10 November 2015
Storm damage from three years ago to be addressed
Damage to the Westlake Boat Ramp, caused three years ago by a series of winter storms, is in the process of being repaired.
Lane County closed the lake access last week in preparations for the work.
Lane County Parks manager Mike Russell said he has been working with both federal and state emergency management agencies to address the damage and secure the $45-thousand needed to pay for it.
Lane County Parks personnel acknowledged the timing of the closure may have been inconvenient for anglers going after wild Coho Salmon in Siltcoos, but they pointed out the availability of other nearby boat launch facilities.
The closest is at Tyee Campground, just a quarter mile away from the Westlake facility.
The other, at Darlings Resort at North Beach is available. The owners of Darlings have agreed to waive their $5 launch fee for holders of Lane County annual parks passes.
The Westlake boat ramp is expected to be closed until December 15th.
Go online for permits
Owners of off-road vehicles and users of Oregon State Parks day-use fee areas will now be able to buy their permits “on line” rather than having to wait “in line”.
Lisa Sumption, the director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, said the online offering is being made in response to request from users.
The 12-month parking permit is $30 with a 24-month option available for $50. They are good at all 26 Oregon State Parks that charge a day-use parking fee. Sumption said the off-road permits are good for two years and cost $10. They must be displayed on ATVs operated on public land designated for ATV use.
The online permits are available at www-dot-oregonstateparks-dot-org. You can also still purchase the permits from retailers.
Gas prices begin trending up
Regional refinery issues are getting the blame for a recent rise in gasoline prices in the northwest. Marie Dodds says the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Oregon shot up 10-cents this past week to $2.40. The national average only went up two cents, it’s at $2.22.
The local average isstill well below other areas, but did increase by seven cents this past week to $2.18.
Dodds said a “heavy refinery maintenance season” combined with some unplanned outages created some supply issues in the short term.
101 crash south of Reedsport claims one life
A Washington State woman died following a head-on crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 101 four miles south of Reedsport.
Police say a vehicle driven by 32-year old Julie Bowen of Reedsport crossed the centerline and struck a southbound Chevy Pickup head on. 40-year old Heather Walseth of Evans, Washington died at Lower Umpqua Hospital.
Bowen and a second passenger in the oncoming pickup, 67-year old Donald Dennison of Mt. Angel, Oregon, were transported to Riverbend Hospital in Springfield. The driver of the pickup, 43-year old Kelly Dennison was treated at Lower Umpqua Hospital and released.
Highway 101 was restricted for four hours as the investigation continued.
Foraging for fungus explained
Foraging for mushrooms on the Oregon Coast can be fun and tasty… but it’s also fraught with peril. Picking the wrong fungus can make you sick… or even cause death.
That’s why the best way to learn about wild mushrooms is direct from an experienced forager.
Anna Moore is experienced, she’s been hunting mushrooms for 30-years. Moore will share her knowledge Saturday at the Cape Perpetua Visitors Center during a “beginner mushroom presentation”.
The two PM presentation is free, but there is a $5 day-use –access free.
