Snow disrupts schedules once again…
A heavy snowfall in the Southern Willamette Valley and through the Coast Range disrupted a number of activities this morning. Several inches accumulation caused cancellation of classes at several schools, including in the Mapleton School District and Lane Community College in Eugene.
Travel advisories were posted for 126 this morning, with several crashes reported between Noti and Eugene.
The snow also disrupted government meeting schedules. Lane County Health and Human Services had planned a meeting this afternoon in Florence to hear input from residents about proposed changes to the Medicaid system and the Oregon Health Plan. That was cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
The Lane County Commission’s morning session in Eugene was also cancelled, but a 1:30 session to take testimony on Florence’s Comprehensive Plan… specifically portions relating to annexation… was a go.
Residents can testify without having to leave Florence… a special audio-video link is set up at the Florence Justice Center for that purpose.
Earthquakes Felt
Two minor quakes, 45 minutes apart early Tuesday morning were felt along the Central Oregon Coast. The USGS Earthquake Reporting Service noted the two quakes… a 3.2 magnitude at about 1:45 AM, the other, a 3.7, at about 2:30 were centered 19 and 20 miles west of Waldport respectively. Both quakes were quite deep… between 18 and 20 miles and no damage was reported although residents in Florence did report that they felt them.
Oregon Average Breaks $4 a Gallon
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Oregon broke the four dollar barrier this week…up three cents in the past week according to Triple-A of Oregon. In the same period, the national average price increased by a nickel and stands today at $3.85 a gallon. In Florence, after dipping briefly late last week, average prices went up by three cents and are at $3.96 a gallon. Currently nine states, including California, Washington and Alaska have average prices above the four dollar mark. Oregon’s previous high average was $4.30 a gallon recorded in July 2008.
Siuslaw Estuary Partnership
Two different components of the Siuslaw Estuary Partnership will be meeting this week in Florence to discuss a variety of issues surrounding the Siuslaw River and its tributaries. Three specific discussions are planned: An Aquifer Protection Plan for the Florence Area; Wetlands Protection Measures; and protection of Riparian Areas. The Community Stakeholders Group will meet this afternoon from 4:30 to 6:30 at City Hall. A group made up of elected officials will meet tomorrow evening from six to eight pm, also at City Hall.
College Basketball
The Washington Huskies took a ten point lead midway through the second half, then held on to most of it down the stretch to take a 90-86 win over the Oregon Ducks in a quarterfinal game of the NIT. The loss ends the season for the ducks with 24 wins and ten losses.
The Oregon State Women’s season came to an end also last night. They fell in the WNIT Quarterfinals to Washington 55-49. The Beavers season ended with 20 wins and 13 losses in Scott Rueck’s (rook) second year.
The Oregon State men are still in action on the basketball court… they’ll host the Washington State Cougars tonight in a semi-final game of the College Basketball Invitational.
Prep Baseball and Softball
Siuslaw Viking Softball started off with a 20-nothing loss on the road to the Newport Cubs.
On the baseball diamond, Siuslaw’s Alex Snow struck out six and allowed only one hit in five innings of work as the Vikings picked up their first win, an 8-4 nonleague victory over the Cubs in Newport. John Dodson was two-for-three at the plate with three RBI. The Vikings are scheduled for seven innings this afternoon at home against Cottage Grove… but the weather is likely to change that schedule.