Burning season ends, minor quakes recorded, Peace Harbor boss moving on, and a reward is posted.

You may have missed it… burning season in Lane County came to an end yesterday. That means, until at least October First, no open burning is allowed anywhere in Lane County… with just a few small exceptions.
216 – “Warming, cooking fires using split wood, either using barbecue pits or fire rings, those types of things. That’s the only type of burning that’s allowed.”

Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue’s Sean Barrett says the current burning restriction is an air quality matter and is regulated by the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency. It’s not related to fire season which is governed by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Barrett says cooler weather has lessened the chances of extreme fire danger in the near term:
217 – “Probably going to be normal to a little abnormal year for fire season which means a little worse fire season.”

Fire season itself won’t be declared until weather conditions warrant it.

Peace Harbor Hospital CEO Jim Barnhart is beginning a transition that will eventually take him away from Florence. Barnhart will lead the planning and development of a new critical access hospital and medical center on San Juan Island near Seattle. In a statement released to Peace Health employees last week Barnhart said the workload at San Juan will be light for the next several months, but by next spring it will require more attention. He expects to resign as Peace Harbor CEO and Chief Mission Officer by the end of June next year and make the move to Washington.

A series of relatively small earthquakes rolled across the ocean floor off the Oregon Coast over the last two days. The series began Sunday afternoon with a minor 1.5 magnitude near Brookings. The largest: a 3.9 260-miles west-northwest of Bandon on Monday. Earlier in the day yesterday a 2.7 magnitude was recorded about a hundred miles west of Florence. Two other small quakes were recorded in the Crescent City, California area in the same time period.

About 50 traffic cones and two barricades ended up in the Siuslaw River beneath the Highway 101 Bridge a week ago. Siuslaw Stop Crime has posted a reward:
215 – “A reward of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest and arraignment of the person or the persons responsible for the dumping of the traffic cones into the Siuslaw River.”

Bruce Jarvis is the secretary of the group of local residents whose goal is to assist law enforcement agencies in the solving of crimes. Anonymous tips can be made at 800-333-8328.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

The Three Rivers Sandblasters held off the Post 9 Highwaymen 17 – 13 last night in a game that saw a total of 29 hits, five lead changes and eight pitchers. Willie Grader picked up the win in relief for Three Rivers, Drew Thomas the loss.

Zack Laxague had a solo triple in his first at bat to lead off the second inning, then added the final four runs of that same frame with a grand slam that gave the ‘Blasters a seemingly solid 8-3 lead.

The Highwaymen battled back and tied the game in the top of the third inning. Drew Rainwater put up a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to retake the lead for Three Rivers. Post 9 chipped away at the lead once again, tying it at 10-all in the top of the fifth and eventually going ahead with one run in the seventh.

But, the Sandblasters weren’t done. They batted around in the bottom of the inning and putting up seven runs to go ahead 17-11. Three of those runs came on a bases clearing 3 RBI double off the bat of Eddie Crowe. Post 9 came back with 2 runs in the top of the eighth inning to provide the final margin.

The Highwaymen put up 20 hits and committed three errors. Three Rivers had nine hits and six errors.

The Sandblasters home stand continues this evening with action at Jiggs Dodson Field at 5 o’clock against the Springfield Titans.