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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, December 6, 2023 Number 49 • 133 years Florence, Oregon

Driver dies in one of two crashes

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Warming center location still needed

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

A week after the Florence City Council approved the operation of a warming shelter unhoused people during forecasted cold snaps, temperatures in the area dropped and didn’t rebound for over a week. The Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter committee was granted permission to provide shelter when temperatures reached near freezing, but

still don’t have a building in which to operate it. FECWS treasurer Kate McLellan told the council Nov. 20 that churches had been contacted and there were a couple prospects for a shelter location. However, on Nov. 27, McLellan said she felt terrible but a location had not yet been secured to use as a shelter. She said that while temperatures had dropped, they still had not met the criteria necessary to open.

The FECWS policy is to offer shelter if the weather is forecasted to be below 40 degrees with wind and rain or during any weather below 34 degrees Fahrenheit. McLellan said she hopes Florence will realize the need and help. “All we really need is a big room with electricity and restrooms,” she said, noting that the group would be happy to have power reconnected to a building if it’s been shut off. The center would be

run by volunteers and costs would be covered by the committee. She said the committee also needs volunteers who would be ready to help with the shelter, when needed. Asked if any of the medium to large unoccupied commercial buildings in Florence would work, McLellan said “that would be perfect.” To volunteer or offer space for the shelter, call (541) 305-5548.

Call for Art

A fatal crash stopped both lanes of Highway 36 in a narrow stretch about one mile north of Mapleton.

Florence adding to rotating, outdoor art gallery By BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media

At the crash scene, frost can be seen on and alongside the pavement at almost noon, Nov. 26.

A state trooper and a marine deputy look into the water at the spot where a vehicle went over the guardrail and into the Siuslaw River along Highway 36. of an icy curve into the Story & Photos eastbound lane and struck By TONY REED a Honda Civic, operated by Siuslaw News Jeffrey Wayne Varga (18) Oregon State Police say of North Bend,” according a Florence man was killed to OSP reports. “The Ford in a collision on Highway became airborne and came 36 about a mile from Ma- to rest, fully submerged, in pleton Sunday, Nov 26. the Siuslaw River.” Lane County Search The crash occurred about noon, and while most and Rescue’s Dive Team other local highways were responded and confirmed clear, the stretch of High- Beecher died in the crash. The operator of the way 36 remained shaded Honda and passenger, Geand frosted over. “The preliminary in- neva Mae Varga, 21, of vestigation indicated a North Bend, were transwestbound Ford Explorer, ported to a local hospital operated by Benjamin Wil- with serious injuries. Traffic on Highway 36 liam Beecher (72) of Florence, crossed the centerline See CRASH page 5A

The city of Florence is looking for artists for their expanding Art Exposed Rotating Outdoor Art Gallery Program. From now through Dec. 15, the Florence Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Florence Public Arts Committee are seeking vi“Pluma Sculptura, aka The Feather - Kirk Seese” and “Glam-y Salmon” by brant, large-scale public Mark Brody art. Art Exposed offers the Art Exposed currently has 8 public art pieces on display throughout Historic community a chance to Old Town Florence, including “Pluma Sculptura” by Kirk Seese and “Glam-y view interesting, “fresh” Salmon” by Mark Brody, located in the Siuslaw River Interpretive Center on artwork every two years at Bay Street. Courtesy photos namic bi-annual rotation bility of the Florence area, a low cost, while providing work to a wide audience. artists with an opportuniThe rotating outdoor art of public art with the mis- create a unique sense of See ART page $A ty to display and sell their gallery program is a dy- sion to improve the liva-

Man walks through Florence on way across U.S. Story & Photos By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Residents along the Lincoln, Lane and Coos County coastline may have wondered why a young man was walking with a small cart, carrying and waving a sign that reads, “you matter.” Kyndal Ray Edwards is a 30-year old from Orange Park, Fla. Who is walking across America for mental health awareness and recovery. “Too many people are losing their lives daily to drug overdoses,” he said when asked why he’s walking the country. “Besides that, too many people are struggling with re-

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Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

Kyndal Ray Edwards spent a few days in Florence on his way across America to raise awareness of mental health and recovery issues. covery and mental health “It was in the five-and- drugs and the adrenaline issues. Edwards spoke of a-half-year prison sentence of committing crime. He’s his own life and struggles that something clicked in now 55 months drug-free with depression and ad- my mind and I decided to and says he’s walked over diction. Edwards said he’s change my life,” he said, 4,000 miles. attempted to take his own later explaining that he Edwards said years belife and has spent over six grew up a good household fore, he fell in love with years in jail and prison. but became addicted to See WALKING page 7A

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