18 November 2015
Residents speak out against proposed sale
Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohiskey (mo-kro-HI-skee) says concerns aired in the Florence area about the proposed sale of the 40-acre parcel of parkland known as Ocean Woods are being heard.
Steve Mokrohiskey – “The signal we want to send to our residents is that we’re listening.”
The tract of land, south of Heceta Beach Road, was zoned for park use for many years. But, in 2004 the Board of Commissioners declared it surplus and put it up for sale. After nearby residents spoke up, they reversed course.
Steve Mokrohiskey – “They came back later that year and said, actually we don’t want to sell it. They kept it in surplus property, but they said, that same board, on a five-oh vote, we’re not interested in selling that property right now. But, the policy remained since 2004 that it would, the property would be in surplus.”
The lack of action to remove the property from the list of surplus is why it wound up possibly headed for the auction block again this year. Based on the early and loud reactions to the proposal, Mokrohiskey said it was unlikely the property would wind up being sold. But, he added, that is a policy decision that must be made by elected officials.
Students and Seniors to share pie and conversation
Students at Siuslaw High School want to celebrate Thanksgiving next week with a pie social. The event is aimed at getting high school students together with senior citizens over pie and coffee.
The cast and crew of KCST’s Viking Hour radio program will be hosting the social next Tuesday from one to two pm at the high school. Student producer Claire Waggoner says Grocery Outlet is donating many of the ingredients and the school’s culinary class will bake the pies. She hopes it will become an annual event.
Viking Hour is the student produced radio program that airs every Monday from seven to eight pm on KCST.
Inmate walks away from Shutter Creek
An inmate from the Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in north Coos County was discovered missing from the prison yesterday.
Oregon State Police are looking for 38-year old Shawn James Friese. He’s described as white, 5’11”, 195 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He’s likely wearing blue jeans with the word “inmate” and the Department of Corrections logo stenciled across the knee; or red shorts, along with a blue t-shirt with the word Inmate stenciled front and back.
Friese was discovered to be missing at four o’clock yesterday afternoon. If seen, police should be called.
Shutter Creek Correctional Institution is a minimum security prison in the Hauser area that serves as a transition and re-entry facility. There are just under 300 prisoners, all within four years of release, housed there.
Gas prices could dip below $2 by Christmas
The average price for a gallon of regular gas could drop below two dollars by Christmas. That would be the first time since 2009 that holiday travelers nationwide would see those prices according to Marie Dodds with Triple-A.
Dodds said this week’s national average price fell six cents to $2.15 a gallon, while the Oregon statewide average held steady at $2.41.
After increasing the week before, the local average price fell a penny this week to $2.17.
Flood Watch posted for central and northern coast
The National Weather Service has posted a “flood watch” from this evening through Thursday morning for Northwest Oregon. A moist frontal system will produce heavy rain tonight and Thursday morning with an additional one to three inches of rain expected.
That could cause rivers and small streams to rise quickly. Some of the quicker responding rivers, especially those that had rises with the previous rain, could exceed bankful or flood stage and cause minor flooding. Forecasters also say heavy rain could cause ponding or minor flooding on roads and in low-lying areas.
A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on forecasts.
Officials talking rules for retail pot
Another combined work session by the Florence City Council and Planning Commission this morning will bring more information on how to regulate businesses related to the recreational use of marijuana. City Manger Erin Reynolds says the rules, which must be in effect by the end of this year, cover much more than just retail sales.
City leaders must consider whether or not to regulate growing operations as well as facilities for packaging, preparation and distribution. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will begin processing license applications January 2nd.