Fairview-Community-Church/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1987/1/College-Investigating-Going-Tobacco-Free/Page1.html
 Earlier this year, at the Board’s request, ASG had offered the first survey and compiled the results, which were a mixed representation of students, employees and community members. 72% of the people who responded to the survey agreed or strongly agreed that second-hand smoke was a concern for them. Only 27% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with fines for policy violations. Based on the survey results, ASG recommended during Monday’s meeting that the college adopt a complete tobacco cessation by Fall Term 2011 and that tobacco cessation education be offered by and at Southwestern. It was suggested that a committee be formed regarding how this education should be presented to the students and employees at the college.

 An ASG student representative would be provided to sit on the committee. ASG also recommended a possible increase in the distance someone can smoke from a door, window or vent to 30 feet in 2010; the ability for Campus Security to write a non-compliance fine to anyone disobeying the tobacco policy; and an adoption of the American College Health Association (ACHA) mission statement--“Becoming or maintaining a tobacco-free living and learning environment that supports the achievement of personal and academic goals.” The recommendations are representative of the trends of tobacco cessation in Oregon and across the nation. On September 9, Portland Community College became the largest educational institution in Oregon to go tobacco-free.

 Umpqua Community College recently followed with the announcement of a tobacco-free campus on September 28. The ACHA has urged colleges across the country to move towards cessation of tobacco products on campuses. Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights said that as of October 6th, 365 U.S. colleges and universities have policies requiring that all campus spaces, indoors and outdoors, be smokefree. In the case of the Newmark Center, Betty Albertson of DHS told those in attendance that the department prohibits the use of tobacco, but the Newmark facility that they currently occupy does not offer the same, presenting them with a difficult quandary of enforcing their internal policy. The Board decided that they would have the administration conduct a more thorough investigation of the impact on the Newmark property and bring forward a recommendation to be reviewed at a future meeting.
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Editor) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1987/1/College-Investigating-Going-Tobacco-Free/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1982/1/College-Teams-Thankful-for-Donated-Materials-and-Labor-from-Local-Businesses/Page1.html
3D Development and Jerry Warbis Trucking each hauled two ten-yard truckloads of rock. The City of North Bend coordinated the donation and delivery of ten yards of sand with the International Port of Coos Bay. Knife River facilitated the donation of the appropriate rock necessary for proper grading of the artificially-turfed surfaces. Coos Bay Timber Products donated 5 loads of larger rock to the project free of charge. Robynn Reed, a local area businessperson and mother of Southwestern Laker Baseball player, Adam Reed, coordinated the donation process and made initial contacts within the community.

 Her efforts resulted in the estimated $50,000 job being completed for less than $8,000. "A giant thank you goes out to Robin for her contributions to this project," said Daniel Esposito, Head Baseball Coach at Southwestern. "Many individuals went out of their way to make this project successful. We are grateful to each and every one of them. Without their effort and many contributions, we would still only be talking about a dream." The projects were internally supported and administrated by many at the college, primarily Athletic Director John Speasl. He had put the two projects at the top of the list for improvements on campus this past summer, securing rock and providing the use of his personal tools that were necessary to complete the project. The Southwestern Laker Baseball program will honor those companies that supported the project with a sign to be hung on the field near the third base dugout. "The projects completed this last summer with help from local business people have contributed to a positive experience for all of the student athletes who participate in the softball and baseball programs," said Esposito.
]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Editor) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1982/1/College-Teams-Thankful-for-Donated-Materials-and-Labor-from-Local-Businesses/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1913/1/Is-Integrity-Lost-in-Sports/Page1.html This past couple of weeks, the boys and coaches of the Coquille/Myrtle Point Red Devils Soccer team have had to learn that integrity in sports is not something that can be taken for granted.

