Local News: Trans Plan; Our Town; Gas Prices; Confluence; Prep Scores

Coast Radio News
Local News

Public Feedback Sought on Transportation Plan

City officials will unveil the first draft of updates to Florence’s Transportation System Plan later this afternoon.  City Manager Jacque Betz says work on the plan has been underway for several months.

Jacque Betz – “We are having an open house at the Florence Events Center from four to six-thirty pm and it’s going to be a very informative session for people to come and see what the advisory committee has been discussing on the future needs of our transportation.”

Development of the draft plan identifies several potential streets for widening; intersections for improvements; and expansion of other modes of transportation.  One of those other modes will be on display in the latter part of the open house.

Jacque Betz – “If you haven’t seen our Rhody Express bus before, it’s going to be available between 6:10 and 6:30 so people can get on it, take a tour of it, get a schedule and see if that’s something that they would like to try.”

The open house runs from four to 6:30 with a presentation on the plan details set for 4:30 at the Florence Events Center.

Our Town looks at Sea Lions, school week, legislature and… Our Town

This afternoon’s edition of KCST’s Our Town will feature a wide variety of topics.  Sea Lion Caves, north of Florence, opened to the public in 1932 and since then has been offering an up-close look at the massive Stellar Sea Lions that call the caves home.

The Siuslaw School District has been exploring the possibility of a 4-day school week for several months.  Board chair Deena Mitchell will talk about the process they’ve been using to explore the pros and cons of such a move.

House Co-Speaker Arnie Roblan is presiding over the legislative session that began this morning in Salem.  He’ll give a quick preview of what to expect.

And, Mayor Phil Brubaker sits down and talks about changes in city government over the past year… and what’s in store for the coming 12-months.  Our Town airs from four to 6 pm on KCST.

Local Gas Prices Steady

Crude oil prices have held relatively steady over the past week, but retail gas prices in most places have been on the rise.  Mostly, says Triple-A’s Marie Dodds, because of refinery closures in the U.S. and Europe.  Dodds says the national average price increased by six cents a gallon this week to $3.44 a gallon.  Oregon’s averge price went up by a penny.  It’s at $3.46.  In Florence the average is holding steady for the third straight week at $3.36 a gallon.

New and Improved Confluence

Organizers are calling it the “all new” Confluence Beer, Wine, Seafood and Music Festival.  The party will be moving from Gardiner to Downtown Reedsport for this year’s February 17th and 18th event.  The Reedsport Community Building will be the center of operations this year says Dee Dee Murphey with the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce.  The festival will feature several Oregon wines and microbrews, along with coastal cuisine and music.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…

Boys basketball… last night the Douglas Trojans ended a 15-game losing streak with a 49-44 win over the Siuslaw Vikings in Winston.  North Bend remains undefeated in Far West play, they beat Brookings-Harbor 70-39.  South Umpqua beat Sutherlin 58-44.  In Reedsport last night, the Braves beat the Bandon Tigers 45- 39.  In Marcola the Mohawk Indians beat Mapleton 65-49

For the girls, Nikki Parry had 19 points and 13 rebounds, but the Lady Vikings fell short on the road, losing to Douglas 42-37.  Brookings Harbor edged North Bend 41-34 and Sutherlin demolished South Umpqua 57-28.  In Reedsport, it was the Braves over Bandon, 45-28 and Mapleton downed Mohawk 34-28.