Measure 57 modifications reflect voter intent; Dredge Yaquina at work; school board pursuing policy changes and gas takes a hike

Voter intent guided lawmakers in Measure 57 modifications…

One step taken by lawmakers to help balance the budget during the 75th Oregon Legislature was to revise the implementation of a voter approved measure from 2008 making changes to mandatory sentencing requirements for repeat offenders.
205 – “Well measure 57 is still alive and well today. It is actually is being implemented. The modifications that we’re talking about won’t occur until next year in February… if they occur.”

State Senator Floyd Prozanski (pro-ZONN-skee) says only some provisions related to repeat property crime enhancements may be temporarily suspended. Portions of the measure relating to drug rehabilitation will remain in effect.
206 – “We know for a fact that the vast majority of property crime in the state is in fact being committed by people with drug dependencies. And we believe that when the voters passed 57 and rejected measure 61 they wanted to make certain that the treatment component was part of the solution.”

The money saved by ‘phasing’ in implementation of the measure… an estimated $40-million over the next two years… went to fund operations of the Oregon Youth Authority and Oregon State Police. Prozanski represents portions of South Lane and Northern Douglas counties. He also serves as the municipal prosecutor for the City of Florence.

The Dredge Yaquina began work on the Siuslaw River late last week. Since then… other than a break yesterday for fuel and provisions… it’s been working on restoring the channel in the lower river to its prescribed depth.
207 – “They are working out at the mouth of the river to take out two shoals which had affected bar crossings. One is inside, directly inside the jaws, right at the mouth itself. As well as another shoal that is a little farther out.”

Port of Siuslaw District Manager Mark Freeman said the dredge has benefitted from relatively calm conditions, allowing it to make good use of her time. That may allow her to move upstream and work on channel maintenance before moving out to her next port of call later this week.

The Siuslaw School Board will discuss two items this evening that could pave the way for a return of athletic programs that had been cut because of budget constraints earlier this year. All sports at Siuslaw Middle School, along with three varsity level sports at Siuslaw High School were cancelled. Superintendent Jeff Davis is asking the board to discuss the current practice of ‘capping’ athletic participation fees at $375 per year per family. He’s also presenting a draft of a volunteer coaching policy that would drastically reduce the costs of administering some of the programs… but would rely heavily on outside fund-raising and volunteers. The school board meets this evening, 6:30, at district offices on Oak Street.

Retail gas prices followed an increase in the wholesale cost of crude oil this week. According to Triple-A the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded increased this past week by eight cents per gallon to $2.64. Oregon’s statewide average went up a dime to $2.79. Florence’s average also increased by ten cents… it’s at $2.68 a gallon.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Northwest League Baseball:
Nathan Frieman and Jason Hagerty each had two-run homeruns for the Emeralds as Eugene powered their way past the Vancouver Canadians 6-5 last night in Vancouver. The Ems held a five run advantage going into the bottom of the sixth and gave up four runs… with the aid of two Eugene errors… to cut the margin to one. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Emeralds… and extended to three the streak for the C’s. Game two of a three-game series is set for tonight at Nat Bailey Stadium. The Ems will be back home Friday where they’ll begin an extended home stand.

Pac Ten Football:
The cover of the Western Edition of Sports Illustrated’s college football preview will feature a pair of Ducks… quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and center Jordan Holmes are featured on what is one of four different regional publications. Oregon is picked by Pac-Ten sports writers to finish third in the league this year. Oregon State has been tabbed to finish fourth by the same group. They’ll be led by quarterback Lyle Moevow (MOY-vow) who is gradually working his way back into the physical routine. The senior spent much of the summer rebuilding strength following offseason surgery on his shoulder.