CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – Corvallis parks officials have decided that solving flooding caused by beavers at a local park will take a little engineering of their own. The Gazette-Times says beavers have caused flooding at the softball fields at Sunset Park by damming the Dunawi Creek for years. But now, officials are planning to install pipes to keep water in ponds at manageable levels.
COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) – Legislators say a change in law that would prohibit bar pilots from owning the tug boat that helps the ship they’re piloting stops potential river monopolies. But pilots in Coos Bay and Yaquina Bay say the legislation is unnecessary. The Coos Bay World reports the change passed both houses and awaits Gov. John Kitzhaber’s signature.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – The approaching end of federal timber subsidies has the Lane County, Ore., government preparing itself for layoffs. More than 80 positions in the sheriff’s office are expected to be eliminated, along with a still-to-be-determined number in the rest of county government. The Eugene Register-Guard reports the positions of 24 sworn officers will be eliminated, leaving nine officers in the sheriff’s office.
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Housing and Urban Development says a program serving the homeless in Pendleton will share in a $3.7 million federal grant. Officials say the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon will get $33,588. The East Oregonian reports CAPECO’s lead case manager says the money will pay rent for homeless people plus support services.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon State Police are reporting 22 DUI arrests statewide on St. Patrick’s Day and early yesterday. Troopers also are investigating two fatal traffic crashes that killed three people. Troopers do not know if alcohol was a contributing factor in those crashes. St. Patrick’s Day 2011 was on a Thursday; troopers reported 16 DUI arrests in the same 16-hour period.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Amid a three-month government hiring freeze, Oregon hired 1,931 new employees, most for temporary positions. The Statesman Journal says an exception committee pored over 2,376 requests to fill jobs despite a hiring freeze that Gov. John Kitzhaber ordered in November after learning tax revenue declines may require spending cuts. That freeze is now over.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) – The game between a Colorado Rockies split squad and Seattle Mariners on Sunday was postponed by rain after a delay of 34 minutes in the top of the fourth inning in Peoria, Ariz. Seattle was leading 3-2 but the Rockies had runners on first and third with none out against Mariners starter Hector Noesi when a downpour of rain and hail began
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Free agent quarterback Matt Flynn has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on a multiyear deal. The Seahawks are hoping that a one-time backup in Green Bay can again become the new franchise quarterback in the Pacific Northwest. Flynn has been a career backup with the Packers but was one of the hottest free agents on the market.
