$61-billion in fed cuts could cost Lane County - President's Day - Two coastal routes closed - Dunes City talking legal

$61-billion in federal cuts to have local impacts…

A program that has helped low income and disabled seniors on two fronts in Lane County is on the line because of federal cost-cutting moves. The Senior Companion Program, sponsored locally by Lane Community College helps keep disabled adults and the elderly out of care facilities, thereby reducing costs to society. Barbara Susman with LCC says it helps out by paying low-income seniors a small stipend… it works out to $2.65 an hour… to help others maintain a level of independent living. The program trains the “senior companions” and provides support… along with the stipend… to help round out their incomes. It also provides necessary assistance to disabled and frail adults who might otherwise need more expensive long-term care. Susman says a resolution currently being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives would cut $61-billion from federal spending. It includes all programs of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service… an organization that leverages federal funds by matching it with private donations to operate the Senior Companion Program and similar services.

Today is President’s Day… that means no schools, no financial institutions, stock markets or government offices are operating.

Also not operating today are two highways connecting the Oregon Coast with interior portions of the state. Highway 42 between Roseburg and Coos Bay remains closed at the Coos-Douglas County line since last night because of an unstable slope consisting of mud, rocks and trees that continues to give way blocking the roadway. Highway 34 between Waldport and Philomath is closed also because of a landslide nine-miles west of Alsea. It’s not clear how long it may take to reopen either roadway.

Dunes City Councilors meet/met again at four o’clock this afternoon for a private ‘executive session’ to discuss information from the legal counsel regarding litigation. Alan Montgomery won an appeal before the state Land Use Board of Appeals earlier this year. Dunes City had denied his earlier permit to divide and develop a parcel of land on Clear Lake Road. LUBA said the city did not properly justify their decision and ordered them to reconsider. Montgomery submitted a new application earlier this month but the City Council has been waiting for guidance from their attorney on how to proceed.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) - The Coast Guard says it has rescued two
hikers from a cliff at Tillamook Head near Astoria. Petty Officer
Zach Crawford says a woman had fallen about 60-feet from the cliff
yesterday morning. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was lowered to the
woman, who was airlifted to an airport for treatment. The
helicopter crew later returned to rescue the male hiker. He was not
injured.

TIGARD, Ore. (AP) - A fire at a Tigard duplex has killed a
70-year-old woman. Officials with Tualatin (TWAL'-uh-tihn) Valley
Fire and Rescue say the fire broke out at 3 a.m. yesterday. A
neighbor called 911. Fire crews controlled the blaze within
minutes, despite complications from electrical lines. Crews
searching the home found the woman on the floor. She was identified
as Jo-Anne Greenwood.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Salem police say arson is behind a
residential fire that killed a 64-year-old man. Authorities
identified the victim as Robert Flores. Lt. Steve Birr says the
fire was intentional and police are investigating Friday's death as
a homicide. Birr says Flores lived at the Center Street home. He
was found unconscious and rushed to a hospital, but authorities say
he died of smoke inhalation.

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) - The mother of a missing Oregon boy and
others are handing out fliers urging the public to ask the boy's
stepmother where he is. The fliers are being distributed in
Roseburg, where Kyron Horman's stepmother, Terri Moulton Horman, is
from. Kyron's biological mother, Desiree Young, was in Roseburg on
Saturday to unveil the fliers, featuring photos of Kyron and his
stepmother.

SILVERTON, Ore. (AP) - A weekend crash of three pickup trucks
near Silverton has left a woman dead and six people injured. Marion
County deputies say a Ford pickup turned onto Silverton Road and
was rear-ended by a Nissan pickup, which both crashed head-on into
a Toyota pickup. The woman driving the Nissan died.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - State officials may be allowed to mine
birth certificate data to contact parents of newborns and encourage
them to open college savings accounts under a proposed House
measure. The Oregonian reports that the state may even kick in $100
if parents match it within a year of their child's birth.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A Eugene utility is less than happy with its
new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system. The so-called
Eco-Machine at the Eugene Water & Electric Board's new maintenance
facility is proving to be finicky, and the utility is examining
options that include scrapping the half-million-dollar system.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A search has resumed for a 26-year-old man
who apparently got lost while snowboarding on Mount Hood. Clackamas
County deputies are leading the search for the missing snowboarder,
who was not identified but was reported to be from the southeastern
U.S. and visiting a friend in Hood River.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Siuslaw’s Sonny Tupua is the number three seed at 215 pounds going into the state 4A wrestling finals this weekend in Portland. Tupua was the lone Siuslaw wrestler to advance following the Far-West Skyline Regional meet Saturday in Sutherlin.

Nikki Parry had 16 points and ten rebounds Friday night as the Lady Vikings finished off the Sutherlin Bulldogs 40-31 to finish the regular season tied for 2nd place in the Far West League. Siuslaw tied with North Bend… the Lady Bulldogs beat South Umpqua 35-24 Friday night. Siuslaw and North Bend will play off on a neutral court in Reedsport tomorrow at six pm to determine seeding for the Round of 32 playoffs… the winner gets home court advantage and will play the third place team out of the Skyline League. The loser travels to Klamath Falls to play Mazama.

The Viking boys wrapped up the season with a 66-41 loss at home to Sutherlin.

The Mapleton Sailors were in Marcola Saturday night for a Mountain West League playoff game… the Mohawk Indians came out on top 67-45

Oregon’s Jay-R Strowbridge had a career high 26 points on his 23rd birthday and the Oregon Ducks crushed Oregon State 82-63 in Saturday’s Civil War Basketball game at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene. After an 0-4 start in Pac-10 play, the Ducks are now tied with USC at fourth with a 7-7 record. Oregon State, losers for four straight, are four-and-ten in ninth place.