Pipe Fork Sale Controversy Dominated Board of Commissioners Meeting on Wednesday

It wasn't on the agenda for the Josephine County Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, but the controversy surrounding the Pipe Fork timber property in Williams dominated the session. A large group of Williams area residents protested in front of the Anne G. Basker Auditorium during the meeting and numerous people spoke in favor of selling the property during the public comment period. One person turned in a petition with more than 3,500 signatures of Josephine County residents in favor of the sale to the Board secretary. There was one Williams resident who spoke against the sale. Meanwhile, the Board approved the first reading of an order to form a Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District and set the second reading and approval of the order for November 20th. The proposed district is designed to protect citizens who live outside established fire districts in Williams, Wolf Creek and the Illinois Valley. The Applegate Valley Fire District -- which plans to annex properties in the Murphy area -- encouraged the Board to meet with the local fire districts first. Following another public hearing, the Commissioners first declared an emergency and approved loaning the now-defunct 4-H Extension Service District $370,000 to make roof repairs and other repairs to the building it once leased from the county. Later on during the meeting, the Board met as the governing body of the former district and repaid the loan back to the county's general fund. ...Read more

Oregon PUC Approves Drop in Monthly Natural Gas Rates for Avista Utilities Customers

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved a decrease in rates for Avista customers that goes into effect on Friday, November 1st. The PUC approves adjustments annually to the rates of the three regulated natural gas companies -- including Avista Utilities, Cascade Natural Gas and NW Natural -- to reflect changes in the actual cost of wholesale-priced natural gas. This annual adjustment -- known as the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) -- allows companies to pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price. The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 47 therms per month will decrease by $6.15 or 8.7%. The monthly bill of a typical commercial customer using an average of 204 therms per month will decrease by $28.26 or 10.7%. This decrease is largely due to the lower than anticipated price of natural gas last year as compared with projections when rates were set, which resulted in over-collection of revenues from customers last year. The over-collected funds are used to reduce collections from customers this year. ...Read more

ODOT Officials Provide Safety Tips for Drivers and Pedestrians on Halloween Night

A safe Halloween night makes for a fun Halloween night. Halloween is here and with kids out trick-or-treating and partygoers hitting the streets, safety is more important than ever. Whether you're driving or walking, the Oregon Department of Transportation has provided some quick tips that will help keep everyone safe and make the holiday fun for all. For drivers, slow down in neighborhoods. Excited kids might run into the street without warning. Take it slow, be patient and stay alert especially between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.. Watch for pedestrians. Stay distraction free and keep your focus on the road. Never drink and drive. For pedestrians, be seen. Dark costumes make it hard for drivers to see you. Add reflective tape or carry a flashlight to stay visible. Stay predictable. Use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible. Keep kids close. If you're with little ones, hold their hands and stay on sidewalks. Be alert for vehicles coming in and out of driveways. ODOT officials said it takes us all to be safe. Whether you're driving or walking, a little caution goes a long way. ...Read more