Local firefighters to reach new heights; coffee with the chief; new ped crossing nearing completion; and blue green algae...

Fire Department reaching new heights…

A new apparatus has arrived for fire fighters in the local area. It won’t be fully functional for another 30-days, but when it is, Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue will be able to reach higher than ever before. The agency recently took delivery on a new Pierce Ladder Truck. It boasts a 75-foot ladder with a multi-use nozzle at the tip. The fire district paid half of the $632-thousand price tag out of cash reserves set aside for equipment replacement. The other half is being financed through Siuslaw Bank with debt payments being paid out of normal operating funds. Senior Captain Harry Moore said the number of tasks that can be performed by the new ladder truck are many. He said that it would make efforts more efficient as well as add to fire fighter safety. The department is currently equipping it with a communications system and will be installing tools and other accessories needed to make it functional. Moore said it may be operational by the end of this month, but added that it would most likely be the middle of November before it’s ready to make its first emergency response.

Florence Police Chief Maury Sanders wants to hear from residents both in and outside the city tomorrow morning. Sanders will host another of his regular series entitled “Coffee with the Chief”. His guest will be West Lane Resident Sheriff’s Deputy Kerrie Boggs. Sanders says Boggs will be on hand to answer questions and hear comments about law enforcement outside the city. The session is from eight to 9:30 tomorrow morning at Florence Municipal Airport.

A new pedestrian crossing on Highway 101 at 30th street is nearing completion and when it’s operational it will be the second of its kind in Oregon. Pedestrians will activate flashing yellow lights in the middle of the highway when they want to cross, alerting motorists to their presence. If they’re not able to cross in the allotted time, there’s another button on a refuge island in the middle. The design is similar to one that has seen success near Churchill High School in West Eugene.

Scientists say the frequency and intensity of toxic blue-green algae outbreaks are increasing. In all, there were 30 such events reported in Oregon this past summer. Health advisories at five different locations are still in effect. The worst outbreak came on a tributary of the Umpqua River near Elkton. That’s where four dogs died after playing in the water of Elk Creek in August. An autopsy on one of the dogs by Oregon State University scientists confirmed that it was poisoned by the toxic algae. State officials believe increased monitoring, public awareness and reporting are primarily responsible for the spike in cases, but acknowledge the scope of the problem is unclear.


TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Athlete of the Week:
Siuslaw Volleyball standout Seabre Church is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The Viking’s senior outside hitter connected on 15 kills in Siuslaw's 3-nothing Far West League win over South Umpqua last week, leaving the Vikings in a tie for second place in league play as they enter the second half of the season. Honorable Mention goes to Viking Sophomore Katie Catalfamo (kuh-TOFF-uh-MO) who was a perfect 17-of-17 from the service line with four aces in the same match, also adding four kills of her own from the net.

On The Schedule:
It’s the final home match of the season for Siuslaw Volleyball as they host the Sutherlin Bulldogs. In the Sunset Conference the Reedsport Braves will host the Coquille Red Devils… while Mountain West League action has the Mapleton Sailors hosting the Lakers of Triangle Lake in their final home match of the Mountain West League regular schedule.