Holiday Travel Plans?; Search Called Off; Commercial Crabbing Season Delayed

Holiday Travel Plans?

If you are planning on getting away this thanksgiving, be prepared for traffic, that, according to AAA Oregon. Marie Dodds with AAA says travel volume will be at its highest since 2005.  An expected 55.3 million people will be on the road or in the air this holiday which is 1.6 million higher than last year.  This includes more than 750 thousand Oregonians of which about 650 thousand of us will be on the roadways.  Those traveling by car can expect to see prices at the pump similar to last year, but air travelers will see an almost 5% increase from last year.  According to Dodds though procrastinators can find some deals on air travel, although supplies will be limited.  Busiest days for travel?  Tuesday and Wednesday before thanksgiving and the Sunday following.  She also says that traditionally rental car prices jump about 20% for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Search Called Off

The Coast Guard Air Station in North Bend had been searching for a missing boater in the Brookings area.  According to Captain Benjamin Berg they spent a combined 22 hours searching for 59 year old Dan VanCleave after his vessel was found unattended.  The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search, something that Berg said was not an easy decision.  he said thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. VanCleave.

Commercial Crabbing Season Delayed

The beginning of commercial crabbing season has been delayed.  According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife the meat yields are too low at this time and they are delaying the opening from December 1st to December 16th.  ODFW will continue to test crab later this month and in early December.  Demoic acid levels were below harmful levels, but because of the high levels of the toxin in razor clams ODFW will continue to monitor the crab regularly along the coast.  The crabbing industry continues to be a profitable on in Oregon.  Even with the late start last year there was still over 18.7 million pounds landed at a value of 66.7 million dollars the second highest value in history.