What I am talking about is how the outcome of the Varsity Soccer matchup between our Coquille/MP and the Brookings/Harbor unfolded on October 5, 2009. I have seen a copy of the letter sent to Oregon School Athletic Activities (OSAA), the ruling body over all high school sporting events in the state of Oregon, by the Boys Soccer coaching staff relating to their selfreporting of an OSAA rule violation and their explanation of the events, in the hopes of demonstrating their intent and providing the background to why the violation on their part occurred. It is a very revealing letter on what occurred and how our coaching staff, within the best of their abilities and intentions, were attempting to do everything open and with all integrity for the sake of the players, and how an opposing coach waited for the outcome of the Varsity game before setting the hook of the trap he set.


On October 10, 2009, Coquille High School student Tryon Miller took 1st place
and Jordon Peak placed 3rd in the 3,000 meter Cross County Race in the Open
Division at the Sunset Invitational in Coos Bay. Coquille Valley Middle School
student Serena Erler placed 3rd out of the 7th grade runners and 12th overall
(out of 47 runners) in the 3,000 meter Girls Middle School Division. At the
awards ceremony, Tyron Miller received a piece of history with his 1st place
metal, made from a piece of the New Carissa, a commemorative of the 10th
anniversary of the New Carissa shipwreck.

Without going into ALL the details, I will try to share enough so we all can see what a great staff who lead our young people really are. This is the first year the soccer team has had enough members to field both JV and Varsity teams, but on October 5th, due to illnesses and injuries, the JV team for the Red Devils was short by two players against the Brookings/Harbor Bruins JV team. In completely open conversations with the coaching staff of the Bruins, including their Soccer Head Coach Garcia, the on-site OSAA game officials and Coquille coaching staff, it was the desire of all not to forfeit the JV game due to lack of players.

 It was suggested that one of the Varsity players of Coquille play on the JV team so they could compete with a team of 10 players versus 11 of the Bruins. To quote the letter, “Coach Garcia from Brookings/Harbor advised us that he did not care and not to worry about it.” The OSAA Officials also agreed with this, and the boys were allowed to play the JV game. Following the JV game, in which the Bruins won 11-0, the Varsity game started at 5pm. At the end of regulation play, the Red Devils defeated the Bruins 3-1. What happened following the game, during the team handshakes, is tragic, because Coach Garcia approached Red Devils Coach Mark Dannels and said he was going to “teach him the politics of soccer.” In accordance with the OSAA rules, a player can only play 2 halves of a soccer game in one day. The Varsity player that dropped down to the JV game did play in both halves of the game, but he also was used as a substitute (a non-starter) in the Varsity game. Since he was subbed into the Varsity game, the personal playing time rule had in fact been violated, yet all knew that this was a possibility, and our coaching staff thought it would be allowable because of the knowledge and consent of the Bruins’ coaching staff and the OSAA Officials.

Due to the comments of the opposing coach following the game to Coach Dannels, the latter spoke to the Coquille Athletic Director, Dan Cumberland. In the spirit of sportsmanship, Mr. Cumberland contacted the Bruins’ Athletic Director and forfeited the game, giving the Red Devils their only loss this season. Here is the Bottom Line: Although our coaches attempted to do everything they could for the well being of the players, so they all could play, partnered with being fully open and in consultation with the opposing team’s coaching staff and the OSAA officials, their integrity and honor shine forth.

In contrast, one has to question the integrity of an opposing team coach who said they “did not care” until they lost the Varsity game. It was at this time it became quite apparent he cared a lot. Isn’t it tragic that there are some whose integrity is based upon the outcome and who do not honor their word regardless of the outcome? One has to wonder if once the OSAA ruling body, who has zero tolerance for rule violations, gets the full story here how they will respond.

For if the opposing coach and OSAA officiating staff gave their consent, how can there truly be a forfeit required? For now, let’s just wait and see.
]]> no@spam.com (Ken Duke) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1913/1/Is-Integrity-Lost-in-Sports/Page1.html http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1852/1/Library-Seeks-Holiday-Vendors/Page1.html ]]> no@spam.com (Coquille Valley Sentinel Staff) http://www.oregonbeacon.com/CoquilleSentinel/articles/1852/1/Library-Seeks-Holiday-Vendors/Page1.html