Rescue dog comes to the rescue over the weekend
By TONY REED The Siuslaw News
A local woman, and perhaps her entire neighborhood, are lucky a Great Pyrenees was on the lookout over the weekend.
Debbie Colob lives off Willow Loop in Florence and had been letting her rescue dog, Freya, out at night because it seemed to be more comfortable there.
“The last few nights, I’ve been letting her out,” Colob said. “I sleep next to the window with the window open and the other night, she came around and woke me up.” Colob said the dog continued to bark in a more commanding
Transportation Commissioners hear bridge noise complaint
River Bridge is a working drawbridge, constructed in 1936, which emits an audible sound when vehicles pass over the center span.
Miss Oregon Teen returns from National pageant
By TONY REED
The Siuslaw News
Miss Oregon Teen Ashlyn Hart is back in Florence after going to Hollywood, Calif. for the Miss Teen USA pageant, and while she did not advance, she’s in great spirits and thankful for the experience.
She said the first day was preliminary, adding that she did well, followed by the interview segment, which has more weight in the total judging.
“I ended up not placing in the top 20,” she said, noting that round was the first of eliminations. “I didn’t place and I thought I would be more upset by it, but I wasn’t,
Ashlyn Hart
because I felt like I learned so much throughout the week. I made really good friends with all of the
girls and we learned a ton, so I was totally happy with how the week went and I think it was an incredible experience.”
At 17, going into her senior year, she said she plans to continue competing in pageants and may enter the Miss Collegiate America scholarship pageant next.
“Eventually, when I turn 23, I’d like to work my way up to do Miss America,” she said, noting that she go to see Miss America while in Hollywood. “That’s my goal pageant.”
Saying she plans to attend
of the Siuslaw River Bridge from a nearby resident. As many locals know, the bridge emits an audible sound when vehicles pass over the center span of the drawbridge.
Sarah Rodgers said she moved to Glenada Road a half mile from the bridge in 2019, “when you folks had a nice, quiet, synthetic blacktop on top of the bridge… and in your infinite wisdom, you took out the quiet, synthetic blacktop and put in a metal grate on the draw section of the bridge.” Rodgers said she has taken decibel level readings, reaching 80db to
See BRIDGE, Page A9
Florence hosted National Night Out August 6
Parking stacked up for blocks around Miller Park, the expanse of which was covered with people and inflatable structures Tuesday for National Night Out.
According to Florence Police Chief John Pitcher, the event featured 10 inflatables (that included obstacle courses, bounce houses, slides, and more), dunk tanks, face painters, glitter tattoo artists, balloon twisters and a DJ. There was section for bicycle education/ safety and a sensory tent which
is provided and staffed by ARC of Lane County.
“A sensory tent is a specially designed space aimed at providing a controlled, calming environment for individuals with sensory needs,” Pitcher explained before the event.
“These tents are used to offer a retreat where individuals can relax and manage sensory overload, helping them to better participate in and enjoy their surroundings.”
By TONY REED
Siuslaw News
The Siuslaw
Homeless registration program adopted
By TONY REED The Siuslaw News
As part of its recent adoption of temporary sheltering codes, the Florence City Council adopted a resolution allows private property owners to host people experiencing homelessness, and allow them to essentially “camp” on their property. However, property owners will need to register with the City to do so.
According to Planning Director Wendy FarleyCampbell, the program is modeled off similar programs enacted in other Oregon coast cities including Bandon, Seaside, Roseburg, Salem and Newport.
FOUR PARTS
Farley-Campbell said the program has four major components; required registration information, standards and guidelines for registration, the approval process and revocation.
An applicant will be required to provide information about themselves, the permissions given, the name of the occupant(s), a description of the proposed sheltering site, and how sanitation will be handled. The application will also ask for the number of people and pets staying on the site.
Occupants will be made aware of standards and guidelines regarding utilities, city codes and resources, as well as revocation procedures.
