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Wednesday, December 18, 2024
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Lincoln County, Oregon
Mother Nature puts on a show
President Ryslinge leaves OCCC JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
Birgitte Ryslinge
The latest round of King Tides hit the coast over the weekend, and Saturday morning, Dec. 14, a number of people enjoyed the spectacle from the safety of the seawall at Newport’s Nye Beach turnaround. Although the crashing waves didn’t pose a danger to these spectators, some did get a bit wet with the occasional crashing wave sending spray into the air. The next King Tides will be Jan. 11-13. Anyone wanting to watch the show is advised to do so from a safe location. Visit oregonkingtides.net to learn more about King Tide science and safety. (Photo by Steve Card)
Birgitte Ryslinge is embarking on another life journey. She became the president of Oregon Coast Community College in 2014 and is retiring this month. Having started in community colleges in 1999, Ryslinge said ever since that time she has been a believer in the power of higher education. “I take away particularly from that time the impact of changing lives in a rural See OCCC, page A6
Newport city manager holds first community forum
Julie Sumpter, who was just 7 years old on the day her father, Gary LaVaughn Sumpter, was killed in the line of duty, shared some thoughts and memories during a ceremony on Dec. 10 at Toledo City Hall. The sign pictured in the background will be erected alongside Highway 229 in Sumpter’s honor. (Photo by Steve Card)
Newport City Manager Nina Vetter held a community discussion at the Newport Public Library on Dec 10 to listen to comments and concerns from local residents. (Photo by Steve Card) STEVE CARD Lincoln County Leader
Newport’s new city manager, Nina Vetter, has a few months on the job now after taking over from the retiring Spencer Nebel last summer. One of Vetter’s goals in her new position is to connect with community members to hear what concerns or questions they may have about city of Newport operations. To do that, she held the first in a series of community forums at the Newport Public Library
on Dec. 10. “I started in July of this year, so I like to say I’m still learning,” Vetter told those who gathered at the library for the hour-long session, which began at 5 p.m. “It’s a journey when you join a new community and a new organization. You’re constantly learning how things work, and I really appreciate venues like this where I mostly get to hear what questions you
have of us, what concerns you have and any thoughts that you have.” Vetter provided those in attendance with a bit about her background. “I have worked in government most of my career, mostly in cities, but I did spend a few years working for the federal government overseas.” She said she really enjoys working in See FORUM, page A4
Memorial remembers fallen Toledo police officer STEVE CARD Lincoln County Leader
It has been a long time coming, but Gary LaVaughn Sumpter, a Toledo police officer who was killed in the line of duty more than a half century ago, is being publicly honored for his sacrifice. A ceremony was held at Toledo City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to remember Sumpter and to dedicate a new highway sign that will be
displayed in his memory. During the ceremony, Toledo Police Chief Michael Pace told family members, law enforcement officers and community members, “It’s been a long process to get where we’re at now, over five years long.” Shortly after Pace became chief, he noticed while going through files that no one in the department had ever put Sumpter’s name in for recognition, and he tracked down the family,
1422 N Coast Hwy 101 • Newport • 541-265-7731
then reached out to Rep. David Gomberg because legislative action is required in order to post a memorial sign along a state highway. A bill was introduced last year and ultimately passed. “So we’re here today to dedicate this Fallen Officer Memorial Sign to Gary LaVaughn Sumpter, who selflessly died in the line of duty while saving a fellow officer on March 15, 1969,” Pace said. See OFFICER, page A6
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