OPT nearing deployment of wave generation - Waldport man dies on 101 - Bottom 20 Oregon charities

Power generating buoy prepared for deployment

A New Jersey based company looks to be the first to deploy a ‘utility scale’ wave electrical generating farm in US waters. Ocean Power Technology says they’ve completed construction on the steel structure for a 150-kilowatt generating device set for ocean trials next year. That buoy will be deployed in the Pacific Ocean near Winchester Bay. With the steel structure complete, fabrication is under way for the power ‘take-off’ and control systems. Those will be initially tested on dry land during the first half of 2011 before ocean trials begin next summer. Ocean Power Technologies signed agreements with 11 federal, state and local agencies last summer in preparation for the testing. OPT’s technology utilizes a buoy tethered to the ocean floor with a floating portion moving up and down with the action of the waves, generating electricity. Successful ocean testing of a 40-kilowatt version of the generator has been completed in Hawaii for the U.S. Navy.

An 82-year old Waldport man died when his van left Highway 101 just south of that community sometime between Monday and yesterday morning. Levine Richard Gulsvig was reported missing by family members on Monday. Oregon State Police say Gulsvig’s van appeared to be northbound when he drifted off the highway, down an embankment and into the pond. Family members say the man may have been disoriented due to personal medical reasons.

Charities that purport to be for veterans, firefighters, law enforcement officers and missing or disabled children top the list of the 20-worst non-profits operating in Oregon. Attorney General John Kroger says none of the groups are based in the state, but all are registered to do business here. Number one on the list was Shiloh International Ministries of La Verne, California which reported less than four percent of their nearly one-million dollars in expenditures last year actually went to charitable causes. Kroger says two more of the ‘bottom 20’ spent less than 10-percent on charity… while the other 17 kept more than 75% for wages and expenses. That list is available on the AG’s website.

Gas prices in Florence have increased on average by about three cents a gallon… today’s average is $2.85 for regular unleaded. Meanwhile, for the first time ever during a holiday season, the national average, as measured by Triple-A, is flirting with three dollars a gallon. That average went up two cents this week and is at $2.98 while Oregon’s statewide average is at $3.05. That’s three cents more than last week. In the Eugene Springfield area prices held steady this week at $3.05.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

AUMSVILLE, Ore. (AP) - The Red Cross has opened a shelter at a
church in Aumsville after a tornado tore through the city's
downtown and displaced six families. Oregon Red Cross spokeswoman
Lise Harwin says volunteers are delivering supplies -- including
food and beverages -- to the shelter at the Mt. View Wesleyan
Church in Aumsville. Displaced families will also receive a debit
card they can spend on food and other needs.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Jurors in Salem have reached a decision on a
sentence for Bruce Turnidge, who could face the death penalty for
killing two police officers in a bank bombing two years ago. But
the verdict reached yesterday won't be made public until the jury
also decides on a sentence for Turnidge's son, Joshua. The jury
will begin hearing testimony today on a sentence for the younger
Turnidge.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Portland architect has been sentenced to
7 1/2 years in prison for possessing child pornography. Paul Pavlock
pleaded guilty in September to 10 counts of encouraging child sex
abuse. Oregon Attorney General John Kroger says the probe led to 85
suspects in 20 states and 19 foreign countries.

AUMSVILLE, Ore. (AP) - Gov. Ted Kulongoski says the state will
provide help to Aumsville and Marion County in recovering from a
tornado that tore up the town yesterday. Ten of the 50 homes
damaged are unliveable and damage was evident in a handful of
businesses, including a plumbing store that was leveled. No one was
seriously injured.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon education officials have decided
that middle and high school students will be able to use computer
spell check on state writing tests starting next month. Some
lawmakers questioned whether spell check was in the best interest
of students struggling with their spelling.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Recounts won't change the outcome of two
Oregon state Senate, leaving Democrats with a 16-14 majority.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…

On the schedule this evening… the Mapleton Sailors will be in Salem against the Oregon School for the Deaf with boys and girls basketball. The Oregon State men will be in Missoula, Montana this evening where they’ll face the Grizzlies… airtime for that game on KCFM will be at 5:30… tipoff at six.

Number two Oregon will have a new look when they go up against the Auburn Tigers in the National Championship Football game January Tenth. Nike unveiled new uniforms for the Ducks, TCU, Boise State and Florida this week. Oregon’s uniforms will look like a ‘blur on the field’ according to Nike designer Todd Van Horne. They sport plenty of white and silver… with neon yellow accents.