Classic cars stop traffic in Old Town; Beach Cleanup and Habitat walk coincide; Council to finalize Ocean Dunes deal; and more hunger in Oregon

Rods and Rhodies take over Old Town…

164 of the finest classic cars in the Western United States were on display Saturday and Sunday in Old Town Florence. Organizers of the Rods and Rhodies Classic Car Show blocked off Bay street between Kingwood and Nopal Street for the two day event. Crowds of people enjoyed strolling up and down the middle of the street, eyeing the cars on each side. A cruise highlighted Saturday night, followed by a street dance. Awards were handed out yesterday afternoon. Show organizer Marv Van de Streek said Florence has become a popular destination for the owners of the classic autos. By midday Saturday, he had already registered at least 50 of the vehicles for next years show.

The 25th anniversary of the SOLV Great Oregon Fall Beach Cleanup is set for this coming Saturday. It coincides with the Florence Habitat for Humanity Beachwalk. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Beach Ranger Trisha Wymore said the two events should work well together. She said she hoped Habitat walkers would pick up a little trash as they stroll. Registration sites will open at a half dozen locations Saturday morning in the Florence area for the annual beach cleanup.

The Florence City Council is expected to take final action tonight granting final approval to the Ocean Dunes Planned Unit Development. The Planning Commission approval of the project had been appealed to the council in July. In a compromise worked out last month, additional protections to wetlands were added to by the council. The final version of those requirements is on the agenda when they meet tonight at seven.

The demand for food stamps continues to rise in Oregon. Despite signs of economic recovery elsewhere, demand for food stamps is still 31 percent greater this year than last, according to new numbers released by the Department of Human Services. Typically demand falls during the summer months, but that hasn't happened. State officials expect families will continue to face hard times in the months ahead as laid-off workers use up their unemployment benefits. A bad flu season could also spark greater need. The Oregon Food Bank has set its own records. The organization has given out 897,000 emergency foodboxes in the past year. Officials say distribution has never been so high.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Prep Football:
The LaSalle Falcons pulled away in the third quarter for a 28 – 13 victory over the Siuslaw Vikings. It was the first home loss for Siuslaw since the current field opened up in 2002. In Mapleton, Micah Espinosa scored three touchdowns and rushed for 171 yards as the Sailors cruised past Portland Lutheran 66 – 14. The Reedsport Braves also opened up with a victory,
28 – 3 over Oakland. Jason Fegles threw for three touchdown passes, one of them a 62-yarder to Cole Freestone.

Prep Cross Country:
The Siuslaw Vikings swept both sides of the Reedsport Road, Lake and Dune meet Saturday. Joe Campbell finished in 17:39 seconds to come in first, followed by Jacob Berkner in second place. Raelyn Robinson won the girls’ individual victory for Siuslaw with a time of 21:20. 33-100ths of a second behind her: Sam Pummer was in second. The Viking girls had five of the top eight runners.

Prep Volleyball:
The Siuslaw Vikings were undefeated in pool play at Saturday’s Reedsport Invitational, but fell to Oakland in three games in the semi-final match. The Reedsport Braves were also eliminated in the semi’s. Oakland went on to defeat Myrtle Point for the tournament championship.

College Football:
The Oregon Ducks held off themselves and the Purdue Boilermakers for a 38-36 victory at home Saturday night. Oregon’s defense accounted for 14 of the Duck’s points, returning two interceptions for scores. Purdue had a chance to tie it up with a minute remaining. But they failed on a two-point conversion try.

In Las Vegas, the Beavers came from behind for a dramatic 23-21 victory over the UNLV Rebels. Justin Kahut (KAY-hoot) kicked a 33-yard field goal into a stiff win with seven seconds remaining as Oregon State overcame a one-point deficit. Kahut had missed a 47-yard attempt, along with a ‘point-after’ earlier in the game.