Fire destroys Florence Home…
Firefighters are still trying to determine whether or not there was anyone at home this morning when fire ripped through a home near 35th Street. Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says the home, at 1739 North Siano Loop was engulfed in flames when the first units arrived on scene just before five AM. There were reports of several explosions as the home burned, but nobody was injured… at least on the outside. Whether or not anyone was at home is still to be determined as Barrett says officials have still not made contact with the single occupant of the home. It’s not clear of that person was at home or not. Neighbors called 911 after smelling smoke and spotting the flames. Barrett says the cause of the fire is still unknown.
Letter Writing Campaign aims to expand marine reserves
Conservation groups have been pressuring Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber to use his executive authority to expand the number of marine reserves off the Oregon Coast from two to five. Oregon’s first two reserves, one just north of Newport at Otter Rock, the other near Port Orford, are scheduled to be implemented in January. But, conservation groups have been pressuring Kitzhaber to use his executive authority to add three more. Kitzhaber used a similar method to declare a moratorium on executions in Oregon last week and members of the Coast Range Association and Onward Oregon have mounted a letter-writing campaign. Commercial fishing groups are opposed to the establishment of additional reserves, saying they would make the most productive fishing areas off-limits.
Elk Hunters lost and found
A pair of elk-hunters spent last Wednesday night in the brush when they became lost north of Florence. 65-year old Billy Grover of Florence and his 17-year old grandson Brandon Lehn of Grants Pass were reported as being presumed lost at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. Deputies, rescue volunteers and family members responded to the Herman Peak area that afternoon and searched into the evening before taking a break. Voice contact was established with the two early Thanksgiving morning rescuers made their way to them before daylight. Lane County Search and Rescue Coordinator John Miller said the two were mildly hypothermic, but otherwise unhurt. They were reunited with family members 24-hours after being reported missing.
Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…
Siuslaw clinches championship berth
Sonny Tupua rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns and the Siuslaw Vikings downed the Central Panthers 38-21 in one semi final game of the OSAA 4A football playoffs Saturday. It was the 12th win this season for the Vikings, an accomplishment matching only the 2006 team that eventually went 13-0 and won the state title. Siuslaw will face La Salle Saturday at 2:15 in Hillsboro. The Falcons downed Elmira 47-29 in the other semi.
Ducks roll the Beavers… set to meet Bruins
The Oregon Ducks wrapped up a spot in the inaugural Pac-12 Championship game with a 49-21 Civil War win over Oregon State Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium. The Beavers ended their season 3-9 overall, 3-6 in conference play. Oregon will face south division winner UCLA Friday evening at five. The Bruins, by the way, were blown out by USC 50-nothing Saturday and will not make a bowl game if they lose this week. The winner of the conference championship game will advance to the Rose Bowl.
College Basketball
The Oregon State men played before a presidential audience Saturday morning in Towson (TAO-sun), Mayland… downing Towson University 66-46. Beaver head coach Craig Robinson is the brother of first-lady Michelle Obama.
