Spring elections draws contested races - some radiation detected - Song of Survival - Whale Watching

Spring election draws some contested races…

Elections officials are still processing last minute paperwork, but the filing deadline for local board and commission positions on the May 17th ballot came and went yesterday afternoon. It looks like at least three races will be contested locally. Local publisher Rob Spooner is challenging current board Chair Tami Butler for her seat on the Siuslaw School Board. Cindy Spinner is vying to be the first Florence resident on the Siuslaw Valley Fire Board since annexation of the city. She’ll be running against long-time incumbent Bill Mead. In the Heceta Water District Chuck Gesik is challenging Jerry Nordin. There are three positions up for election on the Port of Siuslaw board but only two people have filed… Sally Owens and Joshua Greene have filed for re-election but Bud Saulsgiver did not. The deadline for filing was yesterday at five pm. Ballots for the May 17th election will be mailed out around the first of May.

The first radioactive fallout from Japan’s crippled nuclear plant reached California early this morning, but readings indicated levels far below those that could endanger people. U.S. Government experts insist there is no threat to public health from the plume. An ambassador who has access to the United Nations radiation information says California based equipment near Sacramento shows very low levels have been recorded.

Every ten years when the census is completed governments that divide their jurisdictions based on population counts must reassess the dividing lines between districts to ensure an even balance. The Lane County Board of Commissioners is forming a Redistricting Task Force and is seeking seven residents to serve on that panel. It will be made up of one person from each of the five commissioner districts, plus two ‘at-large’ appointments.

A Song of Survival, the play based on how 700 women interned in a Japanese prison camp in World War II Indonesia were able to cope with the conditions opened up on stage at the Florence Events Center yesterday. Margaret Dryburgh and Norah Chambers used their musical background and experiences to form a vocal orchestra group at Palembang Prison. The play is based on the memory and perspective of one of the women, Helen Colijn (KUH-lang). A 2:00 matinee is set for today, there are additional performances at the Florence Events Center tomorrow and Sunday.

Spring Break begins when school lets out today for thousands of Oregon Students and that means dozens of volunteers will be stationed along the Oregon Coast through next Saturday to help spot the migrating gray whale. “Whale Watching Spoken Here” signs will mark their locations and they’ll be available from ten AM to one PM beginning tomorrow to talk about the whales and help spot them as they make their way north for summer feeding.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Marine whose girlfriend is accused of
e-mailing him videos of her sexually abusing a year-old child has
pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges. Authorities say
31-year-old Corey McAdoo of Vancouver, Wash., was stationed in
Afghanistan when he is accused of receiving the videos last fall.
His trial on three counts of receiving child porn is set for May 3
in Portland.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Fifteen people have been indicted in
Oregon on federal charges that allege a multistate conspiracy to
sell massive quantities of oxycodone pain pills and launder more
than $1.7 million in drug money. Federal authorities in Portland
say the participants used bank accounts in Florida, Nevada, Oregon
and New York and bought expensive cars, including Bentleys and
Mercedes.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A man has been charged with manslaughter
after a van struck and killed a 47-year-old woman in Portland.
Police say 36-year-old Aaron Arrell was arrested at a motel shortly
after the victim was hit while she was trying to cross a main
street at about 10 p.m. Wednesday. The victim was identified as
Lori Noelle Kerr of Portland. No other details were immediately
available.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The city of Portland is refusing to
release police reports and information about a confidential
informant in connection with a fatal police shooting. The Oregonian
reports that the family of Aaron Campbell is seeking the
information as they prepare to file a wrongful death suit in his
January 2010 shooting. The city says the information isn't
relevant.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A Salem food packer says it will lay off
about 100 employees by the end of April. The Statesman Journal
reports Truitt Bros. co-owner David Truitt says the company will
split the layoffs evenly between full-time and part-time employees.
The company cans food and also packages them in flexible pouches.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Air National Guard wraps up a
week of training for F-15 jet fighter pilots today. The 142nd
Fighter Wing in Portland has been conducting nighttime flights to
train crew members in the use of night vision goggles and other
maneuvers.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - If you have business with Oregon state
government, it might have to wait until Monday. Dozens of state
agencies will be closed today as thousands of state workers take an
unpaid day off. Friday is the ninth of 10 state-worker furlough
days created to help balance the current two-year budget.

ST. HELENS, Ore. (AP) - Authorities are awaiting the results of
a mental competency exam of a man accused of fatally shooting
Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter. Colombia County Sheriff Jeff
Dickerson says a doctor evaluated 21-year-old Daniel Butts of
Kalama, Wash., twice earlier this month. The Daily News of
Longview, Wash., says the sheriff did not say when the doctor's
report is expected.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A Eugene lawyer under investigation for
complaints about his debt collection tactics has closed his office
and surrendered his license. The Register Guard reports the actions
are part of a settlement Derrick McGavic negotiated with the Oregon
attorney general's office. He'll also pay $70,000 to cover the
state's costs.

BURNS, Ore. (AP) - A Harney County, Ore., official says a former
wrangler at the federal Bureau of Land Management's wild horse
corrals near Burns is accused of failing to properly care for more
than 20 Kiger mustangs he owned. One horse died. Deputy District
Attorney Stephen Ellis tells The Oregonian that Tim Westfall was
charged with 22 counts of second-degree animal neglect and a single
count of first-degree animal neglect.

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

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Things got underway yesterday on the track and field for the Siuslaw Vikings as a half dozen teams gathered at Hans Peterson Field for the Siuslaw Ice-Breaker Meet. Leigh Aurich led the way for the Lady Vikings, winning the 300 meter hurdles and the triple jump. Marisha Reavis won the Discus and finished second in the shot put for the girls. On the boys’ side of things, Matthew Campbell won the 800 meters, Mack Marbas the 1500, and the relay team of Campbell, Marbas, David Cano (KONN-oh) and Wyatt Alletson won the four-by-400.

Coming up on the schedule… the Viking Baseball team is set for a double-header tomorrow in Newport at noon…. Viking Softball will be on the road for two games in Newport… against the Cubs and Tillamook.

Game time has been set for seven o’clock Monday night as the Oregon Men’s basketball team will host Duquesne in the quarterfinal round of the CBI… airtime on Coast Radio Sports will be at 6:30.