Vets need support - Two swept off Newport jetty - Thanksgiving - Sushi for kids

Veterans Day underscores Vets’ need for support

Each day, an average of 18 veterans take their own lives… that accounts for nearly 20-percent of all suicides in the nation. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is considered to be a leading cause of military and veteran suicides. It can occur in those who experience or witness intense violence, serious accidents, or life-threatening events. PTSD can make people feel angry, hopeless, fearful, horrified and overwhelmed. But, it is treatable. According to David Dedrickson with the Oregon Partnership, many veterans balk at seeking help through traditional channels due to fear of career impacts or the stigma of perceived weakness. Some express frustration with red tape and self medicate or go without treatment. Dedrickson is a “Military Helpline Specialist”. One of a highly trained and dedicated team of volunteer caseworkers who staff a 24-hour a day helpline. The volunteers provide confidential crisis intervention and referral among the military community. Dedrickson said active duty military and veterans can call 888-HLP-4-VET or 888-457-4838. Information is also available at military helpline – dot- org.

The search resumed today for a man missing after he and a companion were swept off the South Jetty at Yaquina Bay. Witnesses saw the young couple walking on the rocks at midday yesterday, then watched as they were swept away by waves exceeding 20-feet. The Coast Guard recovered the woman’s body and continued to search until dark. Officials said no identifications have been released. They also reported two bicycles were found on the beach near the jetty.

Florence’s free community wide Thanksgiving Dinner is undergoing a change. The annual free dinner will be offered up this year at the Church of the Nazarene on 12th street from noon to two pm, two weeks from today. The dinner is being organized by the Florence Kiwanis Club in cooperation with the Free Lunch Program and Florence Food Share. Volunteers are needed to help prepare food, setup the dining rooms and assist in serving and cleaning up. Lloyd Baker is coordinating the effort… he can be reached at 902-9710.

A group of ‘celebrity’ sushi chefs including a former mayor and the current fire chief will assist Chef Christian Jakobsen in a fund raiser this Sunday afternoon for the Boys and Girls Club. Jacobsen, of Aloha Sushi and Hawaiian Barbecue will provide the authentic demonstration beginning at 4:30 at Roby’s Furniture and Appliance. While the faux-chefs will provide the fun, Jakobsen and Roby’s will be providing the real deal, including a Hawaiian Barbecue dinner. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club, Roby’s Furniture or Aloha Sushi. (in the interest of full disclosure; Coast Radio News Director Bob Sneddon will also be a 'faux chef')

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Democrat John Kitzhaber has begun the
transition into his third nonconsecutive term as governor with a
focus on jobs. At a press conference on Wednesday, he used language
that could have come from the talking points of the Republican he
defeated last week, Chris Dudley, in proclaiming that "the state
of Oregon is open for business."

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A Marion County Circuit Court judge will
decide whether prosecutors have enough evidence to convict a man
charged with the shooting deaths of three people in Salem. In
October, 42-year-old Marty Wayne Wendt entered an "Alford plea"
that allows him to avoid the death penalty by still claiming he is
innocent while admitting prosecutors have enough evidence to
convince a jury. Now, the Statesman Journal reports that
prosecutors have to prove that they could actually convict Wendt.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon's public universities are bulging
this fall with record-high enrollment of 96,960 students, a 5.9
percent rise over last year. It's the highest percentage increase
since 2001 and the third year in a row that the system has seen
growth exceeding 5 percent.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - West Linn police say an armed man invaded
the home of Columbia Sportswear Chairwoman Gert Boyle. The
Oregonian reports that officers answered a panic alarm at the home
and confronted a man in dark clothes who ran out the back door and
into a ravine. Boyle was unharmed.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland and other cities in east
Multnomah County are negotiating a new agreement with Comcast.
Extra fees paid by Comcast are one of the sticking points as talks
between the company and local governments drag on.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mauri brand Gorgonzola cheese sold by Costco
Wholesale Stores in Colorado is being recalled because potentially
deadly E. coli bacteria has been found in the product. DPI
Specialty Foods of Tualatin says the recalled cheese is packaged in
clear plastic in 1-pound wedges.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

College Football:
Except for Oregon at the top and Washington State at the bottom, the Pac-10 season has been filled with parity, just as the conference’s coaches predicted. But, this balance could end up leaving the Pac-10 with a grim bowl picture. Top-ranked Oregon, Number 7 Stanford and Number 18 Arizona have already locked up bowl berths. After that, it’s a bit more murky, putting the Pac-10 at risk of not filling its six-bowl allotment. Cal needs one more win to become bowl eligible, Oregon State, Arizona State and UCLA each need at least two more wins.