30 June 2015
Legislature Likely Leaving No Long Term Transportation Package
When lawmakers wrap up their work this week in Salem, they won’t address any long term transportation needs. But it won’t be from a lack of trying.
Caddy McKeown – “There were a lot of, um politics involved. We thought about three weeks ago, maybe, we could get back to the table and continue to have talks that would bring a transportation package forward. We have done such a thing since about 2009.”
Representative Caddy McKeown said the two sides just couldn’t reach an agreement on how to address what she calls a big need.
Caddy McKeown – “We have about 3700 bridges and about 35,000 culverts and lots of miles of pavement that will get some attention, just in the ongoing funding of the gas tax at the federal and state level that does the work that we normally do.”
There will be some highway maintenance, but some of the larger priorities won’t be addressed this time around. The current legislative session could wrap up as early as Friday. McKeown and State Senator Arnie Roblan will talk about the session during one segment of tomorrow’s Our Town on KCST.
Unattended stove causes kitchen fire
An unattended kitchen fire Saturday afternoon heavily damaged the home of former Florence Mayor Wilbur Ternyik and his wife Joyce.
The couple were not at home when the fire broke out just before two PM Saturday. Siuslaw Valley Fire Chief Jim Langborg said the cause was traced to a trash can placed on top of the stove in order to keep the family dog out of it.
The only problem, according to Langborg, is that one burner was still on.
He said this was the second house fire in recent months with the same cause. It’s very important, he said, to make sure your stove is turned off when you’re done cooking; and never place anything flammable on the stove top.
Fire damage was confined primarily to the kitchen. Heat and smoke damage was spread throughout. He estimated the cost of the damage at around $30-thousand.
Eugene faces Civic loss
In the end, it took less than two hours to bring it to the ground.
The historic 77-year old Civic Stadium in Eugene exploded into flames just before 5:30 last night, producing a spectacular fireball and plume of thick black smoke that could be seen for miles.
Eugene-Springfield Fire Chief Randy Groves said the cause of the fire is under investigation and nobody was injured.
He also said the stadium’s dry, seasoned timber caused the blaze to spread very quickly.
The stadium was dedicated in October 1938 after a community effort to build it. Materials were donated by local lumber companies and the labor was provided by the depression era Works Progress Administration.
The Eugene Emeralds played there until 2009. Since then it has been largely vacant. The Eugene Civic Alliance, a non-profit group aimed at creating a community based sports venue at the stadium had just closed a deal two months ago to purchase the facility from the Eugene School District.
Sunday crash claims 1 life
A crash nine-miles east of Reedsport on Highway 38 Sunday afternoon claimed the life of a California woman. According to Oregon State Troopers 35-year old Sarah E. Wright of Palm Springs, California was driving westbound when her Nissan Cube crossed the centerline, striking a Dodge Ram Pickup towing a fifth wheel.
The Nissan came to rest on its roof. Wright and her passenger, 28 year old Evan Fass, also of Palm Springs, were transported by ambulance to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay where Wright was pronounced dead.
The driver and two passengers in the Dodge were uninjured, but the occupants of a third vehicle that was following the Dodge were also transported to Bay Area Hospital.
Highway 38 was closed for several hours Sunday afternoon for the ensuing investigation.
Fire Danger at late summer level
Red flag warnings will fly in most areas of Northeast Oregon over the coming days as wildland firefighters brace themselves for what could be a challenging weekend.
More thunderstorms, bringing lightning, are possible in that region. The National Weather Service is also calling for a hot and dry airmass to settle back into the Willamette Valley and over Portland through the end of the week. A high pressure system is also expected to bring high temperatures, dry weather and a slight chance of thunderstorms over Southern Oregon.
Cynthia Orlando with the Oregon Department of Forestry says fire conditions being experienced this week are usually those expected during late July or early August.
With the approach of the 4th of July, Orlando also pointed out that due to fire conditions, the use and possession of fireworks in forested areas is illegal.
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Through 8 AM
Guided tours of the Heceta Lighthouse are being offered, but they don’t include access to the upper levels of the tower.
Park Manager Kevin Beck says because of lighthouse maintenance and inspections, the tours will be operated between 11 AM and 3 PM daily on the lawn adjacent to the light, and on the first level only.
Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint, 14 miles north of Florence, features the lighthouse, several short trails, picnicking, a small beach and the historic lighthouse keeper’s home.
Beck says approximately 625-thousand people visit the viewpoint each year.
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