Complaint Filing Fee in Dunes City draws fire
April Dumas calls it a – quote – “Good Citizens Tax” and says it’s also bad policy for Dunes City. She testified last week to the Dunes City Council about a proposed ordinance that would change the way that city investigates reported code infractions. Now, when a citizen calls to complain about a possible infraction, a city staffer or contract inspector will be sent out to investigate. That costs money, says City Councilor Jaime Mills. Under her proposal, that would still happen but the person filing the complaint would also have to pay a fee. That way, says Mills, the number of false claims would drop… but real infractions would result in a refund. The Dunes City Council debated the merits of the proposal with councilor Richard Koehler objecting to it, claiming it was the first he had heard of the matter. Dumas said there is no evidence that there have been ‘frivolous’ complaints in the past. She added that if the aim is to reduce the workload of city employees it may be time to “un-incorporate” the city and return to being governed by Lane County regulations. In the end, the council referred the matter to the Ordinance Review Committee… it could return to the council for action next month.
The group that has taken the lead on planning for a wide-spread emergency or disaster is quietly continuing their work. The Western Lane Emergency Operations Group gathered yesterday for their monthly meeting at Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue. In the first hour they handled about a dozen agenda items ranging from how and where to set up an emergency hospital to caching supplies of food and medicine for emergency use. The group also discussed how to provide emergency shelter and food to residents south of Florence as well as planning for future public outreach and training sessions. The local efforts have been the target of praise from state and regional leaders who point them out as a model other communities should follow. Tribal Police Chief Brad Kneaper with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians agrees.
210 – “I think that’s true. This group has done a lot to plan for these kinds of incidents. I’ve been here a couple years with this group and they’ve done a lot of work.”
Officials say their community preparedness class in February drew about 40 residents. The most recent class after the Japanese disaster drew 85… next month’s session will be split into two classes, providing space for up to 140.
A Florence man serving 17-years in prison for the drunken driving deaths of two of his friends last year has had 18-months added to his sentence. Tyler Clayton Davis was found guilty of perjury relating to his testimony under oath in December, claiming it was another man behind the wheel at the time. Davis said Joshua Thornton, of Reedsport, was actually driving at the time of the crash that killed Thornton and Nicholas Schneider. All three had been drinking in Florence before the crash on Canary Road. Davis was actually sentenced to the maximum term for lying… five years… but 42 months of the sentence will be served concurrently with the manslaughter sentences.
Samples from about three-dozen restaurants, markets, wineries and breweries will be offered up this evening during the fourth annual Coastal Cuisine Gala at Three Rivers Casino. A $50 entry fee will allow access to the tastes of all entries from six to 9 this evening… It’s a benefit for Florence Food Share and could net more than $10,000 for the group. Florence Food Share is the emergency food box pantry for Western Lane County and provides assistance to about 600 households each month.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland police say a shooting near the
Lloyd Center mall critically injured a 14-year-old boy. Sgt. Pete
Simpson says officers responding to "shots fired" calls about
5:00 last night found the boy lying on a sidewalk near Holladay
Park. The Oregonian says witnesses in the park said the boy was
shot in the head. He wasn't identified. Police say it's unclear if
it's gang-related.
HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. (AP) - An autopsy has determined that the
death of a 2-year-old Happy Valley boy stemmed from an initial
strep infection. Deputy state medical examiner Dr. Christopher
Young tells The Oregonian the boy apparently contracted a strep
infection that developed into bacterial pneumonia and sepsis. Young
calls it an unusual outcome for such an infection. The boy died
Sunday.
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Clark County, Wash., prosecutors have
filed unlawful imprisonment charges against a Vancouver, Wash.,
couple accused of caging two young autistic boys in a darkened
room. Thirty-year-old John Eckhart and 26-year-old Alayna Higdon
are charged with unlawful imprisonment-domestic violence. The boys'
mother, Jona (JAH'-nah) Bronson, lives in Tillamook, Ore.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Police say a smoky bathroom trash can fire
that forced the evacuation of nearly 700 students and caused an
estimated $20,000 damage at a Portland-area school was arson.
Firefighters were called yesterday to the Health & Science School
in Hillsboro. Police spokesman Lt. Mike Rouches tells The Oregonian
the fire was ignited in the trash can using paper towels and a
match.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Legislature is looking at ways to
curb cyberbullying. A public hearing today will examine a bill that
would require school employees to report acts of harassment,
intimidation, bullying or cyberbullying. Employees who don't report
would be subject to remedial actions.
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) - Lane County commissioners have approved
an $82,000 payment to settle a lawsuit by a court clerk who alleged
sexual harassment by a former Springfield justice of the peace.
Heather Hendrickson had sought $420,000 in her lawsuit against the
county, alleging that Cynthia Sinclair made "frequent extremely
offensive comments." Sinclair resigned last April but denied that
her conduct was sexual harassment.
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) - Two brothers are wounded after an
accidental shooting in Beaverton last night. Police say one was
taken to a hospital in critical condition with a head wound. The
other has an injury to his finger. Police are still investigating
exactly what happened, but there were three men at the scene at the
time and alcohol was involved.
BEND, Ore. (AP) - Officials in Bend are planning free suicide
prevention training after a man fatally stabbed himself following a
performance in a coffee shop last week. Deschutes County officials
say a training program known as "Question, Persuade, Refer" will
be held April 26. Kipp Rusty Walker died last week after stabbing
himself multiple times in the chest after performing at a coffee
shop's open microphone event.
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
On the baseball diamond… the Siuslaw Vikings and the Douglas Trojans split a double-header yesterday in Winston with the Vikings winning the opener 7-3… the Trojans came out on top 7-5 in the nightcap.
In Far West Softball the Lady Vikings are still seeking their first conference win, they fell in two games at home yesterday to the Douglas Trojans, 8-2 and 7-5.
Oregon’s Diamond Ducks snapped a two-game losing steak with a non-league win at home yesterday afternoon 4-nothing over the San Francisco Dons.
On the Schedule today, it’s more Far West League Action for the Siuslaw Vikings… the boys are at home against the Brookings-Harbor Bruins at five… that game will air on Coast Radio Sports beginning at 4:45. Siuslaw Softball will be in Brookings against the Bruins. Viking Track will be at Vic Adams Field in North Bend for Far West League action.
Mapleton Track and Field Standout Andrea LeClaire is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The senior athlete won four events in front of a home crowd last week in a Mountain West League eastern-division meet in Mapleton, claiming the Shot Put with a personal best throw of 30 feet, 4 inches; winning the 200 meters and discus, as well as anchoring the four-by-100 relay. Honorable Mention is given to Viking Baseball’s Sam Reavis who was two-for-four at the plate with a two-RBI triple in Siuslaw’s win over South Umpqua last week.
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