Dead squid by the dozens; ATV Rules hearings set; Gas goes down... slightly; and a swap meet for kids. er, just their clothes.

Big squid washing up on area beaches

Dozens and possibly hundreds of large squid are washing up on beaches on the Central Oregon Coast this week. Marine experts say they’re most likely Humboldt Squid, a variety that is not normally found this far north in the Pacific. Scientists say the creatures, also called “red devils” because of their red hue and voracious appetite, usually form in schools of several thousand. They can reach a size of up to six feet in length, although the ones found along the beach between the North Jetty of the Siuslaw River and Sutton Creek yesterday ranged between two and four feet. Bill Hanshumaker (HAHN-shu-MAY-kerr) with the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport says they don’t know what’s causing the squid to wash up. He adds they’re usually alive but under distress for some unknown reason. He also said there was a similar occurrence at this time last year. The squid have been reported as far north as Newport this week.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded dropped by one cent in Florence this week to $2.79. Oregon’s statewide average, as calculated by Triple-A, fell by the same amount this week, but is nine-cents higher at $2.88. Meanwhile, the national average price went down two cents to $2.54 a gallon. Oregon, Washington and California continue in the top five states for the most expensive gas in the nation for the fourth week in a row.

Hearings are set for Salem, Bend and Medford beginning later this week on proposed rule changes governing the use of All-Terrain-Vehicles. Most of the changes actually relate to how money raised from sale of registration tags is distributed. The 2009 Oregon Legislature approved a law requiring the changes. Much of the money raised will be available to law enforcement agencies that operate in ‘off road areas’. A new body, the All-Terrain Vehicle Advisory Committee is also being formed. The draft regulations are online at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department website, along with a specific hearing schedule.

Parents of infants and small children will have a chance to do some recycling this weekend. A swap meet for kids clothing is set for Saturday morning at Florence Christian Church at 2nd and Ivy. Suanne Jordan says parents can bring their clean and gently used clothing for infants through size 12 at 9 AM. Participants will sort them by size then begin the swap. New mothers are welcome to swap maternity clothes as well as pickup things for their newborns.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

On The Schedule:
The Far West League Volleyball schedule gets underway for the Siuslaw Vikings at home against the North Bend Bulldogs. The Mapleton Sailors are on the road in Eddyville for a Mountain West League match.

Community Sports:
Sandpines golf pro Bob Rannow shot a five-under-par 67 yesterday, leaving him in third place after the second round of the Northwest Open Invitational at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richmond, Washington. Overall, Rannow is six-under-par at 138, three strokes off the leader.