Highway 126 closed for fatality investigation; Senior Center fundraising making headway; Heceta Head Coastal Conference to feature NOAA head.

Senior Center Fund Raising Makes Immediate Progress.

Florence Mayor Phil Brubaker says the response has been tremendous. In less than a week the Senior Center Committee has banked just under $20,000. Approximately half of that came in the form of a one-time $10-thousand grant from the Western Lane Community Foundation. Backers of the new center proposed for the north end of Singing Pines Park on Kingwood Street have until August 12th to raise $100-thousand or run the risk of losing an $800-thousand Community Development Block Grant. Brubaker, along with key members of the planning committee will talk about the current efforts this afternoon during the KCST Community Forum. Jan Nieberlien, who wrote the initial grant application, along with Paul Culy and Linda Lauck will talk about why adjusting the project to reduce costs is not a viable option. Also joining the conversation will be City Council President Nola Xavier. That program on 106.9 is at 4:05.

Highway 126 just West of Mapleton will be closed through late morning as authorities investigate a fatal crash. The two-vehicle head-on crash occurred at six this morning. Emergency crews cleared the scene just before seven. That’s when Oregon State Troopers closed the roadway. Alternative routes include using Highway 38 between Reedsport and Interstate Five as well as Highway 20 out of Newport.

Police are seeking a 22-year old Florence man who walked away from the Justice Center while on a medical pass. Keith Brown was serving a 90-day sentence for failure to pay fines and assessments on a previous assault conviction. He was given the pass to receive medical treatment and failed to return. He’s described as being 6’2”, 215 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities say if anyone knows the whereabouts of Brown they should not confront him, but contact Florence Police.

The Heceta Head Coastal Conference will be turning inland for the first time this fall. The two-day conference, in it’s fifth annual run, will concentrate on the effects of land use on Oregon’s ocean. Two high-profile speakers will grace the program. Dr. Robert Malouf the former director of Oregon Sea Grant will open discussions on Friday, October 23rd. A panel discussion on Saturday will delve into the correlation of land development and ocean impact. Also that day, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under-Secretary of Commerce and the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will address the conference via electronic link from Washington DC on Oregon’s Ocean Policy.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Northwest League Baseball:

Edinson Rincon drove in five runs last night, four with one swing of the bat on a grand slam, aiding the Eugene Emeralds to an 8-3 victory over the Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco. Rincon’s blast to left field came in the second inning and provided four of the six runs in that frame as the Ems wrapped up an eight game road trip. They’re back at Civic Stadium tonight in Eugene where they’ll open up a five game stretch against the Boise Hawks.