Coos Bay rail funding back on the mainline…
The final piece of the funding puzzle that will pay for work on the Coos-Bay Eugene Rail link was in place… or so Congressman Peter DeFazio thought.
205 – “Last fall, working with Secretary Ray LaHood, I was able to get the Port of Coos Bay $13.5-million to finish the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the vital rail link up to the Willamette Valley.”
But, that money ran afoul of some bureaucratic red tape… then was threatened by congressional cost cutting two weeks ago. The federal spending bill would have ‘de-authorized’ the appropriation. But, DeFazio was able to work with transportation officials to get the funding released immediately.
206 – “We need to reign in federal spending but we don’t need to kill off good projects and investments that will put Americans back to work and make our businesses more efficient.”
The money will be used this spring and summer to finish restorations to the track and rail bed, allowing for higher speeds on the line and making it quicker and more efficient to transport goods from Coos and Douglas Counties to the rail connections in the valley. Oregon International Port of Coos Bay officials expect to have the line running by early fall… it’s been closed down since 2007.
At least seven small earthquakes were recorded off the Oregon Coast Sunday and Monday. The largest, a 5.0, was noted yesterday afternoon about 4:25, 250 miles west of Florence. All the quakes were in the same general area and ranged from six to 11 miles deep. There were no reports of anyone on shore feeling any of the shaking.
Organizers of the fourth annual Coastal Cuisine Gala set for April 19th say it’s time to shake off the effects of wintertime “cabin fever”. About 30 coastal restaurants, wineries, breweries and other food vendors will be offering up samples of their ware at the benefit for Florence Food Share. Food and drink entries are judged, and attendees get in on that as well, bestowing the coveted “people’s choice” award. Guests can enjoy an evening of gourmet food, fine wine and local micro-brewed beer while supporting Florence Food Share. Food Share serves 600 households… an estimated 1750 people… each month. Tickets for the Coastal Cuisine are $50 each and can be purchased at a variety of places in town.
Siuslaw Valley Firefighters are getting the meatballs and pasta ready for their unique observation of St. Patrick’s Day… It’s called Gino Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti feed. It’s set for March 17th from five to eight pm at Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The brother of a 61-year-old man accused
of firing at Portland police officers, seriously wounding one, says
the man was scared because his girlfriend was planning to kick him
out. Mark Turner tells The Oregonian that his brother Ralph Turner
didn't have anywhere to go. Ralph Turner is jailed for
investigation of attempted aggravated murder and other counts.
Police say Officer Parik Singh's condition has been upgraded from
critical to serious condition.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Lawyers for a young man accused of trying
to detonate a bomb at a Portland tree-lighting suggest in court
filings that they plan to argue that the FBI tried to steer their
client into a crime. The Oregonian reports that Mohamed Mohamud's
lawyers have asked that the government disclose how it trains
agents for undercover operations, particularly stings such as the
one that led to Mohamud's arrest.
CORBETT, Ore. (AP) - The Multnomah County sheriff's office says
a hiker has found what appear to be human bones near Corbett, east
of Portland in the Columbia Gorge. Lt. Mary Lindstrand says the
bones found yesterday appear to have been there for years.
Sheriff's detectives are investigating.
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities in Jackson County say the
half-brother of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is in jail again for
violating his probation from a child pornography conviction. They
tell the Ashland Daily Tidings that 64-year-old James Auchincloss
was arrested Wednesday and has been held without bail pending a
hearing. Authorities say they can't say how Auchincloss allegedly
violated probation or whether it was related to his sex-offender
treatment, but that he didn't commit new crimes.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt's official
portrait has been removed from the state Capitol and will be stored
by the Oregon Historical Society. Legislative leaders say the
portrait was removed "out of respect for Goldschmidt's victim." A
woman who was sexually abused at age 14 by Goldschmidt when he was
Portland mayor died in January. Goldschmidt acknowledged in 2004
that he had sex with a 14-year-old girl in 1975 when he was a
35-year-old mayor and a rising political star.
HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) - Congressman David Wu is trying to mend
fences with constituents following reports about his odd behavior
on the campaign trail and concerns about his mental health. Wu
spoke briefly at a public forum in Hillsboro yesterday, telling
about 50 people at the weekly luncheon that he's capable of doing
his job despite persistent reports about his mental health.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Police say both an intruder and a
homeowner phoned 911 last night to report the same thing - a
strange man in a Portland home. Lt. Kelli Sheffer says the intruder
told police he had just broken into a home when the owner arrived -
and now the caller was worried the homeowner might have a gun.
Flanked by his two German Shepherds, the homeowner found the
intruder and called 911. Officers responded with their own K-9 and
arrested a suspect.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points, Andre
Miller added 15 and the Portland Trail Blazers held on to beat the
Orlando Magic 89-85 last night. Portland won its third in a row,
and 10th in 13 games. The Blazers also swept the two-game season
series with Orlando.
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Courtney Vandersloot has shown that she's
worthy of the Naismith Award with 18 points, 16 assists and even a
blocked shot as 20th-ranked Gonzaga beat Saint Mary's 72-46
yesterday. With the win, Gonzaga claimed its third West Coast
Conference tournament title in a row.
PHOENIX (AP) - Felix Hernandez shook off a line drive that just
missed hitting him in the head, striking out three in
2-and-two-thirds innings of his spring debut as the Seattle
Mariners defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-3. Hernandez threw 53
pitches, 34 for strikes. He was lifted after giving up a run.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Viking Basketball standout Leigh Aurich is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the week. The shooting guard had four steals, three rebounds and eight points in the Lady Vikings playoff game against Madras. Plus, she was named to the Far West League First Team. Honorable Mention is given to her teammate Kasey Strenke. She had five rebounds and seven points against Madras, plus was also named to the Far West First Team.
Rounding out Siuslaw selections to the Far West Roster, Raelynn Robinson and Nikki Parry received Honorable Mention and Lady Vikings Coach Aaron McNeill received co-coach of the year honors for leading his team to second place. Two Viking boys also received honors… Mitchell Butler and Jake Thompson earned Honorable Mention. Thompson was also designated for the Far West’s “All Defensive Team”.
On the schedule today… it’s Civil War Baseball at Goss Field in Corvallis as Oregon and Oregon State square off. That game at 5:35.
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