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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Copyright 2007. Stories may not be reused in any form without permission. Senate OKs timber payments (2 p.m.) WASHINGTON — The Senate has approved a plan to extend payments to rural counties hurt by cutbacks in federal logging. The Senate plan would authorize about $2.8 billion to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act through 2011. Another $1.9 billion would be directed to rural states through a proposal to fully fund the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, which reimburses state and local governments for federally owned property. Jackson County receives $23 million annually through the program. The plan, approved 77-22, faces an uncertain fate because it is attached to an emergency spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even so, Western lawmakers were ecstatic. “Thanks to the wise action of the U.S. Senate today, rural communities across the country can rest a little easier tonight,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a leading sponsor of the plan. “After two years of federal inaction, the U.S. Senate today took the first important step toward honoring its 100-year obligation to rural counties and schools,” Wyden said. He urged the House to work with senators in a conference committee to ensure that funding for rural counties continues. Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, who directs U.S. forest policy, was pleased that the Senate endorsed an extension of the timber program, but said the Bush administration had significant concerns about the bill’s details. Specifically, he said the administration disagreed that funding for the current budget year should be made on an emergency basis, without corresponding cuts in other areas. — The Associated Press Singler plays on ESPN tonight (10:40 a.m.) South Medford basketball star Kyle Singler will be on national television today when he competes in the McDonald’s All-American boys basketball contest at 5 p.m. on ESPN. Singler and Kevin Love of Lake Oswego, the Parade magazine national player of the year, represent Oregon. Singler, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, led South Medford to its first basketball state championship and was named Class 6A state player of the year, average about 29 points, 11 rebounds and four assists this past season. Singler also made the Parade All-America first team. — Tim Trower Wake-up Call for Wednesday, March 28 Enterprise reprise: The county’s Board of Commissioners is set to approve enterprise zones near Central Point, Rogue River and Butte Falls today; businesses moving into the areas would get special deals on taxes. Commissioners consider the plan at 9:30 a.m. in the county courthouse auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. See maps, read previous story Put your best foot forward tonight when Follow My Lead Dance Studio hosts a ballroom dance party from 8 to 10 at the Central Point Grange, 436 Pine St., Central Point. The fare is $3. For the two left footed among us, dance lessons are available beginning at 6 p.m. Details: 773-8568. Don’t go there: Medford’s Cottage Street from Main to Taylor is closed until 4 p.m. today. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary