Lane County officials remain in lawsuit
Three of the five Lane County Commissioners will remain as defendants in a lawsuit accusing them of breaking Oregon’s public meetings law. But,the judge hearing the case in Coos County did order the plaintiffs in the case to provide more specific details of just when and how they allege that Bill Fleenor, Rob Handy and Peter Sorenson broke the state law prohibiting secret meetings by any quorum of public officials. The lawsuit was filed in February by former West Lane Commissioner Ellie Dumdi of Junction City and retired Eugene businessman Edward Anderson. It claims violations of the open meetings law have been regular, sustained and ongoing by the three and seeks to void an $80-thousand county budget expenditure for five part-time commissioners assistants; as well as seeking to have the three commissioners personally pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Judge Michael Gillespie agreed to hear the case because each of the 16 Lane County Circuit Court judges know some or all parties in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs have until April 12th to provide more information.
The Third Annual “Ocean Issues Forum”, held by the Siuslaw Watershed Council, will bring a panel of presenters that will talk about proposed changes to Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan. Watershed coordinator Liz Vollmer-Buhl says it’s a timely topic.
210 – “The reason why it’s important right now is they’re updating it in regards to wave energy. And the different speakers we have are contributing to that process, either in the mapping process; some are representing fishermen and mapping that; and also non-consumptive recreational use.”
The Territorial Sea Panel includes Andy Lanier from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development; Charles Steinback from Ecotrust; Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission executive director Nick Furman; and Pete Stauffer of the Surfrider Foundation. Tonight’s forum will not be limited to just that topic. A scheduled update on the marine reserves process and a panel discussion on ocean issues in general will be included. That forum runs from six to nine pm at the Florence Events Center.
Yesterday’s snowy weather conditions in higher elevations and the forecast for more tomorrow tonight has prompted transportation officials to extend the deadline for removing studded tires. The April First deadline has now been put off to April Tenth.
Retail prices for unleaded regular remain steady this week… Florence’s average price held at $2.75 a gallon for the third week running. Oregon’s average, as measured by Triple-A is at $2.89 and the Triple-A national average price is actually down two cents to $2.80 a gallon.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon judge has more than doubled the
punitive damages the Boy Scouts of America could potentially face
if the organization loses a lawsuit filed by an Oregon man who was
molested by a Scout leader in the 1980s. The trial before Multnomah
County Circuit Court Judge John Wittmayer is in its third week.
Lawyers for the plaintiff asked Wittmayer for permission to
increase possible punitive damages to $25 million, and the total
damages sought to $29 million. Wittmayer agreed to that request
yesterday.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski
(koo-luhn-GAH'-skee) ordered unpaid furlough days for 26,500 state
workers when he was faced with a gaping hole in the state's 2009-11
budget. The hope was to save more than $40 million over two years
while avoiding layoffs. But The Oregonian reports that its analysis
of state payroll data shows the furloughs are actually increasing
overtime pay at some agencies. Officials say furloughs are
difficult to manage at round-the-clock operations because they
require other staff to work extra hours.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A fruit fly that has worked its way north
from California could cause major damage to Oregon's berries,
cherries, peaches and other fruit crops. Growers, researchers and
fruit processors gathered yesterday in Portland to brainstorm how
to deal with the spotted wing Drosophila, which attacks ripe and
ripening fruit, making crops unfit for market.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A Woodburn police officer is in stable
condition after being shot near Salem last night, and the suspected
shooter is critically wounded. Marion County deputies say a
burglary suspect fired, hitting the Woodburn officer with more than
one round. A deputy responding to the shooting spotted the suspect
minutes later and while attempting to contact the suspect, the
deputy opened fire.
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Ashland environmental group has
contacted authorities after a man posted threatening messages on a
gold mining Web site. The March 14 message posted on
oregongoldhunters.com suggested that members of the environmental
group KS Wild be shot with a high-powered rifle during a public
hike along the Rogue River.
FOREST GROVE, Ore. (AP) - Pacific University says the Boxers'
pitcher hit by a line drive is recovering from a skull fracture.
Tyler Fransen is still suffering from some paralysis on the right
side of his face and is recovering at home in Oregon City. Tyler
was hit by a baseball in the head in the March 20 game against
Pacific Lutheran. Teammates are showing their support for Fransen
by writing "TF 26" on their hats.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Weather and field conditions prompted the delay of yesterday’s prep baseball and softball action at Siuslaw High School against Elmira… those games have been moved to tomorrow… weather permitting.
Meanwhile, both teams will take a chance on the weather today for matchups against the Marshfield Pirates. Baseball will be on the diamond at Jiggs Dodson Field at five… that game slated to air on Coast Radio Sports beginning at 4:45. Softball is set for Coos Bay.
If you’ve been wondering what the inside of the Matthew Knight Arena… Matt Court… looks like you’ll get three chances over the next couple weeks. The University of Oregon will hold open houses on April sixth, tenth and 17th from five to seven pm. Because it’s an active construction area there are specific apparel and footware requirements.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment