Florence police to focus on DV warrants; LC Fair turns profit; Drug bust nabs two in Old Town; and Coastal Fitness latest expansion opens.

Domestic Violence to be focus of Local Police

A total of 24 arrest warrants related to domestic violence will be actively pursued this month by Florence Police. Chief Maury Sanders says as of August 31st of this year, there were 72 incidents of Domestic Violence, down from 94 in the same time period a year before. Despite the drop, Sanders says there are “all too many incidents” and adds he community needs to work together to drive those numbers down. Local police will make warrant service a priority during October as a method of increasing public awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence. Sanders said public assistance in locating and serving the warrants is one aim. But, he says, the public is asked not to confront the individuals, rather provide information directly to police. A complete listing of the 24 warrants is available at www.kcst.com, just click on the “Coast Radio News icon”.

Cutting expenses and other changes paid off in a profit of more than a quarter of a million dollars for the 2009 Lane County Fair. Director Rick Reno said the $274-thousand net provided much-needed support to the 55-acre Lane Events Center. Fair profits have historically been around $300,000, but tumbled to less than $100-thousand in 2008. Reno said expenses were cut by 15-percent this year and cash from sponsors was up 50-percent. The center has an annual operating budget of $4.4-million.

Florence police acted on information last week that drug sales were occurring at a residence in Old Town. Tuesday night, they served a warrant at 261 Oak Street. They confiscated various drug paraphernalia, approximately 16-grams of methamphetamine and other controlled prescription drugs. 32-year old Austin James Moore and 25-year old Derek John Bouchet were arrested on a variety of charges.

It all started 18-years ago with one exercise bike, a treadmill, one stair climber and a few weight machines. The latest addition to Coastal Fitness opened to the public Saturday morning with a newly expanded 20-thousand square foot facility including two swimming pools now in operation.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Cross Country:
Several Viking runners placed well in Saturday’s Woahink Invitational. Raelyn Robinson and Linda Paredes were sixth and seventh individually. Jacob Berkner was first for the Viking boys in 5th place, Brad Finnell 7th.

Prep Volleyball:
The Siuslaw Vikings split a pair of matches in Myrtle Creek Saturday. After winning the first two games they dropped three straight to South Umpqua. Later in the day, the Vikings downed Brookings-Harbor in three. The Reedsport Braves made it to the semi-finals of the Oakland Invitational where they fell to the Marshfield JV.

Prep Football:
Peter Tupua provided the final score for Siuslaw as the Vikings picked up their first win of the season, 28 – 7, over the Yamhill-Carlton Tigers. Tupua scooped up a loose ball and ran it back 65 yards for a touchdown with seven minutes remaining in the game. In Mapleton, Chad Walker rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns as the Sailors downed Siletz 26 – 20. In Rogue River, the Reedsport Braves fumbled ten times, giving up eight of those in a 19 –8 loss to the Chieftains.

College Football:
Oregon State downed Arizona State 28 – 17 for their first win over the Sun Devils in Tempe in 40 years Saturday afternoon. In Eugene, the Ducks scratched the Cougars 52 – 6 and have moved up to number 13 on the AP Polls.