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Chase ends in arrest
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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, January 3, 2024 Florence, Oregon
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Number 1 • 133 years
Vandalism closes park restrooms By TONY REED Siuslaw News
Siuslaw News Staff
Residents of Florence may have been surprised to witness the conclusion of a police chase near the Highway 101/126 intersection at about 9 p.m., Dec. 23. According to Lane County Sheriff’s Lt. Thomas Speldrich, a deputy saw a westbound pickup truck driving at a high rate of speed on Highway 126, while honking its horn. “The pickup pulled over on its own before the deputy initiated a traffic stop,” Lt. Speldrich said. “The deputy then contacted the driver at which time she provided him with a fake name. She sped away moments later to which the deputy pursued.” Florence Police Department was notified that the chase was heading toward town and an officer responded. Spike strips were deployed by FPD which popped the truck’s tires, but the driver continued See CHASE, page A7
Florence Public Works personnel placed closed signs on the Miller Park restrooms after finding someone had attempted to kick the door in sometime from Dec. 26 to 27. Public Works personnel at the location Wednesday morning noted that one door had been repeatedly kicked, leaving it bent and partially open. Personnel were able to bend and push the doors back into the frames temporarily. Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer said the cost to replace or repair the doors and locks has not been determined. She added the interior of one of the restrooms was also damaged. She said Florence Police are investigating and reviewing footage from cameras in the park.
She said that while the park has been a magnet for vandalism, people should know “the park has security cameras and they do work.” Park restrooms are locked at dusk. She said if officers identify a suspect, the case will go to court in the same manner as a private property vandalism case. Anyone who saw or has any information about the vandalism is asked to call Florence Police Department at 541 997-3515
PHOTO BY TONY REED
Personnel were able to force bathroom doors at Miller Park back into the frames after unknown subjects forced them open. (left photo) door displayed an obvious footprint where someone attempted to kick it open.
OLD GROWTH PROTECTIONS
More protections coming for old-growth forests under federal plans
ANNOUNCEMENT
Rhododendron Festival logo winner
Fun Fact Changes to the U.S. Forest Service’s national and Northwest forest plans should protect more old-growth trees from wildfire and climate change.
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has mad a selection
After announcing in October the theme for the 2024 Florence Rhododendron Festival, “High Tides and Good Vibes,” the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has selected a logo for the event. The 117th edition of the family friendly Oregon institution takes place May 16 to 19. The design was crafted by Shaun Brown of 4 Color Pro (4colorpro. com) in Florence. This is Brown’s third win in the last six years. See LOGO, page A7
PHOTO COURTESY FROM THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
About 25% of all the remaining old-growth trees across all national forests and grasslands in the lower 48 states are in national forests in the Northwest that are managed by federal agencies. ALEX BAUMHARDT Capital Chronicle | Guest Article
America’s oldest trees, most of which are in the West, will get added protection from wildfire and climate change under updated forest plans from the U.S. Forest Service. In announcements in mid-December, officials from the Forest Service said they would begin the process of
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Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B8-9
amending forest management plans affecting all 128 of the agency’s forest and grasslands, including the Northwest Forest Plan governing federal forests in northern California, Oregon and Washington. The amendments, both nationally and in the Northwest, are meant to bolster forest health to combat climate change and to further protect
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the last of the nation’s old-growth trees, many of which have been threatened by growing wildfires, drought and diseases. While updates would limit timber harvests in old-growth areas, logging would likely be allowed to continue in some mature stands in the Northwest.
Susan Jane Brown, founder and attorney at the Oregon legal nonprofit Silvix Resources, said the idea of leaving mature forests on the table for logging makes conservationists a bit “queasy,” but she said it is inevitable on federal forestlands managed for multiple uses. See PLANS, page A6
Siuslaw News 2 Sections | 20 Pages Copyright 2023
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