Possible Changes To Controversial Project Announced

24 July 2014

Coast Radio News
Local News

Possible changes to Rhody path unveiled

In response to public pressure, a number of alternatives are being explored for the long-planned multi-use path along Rhododendron Drive.

The plan has drawn fire from several critics, but especially from residents of Greentrees Village who say the clearing of vegetation required for the path would destroy a wide swath of native rhododendrons.

Possible changes to the plan include re-routing the official state coastal bike route away from Rhododendron Drive and onto Kingwood Street where there are already existing bike paths; or relocating the path in the Greentrees area so it is adjacent to the roadway instead of separated by a drainage swale.

Public Works Director Mike Miller said Greentrees representatives reacted favorably to the changes when they were presented late last month.

The City Council has scheduled a discussion on the future of the entire plan for August 18th.

Medicaid Expansion Falls Short of Goals

Low-income Oregonians were supposed to be the big winners after the state expanded Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul.

But, an Associated Press review shows an unexpected rush of enrollees only exacerbated problems associated with a widespread physician shortage. It also continues to strain the capacity of the revamped network, which was endorsed as a potential national model.

Some enrollees have been locked out of the coordinated care system. Others have seen reduced access to care as some doctors, clinics and health centers closed to new Medicaid patients.

Across the state, many patients face long waits for appointments; prompting spikes in emergency room visits that the new system was intended to avoid.

Overhaul supporters say they are implementing solutions to improve access to care.

Get Your Fair On

All of the regular displays you would expect to find at a fair are there… vintage tractor displays; rows and rows of canned fruits and vegetables; even intricate arrangements of fruits, grains and vegetables built by members of various Lane County Area Granges.

The annual Lane County Fair opened yesterday in Eugene, opening the gates to the vendor displays, food booths and carnival rides.

Today is “Grange Day” and also offers a “Senior Special” with those 65 and older getting two-dollar admission all day.

There will even be free cake and ice cream at the senior social from 11 to 3.

The fair also offers top entertainment with country star Trace Adkins tomorrow night, 80’s rocker Pat Benatar will be on stage Saturday evening and the fair wraps up with a Josh Turner performance Sunday evening.

Around Florence Features 150 Vintage Photos

150 vintage photos of the Florence area, some from as early as 1890, are featured in the latest addition to a national book series called “Images of America”.

It’s called “Around Florence” and it is the third book written and compiled by Judy Fleagle.

The book covers the history of the Lower Siuslaw Valley and surrounding areas beginning with the 1876 arrival of white homesteaders.

The book went on sale at a number of local outlets last week. Fleagle, a retired school teacher and magazine editor, will present a program on the book and sign volumes this Saturday afternoon at one pm during a special program at Siuslaw Public Library.