Coast Radio News

No net job losses... but no gains either…

The lingering effects of recession may have dampened much of the enthusiasm surrounding a possible economic recovery. But, says Mike Meyers, the broader picture shows the possibility of a ‘double-dip’ recession just isn’t there.
200 – “Well people are certainly worried about it because of the last couple of two-three months as far as what we’ve seen. But the reality is there’s, there’s still more positive than negative indicators out there that we’re going in the right direction and so it’s too soon to tell if that’s going to be the case.”

Meyers, a work force analyst for the Oregon Employment Department, says while there have continued to be job losses in some sectors of the economy: on average employers are holding on to the work force they have.
201 – “Most of the forecasts from respected economists still show projected growth going through next year and the year after.”

He said that’s true in Lane County as well. The unemployment rate for July will be released next week and when it is, Meyers said he expects it to be very close to the June figure… 10.5 percent.

Investigating what he said were “suspicious sounds” a Florence Police officer discovered two men loading boxes filled with beer bottles into grocery carts Wednesday night at about midnight. After a quick investigation, the officer determined the bottles had come from an enclosed storage area beneath the Sportsman on Highway 101. 22-year old Byron Leroy Barnett and 34-year old Jason Dewayne Hodgson were both arrested for theft, burglary and trespass.

What do HAM radios and lighthouses have in common? Well, this weekend they’ll have plenty as members of amateur radio groups set up temporary stations at lighthouses and maritime beacons worldwide. Local radio enthusiasts will be set up at Heceta Head Lighthouse as well as at the Umpqua Light. The purpose is to promote public awareness of the lights and highlight the need for preservation and restoration. Radio operators also say it’s a demonstration of how effective their favored means of communications can be in the event of emergency. They can set up just about anywhere… and communicate with other like minded people around the world.

The formal dedication of home number 17 for Florence Habitat for Humanity won’t come until next weekend. But area residents can get a look at the latest project tomorrow. From ten to two the new home for the Libby Rodriguez family at 1520 15th Street will be open for tours and Habitat volunteers will be on hand. A major part of the financing for the home came from donations gathered during the organization’s September beachwalk.

A voluntary recall of eggs produced by an Iowa company and shipped nationwide has been announced. There’s a possibility that some of the eggs could be contaminated with salmonella. There’s also a possibility that some of them could have made their way to the Northwest. Spokesmen for Safeway, Fred Meyer and Albertsons have all said so far none of the suspect eggs have been found in their stores however. Information on the egg recall can be found at www-dot-eggsafety-dot-org.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

MAUPIN, Ore. (AP) - A Wasco County sheriff's dispatcher says a
wildfire near the town of Maupin (MAW'-pin) is not threatening
homes and most firefighters were able to go home overnight. The
fire started yesterday and winds spread it to within seven miles of
the northcentral Oregon town on the Deschutes (duh-SHOOTS') River.
The governor authorized state firefighters to help protect the
town.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A state report says at least 32 patients
died as a result of preventable errors in Oregon hospitals last
year. The Oregon Patient Safety Commission says hospitals reported
136 incidents in 2009. Half of the errors resulted in serious
injury or death. The Oregonian reports that in nine cases, a
surgical team operated on the wrong body part or the wrong patient.
Surgeons accidentally left objects in patients 21 times.

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) - A school district official says seven
McMinnville High School football players wound up at a hospital
after experiencing muscle soreness during an "immersion" football
camp. Superintendent Maryalice Russell said yesterday the camp will
now end a day early, at noon today.

GLENDALE, Ore. (AP) - The Swanson Group is closing its Glendale
sawmill and scaling back operations at its Roseburg studmill.
The Glendale-based company blames the government for a short
supply of federal timber and says the market has been deflated by
lumber from Canada.
The Register-Guard reports about 90 workers will be affected,
leaving the company with about 650 employees. Swanson also operates
mills in Noti and Springfield.

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Oregon state veterinarians say a virus
that causes drooling, diarrhea and seizures is the likely cause of
death in as many as 20 black-tailed deer in a Corvallis
neighborhood. They say the viral disease affects only deer, posing
no risk to humans, pets or livestock. So far the outbreak seems to
be limited to a herd in the Corvallis area.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Some sugar beet growers are uneasy as
they wait for federal officials to decide the next step for a crop
that provides half the nation's sugar supply. A federal judge's
ruling prevents future planting of sugar beets with genetically
modified seeds until agriculture officials study the effect the
crop could have on other food.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The owners of the Kettle Foods potato chip
plant in Salem say they plan an $8.4 million expansion project that
will boost production capacity 25 percent. The Salem plant produces
about half of the nation's supply of the Kettle Brand product line,
which includes potato chips, tortilla chips, nuts and nut butters.
Potato growers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California supply
the plant.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say an Eastern Oregon woman
fatally shot after an argument with her husband most likely died
from an accidental, self-inflicted wound. Union County prosecutors
say neither homicide nor suicide can be ruled out in Lisa Wynn's
death, but there's not enough evidence to support either of those
conclusions. Relatives Wynn criticized the decision not to file
charges against her husband.

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

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Basketball:
Yes, it’s late August but there will be basketball today and this evening at Siuslaw High School. It’s the second annual Alumni basketball game. Things got underway at 11:00 this morning with a skills camp for youngsters through high school age. It continues this evening says organizer Sean Sisson.
203 – “In between the camp and the game there will be music and food; a little barbecue style; then at 6:10 we’re going to have the kids come back on. The all stars from the camp and they’re going to play in front of the crowd.”

The game tips off at seven. Admission to the skills camp also gets kids into the game. Proceeds go towards supporting high school and middle school basketball programs.

Northwest League Baseball:
The Eugene Emeralds had their final day off of the season yesterday. They’re back on the diamond tonight in Spokane where they’ll face the Indians in the first of five.