Port celebrates new dock; Florence woman dies west of Walton; Relay for Life still taking donations; and City Council debates appeal

Port Dedicates facility with Saturday ceremony…

The Port of Siuslaw celebrated the completion of a new transient dock facility Saturday morning with enough elected officials to conduct a political convention. Only half of the 14 on hand spoke during a ceremony following a tour of the $1.8-million dock. Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio was one of those and he led off…
200 – “The fabulous new dock facility which we just got to visit is an extraordinary asset and likely to attract a lot of people who are doing coastal runs in here because it’ll be about the easiest access and a bout a two minute walk to a great restaurant or downtown.”

The Springfield Democrat was instrumental in securing $500-thousand of the funding for the dock which can provide services, including electricity and waste pump-out for nearly any vessel that draws less than 25-feet of water. It also increases the ability of commercial fishing vessels to off-load their catch.

A 58-year old Florence woman died yesterday when the car she was driving crossed the centerline, sideswiped an oncoming pickup and crashed head-on into an approaching sport utility. Sarah Elizabeth Dain was pronounced dead at the scene of the 10:30 AM crash, 30 miles east of Florence on Highway 126. The family in the sport utility, including a two-year old and eight year old, were taken to River Bend Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The occupants of the pickup were not injured. Police closed Highway 126 just west of Walton for 4 ½ hours as they investigated.

After 24-hours and more than $65-thousand raised, you might think organizers of the Tenth Florence American Cancer Society Relay for Life would be ready to kick back and relax.
201 – “It doesn’t stop there. We will continue to collect money throughout this month, through August 31st at OPB or the fire station so folks that didn’t have a chance to donate prior to the event can donate then and count towards their 2009 totals.”

Relay spokesperson Pam Hickson expressed gratitude for the dozens of sponsors and team captains, as well as the several hundred volunteers that put this year’s relay together.

The Florence City Council will have three main options tonight when they take up the matter of an appeal of a Planning Commission decision of the Ocean Dunes Planned Unit Development. According to information provided by city staff the council can either uphold the commission’s decision outright, overturn it, or amend it by adding another condition of approval calling for stricter protections of wetlands areas on the east side of the development.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Northwest League Baseball:
The weekend started with a promising seven-nothing shutout over the Yakima Bears Friday night at Civic Stadium for the Eugene Emeralds. Saturday, however, they found themselves in a deep hole early. The Ems mounted an eighth inning rally that netted four runs, but fell short and they lost 8-5. Sunday’s game yielded similar results with the Bears coming out on top 7-6. Game four of the five game series is tonight.
Prep Sports:
Fall sports camps for Siuslaw High School Athletes get underway this week. The Football program is hosting several different age groups on the gridiron; Volleyball practice gets underway in the gym; And cross country runners hit the sand for the grueling ‘dunes camp’. The girls team, by the way, will be seeking their sixth straight state title.