“We’ll be looking for certifications from the owners and occupants that they read the standards and guidelines, that they understand the rules as they apply from the code, and… agree to them,” she said. FarleyCampbell noted that the city will need to know the location of the temporary shelter, whether it’s a tent, backyard, driveway or other location and whether a restroom will be located in a house, inside an RV or a portable restroom. The city will also need to be notified whether the shelter will be a tent, vehicle, RV or other type. Vehicle registration information will also be required.
“We want the registration and information on the motor vehicle so we’ll know if they are swapping them out and you have a new group of people,” she said, noting that the city needs to know if a change of temporary residency has occurred.
Hosts would need to provide garbage service and access for emergency service providers would need to be disclosed.
A $75 shelter registration fee will apply and the application would be reviewed by staff. If approved, the City would issue a Proof of registration card. If the card is revoked and the owner wishes to appeal, a $$167 fee would apply for processing (as established in the fee schedule).
Farley-Campbell said that other cities with similar programs register the agreements for a month or less, with some as short as a nightly approval.
“I thought, ‘my goodness, what staff has time for that?’” she said, noting that 7, 14 and 21 day limits would be better.
She said the city will need to update its website with downloadable information and forms, along with information sheets and maps. Revocation of the permit would be at the discretion of the city manager
and all parties will be made aware of the process.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Rob Ward started council deliberation by noting that additional changes may be made later on as needed.
Councilor Bill Meyer brought up the disruptive noise levels of generators. He said he searched whether quiet generators exist and found some, but still make noise of up to 50db at 3 to 10 feet away. Meyer said it should be required that generators meet the “quiet” definition, or other measures must be taken to muffle the noise.
Farley-Campbell said the code, as proposed, prohibits generators, so as not to annoy neighbors.
City Manager Erin Reynolds added that electrical connections are allowed with extension cords, but must be waterproof and safely routed. No connections can be made to the City sewer system and any RV holding tanks must be emptied off site, she added.
Councilor Jo Beaudreau asked about the registration card issued to property owners to be put in an area visible from outside the home. She said she agreed with it for the sake of notifying first responders of extra people there, but thought it might bring negative attention, as well.
Farley Campbell said the idea was simply to have proof, onsite, that the owner had City approval to host people experiencing homelessness.
“We have a similar process for building permits,” she said, noting that the card would tell residents and neighbors that they are acting with City approval.
Beaudreau questioned whether time limits could be extended, noting that it may take longer than expected for people to transition back into housing. Reynolds said it would be up to the council to balance helping people with impacts to the neighborhood, but the original premise was that it would be “temporary.”
Ward noted that any predetermined time limit may be adjusted later if it’s causing impacts to an area.
After some discussion regarding the possibility of new approvals, conditions, extensions and fees, the council agreed to allow a 30-day permit, with a 30-day extension if needed, and the ability to host one or more guests (families). However, to mitigate impacts on a neighborhood, a property owner cannot exceed 90 total days in a rolling calendar year, starting from the issuance of the first permit.
Reynolds noted that administrative details were still being worked out since the program is being set up for the first time.
“Once the program is set up and you set he fee by resolution, we can make some tweaks, within reason, so if there are some things we want to administratively edit, I would feel comfortable doing that within the boundaries that you have given in the code,” she said.
Reynolds noted that the $75 fee could not possibly cover all the administrative and staff time that will go into each application.
“We don’t want to be burdensome,” she said. “We want to be able to provide some level of tracking and provide people an opportunity to legally shelter people temporarily on their property … and just because this is happening in real time, a reminder that this whole process was discussed in detail over this whole year and adopted by council on July 1. It is truly for no compensation.” She said that while a guest can be expected to clean up after themselves and mitigate damage, there is to be no exchange of services, goods or money for the use of the property.
Code enforcement personnel would be responsible for dealing with issues but the city manager has the final say regarding revocation of a permit for repeated offenses. That decision can be appealed, for a $167 fee.
