Oregon Timber Harvest reaches historic low
The timber harvest in Oregon dropped to the lowest level last year since the depression. Oregon loggers processed 2.75 billion board feet of lumber in 2009, 20-percent less than the year before. The only lowest recorded harvest was in 1934, during the depths of the Great Depression. The struggling economy and a weak housing market teamed up to drive the harvest to historical lows. Oregon Department of Forestry economist Gary Lettman says despite the diminished production Oregon’s forest industry infrastructure remains intact. That would make an increase in production much easier once economic conditions improve. Lettman noted there have been several mill shutdowns, but few have been permanently shuttered. Most of the timber decline was in western Oregon… where the vast majority of production is typically found. Douglas County jumped ahead of Lane County in volume during 2009 with 384-million board feet compared to 338-million. Yamhill County was the only Oregon County that harvested more timber than in 2008 with a slight increase. Lettman also said Tribal timber harvests increased 13-percent over the previous year.
The filing deadline for candidates seeking municipal office is coming quickly. Nominating petitions must be submitted and the signatures vetted by elections workers no later than five pm Tuesday. Mayor positions in both Dunes City and Florence will be on the ballot, as will four Dunes City Council and Two Florence City Council seats. A third council seat in Florence is also open but won’t be on the ballot. That will be filled by appointment with the application deadline for the two-year position September 17th.
Ten high school students, and their two adult chaperones from Japan were in Florence this past week touring the area. While here they took part in a variety of activities, including riding the Oregon Dunes. The visit was part of the on-going exchange program with Yamagata City. The Florence contingent returned from their visit earlier this month.
A training program for volunteers interested in the Peace Harbor Hospice program is set to begin next month. Donna Becker says there are many different ways in which people can volunteer to help out. In addition to the obvious ways of providing assistance to families and patients in a hospice situation, there are ways of helping out that you may not think of. Becker says clerical and office volunteers can help manage special projects. While Respite volunteers can fill in for a family member or other caregiver while that person gets a break. Bereavement volunteers will be specially trained to help loved ones get through what can be a tough time emotionally following the death of a family member.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
GOSHEN, Ore. (AP) - The smell of burning garbage filled the air
across parts of the Eugene-Springfield area over the weekend while
crews worked to put out a stubborn landfill fire.
Plumes of black and white smoke billowed up and were visible for
miles Sunday around the Short Mountain Landfill, where six fire
departments and state Department of Forestry helicopter battled the
blaze just east of Interstate 5.
Officials told The Register-Guard the cause was unknown. It
started in the section of Lane County's only municipal solid waste
dump where new trash is brought.
The blaze spread to the grassland to the east of the active
landfill, also burning the black tarp that the county uses to
permanently cap the trash. It was contained about 8:30 p.m. Sunday
after burning more than 2 acres.
---
FOREST GROVE, Ore. (AP) - Washington County sheriff's deputies
say a 16-year-old Puyallup (pew-AL'-up) boy who was trapped under
an ATV was able to call 911 and say he was "injured all over."
But the phone connection was lost and by the time searchers found
the accident near Forest Grove Saturday, Louie Hertel was dead. The
teen had been visiting family and helping with farm work.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Fewer than one percent of Oregon students
are enrolled in online public schools. But the funding, quality and
financial management of these virtual classrooms have dominated
conversation in State Capitol hearings and school district board
rooms. The Oregon Board of Education is taking a small step toward
resolving one of the thorniest questions - who decides whether a
child can attend an online-only school.
UNDATED (AP) - Three McMinnville High School football players
have had surgery and 16 others were treated after suffering muscle
damage following a fall camp. All are expected to recover, but
doctors remain puzzled about the cause of their injuries -- they
say all the players had high levels of an enzyme released after
muscle injury that can lead to kidney failure if not properly
treated.
ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) - Officials with Umpqua Dairy Products say
fluid milk products from its Roseburg plant are back on the shelves
and safe to consume after a strain of salmonella bacteria forced a
recall. The salmonella made 23 people sick. For more information,
consumers can call 888-672-MILK (6455).
DAMASCUS, Ore. (AP) - A 12-year-old Damascus boy had permission
to drive the family pickup to the end of the driveway to unload
trash. But he just kept going Sunday until he was found in Lewis
County, Wash. The Clackamas County sheriff's office says the boy's
mother reported her son and the pickup missing. An alert went out,
and the youngster was safely stopped by a sheriff's deputy.
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) - Beaverton police are looking for a girl
who may have been kidnapped. A blindfolded young teen with her
hands behind her back was reported yesterday afternoon in a car in
an apartment building parking lot. The witness told police when a
man noticed the car was being watched he sped off, spinning the
tires.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Fire last night at a 12-unit Salem apartment
building has displaced residents. The Statesman Journal reports no
one was injured in the fire at the Gateway Village Apartments. The
Red Cross is helping the people who were burned out of their homes.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Northwest League Baseball:
The Eugene Emeralds went one-and-two over the weekend against the Spokane Indians. Things started off Friday with an Indians win, 4-7 in Spokane. Eugene came back for a 10-4 victory Saturday evening, but a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth last night lifted the Indians to a 7-6 victory.
Ten of the top college football programs in the country, including number one Alabama, have been selected to wear some unique uniforms this season. Number 24 ranked Oregon State will join the nine other schools, including Boise State and TCU in wearing the innovative Nike Pro Combat System of Dress uniforms for at least one game each. The uniforms are engineered to provide more protection to the player, but are also lighter than regular fabrics. The specific dates that each team will wear the special uniforms will be announced September First. Oregon State opens their regular season September Fourth in Arlington, Texas against TCU.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment