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Culver sentenced to 10 years after manslaughter conviction By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

A Coos Bay woman will spend the next decade behind bars after she was convicted of manslaughter in the hit-and run death of a man killed earlier this year at Pony Village Mall. Kelsey Culver, 31, avoided an even longer sentence when the jury found her guilty of first degree manslaughter and not the second-degree murder charge being sought by the Coos County District Attorney's office.

Culver was arrested after she ran over 41-year-old Alan Hagquist with her vehicle in March. At the time, the North Bend Police Department reported witnesses claimed Culver hit Hagquist with her Lexus SUV before fleeing the scene. After leaving the mall, a Coos Bay police officer saw the SUV heading south on Koos Bay Boulevard. Minutes later, callers to 9-1-1 reported the SUV was driving recklessly on Highway 101. The Lexus being driven by Culver sideswiped another SUV at the intersection of Newport and Highway

101 before crashing while trying to turn at the corner of Newport and Edwards. The SUV crashed into a construction container and utility trailer in front of the Bachelors Inn, at which point a Coos Bay police officer at the scene took Culver into custody. Culver was originally charged with charges of attempted murder, first degree assault and felony hit and run. After Hagquist died from his injuries, District Attorney R. Paul Frasier upgraded the charges to include second-degree murder. During the trial, Culver attor-

neys argued the murder charge was excessive, asking the jury to find Culver guilty only of the lesser manslaughter charge. The jury agreed with the defense and convicted Culver of first degree manslaughter and failure to perform the duties of a driver. Last week, Culver, who is 31, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 36 months post prison supervision on the manslaughter charge and 13 months in prison and 24 months post prison supervision on the charge of failure to perform the duties of a driver.

Because manslaughter is a Measure 11 crime, she will be required to serve the full sentence. Culver was also ordered to pay $13,109 in restitution for medical bills. The judge ordered Culver to have no contact with any member of Hagquist's immediate family or witnesses and ruled she will be considered a drug-dependent person and have her driver's license permanently revoked. When addressing the court, Culver said she was very sorry for the incident, maintaining that it was only an accident.

North Bend agrees to raise sanitation fees By JULIE AKINS For The World

Photos by David Rupkalvis/For The World

Left: Jerome Murray, who was as an instruction assistant in Bandon, holds a sign that shows how his wage has impacted his life. Above: Members of the OSEA Chapter 119 union rally for higher wages Saturday on the Coos Bay Boardwalk. The union and South Coast ESD are negotiating a new contract after the last one expired June 30.

ESD employees rally for higher wages By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Teaching assistants and other employees of the South Coast Education District came to the Coos Bay Boardwalk on Saturday to protest low wages and ask for a fair union contract with the ESD. About 25 people carried signs demanding fair treatment, with some saying it is hard to survive with the

pay they are receiving now. Tove' Stroop, the treasurer of Union 119, and Tina Mendizabal, the secretary of the chapter, were among the leaders at the "informational rally." Simply put, they said the ESD is offering such low wages, they can barely make it. "We're currently trying to bargain our outdated contract with South Coast ESD," Stroop said.

workers are getting paid under was signed in 2019 and was good for two years. Due to COVID, the union agreed to extend it a year last year, but it expired June 30. Without a contract in place, workers have received no wage increases for the current school year. "We're working under the current terms of the contract," Please see RALLY, Page A2

Sheriff Candidates

Coos County Sheriff Candidate Gabe Fabrizio What made you interested in running for this position? I’ve always tried to improve myself and the organization I work for through training and increased responsibility. When the sheriff decided he wasn’t going to seek re-election, I decided to take that final step from captain to sheriff in order to use all that knowledge and experience I’ve gained in both the sheriff’s office and in the military. What makes you stand out as a candidate? I’ve been very fortunate over the past 29 years, being in leadership roles for a combined 21 of those years. I’ve been given the opportunity in the sheriff’s office over the

