101 Pedestrian crossings get a boost; Second set of remains found on Yachats beach; Reedsport police pursue sex abuse investigation

Pedestrian safety gets a boost…

Officials gathered on the center island of a new pedestrian crossing at Highway 101 and 30th street in the rain yesterday to cut the ribbon on improvements aimed at making it easier and safer to cross the roadway.
200 – “Well, it’s a much more visible presence, the crossing is. All of the features of it, the median island, the flashers and then the crosswalk striping is all designed to make the crossing more visible to motor vehicle drivers.”

Sheila Lyons is the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. She and the dozen or so city and state officials were on hand to commemorate the completion of what is hoped to be the first of about a half dozen similar crossings in Florence. Lyons said the cost so far is about $150-thousand.
201 - “That was not all spent at this particular location because we designed another location and then we did preliminary design, I think, on an additional four locations.”

O-DOT and the City of Florence are teaming up on planning for those crossings. The next one is scheduled for sometime next year between Seventh and Eighth Streets. Four others will eventually be installed: At Second; Twelfth; Fifteenth; and between 18th and 19th. All of the crossings are intended to prevent another tragedy like the one that claimed the life of then 14-year old Dustin Eichelberger at 30th street in 2000.

No identification has been made yet on a second body discovered on the beach just north of Yachats over the weekend. The remains were found Sunday about a mile north of the spot at Smelt Sands State Park where another body was found December 3rd. The first remains were later identified as those of Bill Bodewig, one of two fishermen who did not return as expected from a fishing trip on the rocks between Florence and Yachats. 23-year old Nicky Lutz (LOOTZ) of Florence also disappeared at the same time. Authorities say they have not determined whether or not the latest remains are his. A celebration of life has been set for two pm Saturday afternoon at Siuslaw High School for Lutz.

Police in Reedsport are continuing their investigation into possible sex abuse allegations against 33-year old Justin Vail Ure (YURR-ee). Several abuse charges have already been filed aginst the Reedsport man, alleging he victimized two boys, one 11, the other 13. Judy Macho (MOKK-oh) with the Reedsport Police said investigators are seeking information on whether or not there may be other victims. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact them.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Prep Basketball:

First the girls… Siuslaw battled back from an early deficit but led the entire second half for a 41 – 32 victory on the road over the Elmira Falcons last night. Stacie Voogd was six of ten from the free throw line with 14 points to lead all scorers. Seabre Church and Jenna Hanslits had eight apiece. In Crow, Liz Harry led the lady Sailors with 11 points, but Mapleton fell to the Cougars 48 – 30. On the boys court, Eric Tipler had 13 points for the Vikings, but Siuslaw fell for their third straight game, 54 – 41 to the Elmira Falcons. The Mapleton Sailors also a low… this on the road, 77 – 70 to the Crow Cougars. Chad Walker led the Sailors with 33 points.

Athlete of the Week:

Siuslaw Wrestling standout Jacob Graber is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The Senior 125-pounder won his first three matches with a fall and two decisions before finishing in sixth place overall at the North Bend Coast Classic last week. Honorable Mention goes to Siuslaw basketball standout Leigh Aurich who averaged 8 points per game for the Siuslaw Viking Girls basketball team last week.

On The Schedule Tonight:

The Oregon State women will host the U-C Irvine Anteaters in Corvallis.