SHS Cheerleader performs in Italy
By TONY REED Siuslaw News
A Florence cheerleader spent New Years Day in Rome, Italy, and was able to perform in the New Years Day Parade there.
She also got to do something few Florence, Oregon residents will be able to do, which was to also see the City of Florence, Italy. Sylvia Hand, a Junior at Siuslaw High School and
member of the school Cheer Team, was chosen as AllAmerican Cheerleader in 2024 opening the door for her to go overseas. While there, she performed with other All-American cheerleaders as they walked the
Charter School looks at Master Plan
By TONY REED Siuslaw News
At its Dec. 19 meeting the Siuslaw Valley Charter School Board of Directors went over its Master Project Timeline and management and proposal for opening, as prepared by newly-hired Head of Schools
Arturo Ruelas.
“This proposal… is borne out of what I see is a need to have a comprehensive plan,” he said. “There are a lot of moving pieces.” He said the school is in the process of establishing governance, but
has more to complete, such as policies, training and working out budget formalities. He said the budget may need to be expanded to cover more than setup and year one expenses, including budgets for following years.
It’s been noted that SVCS will start as a k-4 school, adding a grade level every year until it becomes a k-8 school, but not a high school.
“I’m sure that we are on track and that there are accountability aspects to this project as well,” he said. “This plan includes all of that.”
Regarding student enrollment, Ruelas said “everything starts with students, and every educator says they are student-focused… That is also true for all people involved in education. [With] this project, we’re building the school, we’re recruiting teachers… It has to begin with the students.” Ruelas explained the district needs a targeted timeline for reaching enrollment, which the whole project revolves around.
“Enrollment dates will be published annually, beginning
See SCHOOL, Page A4
High School auto class gets donation
SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF
Siuslaw High School’s Auto Tech class received some help from the Rhody Cruisers Car Club last week. A donation of $800 was to purchase two rolling tool carts and 10 socket sets needed in the Auto Tech class. The donation was funded by profits from the Rhody Cruisers first annual Casino Classic Car Show July 2024
Club Treasurer Nahdo Selig
said club members are also looking to mentor auto tech students in the classroom and establish a scholarship program for students wanting to further their education toward auto technology careers. She said club members have a variety of mechanical skills, and some are versed in hydrogen and electric technologies. She added that some club members are dissecting an
internal combustion engine for the class to use as a moving education model, while the students are creating the trophies for casr club shows and events.
Currently, students are mostly disassembling vehicles and engines, but would also appreciate having a donated vehicle that could be rebuilt and restored. Call 925-9987352 if you have a vehicle that may suit that purpose.
parade route. Contacted Thursday while on a layover in Portugal, Spain, Hand said that being chosen for the All-American Team gives
See CHEER, Page A3
SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF
Two people are dead and a suspect remains in Lane County Jail following a report and investigation involving several law enforcement agencies on Dec. 26. According to Sheriff’s Office reports, Sheriff’s deputies, Oregon State Troopers, and Springfield Police officers responded to a residence in the 95000 block of E. Five Rivers Road, Tidewater, On Dec. 26 at about 10 p.m., for a report of a dispute with shots fired. According to the report, the
SHOOTOUT, Page A4
New laws will go into effect in Oregon to help curtail medicine costs, reduce drug use on transit
By BEN BOTKIN Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon is kicking off 2025 with new laws to stop drug use on public transportation, reduce the cost of prescription drugs and rein in the price of electronic device repairs.
On. Jan. 1, dozens of laws went into effect for Oregonians, affecting health
care, consumer rights and public safety. Last year’s legislative session focused in part on House Bill 4002, which allows counties to start new programs to steer drug users towards recovery programs instead of jail. Those programs and a new misdemeanor penalty for low-level drug possession
LAWS, Page A5
Student Miles James, Norm Mendonca , Martin Buck (Instructor), Bill Files (Rhody Cruisers VP), Dan Kerr (RC Pres), Debie King (RC Treas), student Dylan Wheeler.
See
Everett Scott Fuller
Siuslaw Cheerleader Sylvia Hand, center, performing in the New Years Day Parade in Rome. Photo submitted.
Helping yourself and others to medical peace of mind
By BOB HORNEY
Have you ever thought of “doing it yourself?”