Wantz and Ward expressed, at different times, interest in finding out just how many property owners will take the city up on the proposal and make their property available for temporary sheltering.
FLORENTINE ESTATES COMMUNITY YARD SALE
AUGUST 17, 2024 9 AM - 3 PM
DONATION AT GATE WILL GO TO OCHS
$5.00 FROM 9 AM TO 10 AM
$3.00 FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM
SALES SUPPORTING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
OCHS - DAR - PEO - DAV
Cal APPLEBEE
When it comes to the fabric of our society’s heritage, America’s love affair with our automobiles, in my humble and biased opinion, ranks as an elevated example of how serious we are about cars, and the Florence area community is a prime example of why.
For many of us that are baby boomers, our fascination with automobiles starts at an early age, and probably more so for boys than for girls, although I’ve met a lot of female auto addicts over the years!
Some of us were lucky and enjoyed various cars of our dreams throughout life’s journey. Some wait until their golden years to obtain the dream cars of our youth. In Florence, we have both it appears, as on any sunny day on the coast you can spot cars from the past. Some are classic time capsules, some are hot rods, muscle cars, foreign jobs or Jeeps. In addition, at various times throughout the year you can view local cars as well as cars from out of the area at multiple local car shows.
Car clubs in our region of Orgon are plentiful, some dating their heritage back to the 1950’s when the Beachcombers Car Club was created. It faded away sometime in the 1990’s evidently, but locals revived it once again when they began the legendary Rhody Days Show & Shine during festival time. Their last production of that event produced by that club was 2017 when the club faded away once again.
Historic military vehicles
enjoyed their own club presence beginning in 2007 when the Central Coast Military Vehicle Group was formed by local owners and enthusiasts. While it collected members from around Oregon, it too faded in 2018 as older members moved, passed away or lost interest. There are still several vintage, restored military vehicles in the community, and you often spot them during parades and car shows.
About the same time the Beachcombers Car Club coasted to the curb, the Rhody Cruisers appeared on the streets of Florence in 1998. Teaming up with the now dissolved Merchants of Old Town organization, they produced the annual Rods & Rhodies Invitational Car Show on Bay Street in Historic Old Town. That club is still going strong and growing, and now producing the Casino Cruisers Classic car show. They sponsor local club gatherings in addition to cruises both locally and to out of area car shows.
Offering owners of foreign cars their own outings and opportunities, the Central Oregon Coast British Car Club revved up for owners of cars from across the pond in 2010 Their website gives a clue to their events as well as attitude with “We don’t do tours unless food, wine or ice cream is included.”
They also allow other foreign makes such as VW and Mazda to join them on the road as they travel around our region demonstrating that attitude at various destinations.
More recently the legendary Jeep found a club home locally when the Florence
Jeeps R Us was formed by local enthusiasts coming out of the pandemic. Although a low-key informal organization, it still has over 140 members on its contact list, attesting to the popularity of the brand both locally and regionally. Typically only a dozen or so venture out on monthly back road excursions into the wilderness, but they also partner with another club, Oregon’s Bay Area Jeep Club just south of us.
And if that isn’t enough traffic for you, each year in August, a herd of horses invades the streets and dunes of western Lane County when the Northwest Bronco Roundup arrives. Several hundred vintage as well as new Ford Bronco’s visit our area to enjoy the amenities, packing our streets, RV parks and Casino, bringing their rides to show off but also their dollars to drop in our business community. Their show and shine is an impressive event. It isn’t just all fun and games for many of these clubs. Most of them actively support the local non-profit community as well. The Rhody Cruisers support the Friends of Florence van; Florence Jeeps R Us supports the Oregon Coast Military Museum; and those out of town Bronco’s pony up significant contributions to the Florence Food Share each year when they visit. So while those of us who enjoy our automobiles in various ways do so by various means, its not all just about polishing chrome and spinning tires. By enjoying our nation’s automobile heritage, they also support our local community.
