Mayor Jan Kaplan was buoyed Tuesday when the U.S. Coast Guard’s rescue helicopter touched down at the agency’s air station in Newport -- even if it was only to refuel -- after a judge the night before ordered the helicopter’s return to the coastal city.

Until the sighting, the helicopter hadn’t landed at the Newport Air Facility for the past couple of weeks, according to Kaplan and the city spokesperson.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken late Monday issued a temporary restraining order that bars the removal or reduction of the rescue helicopter’s presence in Newport before the Dungeness crab fishing season starts in mid-December.

Aiken ordered the federal government to restore the Coast Guard rescue helicopter to Newport with full operational capabilities and personnel support.

Kapla

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