Congressional delegation critical of Lane County Commission; school budgeteers get back to work; don't feed the bears!; and gas prices continue rise.

Lane County Holding Timber Money…

Two members of Oregon’s congressional delegation are unhappy that Lane County has not used some of its federal timber money to restore cuts to jail capacity. Democrats Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Peter DeFazio have told Lane County commissioners that when they try to renew the millions of dollars for timber counties hurt by logging cutbacks, they’ll have a tough time politically. In a letter to commissioners, Wyden talked about arguments he and others used to convince colleagues that rural counties deserved continued federal payments. He said if convicted, violent criminals are released early for a lack of funds while some of that money is being held in reserve it would – quote -- “greatly undermine” his prospects for continued federal support. Last month the Lane County Budget Committee voted down a proposal to use $3.2-million of the timber money to fund an additional 84 jail beds for the coming year. Instead they want to hold most of it in reserve until the level of state funding is known. Commission Chair Pete Sorenson defended the move saying it would be fiscally irresponsible to spend the timber money as if it would go on forever, when it’s slated to run out at the end of 2011. Commissioners have said they’ll consider the move to fund the jail beds again later this month.

The Siuslaw School District Budget Committee will get back to work tonight. They had been looking at a $1.7-million shortfall for the coming year but voter approval of a five year, $5-million operating levy will help fill some of that gap. It’s unknown what programs, if any, might be saved. Superintendent George Winterscheid said the day after the election he talked to several employees targeted for layoff to tell them he was recommending their jobs be spared. The budget committee meets at the Elementary School Library at 6:30.

A Yachats woman on trial for feeding black bears outside her home has been convicted of harassing wildlife. But, 61-year old Karen Noyes was found not-guilty on a charge of recklessly endangering another person. Neighbors and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the woman repeatedly ignored requests to stop feeding the animals. Bears fed by humans often lose their natural fear and become nuisances. Neighbors say that’s exactly what happened last summer. One woman testified a bear got stuck in her dog door. Another neighbor that raises birds testified that a bear stormed her barn and killed 60 turkeys. Sentencing is scheduled for June 25th.

Gas prices are up nine-cents a gallon on average across the state and locally in the past week. They’re still much cheaper than they were last year at this time, but nearly a dollar a gallon above their recent low in mid December. According to Triple-A of Oregon the statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.59. The national average is $2.53, mirroring the local average price.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…

Siuslaw High School seniors Shelbey McClellan and Jake Mitchell are the Sports’ Club and Coast Radio Sports’ Athletes of the Year.

McClellan excelled in Volleyball, earning many honors for her work on the court including Far West League Most Valuable Player and OSAA 4A All-State team. Despite a chronic shoulder injury that prevented her from throwing the shot put with her right arm, she captured the Far West League title in that event and finished fourth at the state meet in Eugene. McClellan also captured the league title in the discus, finishing eighth in that event in Eugene. Her prowess in the throwing events led to her selection as the Most Valuable Female Thrower in the Far West this year.

Mitchell excelled in three sports, earning ‘all-league’ honors in each. He was named the Far West League offensive player of the year as well as the Far West League’s first team selection for quarterback. On the basketball court he earned First Team honors as a point guard and was included on the ‘all-defensive’ team. In Track and Field Mitchell earned second team honors for both hurdles events, narrowly missing a trip to the state finals in both the 100 meter and 300 Intermediates, finishing third place in both events.