Ok, let me get more specific. If you are familiar with my prostate cancer journey, you may remember that it involved surgery, radiation, bladder damage, incontinence and eventually, a Suprapubic Catheter, (SPC) for short.
My necessary routine care of the SPC is what brought me to this topic, Helping Yourself, which in various aspects of healthcare, may be applicable to other patients right here in Florence. For instance, I do weekly home infusions for Gammaglobulin instead of going to the hospital to have it done.
This particular catheter goes through a small hole that the urologist made in my abdomen just below my navel. That gives immediate access directly into my bladder without needing to guide a catheter up my urethra which I read could be between 7 to 8 5 inches. With the SPC, I lubricate
the catheter and it slides through the hole, entering the bladder almost immediately...no pain and very little momentary discomfort.
So, for a year (more or less) of going to the Urology Clinic here in Florence for a catheter change every 4 to 6 weeks, I finally “gave notice” that I was going to make the changes on my own. That was a big step for me because all the training I had was watching the urologist’s assistant do her job of preparing the new catheter and proceding with removing the used one, inserting the new one and hooking it up to my leg bag. Looking back, I certainly would have asked for some training before going out on my own, but it has worked well.
One of the reasons for my final decision was to take the worry out of an emergency catheter change due to a bockage of some sort. Those happen - there is no way to prevent them
from occurring “out of the blue.” The end of the catheter is “foot-loose and fancy-free” within the bladder and can strike the bladder wall and do other things depending on what activities this guy is engaged in. Once to the local ER was enough. Fortunately, Dr. Heather McArthur was able to find the right-sized catheter, change it and send me on my merry way. That hasn’t always happened and some guys have had to head for Oregon Urology in Springfield with a bladder that was ready to explode.
So, with practice, I can now change my catheter whenever it needs it. Several times it has been for unresolvable blockages between my regularly scheduled changes. The wonderful part of that is that I can do it at home without travelling to a healthcare facility.
Now, to the topic. With healthcare suffering from too few doctors/nurses/ etc., I realize I was part of that problem...taking healthcare time and space for something I could (and should) have done for myself at home. I sincerely apologize for that!
I am sharing this because I’m thinking others in Florence may be like me...using healthcare time and space for something they can do
for themselves...and... that others need. Yes, like the time and space that I didn’t need. I wish that I had realizing that sooner! Yes, I also wish I had been asked if I would like to learn how to do it myself and save Marianne driving me to the OUI Florence Clinic about monthly for the catheter change and eliminate worrying about a blockage occurring at the most inconvenient time/place. Several months ago, after visiting Dr. Mehlhaff at the Florence Clinic, I spoke with my catheter-changer and told her how well my home changes were going, her response was right on the button. She said that it gives me peace of mind. She was absolutely right.
I am a Patient Advocate member of the local PeaceHealth Patient Experience Committee and hear of patients waiting months for an appointment. I fully understand that a few of us making these changes won’t solve that problem, but we might put a “dent” in it locally. I may have opened the door for 8 to 10 annually at Oregon Urology and “maybe” someone at PeaceHealth with my weekly home infusions. If others can open spaces for patients at Peacehealth, that would be sincerely appreciated.
SHIRLEY BRESNIKER
Memories are little stars that shine through the dark of grief. Shirley Bresniker born Nov. 13th, 1945, passed away Nov. 16th, 2024
Shirley was the kind of person that was always positive and could turn a frown into a smile.
Shirley and I were together for twenty years and she brought the best out in me. Nancy, Debbie, Roberta, Al and Shirley were the bestest friends for Thirty years, they shared so much together. We fought her multiple
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Myeloma Amyloidosis with true grit. I respect her bravery, her joy of family and life, only the good die young. I love you. We love you. Barry Gerrity.
Who is Dan Rayfield Protecting?
Every time I hear Oregon mentioned in the national news; I cringe. First in the nation for assisted suicide, late-term abortions for everybody, tops in “weed” production, and lately, ready to defy federal immigration laws.
Dan Rayfield will be succeeding Ellen Rosenblum as Oregon’s Attorney General in 2025 Dan has already assembled a “Federal Oversight and Accountability Cabinet.” I thought we
LETTERS
had the Supreme Court and Congress as the checks and balances of the Office of the President. It appears that I am wrong, because surely what is paramount on President-Elect Donald Trump’s and Tom Holman’s mind is the “legal” opinion of one Attorney General and twelve angry lefties in a state of four million people, out of 335 million in the United States. If I could point out some pertinent facts here: Because liberals love to live together, Dan won 54% of the vote by conquering only 9 counties.
