Senior Center Fundraising nearly three-quarters complete; Police arrest walkaway; PeaceHealth prepared for Swine Flu.

Senior Center fund raising nearing four week goal…

They started out just over two weeks ago with a good size target...
200 – “When we started this, the whole idea of raising $100,000 cash in 30-days seemed to be impossible. Now, it’s within range, it’s within sight we’re over the hump at 73-thousand dollars.”

Not only does he expect to make the goal before the August 12th deadline, but he anticipates they’ll exceed it. That will allow them to add back several items that had already been cut from the new Senior Center in an attempt to bring construction costs in line with the budget. The Mayor said a quick review of the donation list yesterday showed varying amounts have been received.
211 – “The exciting thing that’s happened the last two days is that we’ve had two ten-thousand dollar naming contributions from two different individuals to name the card room and the game room.”

Their names will be announced once they’ve reached the goal. Several fund raising activities are still in the works. Area pilots will hold an ‘airport day’ Sunday, giving flights for donations of $100; Volunteers will hold a ‘drop in the bucket’ drive at the current senior center from nine to three that same day; and a fund raising booth will be set up at Dunes City’s Festival of the Lakes on the eighth.

A 22-year old Florence man is back in custody at the Justice Center a week after he walked away while on a medical pass. Police officers, acting on a tip, arrested him at an Eighth Street apartment without incident. Keith Brown had been serving a 90-day sentence in the Florence Jail for failure to pay fines and assessments on a 2008 assault conviction. A police spokesperson said Brown will serve out the remainder of his sentence and faces disciplinary action at the jail, plus additional punishment if convicted on a charge of ‘unauthorized departure’.

Public Health officials say Swine Flu continues to circulate in Oregon with certain groups at increased risk of complications from the illness. A spokesperson for Peace Health says young children, pregnant women and elderly adults are at increased risk of complications. Local health providers have been on ‘alert’ status for several weeks, taking extra precautions for patients and employees. One recommendation they’re offering… if you have a fever along with muscle aches, congestion and or a cough… typical flu symptoms… stay at home and phone your doctor or clinic rather than come in.

State Senator Joanne Verger along with Representative Jean Cowan will recap the recently completed legislative session tomorrow during a Town Hall meeting in Yachates. Verger and Cowan will be at the Adoby from 1:30 to 3 pm.

Northwest League Baseball:
The Spokane Indians used an “excuse me single” in the 11th inning for a 7-6 ‘walk-off’ victory over the Eugene Emeralds last night. The Ems led most of the way but the Indians tied the game at six in the bottom of the seventh inning. Edinson Rincon was 3-for-5 at the plate for Eugene and raised his batting average to .359. The Emeralds have a chance to tie the series tonight in Spokane, they’ll wrap up their road trip tomorrow night before having Sunday off… then will be back at home Monday where they’ll start a five game series against the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Prep Basketball:
How about some round ball? A group of former Siuslaw High School Basketballers have put together a day of fund raising today… the proceeds of which will be split equally between Viking Basketball and the elementary outdoor school. A skills camp for five to eighteen year olds gets underway at noon. There’ll be music and food in the courtyard at the high school later today then a scrimmage with camp participants at six. At 7:00 Alumni Basketball game tips off. The cost is ten dollars for adults, kids five through 18 are five dollars and a paid game admission will get them into the camp for no extra cost.