❘ / SIUSLAWNEWS ❘ @ SIUSLAWNEWS WEDNESDAY EDITION ❘ AUGUST 19, 2015 ❘ $1.00 BANK FULFILLS CHALLENGE Sandboarders compete at Xwest SPORTS — B INSIDE — A3 SERVING WESTERN LANE COUNTY SINCE 1890 FLORENCE, OREGON Church LOCAL COAST GUARD CREW REUNITES to open youth D center Station Siuslaw River hosts commissioning crew during reunion weekend B Y C HANTELLE M EYER Siuslaw News Cross Road program open to teens interested in academic help uring the weekend of Aug. 8 and 9, and just a few days after the U.S. Coast Guard’s 225th birthday, the com- missioning crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River came “on board” to spend time with the current crew. The Station Siuslaw River crew listened to the hardships and chal- lenges faced by the men and women who stood the watch decades ago, a commissioning crew that was full of joy, laughter, sea stories and camaraderie, according to Chief Ben Snider, executive petty officer. “We really valued our time with the reunion crew that was onboard,” Snider said. “It was great to watch the connection between past and See Siuslaw News Cross Road Assembly of God Church recently announced plans to open an after-school teen program next month to help local youth with academic studies. “Our heart is to create an atmos- phere and a space to serve families,” said Cross Road Student Pastor Jeff Gowing. “Specifically junior high and high school students of our communi- ty through a teen-center-type model.” Gowing and other church staff and members are concerned about the high dropout rate of local junior and senior high school students. “We believe in education and assist- ing our community in that,” Gowing said. “Reversing some of the gradua- tion troubles that we have had in the last few years.” The details of the program, which will have a dedicated room within the church, have not been completely worked out, but the overall concept is to have a safe, secure place where teens can come to interact and get help with homework. “We are in the process of recruiting volunteers right now for tutorial coor- dinators, food preparation and securi- ty, to make sure we don’t have any unwelcome guests on the facility, to keep kids safe and also to make sure that the kids are being appropriate on the campus,” Gowing explained. A six-station computer lab is a part of the program’s future wish list, according to Gowing. He envisions students taking half-hour blocks of time on the computers to complete homework assignments. Although the church, at 1380 10th St. in Florence, will operate the youth center, the program will be open to all teens that might be interested in the help being offered. “We are faith based, but in no means are we going to dogmatically preach at kids,” Gowing said. PHOTOS BY CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS M iller Park hosted Florence Cub Scouts Pack 777’s Olympic Games over the weekend, during which participants fielded an obstacle course, kicked soccer balls through a goal and jousted with foam swords. More than 15 children participated, including 10 Cub Scouts, their families and prospective scouts. They finished the Aug. 15 games with an air-powered rocket launch. YOUTH 7A C O O L P L A C ES Oregon Dunes Overlook TO VISIT THIS SUMMER Highway 101, south of Florence ❘ 541-271-6000 INSIDE S PECIAL F EATURE : This summer we are highlighting unique spots that make the central Oregon coast one of the coolest places to live and play. A new location will be featured each week. Births . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5 In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A11 Library Tidings . . . . . . . . . . . A5 MANNY MERCADO CUB SCOUT OLYMPICS B Y J ACK D AVIS See CREW 7A Former crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River recently spent a weekend with the station’s current crew. A T A GLANCE : Just 10 miles south of Florence on Highway 101 near mile marker 201, the Oregon Dunes Day Use — also known as the Oregon Dunes Overlook — offers breath-taking views of the dunes and the ocean. The site, part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, features a three-mile roundtrip trail through the dunes to the beach that gives the opportunity for hikers to explore every aspect of this unique landscape. Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Weather Data . . . . . . . . . . . A2 COURTESY PHOTO THIS WEEK ’ S A $5 parking fee is required to visit the day-use area, which also provides wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms that overlook the dunes. The area is open year- round, but there are beach restric- tions from March 15 through Sept. 15 to protect the Western Snowy Plover nesting areas. For more information, stop by the ODNRA Visitor Center at 855 Highway 101 in Reedsport from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 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