Long time sheriff’s deputy resigns amid sexual allegations
A 21-year career with the Lane County Sheriff’s office came to an end Friday with a resignation. Sergeant Fred Swank quit amid allegations that he had "inappropriate sexual contact" with two members of the Lane County Law Enforcement Explorer program. Sheriff Tom Turner said he was – quote – “horrified” when he learned of the allegations in January. Swank was placed on paid administrative leave January 8th, and the explorer program was suspended at the same time, when two former members reported the sexual contact. Turner said one of the victims was under 18 at the time, but the contact was 15 years ago and the statute of limitations had passed, preventing prosecution. The second victim reportedly did not wish to press charges. The investigation has been suspended with the resignation of Swank, who also surrendered his Oregon law enforcement certification. Turner did not rule out the possibility that it could be re-opened if other possible victims came forward. He stressed that the alleged activity did not take place while Swank was on duty.
Lane County has reached a tentative settlement of a lawsuit over allegations of secret budget meetings. Legal observers say a ruling in January by Coos County Judge Michael Gillespie broke new ground on public meetings issues such as the use of e-mail as a public meeting. A settlement on how to conduct future deliberations and what constitutes a meeting was brokered with the aid of U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan. Under that agreement nobody would have to admit any wrongdoing, but there would be a declaration that the county violated public meetings laws. The plaintiffs would be reimbursed for legal fees and two commissioners, Rob Handy and Peter Sorenson, would have to pay the county $20-thousand each to help cover legal expenses. The agreement must still be approved by Judge Hogan but he has not raised any objections.
The City of Florence may add parking spaces along the south side of Bay Street in two different areas of Old Town Florence. But, they would come with limitations. City Manager’s Executive Assistant Shawn Penrod said the ideas came out of a meeting with Old Town business owners and residents last week. Two areas currently marked as ‘no-parking’ would be designated as 15-minute parking spaces and would be intended as loading zones. One is in front of the Gazebo Park at the foot of Laurel Street, the other is in front of the Maple Street public restrooms.
A seven-year old girl from Raymond, Washinton is in critical condition in a Portland hospital after being pinned beneath a log on a Coos County beach Friday afternoon. Two girls were playing on the log on the beach in the Horsefall Area north of Coos Bay when it rolled over them. Parents were able to pull the other girl, 12-years old, to safety, but the younger child was not breathing and remained trapped for about ten minutes. She was resuscitated at the scene and ultimately flown to Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital with multiple head injuries.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - As Oregon state treasurer, Ted Wheeler has
banned first-class air travel, limited golf while on duty and
formed a citizen commission to review agency travel policies. Yet
even as Wheeler has championed greater transparency, the Oregonian
newspaper reports he has worked with agency staffers to wall off
certain travel information from disclosure and to shield some
employee conduct from the ethics commission as long as they're
following his rules.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Some rural property owners for the first
time are getting bills charging them for state wildland fire
protection. That's because the state Board of Forestry launched an
effort in 2007 to make sure all Oregon private landowners who needs
firefighting services from the Oregon Department of Forestry pay
their fair share. ODF firefighting crews protect about 15.8 million
acres.
GALICE, Ore. (AP) - The state of Oregon is considering whether
to sell or exchange land in Josephine and Jackson counties,
including forestland overlooking the Rogue River near Galice.
Altogether, the state is eyeing 24 Common School Fund tracts
totaling nearly 5,000 acres. The Mail Tribune says
environmentalists are concerned about the impact selling the Rogue
River land would have on the river, fisheries, tourism and the
economy of Galice and southern Oregon.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - About 115 volunteers and public safety
personnel took part in the weekend search at Detroit Lake for the
body of Lori Blaylock.
The Register Guard reports the search at the lake and Santiam
River, about 50 miles east of Salem, may resume if new information
of evidence turns up.
Blaylock disappeared last October from her home in Bend. Her
husband Steven Blaylock has been charged with murder.
WHITE CITY, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Supreme Court is weighing
whether someone licensed to use medical marijuana can also legally
have a concealed handgun. It's believed to be the first major court
case in the country to consider whether guns and marijuana can
legally mix.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon state Senate panel is set to
review bills today that could significantly reshape capital
punishment in the state. Supporters and opponents agree the
measures would result in fewer death penalty cases in Oregon.
Oregon has 36 people on death row, but there have been no
executions since 1997.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Residents around Portland International
Airport may notice more noise at night this week from F-15 fighter
jets. The Oregon Air National Guard jets will be conducting night
flying training tomorrow through Friday to stay current with Air
Force requirements. Most flights should be completed before 10 p.m.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
E.J. Singler hit a bank shot from just inside the lane with two seconds remaining Friday night to lift Oregon to a 71 – 69 win over Creighton to claim the College Basketball Invitational. Joevan Catron scored 29 points and earned tournament MVP honors.
The Oregon Diamond Ducks started off the Pac-10 baseball season with a three game series in Tempe Arizona, losing all three to the Arizona State Sun Devils 5-2; 3-1 and 8-nothing. Over in Tucson, Oregon State dropped the weekend opener to Arizona 18-nothing, but came back and swept the next two 10-4 and 8-4.
Siuslaw Baseball took both halves of a non-league double header against North Marion Saturday, winning 3-2 and 9-4. Alex Snow was three-for-four at the plate in game one; Jake Thompson was two-for-four at the plate in game two, plus pitched five innings with seven strikeouts. Riley Rankin was a combined four-for-seven on the day with two doubles.
Siuslaw Softball suffered only their second loss of the pre-season Saturday, losing 5-3 to Marshfield. Breanna Knapp took the loss on the mound, but only gave up two hits on the day. The Pirates used aggressive base-running and capitalized on four Viking Errors to fuel the win.
Siuslaw Track and Field finished sixth out of eight teams at the Junction City Invitational Saturday afternoon. Neal Larson finished second in the 800 meters; Fourth in the long jump with a personal best leap of 18-feet, 7-inches. Mitchell Butler P-Rd in the 15-hundred, finishing second in 4:22.45. For the Girls, Linda Paredes was fourth in the 1500 with a personal best 5:27.14. She also finished fifth in the long jump and was part of the second place four-by-400 relay team with Leigh Aurich, Alex Dodson and Marisha Reavis.
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