Commissioner calls for scrapping water proposal - Gov's race tight - dead sea stars

Water quality proposal should be junked says one commissioner

Last week’s attempted hearing by the Board of Commissioners and Lane County Planning Commission on a proposal that would impose strict limitations on areas near lakes and streams in rural Lane County was overwhelmed by opponents. Officials were never able to open the hearing because of the overflow crowd and it’s been rescheduled to November Ninth at Springfield High School. East Lane Commissioner Fay Stewart would rather just see the entire matter junked.
210 – “If the board chooses to move forward, I hope that it’s radically changed from what this current proposal is. If I had my ‘druthers’, because of the outcry and the mistrust and what it’s generated in the county amongst its citizens that this would effect I would just like to see this thing suspended… stopped.”

The proposal is intended to protect water quality, but opponents say if it were to be enacted it would imposed strict limitations on what could occur within 200 feet of waterways. They’ve also been upset about the process taken thus far.

Hundreds, if not thousands of dead sea-stars along the beach north of Florence have biologists puzzled. Oregon State Parks Beach Ranger Trisha Wymore began spotting them Thursday morning near Heceta Beach. Justin Ainsworth with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says he’s not sure what killed the stars and they didn’t have any obvious injuries. He said it may have been recent stormy weather, but couldn’t explain why they showed up only in the Florence area.. The cause of death may have been from low oxygen levels, he said, but pointed out they have not found any evidence to support that.

The race between Republican Chris Dudley and Democrat John Kitzhaber for governor of Oregon has been close since Labor day, and every indication is that it remains tight. That means campaigns are focusing on identifying registered voters who are considered friendly but have not returned their ballots. Those people will get phone calls, literature at their door and even visits from campaign volunteers urging them to vote. Oregon’s vote by mail system allows political parties to be more precise in their turnout work than parties in other states. Although the ballots themselves are secret, election officials keep track of who has already returned them, allowing campaigns to focus their efforts elsewhere. Ballots are due back by tomorrow night.

Florence City Councilors have a fairly light agenda, but will deal with several important issues tonight. First up; an appeal of a business license application denial; followed by discussion on possible grant funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements on Highway 101 and Highway 126. The council meets at seven pm at City Hall. They’ll also review a list of priorities published by the Lane Council of Governments for the 2011 Legislative Session.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Police have arrested a Springfield middle
school teacher who also coaches high school cross country on
charges that he sexually abused a 15-year-old female student.
Forty-year-old Chad Gerald Schacht was being held at the Lane
County Jail on two counts of rape and one count each of sodomy and
sexual abuse. He teaches sixth grade science, math and physical
education at Agnes Stewart Middle School in Springfield.

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) - A shortage of money could curtail
postseason participation for students and athletes at Astoria High
School. Principal Larry Lockett tells The Daily Astorian that the
school does not have enough money for postseason sports or
activities such as choir, band, drama or FFA. Students likely will
have to raise the money themselves or not participate. The Astoria
School Board approved about $2 million in budget cuts two years
ago.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Portland Development Commission has
offered a $8.1 million interest-free loan with rare incentives to
keep the Danish wind-turbine maker Vestas in Portland. The
Oregonian reports the city economic development agency offered the
loan that will cost taxpayers as much as $2.6 million.

BEND, Ore. (AP) - The newest crop for a Boardman farmer is an
investment in energy production. Joe Taylor joined the growers'
cooperative Agri Energy Producers Association and planted sorghum
last spring. His harvest is destined for the Heppner Power Plant,
which is slated to be up and running by next year. The sorghum
harvest is the cooperative's first on a large scale. Last year, the
co-op harvested less than 50 acres.

OAKRIDGE, Ore. (AP) - Oakridge police say an exhaustive
investigation of a substitute teacher accused of sexually abusing a
student failed to turn up enough evidence and prosecutors decided
not to charge the teacher. The Register-Guard reports the incident
reported Sept. 30 involved the Oakridge High School substitute but
the alleged abuse did not occur on school grounds.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The disturbing video of two 9-year-olds
fighting -- egged on by parents -- has led to the arrest of four
adults in McMinnville. KATU reports someone in Pennsylvania saw the
video on a Facebook page and called police. Capt. Dennis Marks says
investigators found filthy living conditions, drug paraphernalia
and not enough food for the children.


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Volleyball:
The Siuslaw Vikings won their ‘play-in’ match Saturday afternoon in four games over Mazama. Katie Catalfamo had 20 kills for the Vikings, Brionna DeSantis had ten while Adrianna Roberts added eight more. Siuslaw will play in a first-round playoff this coming Saturday. // The Mapleton Sailors will also play in a first round game this week. They fell to McKenzie in three games Saturday at Junction City High School. The loss means they’ll be the number two seed out of the Mountain West League.
Prep Football:
The Siuslaw Vikings clinched sole possession of the Far West League title and a home field for a playoff game this week with a 32-21 win over Sutherlin Friday night in Florence. Sonny Tupua carried the ball 32 times for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Thompson was ten of 19 passing for 158 yards and one interception. Siuslaw will host Hidden Valley this weekend. Exact game time and date will be announced later today. In the Sunset, Gold Beach downed Reedsport 49-nothing Friday night. The Braves have a final game this coming Friday on the road against Bandon. The Mapleton Sailors wrapped up the Mountain West schedule with a 58-8 win over Triangle Lake. They have a non-league contest in Portland Friday against Condon-Wheeler.

College Football:
The Oregon Ducks made it to number one in the BCS rankings following their 53-39 win Saturday night over USC in Los Angeles. The Ducks also remain number one in the AP poll for the third straight week. They’ll host Washington Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium. In Corvallis, Jacquizz Rodgers threw a touchdown pass, plus rushed for three more as Oregon State downed California 35-7. The Beavers will be on the road this weekend against UCLA.