3 more arrests in Harney County
Eight more people left the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge following yesterday’s clampdown on the armed men and women who have been there since January 2nd.
Three of those who left were arrested and face felony charges. One of those was Jason Patrick of Bonaire, Georgia. He had become a spokesman for the remaining anti-government protestors yesterday following the arrests of Ammon and Ryan Bundy and the death of LaVoy Finicum.
The FBI and local law enforcement officials have set up more roadblocks inside the refuge, as well as beefed up security at checkpoints at refuge entrances.
A father and son from Hermiston was reportedly turned away at gunpoint after they arrived in an attempt to join the standoff.
Ammon Bundy urged those remaining at Malheur to – quote – “stand down”, go home. He said the fight is now in the courts.
Community “vision” offered
The final chance for community members to provide input on what would be a “ten year” vision for the Siuslaw Region is scheduled for tonight at the Florence Events Center.
The meeting is the continuation of a year of exploration and conversations by a core group of about a dozen people from all segments of the community. They’ve been talking about things like the economy, education, livability, and more.
The evening starts with an open house from five to six at the FEC… a formal presentation from six to seven… and then another open house from seven to eight.
Spokesperson Becky Goehring says open house participants will have a chance to circulate and comment on ideas that have already been submitted at earlier focus groups.
A final “vision” document is expected to be released to the community in mid March.
Florence gas prices match historic low
Don’t forget to fill up before you leave town. The average cash price for regular gas in Florence is $1.86 with the lowest posted price $1.76-point-9.
That compares with the national average as measured by Triple-A… it’s $1.83. The Oregon average price is at its lowest for six years at $2.09.
The local prices mirror those of just one year ago when the average was at $1.86. It remained that way for two weeks before rapidly rising nearly 60-cents a gallon by mid February.
Winchester Bay man dies following capsizing
One crewmember of the 49-foot fishing vessel that capsized in the entrance to Coos Bay Tuesday afternoon has died.
The Coos County Sheriff’s department said 46-year old Raymundo Cardoso of Winchester Bay died at Bay Area Hospital last night.
He and two other men were pulled from the water Tuesday afternoon after the Sara Jo lost power while crossing the bar. It was struck by large waves and capsized, sending the three into the water.
Ironically, the Sara Jo had been collecting crab pots belonging to the Eagle III. It capsized just one week earlier at the same location. It left one man dead and two others injured.
More delays on Umpqua River bridge
Drivers on Highway 101 crossing the Umpqua River at Reedsport will once again face delays. Crews will begin work February 8th on a project to replace the bridge railings. The Oregon Department of Transportation says the existing rails, in place since the bridge was completed 80 years ago, are damaged and substandard.
The work will require flaggers to control traffic at times during the work and sidewalks will be closed.
Last fall work wrapped up on a 18-month long project that painted the steel section of the bridge, requiring one lane travel 24-hours a day for several months.
