High Wind Warnings in effect; Oregon Supreme Court alters ballot titles; Council busy tonight; and gathering wild Christmas trees...

High wind warnings in effect through tomorrow…

The National Weather Service is saying a stalled frontal boundary off the Oregon Coast will allow South winds to increase through the day with the strongest winds arriving on the central coast by this evening. Forecasters say strong south winds 35 to 45 miles an hour are the precursors to this evening’s 70 mile an hour gusts. The winds will be strongest along open beaches and on exposed headlands. And, the winds are expected to be at their strongest as the frontal system continues to move north offshore before coming inland late tonight. The storm has also prompted Marine Storm Warnings for offshore winds from the south sustained at 35 to 45 knots. Officials are also advising caution for those on or near beaches this afternoon. A high surf advisory is in effect for the period between four this afternoon and ten AM tomorrow.

The Oregon Supreme Court made a slight modification in the wording for a pair of ballot measures on a $733-million tax package that voters will decide in January. The group “Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes” challenged the ballot titles for Measures 66 and 67 saying they were misleading. The Supreme Court made fewer changes that what the group was seeking. The Oregon Legislature approved the tax increases on corporations and wealthy Oregonians earlier this year. Opponents gathered enough signatures to force a referendum in a special election January 26th.

The Florence City Council will conduct three separate hearings on a variety of issues this evening. First up is a hearing on a rate adjustment for garbage haulers. An advisory committee has suggested a 4 ½ percent hike because of increased costs. A second hearing is scheduled on an intergovernmental agreement between the City and Lane County on comprehensive plan amendments that would strengthen groundwater protection and is part of the city-county ‘co-adoption’ process for land use matters. The third and final hearing is on a proposed extension of development timelines for land use approvals. The regular council meeting is at City Hall at seven… prior to that the Council will meet from three to 6:30 at the Florence Events Center to discuss goals for the coming year.

It’s been a tradition for many people, load up the kids and head for the hills to cut a Christmas Tree. That can be a fun, but challenging effort. Bob Nowak with the Siuslaw National Forest says Douglas fir and Sitka Spruce are the most common species available on the Siuslaw National Forest while the highly sought after Noble fir are only found in higher elevations of the Willamette National Forest. No matter what variety you’re after, you’ll need a permit. They’re only $5 each and beginning next week will be available at any Forest Service office, including the Central Coast Ranger District office in Florence and the Oregon Dunes NRA office in Reedsport.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Prep Football:

The Scappoose Indians held Siuslaw to one fourth quarter touchdown and beat the Vikings 42 – 6 in the opening round of the OSAA 4A football playoffs Friday night.

College Football:

Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns; Sean Canfield passed for four more as the Oregon State Beavers overwhelmed the Washington Huskies 48 -- 21. It was the fifth Beaver win in six games. Oregon State ended the weekend with a number 19 ranking in the BCS standings.

LaMichael James ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns as the Oregon Ducks rushed over Arizona State 44 – 21, moving up from 13 to 11 in the same ranking.

Oregon State will be in Pullman against Washington State this Saturday… the Ducks will be in Tucson where they’ll face the Arizona Wildcats.

College Basketball:

For the men… Oregon State was one-and-two over the weekend at the ‘Duel in the Desert’ opening Friday with a 67- 43 loss to Texas A&M Corpus Christi. They picked up a win Saturday, 62 – 47 over South Dakota, then fell to Texas Tech yesterday afternoon 64 – 60.

Oregon hosted the BTI Tipoff Tourney, running over Winston Salem State Friday 94 – 43; UC Davis on Saturday 95 – 64; then edging Colorado State 68 – 53 yesterday afternoon…

For the Women… Oregon State posted their third straight win, this one 71 – 61 over Cal Poly on Friday night. The Oregon Women are at home this evening against Eastern Washington.