Farmers Market is full of entertainment
One of the unique summer charms of Florence is its Farmers Market, where one can find healthy , locally-grown foods and other items in a setting that seems like something out of a movie. And then, there’s the soundtrack; Shorebirds and river sounds mix well with upbeat live acoustic music and the Aug. 6 Farmer’s Market has it. Music August 20 will be provided by Jamie Smith Jamie has been playing drums since he was 5 years old and guitar for some 35 years. A large part of his life revolves around music and he has gained great knowledge in all kinds of
popular genres. His mother was a musician too. Now, in Florence, Jamie is spending a lot of time putting together music groups for music jams, open mic’s, and other events.
Farmers Markets happen every Tuesday through the summer from 3 to 6 p.m.
By STACY LARSEN Communications Director, AARP Oregon
In today’s world, few things are as deeply woven into the fabric of our nation as Social Security. For over eight decades, this bedrock program has offered economic security and dignity to millions of retirees, people with disabilities, and surviving spouses and children. It is a sacred promise between the government and the American people who pay in and earn their Social Security over a lifetime of hard work.
A PILLAR OF RETIREMENT SECURITY
At its core, Social Security is a vital pillar of retirement security. Over the past years, as traditional employer-paid pensions have declined and retirement savings have shrunk, Social Security still provides guaranteed income Americans can count on
throughout their lifetime.
Today, 67 million people benefit from Social Security. Forty percent of older Americans rely on Social Security for more than 50 percent of their family income. Fourteen percent relies on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their family income.
IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
To demonstrate why Social Security is such a vital source of retirement income, about half of the workforce has no employer-provided retirement plan. More than one in three working households age 21 to 64 has no individual savings set aside for retirement and 44% of people who are closer to retirement -- ages 55-64 -- have no retirement savings accounts. Even those households age 50 to 59 with
retirement savings do not have enough; over 60 percent have less than $100,000.
PROMOTING ECONOMIC STABILITY
Social Security plays a pivotal role in promoting economic stability for individuals and communities by providing a steady stream of income to retirees, who spend it on the necessities of daily life, contributing $1.4 trillion a year to the US economy. Additionally, it reduces poverty among vulnerable populations and lessens the burden on other government programs.
THE FUTURE OF SO CIAL SECURITY
Social Security is paid for by dedicated payroll taxes and the interest those taxes
have built up in the Security Trust Funds. Before 2021, Social Security collected more in taxes and interest than it paid out, so it built up a surplus to support the retirement of the “Baby Boomer” generation. Today that surplus is being used to supplement incoming payroll tax income, but eventually the Trust Funds will face a shortfall in 2034 according to current estimates.
The shortfall is caused by a growing population of retirees and lower birth rates. When that happens, Social Security will still be able to pay 80% of benefits, but a cut of 20% -- an average of over $4,000 a year -- would hurt both individuals and communities. However, if our leaders in Washington take action, America’s most reliable foundation of income security will keep delivering on its promise.
Lunch & Learn - How to Leverage AI for Small Businesses
Date and Time:
Thursday, August 22, at noon
Location: Best Western Pier Point Inn 85265 Hwy 101 • 541-997-3128
Cost: $25 for lunch or $5 for drink only
Join us for an insightful and engaging Lunch and Learn event hosted by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce! This one-hour session is designed to provide you with valuable networking opportunities, a delicious meal, and an educational program that can transform your business operations.
Kick Off Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Lunch and Learn Sponsored by Beth Rudometkin, American Pacific Mortgage.
What to Expect:
• NETWORKING TIME: Connect with local business leaders and professionals.
• BEAUTIFUL LUNCH: Enjoy a well-prepared meal while you learn. (Lunch for $25 or drink only for $5)
• EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Discover how to leverage the advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for your business.
