The US Coast Guard has decided to extend its closure plan for the Newport Air Facility from Nov. 30 to Dec. 15, following requests by Oregon Congressional officials and public outcry. Coast Guard officials decided to close the day facility and leave coverage of the Central Coast to Air Stations at North Bend and Astoria. The North Bend facility provides a helicopter crew daily to Newport. USCG officials believe they can still meet the area’s search and rescue needs from distant locations, but local coastal officials feel the decision and later response will endanger fishermen as well as tourist.