Will Lathrop won 46% of the vote among 27 counties, because conservatives like a little room to breathe. While Dan garnered a little over 1 1 million votes, the remaining 1 million who voted Red would like to become Idahoans.
Dan and his Posse are circling the wagons to protect persons who have defied our laws by entering our country illegally, and by ignoring The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Congress controls all immigration-related regulations. But the White House is in charge of
enforcing immigration laws. Judging by the 15-20 million non-citizens who have charged our Northern and Southern borders, perhaps we should rethink the vetting process for who’s in the White House.
I am guessing that Dan does not have the blessing of the 967 964 Oregonians who did not vote for him, as he seeks to prevent President Trump from doing his job. In case you missed it, the American People voted to take their country back. Dan! Read the room!
Diane Manos Florence, OR
CFrom Page A1
cheerleaders the opportunity to perform internationally. She said it was her choice to perform in Rome this year.
“Rome is beautiful, and I loved it,” she said. “This is the first time I have ever been to Rome, or Italy, so it was really amazing to experience all of the culture and the architecture in the country.” While there, she and other cheerleaders enjoyed buffet dining at their hotels, free time around the Vatican, panoramic tours of Rome and a tour of Florence, Italy, according to varisty.com . Hand was in Rome for six days and said she looked around for something that said “Florence” in English, but only found signage saying “Firenze.” Hand returned to Lane County Jan. 4
Siuslaw Cheerleader Sylvia Hand, in front of the Duomo in Florence, Italy.
in October to align with marketing and recruitment,” he said, noting that October has already passed. “Why do I say October? It’s ok that date has passed, but at that time, we did set our targets and we now what our enrollment target is. In October, we submitted our first ‘Intent to enroll’ list… In the subsequent months, we continued to update that intent to enroll.”
Ruelas said the lottery process for enrolling students once the school is over capacity, needs to be updated at the same time as enrollment policies and submitted to Siuslaw School District before April 1
The final lottery list with enrolled students
will be submitted by May 1 After some discussion about lottery procedures, Ruelas spoke about the formation of board committees.
“I would like them to be organized around this project,” he said. “These are special areas that require the attention of one, two, or three board members. We have seven members so that means we’re going to be on a couple different committees.” He said a steering committee will be the most important, which will remain apprised of all the aspects of the project. He also recommended approval of board committees at the Dec. 19 meeting.
A PLACE FOR CLASSES
With May 1 only four months away, Ruelas stressed that a site needs to be secured, saying
a site doesn’t mean an entire building and the timeline may also depend on whether renovation and construction needs to occur. Based on that urgency, Ruelas said committees need to be formed to keep SVCS accountable through the process.
When it was stressed that enrollment is not yet known and a building has not been secured, Ruelas said the target of 100 students has already been established.
“If we happen to find a site that we can meet in the deadlines that only holds 75 [students], then it’s an issue, but with the options we have right now, we should be able to fit 100,” he said.
THE RIGHT PEOPLE
As for recruiting and staffing, Ruelas told the board that the project will also need the right people.
Ruelas recommended that key staff be hired
Shootout
From Page A1
caller reported one person was dead.
“When law enforcement personnel arrived and attempted contact with people at the property, an officer-involved shooting occurred,” an LCSO release stated. “One resident was struck
during the timing phase of the project, including finance officer, a Human Relations specialist, an administrative assistant an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) specialist. Ruelas said that including his position, those would make up the minimum necessary for the project.
“Considering the budget, we may need to combine some of these roles, or outsource,” he said, asking if an ICT specialist is available in the area. King said one is being considered, but has not been contacted.
Ruelas said he’s open to outsourcing it, based on the local market, to meet the districts needs at this stage.
“I believe we can find somebody with a combination background of administrative assistant and HR,” he said. “That is more likely than HR and IT. I’m looking at the tone that are more easy
by gunfire and died from their injuries. No officers were injured.”
Authorities then began searching for 55-year-old Everett Scott Fuller of Tidewater, a small community east of Waldport. Authorities warned residents that Fuller was to be considered armed and dangerous.