Featured Speaker:
Russ Pierson, Dean of Lane Community College, Florence & Cottage Grove Campuses, will lead the educational program. With a wealth of experience as an educator, innovator, and leader, Russ will guide you through various AI programs that can help your business save time and money. He will also emphasize the ethical use of AI, ensuring that your business can reap the benefits while maintaining integrity and trust.
Why Attend?
• UNDERSTAND AI APPLICATIONS: Learn about different AI tools and how they can be applied to streamline your business processes.
• ETHICAL AI USE: Gain insights into the ethical considerations when implementing AI solutions.
• TIME AND COST EFFICIENCY: Discover strategies to make your business operations more efficient, reducing time and cost.
Important Note:
RSVPs are REQUIRED for this event. Only those who preregister will be able to attend. No drop-ins will be allowed. Ensure your spot by clicking here to register. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your business acumen and network with fellow professionals. We look forward to seeing you at the Best Western Pier Point Inn for an afternoon of learning and growth! Please go to https:// bit.ly/3WQk5wA to register.
Restoration continues east of Florence
Submitted by
MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST
On Wednesday, July 17th, McKenzie River Trust staff joined our partners at the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in welcoming Governor Tina Kotek to haich ikt’at’tuu (formerly Waite Ranch). During the stopover, the governor was invited to learn about our collaborative restoration work as a part of her daylong visit with Chief Doug Barrett and members of Tribal Council. While at the project site, staff shared information about the efforts that aim to restore nearly 200 acres of tidal wetlands in the Siuslaw River estuary. Leading those efforts are the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, who are the primary project managers and have been integral in designing a project with broad
community benefits. Some of the project’s wide-reaching benefits include increasing important fish and wildlife habitat, building regional climate resiliency, and restoring Tribal culture and connections to the area. The visit focused on the co-benefits of restoring natural processes and building more climate-resilient communities through conservation and restoration investments.
The multi-year project began in May 2023 and paused for the winter months. Picking up again this spring, efforts are being focused on building a levee between Highway 126 which was built through the original tidal channel that was on the property, and the project area. As the levee construction continues into August, staff and contractors will turn their attention toward excavating a new primary tidal channel within
the property’s interior and beginning work on secondary channels ahead of the rainy season.
The project, which spent nearly a decade in the design phase, was initially limited by its adjacency to the highway, which serves
as the main transportation route between Florence and Eugene. Just east of Cushman, an area notorious for its seasonal flooding, project staff and engineers spent extra time working with the Oregon Department of Transportation to develop
a solution that buffers the highway from potential flooding and reintroduces critical connections between the land and river.
Meeting with the Governor, project staff emphasized the importance of the investments being made on the property to protect neighboring infrastructure, especially as coastal communities face the impacts of sea level rise and intensifying storm surges.
