Record heat wave to continue in Oregon; Police seeking leads on bicycle hit and run; and Lane County offers funding for fire-proofing rural homes.

Record Setting heat expected to continue…

If you wanted to get a break from the heat in Oregon yesterday, you either went to the coast… or surprisingly, east of the Cascades. A record high temperature was set at Portland International Airport when the National Weather Service recorded a 103-degree reading, edging the previous high of 102 set in 1958. Up the valley, it was more of the same with highs of 103 in Corvallis and Salem. Eugene’s high was pegged at 102 and the hottest spot according to the weather service was in Medford where it topped out at 105 degrees. Along the coast, high temperatures, moderated by a cool ocean breeze were in the upper 60s to mid 70s. While inland, the high at the Redmond Airport was a moderate 89 degrees.

Forecasters are calling for more of the same today with high temperatures of 103 predicted for much of the Willamette Valley. In the Umpqua Valley… Roseburg is expected to peak at 105-degrees. Coastal highs are expected in the mid 70s along the central stretch and into the 80s to the north.

One good spot to cool off… Crater Lake’s forecast high temperature at the rim… expected to be 81 degrees.

Florence police are asking for help in locating a truck that may have been involved in a hit and run Friday afternoon. A 14-year old boy reported to police that he was riding in the bike lane on Highway 101 near 36th street when a full size black pickup truck struck him as it was turning into a Chinese Restaurant. Police said the boy’s only injury was a scraped hand, but the bicycle was damaged to the point that it was no longer ride-able. He told police the truck continued through the parking lot and left without providing any aid or information. Police are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident to call them.

Lane County will use $1.5-million over the next three years to help rural home-owners protect their property against wildfire. The Firewise Incentive Program will grant eligible homeowners up to $12-thousand to partially reimburse them for the costs of installing things like fire-resistant siding and windows; spark arrestors on chimneys; and replacing flammable roofs. The money can also be used to create a ‘defensible space’ around homes by paying for brush removal and installation of irrigation systems… even planting fire-resistive landscaping according to Associate Planner Keir Miller (keer) with the Lane County Land Management Division. The money is part of funding received from the Federal Government under the Secure Rural Schools legislation. Miller calls it a ‘creative use’ that will “help make residents more resilient to wildfire” while also providing an economic boost. Information on how to qualify for the funding can be found on the County’s website or by calling the Land Management Division.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Northwest League Baseball:

The thermometer in right field never dipped below 99 degrees at Civic Stadium last night and the Ems kept the heat on the Boise Hawks, grounding them with a 10-2 victory to wrap up the two teams’ five game series in Eugene. The Emeralds put up 12 hits in the game… three of the ‘round-trippers’ off the bats of Nathan Frieman, Vince Belnome and Matt Vern. Eugene Starter Jerry Sullivan held the Hawks scoreless over five innings for the win. The Emeralds travel to Spokane today where they’ll open up a five game series against the Indians.