On the afternoon of Dec. 27, Fuller turned himself in to the Sheriff’ Office. He was jailed on charges of Murder in the 2nd Degree.
“Further investigation revealed that a resident had fired shots toward law enforcement after they arrived on scene,” the LCSO report read. “This resident was struck
to combine.” Noting that some administrators also have backgrounds in HR or business, he said such a candidate may be easier to find.
“I believe we can meet these requirements,” he said. “We just have to be a little bit creative.”
Ruelas noted that SVCS essentially has two budgets; for startup and for year one operations.
“However, because we are now … putting together a comprehensive plan that’s much more detailed, it will impact the budget,” he said.
“Obviously hiring and outsourcing some of these services that are critical right now- that’s one example of how it’s going to impact the budget but there are other things as well that we recently experienced, that we can foresee. We have just one or two people overseeing this. Without a full comprehensive plan being detailed, those things
by gunfire from law enforcement and died from their injuries, but was later determined not to be Fuller.”
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on traumatic event leave as is standard protocol in deadly force incidents, according to LCSO. The Lane County Inter-Agency Deadly Force Investigation Team (IDFIT), is investigating.
As of Jan. 2, Fuller remained in custody at Lane County Jail and no additional charges have been added due to the investigation.
Asked if the two decedents’ families had been notified and their identities released, LSCO
are going to continue to surprise us and if we put together committees and put together plans for each of those phases of this project, we’ll have less surprises.”
Regarding project milestones, Ruelas said a January goal will be to have governance established.
Board member Larry Martindale called the plan “excellent” but said he and other board members may need more time to process it.
With three board members out during the meeting (just before Christmas), remaining board members opted to hold a special meeting Jan 23, to approve the hiring of the minimum personnel and formation of committees.
Editor’s Note: A full interview with Ruelas will appear in the next issue, along with results of the special meeting.
Sgt. Tim Wallace said it would be up to IDFIT whether to release the information, even though one decedent died before the officer-involved shooting. However, such information is typically withheld until the investigation is complete, he said.
IDFIT is comprised of investigators from the Oregon State Police, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Cottage Grove Police Department, and Florence Police Department. Any further information on this case will be released by the Lane County District Attorney’s Office.
started in September.
But other laws started this month that aim to address the drug addiction crisis and other issues. Here’s a look at the most significant changes:
Illicit drug use on public transit: Senate Bill 1553 takes aim at public drug use on transit systems. It expands the crime of interfering with public transportation to include drug use on public transit. That makes it a drug-designated Class A misdemeanor, which allows people convicted of the offense access to state-funded treatment.
The new law came in response to rising concerns about open drug use in and around public transportation. TriMet, Oregon’s largest transit agency which serves the Portland area, reports a 30% drop in riders feeling safe on buses and trains. The Tillamook County Transportation District was forced to close its transit center to the public because of drug use and drug smoke exposures.
Right to repair: Senate Bill 1596 is designed to make repairing electronic devices more fair and affordable in Oregon by preventing manufacturers from limiting where consumers go to repair their products. The new law requires original electronic equipment manufacturers to provide repair tools and information to owners and independent repair companies at a fair cost so consumers have more choices for repair options.
Preventing prescription mandates: House Bill 4012 prevents insurers from requiring that physician-administered drugs, like chemotherapy, be dispensed at specialty pharmacies. In the past, physicians could
“buy-and-bill” physician-administered drugs for patients. But there is a trend now of insurers trying to reduce costs by requiring that patients purchase physician-administered drugs from a specialty pharmacy. This practice has concerned providers because it is difficult for them to adjust dosages and can cause delays in care.
Prescription drug prices: House Bill 4113 is intended to help Oregonians with high drug costs. The law requires insurers to take account of money paid towards prescriptions when they calculate the enrollee’s out-of-pocket maximum costs. The law includes payments made through co-pay assistance programs, which some drug manufacturers offer patients. This helps patients reach the outof-pocket maximums in their policies easier and sooner, bringing down their costs.
The federal government also made a change on prescription drugs that affects Oregonians enrolled in Medicare, which covers seniors 65 and older and some people with disabilities. After enrollees reach a $2,000 cap on drug costs, they won’t have to pay out of pocket costs and receive catastrophic coverage.