In addition to the levee, the project also includes installing an updated tide gate that will allow for fish passage while helping to maintain water levels in Prossler Slough. In addition to the numerous benefits for fish, wildlife, and people, the area will also provide space for the landscape to capture and hold floodwaters, helping to mitigate upstream and downstream flood risks for neighboring communities
HOW WE SERVE
Our members – the area’s top business and civic leaders – personify the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” INTERACT CLUB
Interact Clubs guide young 12-18 in developing leadership skills and discover the power of Service Above Self CLUB MEETINGS
On Tuesdays, our lunch meetings educate our members on important issues, build fellowship and provide networking opportunities. CLUB EVENTS
Our members, and their guests, meet regularly to exchange ideas, share interests, & celebrate our diverse perspectives CLUB PROGRAMS
During the club meetings we hear from community experts on various topics and, share ideas
Locals will recognize the area where the Siuslaw River left, branches away from Highway 126, right, at Cushman, top center. Screenshot from MRT interactive website
Our Partner in Polio Prevention
TEE, GREEN AND PRIZE SPONSORS:
• Shervins Tire and Automotive
• Rodger and Carol Bennet
• Shorewood Senior Living
• Cascade Title and Escrow
• Steve Skidmore
• Kitchen Klutter
• C&M Stables
• Lighthouse Electrical Contractors
• All Creations Construction LLC/
• Pastor Dale Edwards/Eddie Osorio
• Crossroads Church
• Heceta Self Storage
• Siuslaw Medical Clinic
• Janet Huston
• Johnston Motor Company
• Holloway and Associates
PLATINUM SPONSORS: Ray Wells Inc
Oregon Pacific Bank
Zolezzi Insurance Agency
Mehlum Family Foundation & Platinum Sponsors:
• KCST and KCFM/Coast Radio
• First American Title
• Peggy and Bill Meyer
• Oregon Pacific Bank
• Hanawalt Ferguson Attorneys at Law
• Sea Lion Caves
• Oregon Pacific Wealth Management LLC
• Haberly Painting
• Florence in Bloom
• Florence Eye Clinic
• Fidelity National Title
• Florence Heating and Sheet Metal
• Lofy Construction LLC
• Darlings Marina and RV Resort
• Florence Grocery Outlet
• Florence Motor Sports
• Blue Heron Gallery
• The Old Town Inn A very special thank you to Three Rivers Casino and Ocean Dunes Golf Links OUR SPONSORS: Peace Health
• Florence Glass
• Fresh Harvest Cafe
• Waterfront Depot
• Les Schwab Tire Center
• Hannawalt and Ferguson Attorneys at Law
• Rick and Jane Yecny Family
• Rick Cox, Coldwell Banker Broker
• River House Inn
• Rodger and Carol Bennett
• Shorewood Senior Living
• The Pono Hukilau
• Sue Gilday/State Farm Insurance
• Ron and Catherine Green
• The Pono Hukilau
• Pastor Dale Edwards/Crossroads Church
Families encouraged to apply for assistance
As summer begins to wind down, families have a limited window to secure essential food assistance through the new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. With the application deadline quickly approaching on Sept. 2, 2024, it’s crucial for eligible families to act now.
Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) are urging
families to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, you have 122 days to use them.
Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:
· Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
· Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
· Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT.
PT & FT positions available
Apply now at siuslawlibrary.org. Applications due Sunday, August 25!
We invite you to join us.
Sunday 9:00 1st Service in person
Sunday 11:00 2nd Service in person & Online Children’s Church (0yrs-12yrs) in person & Online
Corner of 10th & Maple St. • 541-997-3533
www.florencecrossroadag.org
email: office@florencecrossroadag.org
However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children in Head Start programs that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility. Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328) to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “Making sure children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer is critical. This small action could provide significant support to families in Oregon.”
Since June 28, 2024 more than 329 000 eligible school-aged children have been issued $39.5 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.
“The results of the Summer EBT launch so far have far exceeded our expectations, but we know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “We encourage our schools and Summer Meals providers to have flyers on site to raise awareness and get our families the benefits they qualify for.”
To learn more:
· Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. · Visit sebt.oregon.gov.
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
Monthly Interfaith Devotions in-person & Zoom 4th Monday 7:00 pm
“Ye are all leaves of one tree ...” -Baha’i Writings Join us on Facebook: Florence Baha’i Community For info and meeting location: 541-590-0779 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
MID-WEEK- 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 live at Community Baptist Church Facebook Page
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533 Sunday Services 9am 1st Service in person Sunday Services 11am
2nd Service in person & livestreamed Wednesday kids/youth night is at 6:30 NOT livestreamed. https://www.florencecrossroadag.org/church-online
Other platforms update after the service. florencecrossroadag.org office@florencecrossroadag.org
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational Service is on Sunday at 10:00 am Sunday Service also streaming live at 10am at florencechurch.com
FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road
RUAUU? Come explore the answer with us. Sunday Worship Services ~ 10:00am www.florenceuuf.com
New summer art exhibit opens for August at Chamber Art Gallery
The Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s (FRAA) August art exhibit at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor’s Center Art Gallery is appropriately themed “Summer Heat.”
