Local News – Radioactive Tuna? It’s the Great Pumpkin Giveaway! Check the Back! Stream Team Raising Funds.

Coast Radio News
Local News

October 25, 2012

Trace Radiation Levels Detected in Tuna

“Minute traces” of radiation from the March 2011 Fukushima reactor disaster have been showing up in albacore tuna caught off the west coast of the United States.  Oregon State Graduate Researcher Delvan Neville says the radiation levels are “far below” anything that would pose a risk to humans who consume the fish; but he adds, the findings are preliminary with additional testing to come.

Neville adds the findings of a research team of scientists from Oregon State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could reveal new information about just where Pacific albacore travel during their migratory lives.  It also highlights how events in one part of the ocean can have an impact thousands of miles away.

Neville will present the preliminary findings of the study tomorrow night at the Florence Events Center during the Heceta Head Coastal Conference.

It’s the Great Pumpkin!

Hundreds of pumpkins will be handed out this afternoon by firefighters during the 23rd annual KCST Original Great Pumpkin Giveaway.  The annual event is presented by Florence True Value and takes place at Old School Furniture on Highway 101.

In addition to the free pumpkins, youth leaders from the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center will be providing activities and handing out treats while the Florence-Siuslaw Lions Club will serve up free hot dogs and root beer.  All of this takes place between three and five this afternoon.  It marks the 24th anniversary of Coast Radio.  KCST AM 1250 originally went on the air November 1st, 1988.

What’s on the back of that ballot?

Election officials in Lane County are urging voters to do one very important thing before stuffing that ballot in the secrecy envelope.

Look on the back.

Ballots were mailed out late last week.  Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart says there are candidates and measures on both sides of the ballot.  Once it’s cast, it can’t be amended or recast.  Betschart also says if you believe you’re a registered voter and have not received a ballot there is still time to update your current address and still get one.  Simply go online to Oregon-votes-dot-org to check on your registration and the status of your ballot.  Any specific election related questions can be directed to her office in Eugene.  Ballots are due back by eight pm, Tuesday November 6th.

Stream Team Raising Money

He knows that “it’s wet and the sun is not sunny… but the stream team is washing cars to make money”.

Those are the words of scientist and middle school scholar Andy Marohl.  He teaches science at Siuslaw Middle School and also shepherds the local “Stream Team”, an outdoor program aimed at teaching the science of fish habitat restoration and biology to sixth graders.  Marohl and his ‘stream teamers’ will be washing cars Saturday from nine to three at Oregon Pacific Bank.  Donations collected will be used to help pay for equipment and field trips.