"We're asking for a living wage. Our current local fast food workers are walking in and making more money than we are. One of those is my son. He's 17, and he makes more than I do." Stroop, who works as an instructional assistant at Marshfield High School, said she has worked with the ESD for seven years, and is making $14.90 an hour for her work. The contract the ESD unionized

last nine years to hold a majority of the positions available, from patrol deputy to county emergency manager. I’ve also taken on many extra duties while in those positions, such as search and rescue manager, Emergency Response Team member and liaison to some civilian volunteer groups. What skills and expertise would you bring to this position? That breadth of experience has given me an understanding of internal operations at both the smallest and the highest managerial and coordination levels. I will be ready to begin moving the office forward Please see FABRIZIO, Page A11

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Coos County Sheriff Candidate M. Kinnaird What made you interested in running for this position? My main focus has always been the safety and security of the citizens of Coos County. When I ran four years ago, my concern was the same as it is now. We need to make sure the jail has the ability to house at least 100 Adults in Custody (AIC)s. I believe we have ways of addressing this issue with the funds we’ve been provided. I also believe more funds could go a long way to achieving further goals of 150 beds and being able to pay staff at a rate that could also help with retention. I’m ready and willing to get to work as soon as I’m sworn in to make this happen.

What makes you stand out as a candidate? What skills and expertise would you bring to this position? I think my background in both private and government employment gives me the ability to understand what makes the private sector tick and what can break it. The same goes with the government side with my experience in the Navy, Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO), Oregon Army National Guard and the sheriff’s office. I’ve been able to address and overcome the tasks that come up and approach them

The city of North Bend will increase sanitation fees by 5% despite arguments that the fees constitute a violation of the state’s law on excessive fees, according to an attorney representing Goodwill Industries who testified before the council at the October 11 regular business meeting. Attorney Kevin Kono was not able to present his arguments prior to the council’s unanimous vote in support of the fee increase. But Kono spoke to it anyway naming Councilor Bill Richardson, who recused himself due to being the site manager for North Bend Sanitation, stating that should the fees increase it’s possible for him to benefit personally and financially. His recusal was accepted and Councilor Richardson left the room. Kono then testified via Zoom and referred to the relationship between Richardson and North Bend Sanitation in his testimony. “There’s no evidence this council has ever looked at whether the rates are fair and equitable,” said Kono referring to Oregon law. “You’ve increased the fees annually, just like you did now, ever since Bill Richardson was elected to council, but there’s never been a recommendation for proof of it being just and reasonable.” Kono claimed the sanitation fees are higher than other jurisdictions and the city has yet to justify that. “Mechanically, compact waste fees are grossly excessive. It’s three times more than most jurisdictions and you just approved a five percent increase," he said. "It’s over $2,600 for a 30-yard bin. It’s $800 in Roseburg and $700 in Eugene and most every other jurisdiction.” Kono spoke in public forum and therefore the mayor and council, according to their council rules, did not offer a response to Kono. He didn’t indicate if his client, Goodwill Industries, planned any further response. No other members of the public spoke to the issue of increased sanitation fees. The North Bend City Council also took up the issue of nuisance complaints against the owners of a home on Pine Street. According to the city’s Public Works Director Ralph Dunham, the property is out of compliance due to untended vegetation and numerous “attractive hazards” such as vehicles and parts in the yards and public areas surrounding the home. Dunham indicated the property has been out of compliance off and on for 17 years and as a result a lien may be placed on the property in an amount of $24,400 which increases daily by $500. “The city’s goal is not to make money on this deal, but to abate the nuisance,” said Dunham. Vera Styles, owner of the Pine Street property indicated that it’s her and her husband’s intention to clear the property but he has been ill. She told the council they have several vehicles in the front they are trying to sell in order the clear the property, they have metal haulers coming to remove any property left from the alley and they are putting up a fence and gate which can Please see SANITATION, Page A2

Please see KINNAIRD, Page A11

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