“Visitors are going to find a very cool, colorful, and textural heat-themed exhibit from FRAA this season,” said Bettina Hannigan, the Chamber’s president and CEO.
Three dimensional art includes fused glass art by Kristin Anderson; ceramic work by Debi Ford; and wood sculpture Larry LaVoie.
“Teakki is one of our youth artists and the details in his watercolor and ink painting are amazing. We also got several sunsets over the ocean which have a wonderful color depth to them and all work really well together on the wall emphasizing Summer Heat,” said Kristin Anderson, FRAA’s former president and exhibit coordinator.
some great local work each month.”
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 the change.”
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES CATHOLIC CHURCH
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312 Mass Times: Daily: Tue,
Two dimensional art includes watercolor paintings by Karen Mohr, Karen Marie, Stella Ault; photography by Rick Colvin, Elaine Uellendahl, and Jack Uellendahl; oil paintings by Tammy DeLaney, Brigitte Parker, Ron Hildenbrand, Patricia Williams, and John Leasure; acrylic paintings by Jane Conkling and Alan Huck; a mixed media presentation by Judi Olson; digital photography by Christine Santiago; a print of a watercolor by Robin Siewell, and a remarkable watercolor and ink by one of FRAA’s younger artists, Teakki Legg.
“FRAA is excited to show the breadth of artists who are members of our nonprofit art alliance. We filled the walls with artists wanting to share their love of art with others while helping our Chamber have a wonderful display for summer visitors. The Chamber’s constantly refreshed art gallery is such a value for local and out-oftown visitors and Chamber members,” added current FRAA president Denise Tarvin.
“One thing that thrills me nearly every single day is to be in my office, just around the corner of our art gallery, and hear visitors exclaim ‘Wow, that’s gorgeous! You have people in Florence who do that?’” adds Hannigan.
“All visitors should make the Visitors’ Center Art Gallery a regular stop to see
FRAA is a non-profit organization and has an art center at 120 Maple Street in Florence. The artists exhibiting at the Chamber this month represent more than 130 members and sponsors, all who share in FRAA’s mission of supporting all the arts and making Florence an arts destination. For more information on the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, their phone number is 541-9974435 and their website is www.fraaoregon.org
The Chamber’s visitor center is at 290 Highway 101 in Florence. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays through August from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information about joining or volunteering with the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, visit FlorenceChamber. com or contact Hannigan at 541-997-3128 or Bettina@ FlorenceChamber.com.
Pageant
Miss Oregon Teen is back From Page A1 Oregon State University and try out for its dance team, Ashlyn noted that she has other aspirations besides performing.
“I want to go to school for business, marketing and I also want to continue with my German, since I’ve been learning German in School.” She also expressed her dream to direct and produce films.
“We got to work very closely with the CW Network where it ws streamed,” she said. “I got to work with the producers and directors down in L.A. and my favorite part of it was just the filming.”
“I had amazing community support going into this,” she said. “So many people helped me.”
Ashlyn retains the Miss Oregon Teen title until next year, and says she much planned for the coming year. Ashlyn started 2024 in London, England with fellow cheerleader Claire Lindell, after taking part in the AllAmerican Cheer program. The two danced and cheered with several other teams in the New Years Parade. She was crowned Miss Oregon Teen in May of this year. She is a senior at
Stop in to the Chamber Visitors Center for a closer look at locally-produced art in a variety of mediums. Photo provided.
City of Florence staff and officials were on hand to run the event, as well as to cook and serve hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, drinks, popcorn and ice cream.
As one would expect from National Night Out, law enforcement officers and first responders from around the area were on hand to interact with kids, take photos and even sit in the line of fire at one of two dunk tanks.
