Local woman leads police on long and winding road; Sex offenders listed; City Council to hear update on HWD

Florence woman leads police on long and winding road…

A Florence woman is facing a variety of charges including Fleeing, Attempting to Elude and Reckless Driving after she allegedly led police on a chase from Florence to a remote road in the forest near Swisshome. It began about 4:30 Saturday afternoon on Highway 101 near the Siuslaw River when a Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 1996 red Ford Mustang for failing to stop at a stop sign. The car then fled north through Florence, taking several turns and managed to elude officers. A passenger in the car exited at one point and called 911, identifying the driver as 27-year old Tosha Marie Gustina. Police picked up the trail, followed the car on Munsel Lake Road to North Fork, and from there, via a logging road, onto Highway 36 north of Mapleton. The vehicle was eventually located, abandoned, on Stagecoach Road. Sergeant Spence Slater said officers lost sight of the car several times during the pursuit but were able to pick up the trail with the assistance of several residents who called 911 to report the car’s location. Slater said officers searched the area after finding the abandoned car and eventually located Gustina, on foot, near the Swisshome Store.

In an effort to keep local residents informed of risks in the community the Florence Police have compiled a report detailing sex offenders in the area. First off, according to spokesperson Sarah Huff, there are no predatory sex offenders living in the Florence zip code. But, she says, there are 52 individuals identified as being registered offenders. Of those, two are wanted for absconding from parole or probation and seven are currently supervised by the Sheriff’s Department. Huff said disclosure of information on non-predatory sex offenders is restrictive, but any member of the public can obtain a list simply by requesting it. She said it takes about two-weeks to process the request. Information on how to do so is available on the website www.florencepolice.net.

The Florence City Council will hear an update this evening on the status of current talks with the Heceta Water District to forge a series of inter-governmental agreements. City Manager Bob Willoughby says a series of issues are being worked on, including the charging of a franchise fee for Heceta water lines that run in city owned rights-of-way. In his report to the council Willoughby says the two parties are working out the details of how to implement such a fee that is not only easy to administer, but equitable for both agencies. The Council meets at seven pm at City Hall.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…
Boys’ Prep Basketball:
The Viking Boys basketball team picked up their first victory of the 09-10 campaign Saturday afternoon in Myrtle Point with a 59-49 victory over Gold Beach. With the win, Siuslaw picked up the consolation trophy at the Oregon First Community Classic basketball tournament. Friday night, they fell to tourney host Myrtle Point 54-31. In the Mountain West League, the Mapleton Sailors cruised to a 45-21 victory over Triangle Lake Friday evening. The win moves the Sailors to 2-1 in league play.
Girls’ Prep Basketball:
Siuslaw won the first round at the Oregon First Community Classic in Myrtle Point Friday evening, downing Myrtle Point 43-30. Gold Beach came away with the tournament trophy Saturday evening though, beating the Lady Viks 69 – 46. In the Mountain West, Mapleton fell to Triangle Lake Friday afternoon 41-30.

Oregon’s longest-running prep invitational basketball tournament opens up this afternoon in Reedsport. The 38th Dune Country Classic features boys and girls teams from Taft, Toledo, Yoncalla and Reedsport. It wraps up tomorrow.

College Basketball:
First the men… it took a while to get some separation, but the Oregon State Beavers eventually outpaced the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 76 – 62 Saturday evening in Corvallis. Head Coach Craig Robinson expressed his displeasure with the Beavers’ lackluster performance in the first half. Down Highway 99 in Eugene, Sophomore center Michael Dunigan had 16-points and ten rebounds to lead Oregon to a 72-60 win over Oakland of Michigan. Grizzlies’ coach Greg Kampe was ejected from the game with 4:29 remaining after strenuously arguing an offensive foul called on one of his players.

For the women… Talisa Rhea (REE-uh) led the Beavers with 20-points and Oregon State ended a four-game homestand with a 64-48 victory over Seattle University Friday night. The Oregon women are off to their best start in five years, improving to 9-2 with a 78-66 victory Sunday afternoon over Wyoming. Senior guard Micaela Cocks scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half to lead the way for the Ducks.