Warehouse worker safety: House Bill 4127 offers protections to warehouse workers who face heavy workloads. The law requires employers to be transparent about their requirements for productivity quotes, a factor that advocates say has contributed to injuries in warehouse distribution centers. Under the law, workers are protected from dismissal or discipline if an employer fails to adequately communicate a quota requirement.
School bus safety: House Bill 4147 will allow schools to install cameras on school buses to record when drivers
fail to stop for bus safety lights. Under the law, police can use those recordings to cite motorists who fail to stop.
School board transparency: Senate Bill 1502 will require the boards of public school districts, community colleges and universities to video record their meetings and post the videos online for the public to view. School districts that lack the internet bandwidth can upload an audio recording as an alternative, and school districts with fewer than 50 students are exempt from the law.
Oregon investments: House Bill 4083 directs the Oregon Investment Council and the state treasurer to eliminate the state’s investments in coal companies. Lawmakers passed the bill in response to the need for clean energy, and it follows similar actions that other states have taken, including New York and California. Under the law, the state can continue to invest in coal companies if they demonstrate they are transitioning to clean energy within a reasonable period of time.
Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
OCC Editor’s note: The Capital Chronicle has launched a $10,000 endof-year fundraising campaign to help us continue our first-class coverage this year. A lot is at stake, and there’s a long legislative session in 2025 We’re completely dependent on donor dollars, which are tax deductible. Please contribute to us if you can.
Friendship - Fellowship – Fun FAITH DIRECTORY
To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441
ANCHOR OF HOPE CHURCH Live like Jesus, share His Love. 1318 Rhododendron Drive www.anchorofhopeflo.com Sunday Service 11am
Livestream on Facebook @anchorofhopeflo BAHA’I FAITH OF FLORENCE
“What is Baha’i, and Why?” 2nd Monday 7:00 pm Interfaith Devotions 4th Monday 7:00 pm Info and meeting location: 541-590-0779 Zoom link on Facebook: Florence Baha’i Community All ARE WELCOME! COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 4590 Hwy. 101 N, across from Fred Meyer541 997-7418 SUNDAY SERVICES - Adult Bible Study 9:30 AM; Worship 10:45 AM; High School Youth 7- 9 PM
Women’s Bible Study-Tuesday 10:00-Noon and Thursday 7:00-8:00PM; Men’s Bible Study Thursday 8:00-9:30 AM; Middle School Youth Wed. 7-9 PM. Sunday Worship streams
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025 Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School for adults is at 9:00 a.m. Online services at www.florenceunitedmethodist.org or find us on Facebook.
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337 Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family. Sunday Service 10:00 am Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall. Website: florence4square.com
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN E.L.C.A.
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
“Serving Christ by serving others.”
21st & Spruce Streets—(541) 997-8113 Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m.
Online services available on our FaceBook, YouTube, and website: www.florencenewlifelutheran.org
PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136
Internet and in person Sunday Services at 10:30am, Adult Sunday School is at 9:30am. Call the church for details. Reverend Greg Wood All Welcome. Come as you are.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We meet Sunday’s at 11am in our homes. Call 541-515-8191 for locations.
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S.
Worship Services 10 am • Bible Study 9:00 am Pastor Steve Waterman 85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
Facebook.com/ResurrectionLutheranChurchFlorence www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcflorence
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL Church Welcomes You
Worship Sun. 10am Wed 11am 2135 19th St. 541-997-6600 standrewssecretary19@gmail.com Labyrinth & Garden daily 8am-5pm “Be
PANEL FINAL STATS
Come explore the answer with us. Sunday Worship Services ~ 10:00am www.florenceuuf.com
SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
Siuslaw Basketball teams were handed back-to-back upsets at home in the Dec. 30 games against the North Bend Bulldogs. Despite strong starts by both the Viking girls’ and boys’ teams, North Bend kept the pressure on till the final buzzers, with notable leads in both. Final scores were 42/13 for the girls’ team and 63/50 for the boys’. Vikings teams went on to tournament games the next week. Tony Reed photos
Siuslaw football players honored with All-State Bulldogs chalk up wins over Vikings
Though football season may have ended in November, some of the players received recognition this holiday, as the Siuslaw Athletics Facebook page announced had received All-State rec ognition in OSAA’s 3A classification. Siuslaw ended the regular season as the #1 ranked team in the state but had their season ended when they played #9 North Valley in the
State Quarterfinals and lost 22-55
Despite the season ending on a down note, there were no shortages of strong individuals that helped get the Vikings their top-seeded finish and 9-1 record.
