Red Flags and Wildfire… in January?

Coast Radio News
Local News

24 January 2014

Drought prompts red flag warnings…

An 8-acre grass fire last weekend on the south coast and unusually dry conditions have prompted a situation that’s usually reserved for late summer or early fall in Oregon.

Red Flag Warnings are going up all over the southwestern corner of Oregon this weekend.

National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Sandler in Medford says unusually dry fuels and gusty winds prompted the warnings that went in to effect yesterday in much of Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Curry and Coos Counties.

Similar warnings may be in order for the north coast where officials say there are three wildfires burning this morning in the Coast Range; two near Arch Cape; and a third in Marion County near Butte Creek Falls.

A high pressure ridge off the coast continues to block storms, starving ski resorts in the Cascades; reservoirs and forests of needed snow and rain.

There is some rain in the forecast for next week, but Sandler says it won’t likely be significant and it will take record rainfall over the next three months to avert a drought this summer.

Delay in Pot Dispensaries in Coos Bay

Add Coos Bay to the list of Oregon cities putting a lid on medical pot dispensaries.

Officials in that city are imposing a moratorium on the marijuana dispensaries so they can examine land-use laws.  Coos Bay Development Director Eric Day says they want the extra time to look at “how best to plan for allowing them”.

Legislation approved last year allows the dispensaries to grow and provide marijuana for medical-users who are unable to grow their own.

Oregon will begin accepting applications for the facilities in March, but many Oregon cities have imposed temporary moratoriums similar to the one in Coos Bay.

At least one Oregon community has banned them outright… Medford… that’s where officials say pot is still illegal under federal law.

Habitat For Humanity

The largest single developer of single-family homes in Florence over the past several years is at it again.

Habitat For Humanity has helped more than two dozen low-income families purchase homes over the past two decades.  They’re now accepting applications for potential owners of the next round.

A series of three meetings next week will give prospective owners a chance to find out more about the program… the first will be Tuesday at 1:30; followed by the second Thursday at seven pm..  The final meeting will be a week from tomorrow… Saturday February First at ten AM.

All meetings will be at the Habitat for Humanity office at the Re-Store next to Grocery Outlet.

Mapleton School Board Vacancy

An opening on the Mapleton School Board has prompted a call for volunteers in that community.

The resignation of long-time board-member Jeff Hendrickson created the opening this month.

Mapleton Superintendent Jodi O’Mara says qualified applicants will be registered voters over 18 years of age who have lived in the school district for no less than one year.

Applications can be picked up… and returned… to the Mapleton district office no later than February 7th.

Whoever is appointed will serve through June of 2015.