World File Photo by Susan Chambers Cattle huddle on small areas of dry land at a farm of Picture Valley Road, between Coquille and Myrtle Point, on Tuesday as the North Fork, South Fork and main stem of the Coquille River overflowed its banks after recent heavy rains. A few farm buildings and homes flooded in the Coquille Valley. The South Fork at Myrtle Point crested at 42.83 feet, according to the National Weather Service, on Monday afternoon. More rain is forecast for the coming week.

A soggy end to 2008 for the South Coast

School administrators learn their districts will face 1.2 percent across-the-board budget cuts ordered by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Coquille estimates its loss at $275,000; Myrtle Point, $70,000; and Coos Bay, $400,000. At the same time, Southwestern Oregon Community College reports it may have to cut classes to deal with its own budget crisis.

Other December news

• Delays on the repair work to the North Jetty at Coos Bay could leave the structure vulnerable to harsh winter storms.

• Bay Area Hospital considers expansion, while Southern Coos Hospital in Bandon cuts hours but keeps its workers employed.

• Per-barrel prices for oil drop to below $40 and retail gas prices plummet, too. Regardless, local businesses see no rise in tourism.

• Fires destroy a family’s home in Lakeside, a home in North Bend and a shop building in Powers.

• The Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas land use proposal heads to the Oregon Supreme Court.

• Cold and icy weather make holiday travel difficult for residents across Oregon and the Northwest. The freezing temperatures are followed by days of rain at the coast, which send the Coquille River flooding the Coquille Valley with near-record river levels along the North Fork.