Players who were recognized were Will Johnson, Joel Sissel, Max Reynolds, Michael Felkins, and Jacob Mann.
Junior Will Johnson was one of four Vikings players honored for his work on both sides of the ball. Johnson was named the First Team All-State as a defensive back and was also recognized as Second Team All-State Tight End.
Senior Joel Sissel was exceptional
on both the offensive and defensive line this season. For his hard work in the trenches on the gridiron, Sissel received 1st Team Defensive Line honors and was also an Honorable Mention for Offensive Line all-state plaudits.
Senior running back and linebacker Max Reynolds was another Siuslaw player to receive honors as both a defensive and offensive player, as he was named the Second Team All-State Running Back and was Second Team All-State Linebacker.
The final Siuslaw player recognized for more than one position by OSAA was senior Michael Felkins. Standing at 6 3”, Felkins was a monster in the air for the Vikings,
earning Second Team All-State Wide Receiver. When the offense wasn’t clicking, and the Vikings needed to worry about field position, Felkins was also the punter. He received Honorable Mention recognition for punting.
The final Viking who was honored was senior Jacob Mann. Mann has been making waves in the wrestling scene this winter, but he also was a mainstay protecting the quarterback for the Vikings. Mann was named to the Second Team All-State Offensive Line for his contributions. With so many of the all-state recipients being seniors, it will be tough to replace them next season, but it will also allow others to step up in the new year.
Will LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
HAVE FUN! BEACH SAFE!
BEWARE THE SNEAKER WAVE
They´re called sneaker waves because they appear without warning, often surging high up on the beach with deadly force, and are impossible to predict. Sneaker waves also carry a large amount of sand that can saturate your clothes, weighing you down and making escape difficult if not impossible. How to play it safe: Never turn your back on the ocean.
WATCH THOSE LOGS
The ocean is strong enough to pick up even the biggest log and plop it down on top of you. Some logs may look small, but even the tiny ones can be waterlogged and weigh tons. How to play it safe: If you see a log in the surf or on wet sand, stay off it.
RIP CURRENTS
Rip currents are strong currents of water that rush out to sea. They are stronger than even the best swimmer. These currents can swiftly sweep unwary beachcombers and waders off their feet and out to sea. Rip currents may appear as dark, choppy water. Any time you see debris and foam floating out to sea, chances are you have found a rip current. Avoid the area. How to play it safe: Parents keep your kids close when playing in the ocean. If caught in a rip current, don’t panic Swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, then head for the beach.
KNOW THE TIDES
Incoming tides isolate rocks from headlands and the shore. Avoid the temptation of strolling out to an interesting rock without knowing when the tide rolls back in. Free tide tables are readily available at state park offices, information centers and many shops and motels.
How to play it safe: Stay off rocks and small, enclosed beaches.
Know when the tide is coming in by visiting the tidetable website at the Hatfield Marine Science Center http://weather.hmsc.oregonstate.edu/weather/ tides/tides.html
HIGH WAVES CAN REACH YOU
Tides and waves can sweep over rocks, jetties and headlands, knocking you off and carrying you out to sea. How to play it safe: Assume nothing is “high enough” and avoid exposed rocks, jetties and headlands during strong wave action (like during and after storms).
BEWARE OF HIGH, STEEP CLIFFS
Assume that all cliff edges are unstable. Wet trails or soft sand and earth can make for unstable footing. Rocks can be slippery even when it isn’t raining. How to play it safe: Make sure you wear proper footwear, and stick to the trails. Stay behind guard fences and railings, and don´t get too close to the edge.
HEADS UP
Standing at the base of an Oceanside cliff can be dangerous, especially if it has an overhang. In some places, winter storms and high waves have eroded the shoreline, increasing the chance of collapse and slides.
How to play it safe: Beware of falling rocks, and don´t climb on bluffs and eroding hillsides. Don´t walk along the base of cliffs unless absolutely necessary.
