Lovely to look at... but pull it out by the roots! State budget framework announced - New teacher eval program

Lovely to look at when in bloom…

All you have to do is feel the tickle on the back of your throat and you can tell there’s plenty of pollen in the air. One of the major contributors of that pollen is scotch broom. Despite the bright yellow flowers contrasting on the deep green foliage, it is a noxious weed. Landscapers say now is the time to get rid of it, before it goes to seed. Barb Rowland, co-owner of Honeyman Nursery and Landscaping says despite appearances, it’s not native and it can take over.
Rowland: "Crowd out everything that we do want as a native. It will crowd out the huckleberry and the native rhododendron."

That’s because it’s a prolific breeder, producing thousands of seed pods.
Rowland: "It is a non-sterile seed, and so for every seed pod that's on there you will get a new little seedling to start."

Those seeds can float several miles on the wind, allowing them to settle and wait for the right opportunity.
Rowland: "They're going to be the first thing to germinate. They do not need water to germinate so they're going to be an opportunistic plant that you do not want in your yard."

Rowland says it is relatively easy to get rid of. Small plants can be pulled out by the roots and mature bushes can be cut off and won’t come back. But, she says, seeds can lay dormant for decades before sprouting and beginning the cycle all over again.

They say they’ve agreed on a budget framework… and a timeline to implement it… but lawmakers aren’t filling in many details on the spending proposal hashed out this week behind closed doors. Legislative leaders and Governor John Kitzhaber met Monday at the Governor’s mansion and worked out the agreement, releasing a joint statement late yesterday. Officials say they’ve agreed on what the remaining issues are and how much money will be available to deal with them. The statement lays out priorities for any extra revenue that may come in above current projections. First in line will be the Department of Human Services, where programs for seniors, the poor, and people with disabilities have been slashed.

Teachers at Siuslaw schools say a new evaluation program will help them do a better job. The head of the teacher’s union, Tim Dodson, says anything that gives teachers a chance to improve and do better in the classroom is welcome. The new evaluation program, modeled after similar programs in other communities, provides clear guidelines for teachers, but also relies more heavily on administrator involvement. The Siuslaw School Board got a first look at the new program last week. They’re scheduled to take final steps to adopt it tomorrow night.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - The city of Eugene has snared $1.5 million
of the $2 billion in federal high-speed rail money divided up
nationwide. The awards announced yesterday divvied up funds
designated for a now-canceled rail line in Florida. Eugene says
it'll put the money toward its planned $25 million expansion of a
downtown train station. That'll include a new rail siding and a
raised passenger platform.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A Springfield restaurant is holding a
fundraiser for the family of a slain Eugene police officer. The
Original Roadhouse Grill will donate all revenue on Friday to the
family of Officer Chris Kilcullen, who was shot to death April 22
after pulling over a vehicle. The Oregonian reports the ownership
company is donating all revenue and absorbing all food and staff
wage expenses.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon could execute its first death row
inmate in 14 years this summer. The Oregonian reports that
49-year-old Gary Haugen will have a death warrant hearing in Marion
County Circuit Court on Friday. He has written officials saying he
wants to drop all appeals to his death sentence. He was convicted
in 2003 of killing another inmate.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Some Portland parents are questioning the
school district's plan to change high school schedules to cut
teachers. The Oregonian reports the district will require teachers
to teach six of eight periods, up from five of seven. That allows
the nine high schools to offer the same number of classes with
fewer teachers - a cut of 45 in all.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Legislature has approved a bill
that would keep juveniles charged with adult crimes in juvenile
detention facilities while awaiting trial. The Statesman Journal
reports that the bill is designed keep teens away from adult jails
where they would be at risk of assault.

HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. (AP) - Clackamas County deputies found a
marijuana growing operation in a luxury home in a Happy Valley
neighborhood after neighbors complained of the smell. Det. Jim
Strovink told KGW the odor was "eye-watering." A man and woman
who rented the home were last seen about a week earlier leaving in
a rented truck.

NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) - The Coast Guard is joining several
federal and state agencies for a fire response training exercise
near the Coos Forest on the Oregon coast today. The goal is to
improve coordination between the Coast Guard and other agencies,
and to test the ability of air crews to locate and rescue people.

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - A German shepherd named Jack is credited
with three late-night escape attempts from a Medford, Ore.,
veterinarian's office. Last week, he made it.
The Medford Mail Tribune reports the crafty canine managed to
pull open his kennel, trip the dead bolt on the clinic's back door
and pull down the handle to get outside.
He set off three motion-detector alarms on the way and managed
to rip open four bags of food.
The dog roamed seven miles from the vet's office, but only made
it home when animal control officers took him to a shelter where he
was reunited with his worried family.
A veterinarian calls the dog's recovery from flu-like symptoms
"impressive."
---
Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/


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


TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Siuslaw Track and Field standout Katy Potter is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the week. The Viking sophomore posted the fifth fastest time in Siuslaw history in the 3-thousand meters; 10:50.12; finishing second at the Wally Ciochetti Invitational in Cottage Grove. Potter’s time is also the seventh fastest in the 4A ranks so far this year. Honorable mention is given to Ryan Smith. The Siuslaw hitter was four-for-seven at the plate with three RBI and two triples in the Vikings’ double-header sweep over South Umpqua.

Viking Softball had a comfortable 5-run lead going into the sixth inning last night, but the Brookings-Harbor Bruins exploded for nine runs in the frame and came away with a 12-8 win over the Lady Vikings in Florence. The loss elevates the Bruins into a tie with Siuslaw for fourth place in the Far West standings with four games remaining. One of those games is set for this afternoon in Winston against the Douglas Trojans.

Viking Baseball is looking to keep pace on top of the Far West League. The Vikings will host Douglas this evening at five in Florence. That game will air on Coast Radio Sports with the pregame show at 4:45.

On the college diamond… Oregon is in Tacoma today and tomorrow for a two-game series against Seattle. Oregon State will host the Portland Pilots for a single non-league game today in Corvallis.