Florence to adopt formal homeless camping policy; register to vote; State of the County tomorrow; AP News and a look at sports.

Council expected to ratify homeless camping policy…

Homeless people found camping on public property in Florence will receive written notice that they have 24-hours to clear out under a new policy recently developed by Police Chief Maury Sanders. At the same time they notify the illegal camper, officers will also contact Siuslaw Outreach Services of that posting. Sanders recently developed the policy in response to a state statute enacted in 1995. Until now, the city has had an informal policy in compliance, but recent events prompted the city to put something in writing. The chief says at times transients establish campsites on public property such as along the Munsel Creek Bike Path; around the Florence Events Center; and at other locations. Up until now the process has been to order the transients to pick up their belongings and move on. They usually do, quite often leaving a mess, Sanders says, that includes human waste, general filth and even used syringes. The 1995 statute requires all cities to develop a policy recognizing the social nature of homeless camping on public land and provide for a humane way to deal with it. The Florence City Council has been asked to endorse Sanders’ policy. They’ll take action tonight.

Lane County Commission Chair Pete Sorenson will deliver the annual ‘State of the County’ address tomorrow morning at Harris Hall in Eugene. The annual address will be part of ceremonies that begin at ten AM and include music, presentation of colors and other recognitions. Sorenson, representing South Eugene, will review the past year. His address will be followed by Vice-Chair Bill Fleenor, the West Lane Representative, who will present comments entitled “Looking Forward. Following the ceremony the commissioners will convene their first regular meeting of the year at 1:30 for the election of Board Chair and Vice Chair.

If you’ve voted recently you’re most likely good to go for the January 26th special election. But, if you’ve never registered before, or if you’ve changed your name or address, you’ll need to submit a completed voter registration card to the Lane County Elections Division. The deadline for doing that is tomorrow at five pm. Post marks are acceptable, so you can fill out the card and drop it in the mail anytime prior to five pm tomorrow and know that you’ll be eligible to vote later this month. Voters are being asked to consider two tax measures, 66 and 67, which could have a combined impact of $717-million on the state’s general fund.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An avalanche as wide as two football
fields has caught and killed a snowmobiler from La Pine. Deschutes
(duh-SHOOTS') County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Michael Espinoza says
the avalanche trapped 28-year-old Wesley Bryan Amos beneath the
snow Saturday in the area of Paulina Peak, east of La Pine. His
body was found about 20 minutes later.

SAUVIE ISLAND, Ore. (AP) - An experienced pilot crashed a small
plane on Sauvie Island when the engine quit, but Multnomah County
sheriff's officials say the man wasn't hurt. Sheriff's office
spokeswoman Lt. Mary Lindstrand says the plane crashed into a wheat
field on the west side of the island at about noon yesterday. The
Oregonian says he hasn't been identified.

BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) - Oregon State Police say an Idaho man has
been arrested after two runaway girls from Washington state were
found in his pickup truck -- one of them hiding under a seat.
Authorities say 19-year-old Shawn Matthew Grady was booked into the
Baker County Jail for investigation of first-degree custodial
interference. The girls were returned to relatives.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Police say a 3-year-old girl who was
stabbed by her father's girlfriend is recovering at a Portland
hospital. The 22-year-old woman, Serenity Sanchez, was booked into
the Multnomah County Jail Saturday for investigation of assault.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A police officer discharged a Taser gun five
times to stop a pit pull from attacking another dog in Salem.
Police say the dog attacked a neighbors pit bull yesterday and had
the dog by the throat when the officer arrived. The Statesman
Journal reports that after five zaps the attacking dog let go. It
later died at a veterinary clinic. (Statesman Journal)

BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) - Beaverton police are searching for an
84-year-old man who has been missing since yesterday afternoon.
Jack Leroy Stoll, who has Alzheimer's, is believed to be driving a
white, four-door Toyota Prius.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A lawsuit seeking almost $6 million has
been filed on behalf of a 9-year-old Portland boy who lost four
toes when a train ran over his foot in the summer of 2008. The suit
alleges Union Pacific should have put a warning sign near the
tracks, and that an engineer and a conductor were negligent in
traveling too fast, not keeping a proper lookout, failing to blow
their whistle and failing to stop and obtain prompt medical
attention.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) - The Klamath County public health and
dog control departments have launched a campaign to increase dog
licensing and rabies vaccinations. A 60-day amnesty period starting
next Monday allows dog owners to license their pets without facing
penalties. The campaign aims to boost dog licensing and rabies
vaccinations by 20 percent in the first six months of the year.

BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) - The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is
using $1.6 million in federal stimulus money to embark on its most
ambitious trail-maintenance campaign in years. The Wallowa-Whitman
plans to help hikers and horseback riders by trimming brush and
moving downed logs off its more than 1,300 miles of trails.


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

College Football:
By now you already know Ohio State upset the favored Oregon Ducks Friday afternoon in the Rose Bowl, 26-17. Oregon head Coach Chip Kelly said the difference in the game was ‘the one that got away’. Terrell Pryor, the Ohio State quarterback was recruited heavily by Kelly before eventually signing with the Buckeyes. Prior passed for a season high 266-yards and two touchdowns in the game New Years’ Day.

College Basketball:
The Oregon Ducks completed their sweep of the Evergreen State by upsetting number 17 Washington Saturday afternoon 90-79. The Oregon State men fell to Washington State Saturday evening 65 – 60. For the women, Talisa Rhea (REE-uh) scored 22 points, but Oregon State lost to Washington at home yesterday afternoon 69 – 64. The Oregon Women are two-and-oh in Pac-10 play after they downed Washington State 98-92 yesterday at Mac Court.

Prep Wrestling:
The Reedsport Braves came out on top with 261 points to claim the team title at the 2010 Reedsport Wrestling Invitational Saturday. The Braves with four individual champions: Anthony Halstead at 112 pounds; Bobby Short at 140; Andrew Orr at 160 pounds; and Jon Thurber at 171. Siuslaw was in fifth with 137 points and one individual champion… Jacob Graber at 125. Also placing for the VIkings: Nick Ough in second at 140; Sonny Tupua, also 2nd at 215 and Jason Graber in 3rd at 112 pounds. Three Vikings finished with fourth place in their weight classes: Neal Larson at 152; Jackson Brastow at 189; and Ryan Connor at 215.