Newport Rescue Helicopter Closure Delayed

The Newport Coast Guard helicopter facility is getting a small reprieve. Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman Kurt Shrader Tuesday spoke with the commandant of the Coast Guard and got assurance from him that the November 30th date previously set for the closure of the Newport facility would be extended to December 15th.
The Coast Guard agreed that this additional time would allow for a more extensive and thorough discussion of the risks to recreational fishing, commercial fishing and other activities on the central coast. During Tuesday's call, the Oregon Delegation members declared their intent to use every possible path to keep the helicopter in Newport, conveying to the Coast Guard that the safety of thousands is at stake.