FACC Hosts Lions Club topic
Florence Area Community Coalition’s Jan. 8 monthly meeting will feature the Florence Siuslaw Lions Club, which in 2024 celebrated an amazing 76 years of service to this community. On January 8 2025, at 10:45 am in the Bromley Room of the Siuslaw Public Library (and online via Zoom), you are cordially invited to come and meet and learn about them. They champion kindness and actively work to improve the’ lives of people. They serve at many events throughout the
Community Briefs
year, do fundraisers, and provide sight and hearing services in the community. This Lions Club hosts an annual bass fishing tournament, they award scholarships to high school students, do vision screening of grade school students, collect used eye glasses and hearing aids, provide service to help address hunger in the community, and so much more! Lions are actively serving their communities in over 200 countries and geographic areas around the world. Florence Siuslaw Lions are looking for individuals right here in Florence who would like to join their team. Interested? Send
inquiries about the meeting to Florenceareacc@gmail. com, to PO Box 1161, Florence 97439, or call Brenda Gilmer 541-5905060;.For inquiries about Florence Siuslaw Lions Club, call President Jan Wilbur at 541-554-4642.Their FaceBook page is Florence Siuslaw Lions (not to be confused with an older, unused FB page named “Florence Siuslaw Lions Club”).
Florence UU Fellowship: What Does it Mean to BE Peace?
Submitted by FUUF
Join us on Jan. 12 2025 for a special hour as we explore the powerful question: Can we truly BE peace? We’ve all heard the famous quote from Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” But how do we make that a reality? This service, in honor of the “Season of Peace/Nonviolence” – a period observed by many faith traditions starting with Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and concluding with Gandhi’s deathday – will offer insights into how we can embody peace in our own lives. Rev. Dr. Miller will share lessons from King, Gandhi, and others, offering practical tools and resources to help us cultivate the peaceful qualities we long to see in the world.
Location: Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship - 87738 Hwy. 101 at Heceta Beach Road Date: January 12, 2025. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.; service begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join for this thought-provoking service.
For more information, please contact Sally Wantz - Florence.Unitarian@gmail. com
What are those things growing in the Dunes?
Put Wednesday, 1:30-2:30 pm, January 8, 2025 on your calendar for the next meeting of City Club of Florence when the special guest speaker will be Dina Pavlis, expert on the sand dunes of the Oregon Coast. The Oregon sand dunes are a living and thriving ecosystem. Pavlis will show the ‘what, where and importance of’ vegetation beginning to emerge in the dunes.
City Club meetings are held in the Bromley Room
of the Siuslaw Public Library and begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. Meetings are open to all interested persons and the public is always invited to partake in City Club programs. City Club meetings are meant to inform the public at large and meetings are open to all. For more information, call 541-999-0745
Matilda auditions open soon
Matilda The Musical will be presented for 6 public performances over two weekends, April 25, 26, 27, May 2 3, and 4th, 2025 at the Florence Events Center by C.R.O.W.
Open Auditions for Matilda will be held at C.R.O.W. Center for the Performing Arts – 3120 Hwy 101 on January 13th and 14th at 6:30 p.m. Roles are available in Matilda for youth ages 4-22+. A character breakdown and detailed audition information is available on C.R.O.W.’s website. Questions can be emailed to crowtheatrekids@ yahoo.com Additional information is available at www. crowkids.com/auditions
PFLAG to host Western Lane Crisis Response presentation
PFLAG’s first meeting of the new year will feature a presentation by the Western Lane Crisis Response team at its January 13 gathering. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Florence United Methodist Church, located on the corner of Kingwood and Second, one block west of Highway 101
The Western Lane Crisis Response team (WLCR) responds to the scene of various emergencies in the greater Florence community, including upriver in Mapleton and SwisshomeDeadwood, offering support and guidance to community members who find themselves faced with unexpected traumatic situations or mental health crises. They offer emotional support, assessment, community resources, and follow-up to help people in through difficult times. Staff are on call 24 hours a day through the 911 system dispatcher. WLCR also makes helpful literature available at no cost from www.wlfea.org/ mobile-crisis-response. Consider bringing a friend to the meeting. It’s free and there are always refreshments.
PFLAG-Florence is an affiliate of a national organization with more than 350 chapters and 200 000 members and supporters across the United States. PFLAG is the country’s largest organization for parents, families, friends, and straight allies united with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+).
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