Coast Radio News

County Administrator announces resignation

After only three years at the helm of Lane County administration, Jeff Spartz has decided to head back home to Minnesota. Spartz announced his resignation, effective in December yesterday, saying he was taking a post as the Executive Director of the Association of Minnesota Counties. The long time Minnesota resident served four years as administrator of Hennepin County in Minneapolis, then oversaw the Hennepin County Medical Center for seven years. When he took the Lane County position in December 2007, his wife, a labor relations lawyer with an active practice remained behind, but the two planned to get together regularly. Those plans didn’t work out. That, and a less than glowing job evaluation earlier this year may have contributed to Spartz’ decision to return to the Midwest. Lane County Commission Chair Bill Fleenor said it will take “some time” to find someone with measurable experience to replace Spartz. The Board will review their options for the recruitment process later this month. Spartz earned just under $150-thousand a year.

Elections, guns in school and domestic violence will be the main topics of KCST’s Our Town this afternoon from four to six. A domestic violence victim will talk about how she still struggles with the episode in her life 25 years after ending the relationship that put her through a decade of abuse. Candidates for the Dunes City Council will talk about why they feel they’re the best choice for voters in that community. The main portion of the program this afternoon will feature North Bend oral surgeon and Republican Scott Roberts and former high school principal and Coos Bay Democrat Arnie Roblan. The pair will talk about the issues in the Oregon House district 9 race and answer questions from listeners. Finally, wrapping up the program will be Siuslaw Superintendent Jeff Davis talking about an incident last week in which a student brought an unloaded handgun to the high school.

Why are gas prices lower in Florence than in any other part of the state? It’s likely a sign of the free market. Marie Dodds with Triple-A of Oregon says competition in the Florence area has kept the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded 12 to 14 cents a gallon lower than the statewide average. Oregon’s average price dropped a penny this week to $2.91. Florence’s average price held steady at $2.77. The national average went up four cents a gallon to $2.73.

A renewed call to artists across the region has gone out for the tenth annual Celebrate Arts! show set for November fifth through the 13th. Entries for the show are due at the Florence Events Center no later than October 15th. Categories include two and three-dimensional art, as well as photography. Cash awards will be presented in those categories, as well as for young artists.

Dunes City Residents are being asked if they’re ready for a possible natural disaster. They can answer that question for themselves this evening at Dunes City Hall beginning at six with the first in a series of classes that will help them become better prepared for any number of emergency situations, including earthquake and tsunami.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Attorneys for two 5-year-old girls who
were molested at their Portland day-care center say they have
negotiated $200,000 in settlements with the facility's insurance
company. David Daniel Moore has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing
the girls when they were 4 years old and he was working as a
teacher at Angela's Academy. Moore was sentenced to 17 years in
prison.

BURNS, Ore. (AP) - Harney County authorities are investigating
whether a fiery crash that killed two Burns teenagers and injured a
third might have happened during a street race. Sheriff Dave Glerup
tells KTVZ-TV that there are indications a second car was involved
and that a collision took place before the car left the road and
struck a gate at the county fairgrounds.

IONE, Ore. (AP) - The body found Monday on a farm near Ione has
been identified by the Morrow County district attorney as
30-year-old Jessica Rae Killian of Hermiston. KNDU-TV reports a
team of officers from agencies in Morrow and Umatilla counties are
investigating her death as suspicious.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Many Oregon prosecutors say tight money
has forced them to stop prosecuting dozens of illegal acts as
crimes. In Multnomah County, those who commit many minor crimes are
allowed to pay a fine and go free. Some counties like Washington
and Linn have public safety levies or timber money that allow
prosecutors to pursue more cases.

BEND, Ore. (AP) - Bend firefighters are trained for rescues,
even for a 300-pound black bear passed out 60 feet up a tree.
Police say the bear was knocking over trash cans and making other
mischief late Monday before it climbed the tree. KTVZ-TV says after
Fish and Wildlife workers shot it with tranquilizers, two
firefighters climbed up and put harnesses on it, then carefully
lowered the bear to safety.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Chemeketa Community College is partnering
with Linfield College to allow nursing students who start at the
Salem college to continue on to get a four-year degree. The
agreement enables Chemeketa students who earn an associate degree
in nursing and become licensed can complete two more years in
Linfield's online bachelor nursing program.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Concerns about spillway gates at 11
Willamette Valley dams have prompted the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to reduce water storage until the gates are fixed or
replaced. The Statesman Journal reports the loss of storage
capacity means the dams will be releasing more water during a
longer period of time this winter and spring as a flood-control
strategy.

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

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Volleyball:
The Mapleton Sailors are back on top in the Mountain West, although they’re tied with McKenzie and Lowell at seven-and-two. The Sailors downed Eddyville in three quick games last night. Shalea Ford had six aces and ten kills; Megan Greene added six aces and two more kills for the Sailors.

On the schedule today… Siuslaw will be in Sutherlin against the Bulldogs this evening… Reedsport will be in Gold Beach against the Panthers.