Oregonians cleanup beaches; 101 bridge over Siuslaw set for overnight closures as 126 bridge preparing for new traffic; State Parks fees could go up.

27-hundred tons of garbage…

More than three-thousand-seven-hundred volunteers picked up almost 55-thousand pounds of trash and debris from Oregon’s 362-mile coast line Saturday during the 25th anniversary SOLV Great Oregon Beach Cleanup. Early morning rain didn’t deter volunteers according to program coordinator Diana Bartlett. She said some of the most common items found were Styrofoam, plastic bottles and cigarette butts. But, the more interesting items included an unopened package of hot dogs with a 2008 expiration date, a car bumper and a pacifier. Bartlett added there were also more than 125 shoes and flip flops gathered… but she didn’t note how many were matched pairs. Scientists have discovered more than five-million square miles of the Pacific Ocean are covered with floating trash, most of it plastic generated from shore-based activities.

Work on the lift span of the Siuslaw River Bridge will force overnight closures on Highway 101 all week. Beginning tonight and continuing through Thursday night traffic will be blocked at 11 PM and reopen at five AM. Emergency traffic won’t be impacted and crews will allow traffic through every two hours, at one and three am as needed.

Speaking of bridges, traffic over the North Fork of the Siuslaw River on Highway 126 could be shifted onto the new span just south of the existing bridge as early as the end of this week. The new bridge is nearing completion and Oregon Department of Transportation officials say traffic could begin using it by early October at the latest. Once the shift occurs, demolition of the current bridge will begin.

One of four hearings set for around the state on a proposed fee increase at Oregon State Parks will be held tomorrow from six to 8:30 PM at the Central Lincoln PUD office in Newport. Parks spokesman Chris Havel (HAVE-el) says it would be the first hike since 1996. Day use fees would increase from three to five dollars and camping fees would go up by about $4 per night.

Coastal temperatures are expected to reach a daytime high in the mid-80s today along the coast and into the 90s in the Willamette Valley. At the same time, according to the National Weather Service, a freeze warning is posted for eastern portions of Oregon and Washington where overnight temperatures are expected to reach 30-degrees.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Prep Football:
A two-point conversion attempt with 33-seconds remaining in the game failed Friday night and the Molalla Indians held on for a 41-40 victory over the Siuslaw Vikings. In Mountain West League action, despite five Chad Walker touchdowns the Perrydale Pirates rolled to a 64-38 victory over the Mapleton Sailors. And, in Reedsport, the Braves easily handled Waldport 33-nothing. Keelan McDuffy ran for three touchdowns and Jason Fegles was five-for-five passing with one touchdown.

Prep Volleyball:
The Vikings swept the table at the Siuslaw Invitational Saturday in Florence, defeating Tillamook in four games, Phoenix in three, and Elmira in four games.

Cross Country:
The Viking Girls had four runners in the top ten at the Molalla Invitational at the Highland Tree Farm Saturday morning. Raelyn Robinson was closely followed by Samantha Pummer in first and second. Linda Paredes was fifth and Clarita Twombly finished in seventh place. In the Boys’ race, a similar finish with four Vikings in the top ten… Joseph Campbell was first; Jacob Berkner third; Brad Finnell sixth and Brad Greenburg was eighth.

College Football:
Oregon’s LaMichael James rushed for 152 yards to help Oregon beat number 14 ranked Utah 31-24 Saturday afternoon in Eugene. The Duck victory snapped a 16-game Ute winning streak… the longest in the nation. In Corvallis, Oregon State fell short against the Cincinnati Bearcats 28-18. It was the first non-conference home loss for the Beavers since 1996.

On the Schedule:
Siuslaw volleyball will be on the court in Elmira this evening against the Falcons.