Local News Digest: Peer Court; School Board; Pounding and Christmas Trees

Community Discussion on Florence Peer Court

It’s been around for many years, but many people in the community aren’t aware of Peer Court.  For the past several years it’s been held in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club and Mo Young with the Lane County Prevention Program says it operates on a basic principal.

Mo Young – “What peer court does it gives the community an opportunity to hold kids accountable for their actions.”

It relies on adults volunteering to help oversee the program, as well as youthful input.

Mo Young – “The youth would go to peer court and there would be a jury of their peers, a lot of whom have also gone through peer court and they would kind of plead their case and then their peers would choose their sentence.” (click here to listen to quote)

Young says it has been effective.

Mo Young – “It’s a great way to keep kids out of the system, in fact 85% of the kids in Lane County who went through peer court did not return, they did not reoffend.”

It’s also been efficient.  Young says it reduces stress on police, juvenile courts and corrections.  Young, along with Lane County juvenile probation officer Keith Sheldon will be at the Siuslaw Public Library tomorrow afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30 for a community discussion on Peer Court.

Community Connections

The Siuslaw School Board wants to expand connections between schools and the community.  They’ll talk about goals and work on establishing guidelines for community partnerships with Siuslaw High School tomorrow evening during a special meeting.  Board Chair Deena Mitchell says they would like to encourage internships and cooperative work programs between the school and businesses, non-profits and government agencies.  Mitchell says the board’s job tomorrow is to review existing policies and make sure they enable those types of activities. The Siuslaw School Board meets at the District Office on Oak Street beginning at 6:30.

A Pound of this and a pound of that…

It’s the time of year for a couple of different activities.

One of those is helping to raise money and supplies for Florence Food Share.  Cindy Wobbe will be hosting her 11^th “Pounding” where people are encouraged to – quote – “bring a pound of this, or a pound of that”.  Wobbe, who owns Mon Amis Gourmet Deli and Antiques will be at Grocery Outlet from 9:30 to one Saturday collecting food for the local emergency food pantry.  As she has for the past ten years, Wobbe will match donations pound-for-pound.  In the past decade the annual tradition has brought in more than 55-thousand pounds of food donations.

Another seasonal tradition… heading out to the forest for a rustic Christmas Tree.  Permits for that annual activity will go on sale beginning next Monday at all Siuslaw National Forest offices.  Permits are $5 each and allow the permit holder to cut one tree for personal use.

Sports – Tupua Athlete of the Week

Viking running back Sonny Tupua is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the week.  The senior amassed 141 yards on 23 carries in Siuslaw’s playoff win over the Molalla Indians, his sixth 100-yard-plus performance.  Tupua found the end zone 3 times, making it a total of 19 times this season, extending his total as the all-time career leading scoring at Siuslaw with 328 points.  Honorable mention goes to Neal Larson who had 22 carries for 131 yards, including runs of 28 and 20 in the victory over the Indians.

On the strength of that win the Vikings will face Greater Oregon League champion Baker this Saturday afternoon at Hans Peterson Field.  Reserved seat tickets will be on sale Thursday only at Siuslaw High School from two to three PM… adult tickets are six dollars, students four.