The Coquille Public Library will be hosting an open house from noon to 3:00 on Friday Nov. 13th to unveil the Pam McKiney Memorial Collection of Books. This collection of over 40 high end books was purchased by the friends and family of Pam Mckiney. Many of the books about the subjects of cooking, gardening, home decorating, and other activities are those that Pam dearly loved

Cory Courtright continues her quest for justice in the murder of her daughter, Leah Freeman, even as she faces another painful anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 29 – the day that would have been Leah’s 25th birthday. Freeman’s life was cut tragically short when, at fifteen years old, she disappeared while walking home in Coquille, Oregon, the night of June 29, 2000. Her body was discovered in Fairview, a wooded town eight miles outside of Coquille, more than a month later on Aug. 3, 2000.

 After an autopsy was performed, it was determined that Freeman died from homicidal violence. Nearly a decade after her death, the murder remains unsolved, and Courtright is making a plea to local law enforcement, “I am simply asking Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier to dedicate a cold case team to re-investigate Leah’s murder. I don’t feel like the agencies handling the case have ever been in sync and with all of the personnel changes at the Coquille Police Department. I fear that crucial details of the investigation could very well have fallen through the cracks.” Courtright says she was aware of an active investigation before her daughter’s body was found, but has heard very little about other developments in the case since that point in time.

 Legal documents that were released to the public several years ago detail the initial investigation and can be found at http://www.leahfreeman. com/documents.ht m. In June, Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier explained to local media that while the case is considered “cold,” investigators remain active following any and all tips they receive. Courtright doesn’t feel like this is enough, “They need to do more than follow-up on tips. They need to have a dedicated team go back and look through all of the files again, re-interview everyone involved and re-examine all of the evidence.” Anyone with information regarding Leah’s murder is encouraged to contact the Coquille Police Department at (541) 396-2114, or Coos Stop Crime at (541) 267- 6666. Courtright’s family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. For more information please visit Justice for Leah on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pa ges/Jutice-for- Leah/143634984432, or at http://www.leahfreeman.co m.

The Red Devils treated downtown to a homecoming
parade held Friday afternoon, October 30, in preparation for
the Friday night football game and other festivities. The
Devils scored a 34 to 26 win over their rival, the Bandon
Tigers.

Have you noticed a man on the sidewalks of Coquille with a telescope? Don’t be afraid to walk up and introduce yourself. Tom Alleger will be happy to tell you how rewarding looking at constellations, comets (Hyakutake comet is seen above the banner on this page) and nebulas are. Alleger, who worked for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration during man’s first landing on the moon, has retired to Coquille and brought his passion with him.



 An important fact Alleger would like all to know is that the photos for this article were both taken right here in Coquille. One might think our weather is not conducive to viewing the night skies, but that is just not so. To make his point, Alleger has been setting his telescope up in front of the Community Building, the Downtown Studio or Sturdivant Park, hoping to show passersby just how exciting the Coquille night sky can be. Alleger built the telescope in his garage and says amateur astronomy can be a very rewarding pastime. Tom Alleger is one more interesting resource available to anyone who cares to learn about the heavens and what they hold.

Trick or Treaters: Devin Valejo, Makala Edgar and Taylor Waleke

There was plenty to do on Halloween night in Coquille. In addition to the regular house to house trick or treating, the Coquille City Police Department partnered with our Fire Department to build a haunted house in the old Lincoln Elementry building. Admission was $3.00 and a can of food. The effort earned a total of $2,400, to go to the Leah Freeman Scholarship Fund. The food will go to the food bank.

The City of Coquille Police and Fire Departments are pleased to announce Shop With the Hero's 2009.

Shop With the Hero’s is an exciting and innovative program which directly supports impoverished and needy kids in our community, with the support of the community. Last year, the Coquille Police and Fire Departments helped 100 kids have a great Christmas, and we hope to do the same this year, but we need your help!! We are seeking donations for this program. Every dollar you give goes directly to an under privileged kid within our community.

 If you should choose to donate, you can drop off or mail a check or money order to the Coquille Police Department, at 851 North Central Boulevard, Coquille OR 97423. Please make checks payable to: Shop with the Hero's. Our event this year will be held on December 12, 2009. All donations are tax deductible, and all proceeds go directly into the program (Tax ID # 93-6002143). If you wish to contact us by phone, please call (541) 396-2114. The men and women of the Coquille Police and Fire Departments thank you!!