Fire takes no holiday….
Over a five-year period from 2004 through 2008 there were 584 candle-related fires in Oregon resulting in 14 deaths; 93 injuries… 22 of those to firefighters… and estimated property losses of nearly $16-million. According to information from the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office, almost half of that death, injury and destruction came during the three-week period between December 17th and January 8th. Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says, especially this weekend, people need to use extra care with candles.
210 – “It’s very important to keep them away from combustibles. Put them in trays or in containers that are not combustible or won’t catch fire, and if you leave the room, always blow them out. It’s amazing what candles can do when they’re left alone.”
Gift wrap, greenery and blankets seem to be in abundant supply around living rooms and family rooms over the Christmas holiday, presenting exceptional risks. Barrett says it’s also a good idea to make sure your fire extinguisher is readily available and your smoke detectors have fresh batteries and are in good working order.
A state legislator from Newport is calling the threat of U.S. Senate hearings on relocation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Operations Center a – quote – “abuse of power”. Democratic Oregon State Representative Jean Cowan also said comments made by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell about the proposed site in Newport were ‘disrespectful. Cantwell, said she wanted to investigate whether the move, from Puget Sound to the Oregon Coast, would harm NOAA’s capacity to hire and retain qualified mariners. Cowan said the entire process has been ‘open and transparent’. NOAA already has a significant operation in Newport and the center would bring more than 100 additional employees and their families.
Holiday travelers will find slightly lower gas prices this weekend. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded dipped by about a penny this week to $2.59. According to Triple-A, the statewide average in Oregon fell by more than two cents… it’s now at $2.70. Florence’s average fell by one cent this week… it’s ten cents below the Oregon average at $2.60.
There are several options for those wishing to observe Christmas Eve with other congregants. The Florence Church of the Nazarene will offer a special service at 5:30; Siuslaw Valley Christian Center at six. St. Andrews Episcopal will host “lessons and carols” at eight pm and St. Mary’s Catholic Church will offer two services… 5:30 and 10:30.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - Oregon State Police say a multi-state,
multi-agency investigation has led to the seizure of more than 225
pounds of marijuana with ties to the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Program. OSP says three people were arrested and additional arrests
are pending as investigations continue in Oregon and Minnesota. The
drugs' street value is at least $750,000.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon attorney general John Kroger has
become the victim of a car prowler. The Oregonian reports that a
briefcase containing official items was stolen from Kroger's
vehicle between 1 and 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Police say officers combed
Kroger's neighborhood and brought in a fingerprint specialist. The
briefcase contained his official badge, his law enforcement
credentials, information on drug treatment programs, a draft policy
document and confidential information.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Some dogs left behind in rural Eastern
Oregon are getting another chance. Some 60 dogs were left behind
earlier this month, and a Long Beach, Wash. woman who grew up in
Harney County is set on saving them. Melanie Eppig is the founder
of Harney County Save a Stray. She headed to the site yesterday and
rounded up 23 of the dogs, including six puppies, put them in
kennels and hauled them to Salem. She also plans on heading back to
the property on Saturday.
JUNCTION CITY, Ore. (AP) - Financial woes have forced the
closure of two small weekly newspaper. The Register-Guard reports
the Tri-County News in Junction City and the West Lane News in
Veneta stopped publishing Tuesday night. Publisher Andrew Polin
says he just doesn't have the money to continue and hopes someone
will come along and resurrect the papers.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Public employee unions and business groups
are fighting over two state tax increases on the January ballot.
Election finance records show each side has raised about $2.3
million for their campaigns.
COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) - A dance club in Coos Bay is losing its
liquor license. State officials say bartenders over-served patrons
at Mak's Old City Hall Lounge and didn't keep the crown under
control which led to problems inside and outside the club.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - Fire tore through a Medford apartment
complex last night, displacing eight families just before
Christmas. There were no injuries and the cause has yet to be
determined.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Firefighters were also busy in Salem, where a
two-alarm fire heavily damaged a home this morning. The Salem Fire
Department says it's believed the occupants were away at the time.
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. (AP) - Police arrested three southern Oregon
men accused of growing and distributing more pot than is legally
allowed under the state's medical marijuana program. Police say an
undercover officer recently bought 65 pounds of marijuana in a
Grants Pass parking lot. Information gained from the buy allowed
them to obtain three search warrants in Josephine and Jackson
counties. Police seized a total 225 pounds of marijuana at homes in
Williams and Jacksonville.
ALBANY, Ore. (AP) - Albany police arrested a motorist involved
in an Oct. 28 crash that killed a man. A grand jury indicted
48-year-old Clayton Baunach on charges of manslaughter, assault and
criminally negligent homicide. A warrant was issued Dec. 16. Police
say the victim, 50-year-old Bently Wells, was working on a car when
a Ford Expedition towing a flatbed utility trailer failed to
negotiate a curve. The trailer struck the back of the car, causing
it to roll and pin Wells.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Basketball:
First the boys… The Vikings led briefly very early in the game, but after that it was all Cheesemakers as Tillamook routed Siuslaw 61 – 33 last night in Florence. Trevor Roberts led scoring with nine points.
The girls were in Tillamook against the Cheesemakers… where they trailed by five at the half. In the second half the defense broke down and Tillamook ran away with a 37-21 victory.
College Basketball:
Calvin Haynes tied a career high with 25 points to lead Oregon State to a 73-65 victory over Fresno State last night in Corvallis. It was program win number 16-hundred for Oregon State… only the 15th program in the country to reach that milestone.
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