Indian school mascots banned
Reedsport and Roseburg high schools, both in Douglas County, are two of 14 schools identified in Oregon that will have to change their school mascots in five year or risk losing state funding.  The ruling follows a 5-1 vote by the State Board of Education Thursday in Salem aimed at removing what is seen as degrading Native American mascots.  Reedsport has been known as the Braves and Roseburg the Indians.  Seven schools will be allowed to continue "Warrior" names, but will have to change mascots or graphics that depict Native Americans.  The ruling also impacts a number of elementary and middle schools.

Armed Forces Day at State Capitol
The Oregon National Guard is scheduled to participate in a ceremony to honor all military members on May 17 at the State Capitol Mall in Salem, Ore.  The Armed Forces Day event is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., and will include an F-15 Eagle flyover by the Oregon Air National Guard, and a Howitzer salute by the Oregon Army National Guard's 2-218 Field Artillery.  Scheduled to preside over the ceremony is Mr. John Kroger, State Attorney General, who will be representing Governor John Kitzhaber.  He will be joined by Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, Adjutant General, Oregon, and Brig. Gen. Steven Gregg, Commander of the Oregon Air National Guard.  In addition to honoring all military members, the event will also feature displays from various units throughout the Oregon National Guard.  The Oregon Army National Guard's 234th Army Band, and high school Junior ROTC teams from local communities will also be featured.  Armed Forces Day was originally created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in all of the branches of the military, and was designated as an official holiday in 1962 by President John Kennedy.

Let's Go Camping Program

Registrations for 17 separate weekend camping programs for novice campers are starting to fill up, according to Jill Nishball, volunteer services specialist for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).  "Let's Go Camping," a program designed to encourage families to try camping, offers organized camping getaways at 17 Oregon State Parks this summer. For a small fee, $20 per family, OPRD supplies the gear, sets up outdoor activities, and has trained volunteers to lead each weekend event.  "It's a great introduction to camping," said Nishball. "Families learn things like how to set up a tent, build a fire safely, and what to bring along for a day hike or a special outdoor program." She noted that activities vary by park location, but that all offer a well-balanced introduction to camping in Oregon.  Nishball said that all events are low key, fun and family-oriented. "The events begin on a Saturday, but registrants can show up Friday night if they like." OPRD provides everything people need to be comfortable, such as tents, sleeping bags and pads and helpful instruction. Participants bring food and personal items.  Some Let's Go Camping events are sold out, but several are not. June openings are still available at Deschutes, South Beach (Newport) and The Cove Palisades State Park.  Registration is easy. Call Reservations Northwest toll-free at (888) 953-7677 or e-mail oprd.reservations@state.or.us. Visit www.oregonstateparks.org and click on Let's Go Camping for more details.

Boating Fatalities

Coast Guard statistics for 2011 show too many perishing, injured.  Total boating fatalities last year rose to 758, the highest number on record since 1998, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s official 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics released Wednesday, May 16.  From 2010 to 2011, total reported accidents decreased less than one percent from 4,604 to 4,588, deaths increased 12.8 percent from 672 to 758 and injuries decreased 2.3 percent from 3,153 to 3,081. Property damage totaled approximately $52 million. The fatality rate measured 6.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 14.8 percent increase from last year’s rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.  Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents. Alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 16 percent of the deaths.  Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket. Only 11 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instruction.  In Oregon, there were 10 recreational boating fatalities in 2011. Eight of the fatalities occurred on rivers, one occurred in the ocean and the other on a lake.  Three of those fatalities involved alcohol and seven of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.  The boats involved in the fatalities included five paddlecraft, four open motorboats and one sailboat.  “We’re alarmed about the increasing number of deaths nationwide,” said Capt. Paul Thomas, director of inspections & compliance.”  Thomas emphasized the importance of boating responsibly, citing the story of a family who lost two children while kayaking in Big Horn Lake in Wyoming last summer. After the weather picked up, the seven kayaks capsized and the party became separated. Boaters should always check the weather forecast prior to launching and remain watchful of changing conditions.  The Coast Guard and Oregon State Marine Board remind all boaters to boat responsibly while in or around the water: wear a life jacket, take a boating safety course, get a free vessel safety check and avoid alcohol consumption.  To view the 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.aspx.  For more information on boating safety, visit http://www.uscgboating.org and http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/Pages/safety/safety.aspx.