Appreciating school nurses - cutting brush - gas $3.84 - Free rides on the Rhody Express

Celebrating School Nurses…

This week has been set aside to recognize school nurses across the country, but in Oregon, many school nurses are moving so fast that they might barely notice. That’s if there’s even a nurse at all. In 2008 a legislative task force found about half of all districts statewide didn’t meet the recommended nurse-to-student ratio, and 54 districts had no nurse at all. Paula Peterson has been a school nurse for 22-years in Tigard.
Peterson -- "The National School Nurses Association suggests one nurse for every 750 ‘regular ed’ students – and by the year 2020, we’re supposed to reach that goal in Oregon."

At Siuslaw schools, there is a contract with PeaceHealth to provide a nurse on a limited basis to assist students that have chronic conditions. But budget constraints caused elimination of the school nurse program several years ago. Superintendent Jeff Davis says he’d like to provide a full time nurse, but he’s hesitant to suggest adding anything that might ultimately subtract from the classroom.

The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded went down about a cent-and-a-half this week. According to Triple-A it’s at $3.95. In Oregon, the average went up by about the same amount and is just below $3.97. Locally, average prices increased by about 3 ½ cents a gallon, but are still well below both national and statewide marks at $3.84. Marie Dodds with Triple-A says gas prices are easing in some areas of the country, but the eastern half of the nation could see more temporary price spikes due to flooding in the Mississippi Delta region. That’s where 11 oil refineries produce about 13-percent of the total U.S. capacity.

It’s spring time, the weather has finally dried out… at least somewhat… and many have turned their attention to their yards, cutting back some of the brush and overgrowth that has grown up over the past several months. Sarah Huff with the City of Florence says as long as you’re trimming that vegetation, keep in mind passage on sidewalks and visibility at intersections. Florence City Code leaves it to the property owner to make sure clear vision is available at all street and driveway intersections. The City of Florence can help you dispose of those cuttings in an eco-friendly manner… Yard Debris can be dropped off at the north end of the airport this Saturday. Enter from Kingwood and 27th street… it’s only $5 per pickup load.

The Rhody Express will be offering a safe and convenient way to get around Florence next weekend for those enjoying the night life during the Rhododendron Festival. Spokesperson Darby Conner says you don’t have worry about driving. The Rhody Express will be operating Friday and Saturday during the festival between nine pm and three am… with free rides.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Two autistic boys who police say were
kept in a caged room will stay in foster care for at least a month
as a commissioner decides their permanent living situation. The
Columbian newspaper reports the boys, ages 6 and 7, have been in
foster care since police accused a Washington state couple of
keeping them locked in a dark, mostly empty room, in diapers and
out of school. The boys' biological mother, Jona Bronson, of
Tillamook, Ore., is seeking long-term placement.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Legislature is looking at a ban on
importing some types of firewood to Oregon. The state House
yesterday sent the measure to a conference committee to work out
differences with a Senate version. The Senate approved the measure
last week. The bill would make it illegal to transport untreated
firewood harvested outside of Oregon, Washington or Idaho.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon House committee will hear from the
public today about a bill that would allow some illegal immigrants
to pay in-state tuition at public universities. Proponents say
students shouldn't be punished because their parents brought them
to the United States illegally. But opponents say illegal activity
should never be excused, and the state should not give illegal
immigrants a benefit that isn't available to U.S. citizens who live
in other states.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
has issued permits for eight ranchers to kill wolves caught in the
act of attacking livestock. The ranchers are all in range of the
Imnaha pack, and have already used non-lethal methods to protect
their herds such as special fences, range riders and removing bone
piles. The pack is blamed for 10 livestock attacks since last year.
Two other wolf packs in Oregon have not.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Gov. John Kitzhaber plans to discuss the
role of energy efficiency in Oregon's future economic growth. He's
scheduled to address the Bonneville Power Administration's Energy
Efficiency Summit today in Portland.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon man who persuaded two disabled
women to make him their state-funded caregiver has been sentenced
to 18 months in prison. Lane County prosecutors say 51-year-old
Michael Mornhinweg struck up relationships with the women online,
then persuaded them to hire him as their paid caregiver. After
that, prosecutors say he mistreated and neglected the women. He was
also ordered to pay $14,000 restitution.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The 12 members of the Oregon Legislature from
Lane County are co-sponsoring a measure to designate a 10-mile
stretch of Interstate 105 the "Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial
Highway."
The Eugene police officer was shot to death April 22 in the line
of duty.
The Register Guard reports signs with the designation would be
added and the action would not rename the highway or require
replacing all the signs.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns says an
off-duty detective was acting within his authority last December
when he confronted a teen and four his friends after seeing them
trespass in a neighborhood where he owns property.
Kerns says Det. Randy Berger took action for the benefit of the
community.
The Register Guard reports that cell phone video of the incident
shows the officer tussling with a Churchill High School student who
was arrested.
Parents of two of the teens complained to the city police
auditor's office that the officers acted improperly. The city's
Civilian Review Board will discuss the case at its June meeting.

Information from: The Register-Guard,
http://www.registerguard.com

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

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

On the prep baseball diamond… The Siuslaw Vikings are in sole possession of first place in the Far West today. They shutout the Douglas Trojans, ten-nothing last night in a game that was shortened to 4 ½ innings because of the ten run rule. Siuslaw did most of the damage in an 8-run third inning. In other Far West action, Sutherlin lost to South Umpqua; Brookings Harbor beat North Bend.

The Douglas Trojans shut out Siuslaw on the softball diamond, 3-0.

On the college diamond… Oregon opened up a two-game road series against the Seattle Redhawks with a ten-five win in Tacoma… They’ll meet again this afternoon. In Corvallis, Oregon State eased past the Portland Pilots 13-3 in non-conference action