Oregon's Senior Senator wraps up string of eight town halls; A Eugene man was killed Saturday night in ATV crash on the dunes.

Area residents turn out in force for Senator’s town hall…

The crowd in Florence was larger than that of three previous town hall meetings combined as U.S. Senator Ron Wyden wrapped up a string of eight public sessions during the current congressional recess. About 300 people greeted Wyden at Siuslaw High School Saturday afternoon. As in town halls in Gold Beach, Coos Bay and Reedsport, there was one main theme.
200 -- "Obviously health care is dominating the meetings."

Saturday’s Town Hall, like the others during the past month, wasn't all about health care. The Portland Democrat heard a variety of concerns, including worries about the economy.
201 -- "there's just a world of economic hurt out there. Constitently we're running around 12 percent unemployment. So what I'm spending my time on… all the issues that let us put folks back to work. Infrastructure and roads, bridges, transportation."

Oregon’s Senior Senator is preparing to introduce a forestry bill that would presumably provide for an economic boost. It would allow thinning on millions of acres of second growth public forest.

A 20-year old Eugene man was killed Saturday night when the ATV he was driving struck a sand berm in the Goose Pasture sand flats in the South Jetty Dunes Recreation Area. The impact sent both he and his female passenger airborne. A Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy reportedly witnessed the crash. The deputy told Oregon State Police that neither Casey Allen Renfroe nor the passenger were wearing helmets. Renfroe was allegedly driving after the ten pm curfew at a high rate of speed in the dark when the crash occurred. The passenger, who’s identity has not been released, was seriously injured and ultimately taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center at River Bend in Springfield. Renfroe was apparently camping in the area with other family members. Troopers continue to investigate.