Weather causing travel perils…
It’s not as bad as in other parts of the country, but travelers headed home or back to school after the holidays are still encountering challenges on Oregon highways related to the weather. Work crews spent much of yesterday cleaning up minor rock and debris slides, dealing with blocked culverts and keeping roadways open after three days of heavy rains. Thompson Creek Road, off Highway 36 just north of Mapleton is closed again today after a rock slide halted travel and blocked access to a handful of homes. Today’s travel challenges have extended to include icy conditions as motorists are facing slick driving at lower elevations and heavy snow in the mountains. Highway 126 just east of Veneta was closed for about an hour early this morning because of a two vehicle crash attributed to ice. Several crashes were reported on freeway ramps in the Eugene Springfield area and up and down I-5. Interstate 84 in Northeast Oregon was closed several times yesterday as heavy snow hampered travel along that corridor. In Burns, a thick blanket of wet snow caused several problems and contributed to a building collapse. Drivers headed over mountain passes are advised to be prepared for winter conditions and should allow themselves plenty of extra time to get where they’re headed.
Last year was only the second time in the past 40-years that nobody died in an alcohol related crash over New Year's in Oregon. According to Lieutenant Greg Hastings with the Oregon State Police, on average, there are five traffic deaths each year during that time period. The most New Year's alcohol deaths have occurred twice, with a dozen fatalities each in 1998 and 1999. Hastings says travelers are urged to “keep the party off the road”. Stepped up enforcement efforts on Oregon highways will begin this evening and continue through midnight Sunday with added patrols looking specifically for drunken and impaired drivers.
Ownership of the final 23-mile section of the rail link between Coquille and the Willamette Valley has been consolidated with the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. The Port finalized purchase of the final link, between Coos Bay’s North Spit and Coquille last week, taking possession from Union Pacific. That transaction includes rail yards in North Bend and Coos Bay. Work has wrapped up on a $3.7-million tunnel rehabilitation and maintenance project this fall, and an engineering consultant is developing plans to make repairs to tracks and ties in the spring. Resumption of freight service is expected by this summer.
AP-OR--1st NewsMinute,0235
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
BURNS, Ore. (AP) - More than a foot of snow has fallen in the
eastern Oregon town of Burns, collapsing a portion of the roof at
the Burns Ford dealership, snapping power lines and causing traffic
accidents that intermittently closed area roads. Harney County
Sheriff Dave Glerup says no one was injured in the roof collapse,
which occurred overnight Tuesday.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon attorney general's office says
it doesn't have a case after an investigation of what were billed
as potential contract irregularities in the state Energy
Department. Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced the decision Wednesday,
but said Mark Long, a former department leader now with another
agency, will join three state employees on leave during a personnel
review.
OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) - A rock slide has closed Oregon Highway
99E just south of Oregon City. The Oregon Department of
Transportation said late last night that the highway would remain
closed at least overnight. A detour is available. The
Transportation Department says the slide began about 3 a.m.
Wednesday and the material includes large rocks.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say the half brother of
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is spending another 30 days in jail
because he failed to disclose his thoughts about sex as part of his
court-ordered sex-offender treatment. Sixty-three-year-old James
Auchincloss of Ashland was convicted of having a collection of
child pornography at his home.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A small earthquake has struck in central
Oregon. The U.S. Geological Survey says a 3.6-magnitude quake
struck at 1:17 this morning and was centered near the town of
Maupin, 90 southeast of Portland. The USGS website says very few
people reported feeling it.
CLACKAMAS, Ore. (AP) - Clackamas County deputies say three
snowboarders have been rescued after spending several hours lost in
an out-of-bounds area of Mount Hood Ski Bowl. After they called for
help yesterday, searchers kept in touch with them by cell phone and
were able to pinpoint their location.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Linn and Curry counties have been declared
natural disaster areas for cranberry, squash and honey losses
caused by rain, flooding and below-normal temperatures last spring.
Farmers in the disaster zone apply for low-interest loans and other
USDA programs.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Marion County jail inmates soon won't be able
to get letters from the outside. Jail officials plan to limit
incoming and outgoing mail to postcards only. The policy will save
the county money and hours spent sorting through more than 1,000
pieces of mail inmates receive each week.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Chetco River bar entrance at Oregon's
Brookings Harbor has reopened. The Coast Guard closed the Chetco
River bar entrance on Tuesday afternoon due to high water, debris
and limited search and rescue capabilities.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and defensive
tackle Nick Fairley say they didn't submit their names to the NFL
Collegiate Advisory Committee to evaluate their draft status.
Newton and Fairley have led the top-ranked Tigers to the BCS
national championship game against Oregon.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Micah Espinosa scored 22 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to lead the Mapleton Sailors to a 57-32 victory over Falls City in the Alsea basketball tournament yesterday. Isiah Nussman had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals for the Sailors who advance to the tournament championship game today. For the girls, Liz Harry had 18 points, but the Lady Sailors fell short, 42 – 40 against Falls City.
The final week of play at Mac Court for the Oregon Men begins tonight as the Ducks host the Arizona Wildcats. Tipoff is at seven… the pregame show on KCST is at 6:30. Oregon will host Arizona State Saturday evening in the final game at Mac Court before moving to the new Matthew Knight Arena across campus. Oregon State opens up Pac-10 play at home tonight as well… the Beavers will host the Sun Devils at 7:30… the pregame on KCFM is set for seven.
After a season of mostly wide-margined victories, the Oregon Ducks are preparing for the national championship game against Auburn in an unfamiliar spot… they’re the “under-ducks”. Number two Oregon plays top-ranked Auburn Monday night in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Tigers have a slight edge both in the rankings and with oddsmakers, but both teams appear to be very closely matched..
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