Shift in House District Lines
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber joined officials from both the Democrat and Republican Parties yesterday in signing a bill that will set the boundaries for legislative districts in Oregon for the next ten years.
Kitzhaber – “No one’s every totally happy with the result, but this is the first time, I think actually since 1911, that we actually have a true bi-partisan redistricting product here to sign and I think that’s a real tribute to the Oregon Legislature and to it’s leadership.”
The new map looks very much like the previous one, set by then-Secretary of State Bill Bradbury in 2001. He drew the lines because lawmakers in the House and Senate following the 2000 census were unable to come to an agreement. Most of the changes are in the Portland Metro area and Deschutes County. But, there is a shift in Western Lane County. Current boundary lines divide areas north and east of Florence, including the Mapleton area, away from the rest of the south-central coast. The dividing line between House Districts 9 and 10 will be now shifted north to the Lane-Lincoln County line.
It’s Flag Day, the observance of the date in 1777 that the Continental Congress recognized the original Stars and Stripes as the official banner for the fledgling United States of America. It’s also the day that the local American Legion post gets together to retire flags that are worn out.
Bones – “The American Flags that you have that are getting a little tattered and torn, we do retire them in a nice proper manner.”
Mike Bones says flag etiquette spells out the manner for disposing of worn flags. American Legion members will begin (began) the retirement ceremonies at four this afternoon on Bay Street across from the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Last year, Bones says, they retired more than 500 flags.
It may not feel like it, but the official start of fire season is this Thursday. That means the last day for any open burning, other than through a special permit, outside the Florence City Limits is tomorrow.
Barrett – “We’ve had a lot of late spring rains and stuff which has brought a lot of new growth and quick growth, underbrush growth, that could become a problem late in the summer, August-September.”
Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says while there may not be much of a threat right now, once the weather does dry out the small fuels… those grasses and light brush, could increase risks. He says anyone who lives in or near forested areas should take pains to keep their property cleared.
Barrett – “That’s where the fires start, is on the ground. And most of the fires are human caused, one way or another.”
Right now many Oregon wildland firefighters are honing their skills out of state in areas like Arizona and Colorado. Officials say as things warm up and dry out in Oregon, those crews will be recalled and ready to go to work.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - Two Washington state men and an Oregon
woman have been killed in a small plane crash in a rugged mountain
area of Eastern Oregon. The Umatilla (yoo-muh-TIHL'-ah) County
sheriff's office yesterday identified the victims of Sunday's crash
as the 74-year-old pilot, Gerald Hunter; 53-year-old Ned Kayser and
51-year-old Janice Davis. Both Hunter and Kayser were from
Klickitat County, Wash., and Davis was from Hermiston, Ore. The
plane went down near Ukiah, Ore.
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) - A former unsuccessful candidate for Utah
governor accused of paragliding off the 125-foot Astoria Column
overlooking Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River was arrested
after he was spotted at an Oregon beach. The Daily Astorian says
41-year-old Dell Schanze was accused of violating city code and
booked into jail yesterday. He's since posted bail and been
released.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon House has unanimously approved a
bill that would offer low-cost loans to retrofit schools with
energy efficient technology. The House's approval yesterday sends
the measure to the Senate. The measure is known by supporters as
Cool Schools and is aimed at helping school districts afford the
high upfront cost of energy efficient technology.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - The Lane County Public Health office says
elderly residents or those with chronic diseases and reduced
immunity should call a doctor if they develop a severe cough and
fever. Health officials say several clusters have been reported in recent weeks of a
respiratory infection called human metapneumovirus. They say the
best way to prevent the disease from spreading is to wash your
hands, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and stay home
when you're sick.
BEND, Ore. (AP) - The Deschutes National Forest says it's taking
safeguards to prevent the spread of a deadly bat disease at Lava
River Cave south of Bend. When the cave opens July 1, visitors will
be asked not to wear clothing or use gear that has been used in
caves or mines outside Oregon and Washington. Officials hope to
limit a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome that has killed
more than a million bats over the past five years.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Police have stepped up their response to
complaints of illegal car camping in Eugene. They say that any
officer, instead of a few designated officers, will check out a
complaint when they are not busy with another call. The Register
Guard reports that in the first three months of the year police
received 359 complaints about illegal street camping, compared to
161 complaints in the same period a year ago.
BEND, Ore. (AP) - At age 90, a Bend man now has a high school
diploma to go with the Medal of Honor he earned for heroism in
World War II. Bob Maxwell received a Bend High School diploma last
weekend, honoring his status as a highly decorated veteran. While
fighting in France in 1944, Maxwell threw his body on a hand
grenade to shield his fellow soldiers. After the war, he earned his
GED and did some teaching in Oregon.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly likes speed, but probably not like this… University of Oregon officials are withholding official comment on a speeding citation issued to punt-returner and cornerback Cliff Harris for driving 118 miles an hour early Sunday morning on I-5 near Albany… Harris was also cited for driving with a suspended license. It’s apparently not his first such offense. According to court records Harris has been ticketed for speeding and driving without a license three times in the past 18-months.
The ten-mile Cape Mountain Trail Run is set for this Saturday morning. Organizers call it one of the toughest, but most beautiful courses a runner will ever experience. The loop course runs on the U.S. Forest Service Coast Horse Trails System, 10 ½ miles north of Florence. It offers panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean from several places as it climbs 1,850 feet before the turn-around at Cape Mountain. The $35 early registration fee… five dollars more on race day… benefits the Siuslaw Cross Country program. To find the start… turn east on Horse Creek Road, just a half mile south of Sea Lion Caves, and follow the signs 3 ½ miles to the race start.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment