Heceta water rate increase stirs residents; Sporthaven in Brookings sweeps chowder cookoff; H1N1 vaccine arrives - Crabbers seeking derelict pots

Water Rate Increases stir residents…

Dozens of residents in the Heceta Water District are upset about increases in water rates enacted earlier this summer. District Commissioners approved the rate hike that nearly doubled the base rate in May. It took effect in July. But, because bills are sent out every other month, the full impact wasn’t felt by residents until bills were sent out last week. One reported bill was near $700 and others were in the three-to-four-hundred range. One compounding factor appears to be the ‘tiered’ rate system that ratchets up the rate based on consumption. Prior to the rate increase last spring, district manager Scott Meyer said rates had been held low for several years as the district spent down cash reserves. Meyer also noted that the aging 30-year old distribution system is going to need upgrading in the near future. The Heceta Water District Board of Commissioners meets tomorrow afternoon in district offices at five pm.


Florence chose a chowder champion Saturday afternoon…
204 – “The winning chowder scored a 127 out of a possible 150. and was the winner hands down above any of the other five contestants.”

Cookoff spokesperson Cindy Wobbe said Sporthaven Marina Bar and Grill from Brookings also won the ‘People’s Choice’ tasting at this weekend’s Chowder Blues and Brews Festival. Sporthaven earned $1000 for winning the professional chowder tasting. Waterfront Tavern from Reedsport was second in the people’s choice, Tavolo Restaurant from Sandpines Golf in Florence was third.

Limited amounts of the H1N1 flu vaccine are arriving in Lane and Douglas Counties with the first batch being set to private health care providers that serve initial priority groups. Marilyn Carter with Douglas County Public Health says shipments have been small so far. The second batch is due this week and will also be directed towards high priority groups that include health care workers and pregnant women

A handful of boats in Oregon's crabbing fleet are returning to sea in search of derelict pots and buoys left behind by commercial crabbers. Fishermen in Reedsport last week focused their attention on crab gear trapped near shorelines or otherwise forgotten at sea during the Dec. 1 to Aug. 14 season. Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission Executive Director Nick Furman says it's the fleet's responsibility to try to retrieve the old gear.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…
Siuslaw Cross Country dominated the Paul Marriman Invitational in Philomath on Saturday afternoon, sweeping both boys and girls team competitions. Linda Paredes posted a personal best time of 19:49 and was the first Viking girl across the line in fifth place. She was followed quickly by Samantha Pummer and Raeyln Robinson in sixth and seventh. Two more Vikings were in the top 20. For the Boys, Joe Campbell was second overall in 16:31. Jacob Berkner was third; Brad Finnell (fih-NELL) was sixth and Brad Greenburg was seventh. Will Fandrey was 18th overall.

The Oregon Ducks scored three times in the first four minutes of the second half to break things open and go on to a 24-10 victory over the UCLA Bruins Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Kenjon Barner returned the second half opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, he was followed 13-seconds later by Talmadge Jackson who picked off a pass and ran it back 32 yards for a score.

In Corvallis, Jacquizz Rodgers had three touchdowns and 120 yards rushing midway through the second quarter as Oregon State cruised to a 38-28 victory over the Stanford Cardinal. Rodgers ended the day with 271 ‘all-purpose’ yards and four touchdowns, tying an OSU record.

Both Oregon and Oregon State have this week off… The Ducks will be back in action October 24th in Seattle against the Huskies… the Beavers will be in Los Angeles against USC.