Schools chief takes pay cut - gas drops - chowder against bullying

Superintendent proposes salary cut

One proposal floated last week to cut expenses at Siuslaw Schools came from the Superintendent. Jeff Davis offered to cut his work-week back by one day … and reduce his salary by 20-percent in the process. Davis said his offer made sense for both the district and him personally. He said he felt he could continue to do a good job for the district and provide the guidance and supervision needed by working four days each week. The savings are estimate at approximately $20-thousand in the first year. Board Chair Tammy Butler had previously said she wasn’t sure if she liked the idea. The work-week reduction would mean Davis would not be available to building administrators one day each week. The superintendent agreed with that characterization and pointed out that he is proposing it on a ‘trial basis’ for one year. His reduction is included in the district’s $19.3-million budget that has been approved by the Budget Committee and is set for adoption by the School Board in two weeks.

Funding for a video training series about bullying and anger management aimed at elementary students will get a boost from a local restaurant tomorrow night. Mo’s Restaurant will be catering a special fund-raiser at the Siuslaw Elementary Cafeteria tomorrow from five to eight pm. The money will be used to help purchase the “Steps to Respect” bullying prevention program. Mo’s manager Rachel Williams said she became interested in helping out after hearing about the increase in instances of bullying in schools. Mo’s will be providing the meal… shrimp or chicken skewers, clam chowder and garlic cheese bread… and it will be served by school staff. Tickets are ten dollars for adults, 5 bucks for kids and a family of four can eat for $25. Tickets are available at Mo’s or at the Elementary School office.

Prices for gasoline are falling in time for Memorial Day Weekend. The national average, as measured by Triple-A, tumbled 11-cents in the past week to $3.83 a gallon. Oregon’s average price dipped four cents and is at $3.92. Locally, the average price dropped a nickel a gallon and is still well below the national average at $3.78. Six states and the District of Columbia still show average prices above four dollars a gallon. Alaska has the highest average price at $4.27. California is number four at $4.10 a gallon. Oregon’s average price is the 11th highest in the nation.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A flood warning remains in place for the
Columbia River in the Portland metro area, with minor flooding
expected in some lowland areas.
The National Weather Service said the river was just below flood
stage early Wednesday morning but was expected to gradually rise
above the 16-foot flood stage by Wednesday evening and remain
slightly above for the rest of the week.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A jury in Salem is deciding whether an Oregon
State Penitentiary inmate convicted of killing another prisoner
should be sentenced to death or life in prison. Isacc Agee was
convicted May 10 of killing inmate Antonio Barrantes-Vasquez.
Prosecutors asked for the death penalty because Agee already is
serving a 54-year sentence for attempted murder while the defense
asked the jury to give Agee life in prison because of his mental
illness.

OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) - Clackamas County firefighters say a
fire that damaged an Oregon City home and killed a pet dog was
likely caused by a propane barbecue grill. Residents had just
finished grilling chicken yesterday afternoon when the grill
exploded next to the house on a covered patio. The home and
belongings appeared to be a total loss.

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - A Forest Service decision to approve a
proposed expansion of the Mount Ashland Ski Area has pleased ski
area officials and left foes considering whether to return to
court. The resort says logging to clear new ski runs could start as
soon as mid-September. A federal appeals court considering an
environmentalists' lawsuit ruled the Forest Service needed more
analysis of potential negative impacts. After new studies, the
agency said the expansion would not harm the Pacific fisher, a
weasel-like animal.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Multnomah County is investigating the case
of a disabled inmate who wound up crawling from the downtown
Portland jail when he was released because his wheelchair could not
be located. Scott Hamilton had been arrested for sitting in his
wheelchair, drinking a beer on public property. When he was
released early Monday, his wheelchair was nowhere to be found. The
Oregonian says Hamilton wound up scooting on his rear out through
the jail lobby doors.

AMITY, Ore. (AP) - Police in the town of Amity wrote more than
$4,000 in traffic tickets during an annual charity bicycle ride
that passed through the community. Police Chief Dan Brown tells
KGW-TV his officers have tried for years to get the bicyclists to
comply with traffic laws and says "we had to take it a step
further."

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon lawmaker is trying to revive a
stalled proposal to ban plastic grocery bags by promoting
recycling. The proposal by Rep. Vic Gilliam of Silverton would
outlaw plastic bags unless, by next year, 20 percent of all plastic
bags sold in Oregon are recycled. The recycling goal would increase
by 20 percent each year until reaching 80 percent.

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



TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

On the college diamond… the Oregon Ducks unleashed their offense early yesterday in Portland, scoring five runs in the first inning before cruising to a 7-2 win over the Portland Pilots. The Ducks return to Eugene later this week where they’ll host the Civil War series against Oregon State.

A benefit dinner and auction is set for the Mapleton Athletic Booster Club on Saturday, June 11th at the Mapleton High School. Dinner begins at five followed by a silent auction and live music featuring the Singing Loggers… Craig and Terry. A live auction will follow at seven. Dinner is eight dollars for adults, $5 for kids ten and under.