Search continues for missing boy and father
The Coast Guard is continuing the search today for a father and his three-year old son after a wave swept them to see from a southern Oregon beach.
The 31-year old Eugene area man and his toddler were walking in a beach with the boy’s mother about two miles north of Cape Blanco just before one Sunday afternoon. The mother saw it happen and called 9-1-1.
Helicopter crews and search boats searched from the sea and state troopers on all-terrain vehicles searched the beach Sunday, and found only the man’s jacket and a child carrier he was wearing in the surf. Coast Guard Petty Officer Amanda Norcross said a helicopter crew was continuing the search Monday morning.
State Police spokesman Captain Bill Fugate (FYEW-gate) says the area of the beach where they were swept away is steep and the seas were rough.
The name of the man has not yet been released.
Stolen coins recovered
Florence police continue their investigation into a “smash and grab” burglary that occurred at Broward’s Stamp and Coin January 4th.
Police Commander John Pitcher said someone broke out a front window of the shop at the corner of Highway 101 and Rhododendron Drive and stole several books of coins. Pitcher said some were recovered just a few days later when they were attempted to be sold at a Eugene business.
He did not say if there were any specific suspects, but they are pursuing leads and the investigation is continuing.
Oregon exemption for Medicaid extended
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden was successful last week in getting ongoing approval for Oregon’s unique system of providing medical coverage for low income and disabled residents.
Ron Wyden – “So that our state can continue to lead the way in providing high quality care to Medicaid patients while lowering costs.”
The so-called “Oregon Exemption” allows the state to continue the coverage under the Oregon Health Plan and, says Wyden:
Ron Wyden – “Ensures that Oregonians across our state can continue to benefit from a coordinated care model that adds up to proven results with better care, lower costs and fewer visits to the hospital and emergency room.”
Wyden pressed for approval of the exemption prior to the end of the Obama administration and was successful. But, he says, ongoing efforts to unwind the Affordable Care Act under the incoming administration still poses a threat to Oregon’s system that relies on the $1.3-billion and provides care to nearly 400-thousand people.
Students compete in Geography Bee
21 students at Siuslaw Elementary and Middle Schools will be competing Tuesday in the local finals of the National Geographic Geography Bee. Pat Wondra at Siuslaw Middle School said the students scored highly in the preliminary qualifying round, answering 25 “moderately hard multiple-choice questions”. 11 students from the fourth and fifth grade along with ten more from sixth, seventh and eighth grades will compete. Top scoring students could qualify for the state competition later this year.
Wondra said the competitions are not open to the public, but parents and family members are welcome to attend.