Japanese debris unlikely for weekend cleanup - Search continues for Waldport Woman - Marine Reserve process continues

Japanese debris unlikely for cleanup

Experts say it’s still too early for much of the debris from last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan to make it to the west coast of the United States so volunteers at this weekend’s Spring Beach Cleanup won’t likely see much extra this coming Saturday.
217 – “Our safety coordinator for State Parks actually has been doing some research and talking with some scientists and they believe at this time that we won’t really see a big increase in debris.”

Oregon Parks Beach Ranger Trisha Wymore says those scientists predict it will likely take at least several months, if not years, for debris to make it’s way to the Pacific Northwest.
218 – “We don’t have a lot of experience with it, because this is a pretty unique event, but from their educated perspective they don’t think we’re going to see a big increase in that.”

The annual Spring Cleanup is set for this coming Saturday from ten AM to one PM.

A 52-year old Waldport woman, missing since February 18th continues to be the subject of a search near Cape Perpetua. Lane County Search and Rescue coordinator John Miller says Margaret M. Kohler left her home more than four weeks ago to go hiking or truffle hunting. Two days later neighbors reported her missing. Searchers concentrated on the Cummins Ridge trail network just south of Cape Perpetua two weeks ago when her car was discovered at a parking area. Her dog was located alive in that area several days into the search but to date there has been no sign of her. Miller says there is no sign of foul play.

The Oregon Coastal Caucus, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill in the Oregon House last week to begin the process of implementing recommendations of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council for a limited system of marine reserves off the Oregon Coast. House Bill 2009 would put in place no more than six reserves or protected areas. The bill itself would place a two-year ‘baseline evaluation’ for up to six of the sites and would include enforcement mechanisms over a ten to 15-year period. The reserves would prohibit commercial and sport fishing within their boundaries… some sports fishing would be allowed in the protected areas.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - Domestic violence experts and Oregon State
Attorney General John Kroger want to make strangulation a felony
act in Oregon. The Mail Tribune newspaper reports that
strangulations are currently misdemeanor crimes. He says state law
should recognize strangulation as a serious crime. Kroger is now
asking the public to help support House Bill 2940, which he helped
write.

BEND, Ore. (AP) - The Bureau of Land Management's renewable
energy project list includes two wind projects proposed for
Oregon's High Desert. The Bulletin newspaper in Bend says the West
Butte Wind project in Crook County and the Echanis Wind project
near Steens Mountain in Harney County would be on private land, but
would need BLM approval to string transmission lines across public
land.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon Senate committee today hears from
the public about amending the state constitution to allow cities to
regulate strip clubs. Supporters say residents should have some
control over whether a strip club can open in their neighborhood.
But opponents say government shouldn't be able to regulate free
expression like nudity.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Woodburn middle school teacher has been
accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old
high school student. KATU-TV reports that 30-year-old Luis Guevara
was arrested last week for misconduct. He teaches at French Prairie
Middle School and coaches girls' basketball at Woodburn High
School.

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) - Albany police have arrested three people
following a domestic dispute at a daycare facility in Albany. The
Democrat-Herald reports that Strawberry Knights Daycare owner
Delores Goodenough faces two felony and one misdemeanor charge.
Police say she was involved in an altercation with her daughter and
son-in-law, Christina and Christopher Cavazos. While responding,
officers found a methamphetamine pipe as well as paraphernalia in
the facility.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Jake Thompson was three-for-four with a pair of home runs Saturday afternoon as the Siuslaw Vikings downed the Newport Cubs in eight innings. Thompson also punched a two-run single to the outfield for the winning margin in the top of the eighth inning after the Cubs tied it in the seventh to force extra innings.

On the Softball diamond, the Siuslaw Vikings came away with a split in Newport Saturday afternoon. The Lady Viks put up13 hits to come away with a 13-7 win over Tillamook in one game. Siuslaw struggled with only one hit against the Cubs, falling 7-2 to Newport. Ashlee Cole was 4-for-7 on the day.

The Oregon Men take on Duquesne in the quarter final action of the sixteen team CBI Tournament. Airtime this evening on KCST is set for 6:30, tip off at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene is set for 7 o’clock, the winner will advance to the semifinal round Wednesday.