Event to explain recycling programs

What really happens to all the stuff that you put in your recycling bins?

Julie Jackson of Allied Waste and Justin Fleming of OSU Campus Recycling will discuss local recycling programs and answer questions during a presentation scheduled for 7 p.m. March 13 at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters Corvallis, and the library.

For more information, contact Louise Marquering, 753-0012.

Christmas tree set to be cut down

PHILOMATH - Take a long, last look at the giant sequoia at the east end of town.

The town's unofficial Christmas tree, a 105-foot tall behemoth at 19th Street, is set to be cut down on March 6, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The tree is in the way of the couplet, an $11 million highway project currently underway. The property owner isn't fighting the tree's removal, because he believes the massive tree is damaging the nearby house he owns.

Wiger named top firefighter

PHILOMATH - Dave Wiger has been named Philomath Fire and Rescue's firefighter of the fourth quarter of 2006.

Wiger, who joined the department in October 1978, is a first service engineer and a first responder. He was honored for the extra time he puts in responding on calls, and consistently being at drills and helping out.

Auction to benefit Monroe sports

MONROE - The 10th Annual Dragon Pride Dinner & Auction, a fund-raiser for Monroe High School athletics, will take place starting at 5 p.m. March 10 at the high school commons.

"We have vacations, retail items, we have all kinds of things," said Denise Wall, high school secretary, and an organizer of the event.

The dinner and silent auction will run until 7 p.m., and be followed by a live auction.

More donations still are needed for the auction, though, and interested individuals should call Wall at 424-3443 or at the high school at 847-5161.

Cost of the dinner is $5 per person and $3 for children age 10 and under.

Longtime teacher to retire

MONROE - Grade school English teacher Babette Hall, who has worked in Monroe schools for 31 years, is retiring, and her last day of work will be Wednesday.

"Ms. Hall has been a mainstay of our staff and has always been held in highest regard by her peers and her students," said Superintendent Randy Crowson, in a district newsletter.

- Gazette-Times