Community effort for Holiday Baskets; Shots fired at DeFazio's office; Plenty of Halloween options.

Community effort coming together for Holiday baskets…

Tomorrow may be Halloween… but there’s already talk in the air of Christmas.
200 – “Of course we started talking about this in September. Getting all the operational stuff handled, sending out the donation request letters, contacting different businesses about whether or not they’ll let us put gift trees in their businesses again this year. General things like that, the nuts and bolts that go into getting it up and running.”

More than 30-years ago it started with the Florence Soroptimist Club wanting to make sure that less fortunate families had the makings of a Holiday meal. Over time, says coordinator Jan Nieberlein (NEE-burr-line), it’s become a widespread effort.
201 – “We’ve been very fortunate in the last couple of years in that Rotarians, Kiwanians, Lions, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, The Key Club, Rhody Princesses, all help us on the day of distribution. It has definitely turned into a community project.”

Distribution is set for December 19th. Last year, they raised $28-thousand and had food and gift boxes for about 500 families… but ran short. This year, says Nieberlein, they’re aiming for $30-thousand and 600 boxes.

The FBI says four shots hit the federal courthouse in Eugene sometime between late Wednesday and early Thursday. Three of them breaking windows in the office of Democratic Representative Peter DeFazio, a fourth striking the wall above the windows. No one was in the office at the time. The FBI said Thursday it's not known whether DeFazio's office was the intended target. It’s also not known if there is any security video

With Halloween falling on a Saturday it seems that there are more planned activities than ever. In addition to the traditional ‘house-to-house’ trick or treating, there are other formal activities … most in the late afternoon to evening hours. Area churches will offer everything from a ‘trunk or treat’ in the Nazarene Church parking lot to the ARK at Siuslaw Valley Christian Center and the “Howl-eluia” at Florence Christian Church. Businesses are getting in on the action… with the Merchants of Old Town welcoming Trick or Treaters from three to five in Old Town and Three Rivers Casino hosting a variety of activities for kids; and the Florence Police Auxiliary will be handing out treats at the Justice Center.

Lane County Animal Services has issued a reminder for pet owners to be alert to the impacts on their furry friends tomorrow night. Pets can become quite agitated with all the activity on streets and at the front door. Rochelle Jones with L-C-A-S suggest that you secure your pets in a quiet room away from activities and be sure to keep your animals away from the treats… many candies, especially chocolate can cause harm.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Cross Country:
For the second year in a row the Siuslaw Vikings swept both sides of the Far West League District Cross Country meet. The boys scored a perfect 15 points, paced by Joe Campbell as individual District Champion. The girls were paced by Raelyn Robinson and Samantha Pummer in second and third overall, scoring 24 points. Both teams will be at the OSAA State Finals in Eugene next week. The girls seeking their sixth straight state title, the boys seeking to regain a crown they last wore in 2004.
Volleyball:
Reedsport wrapped up the Sunset League regular season with a three game loss on the road to Gold Beach.
On the Schedule…
Prep football… no game for the Mapleton Sailors tonight, their matchup against Eddyville was cancelled due to illness and the forfeit goes to the Sailors. The Siuslaw Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a victory tonight over the Brookings-Harbor Bruins. The pregame show from Brookings High School is set for 6:45 on KCST. Reedsport will host Bandon… both games kick off at seven. // There’s plenty of prep volleyball tomorrow… the Mapleton Sailors will be in Junction City for Mountain West League finals… Siuslaw has the final two matches of the regular season and can clinch a more desirable playoff slot with at least one victory… they face North Bend at 11… Brookings-Harbor at one… both matches at North Bend High School. // And finally, on the college gridiron… UCLA and Oregon State face off at one tomorrow in Corvallis. The pregame show on KCFM is set for noon. At five, number ten ranked Oregon will host number four USC at Autzen Stadium. The pregame show on KCST will come at four.