Florence Police Department, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority, Tribal Police, United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Transportation and county public utility personnel were on hand, along with an exhibit from the Oregon Coast Military Museum. paramedics
Siuslaw High School football team and cheerleaders will be there to assist with the event as well.
Photos by Tony Reed
possible that it could have grown. Schick said it could have spread if winds were higher and conditions were drier.
“I would be more concerned with extension to one of the houses considering the time of day and how close those homes are together,” he said. Firefighters snuffed Colob lives in the area with her husband and two rescue dogs, Freya and Skylar.
over 100db whenever a car drives over the bridge.
“Every time a car drives over the bridge, I hear this god-awful, screeching, scraping, horrible noise that inundates my house, even with the doors and windows closed,” Rodgers said, adding that she has not slept in
two years because of it.
“And I’m not the only one,” she said. “There’s thousands of people that this has affected, has destroyed their lives, devalued their property… My house has been devalued $300 000 because of this noise.”
Rodgers asserted that ODOT is exempt from noise limitations and that the state removed the blacktop to save money.
“They had to replace the blacktop every 20 years but they can leave this grate in
for 50 [years],” she said. 50 years of noise.” Rodgers claimed that when crossing the bridge, one would have to hold on to the rail “because the vibration is so bad.” Saying the vibration is likely loosening bridge components, Rodgers said leaving the grate makes no sense to her.
“If it’s to save money, you’re ruining a town in the process,” she said. “This used to be the number one retirement destination in Oregon. That’s why I moved
here and it took four years to find the perfect property that I wanted to spend the rest of my life in. I have a gorgeous view of the river and the bridge. I have no close neighbors and I live on the edge of the forest. I’m happy.”
Rodgers said that as a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the annoyance of the bridge eats away at her mental state.
“The only time I am away from this noise is when I take my dog and walk on the beach…” she said noting that the rest of her time is spent in the home she spent all her money on. “There’s not one moment of my day that I am happy anymore.”
Becoming visibly and audibly irate, Rodgers said ODOT has no right to subject Florence to such noise and no other business would be allowed to come to town and make near the same amount of noise.
When Brown started to say the Commission takes public comment seriously, Rodgers interrupted, demanding the commissioners go to the bridge to hear the noise for themselves.
“We were at the bridge yesterday,” Brown continued. “We are aware of the grate and they even explained some of the problems with that grate… All I can say to you at this
point is that the fix is not overnight and we will be discussing this with the director.”
Brown said the state doesn’t have a lot of money for the project and Rodgers asserted that the State just received “a ton of money to fix your bridges…”
“… but not that bridge,” Brown replied.
Rodgers asked when someone from ODOT would get back to her, saying she was at a May meeting and Director Kristopher W. Strickler has not recontacted her, as promised.
“Time’s running out for me,” she said, getting up from the comment table. “I don’t want to live anymoreand it’s your fault.”
THE REASON
Regarding Rodgers’ assertion that the bridge was changed as a cost-saving measure, ODOT information officer Mindy McCartt said the actual reason was much more complex.
“When the bridge was originally built in 1936 the lift spans were covered with heavy timber and asphalt,” she said.”This system required frequent maintenance due to rot and deterioration, leading to its replacement with a steel grid system in 1976. The decision to use a steel grid system was primarily driven by the need to reduce weight
on the lift mechanism, ensuring its safe and reliable operation. The heavy timber and asphalt added significant weight, which the original lift mechanism was not designed to handle.”
McCartt said that in 2008 the steel grid system was failing and was replaced with a new system which used fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
“This system was quiet, tough, and light, making it seem like a logical replacement at the time. However, by 2021, the surface was failing and needed to be replaced earlier than we had planned,” she said. “In 2021 a $500,000 project replaced the fiberglass-reinforced plastic deck with a steel grid system. The engineered deck system made for a smoother ride over the lift span.”
McCartt said other drawbridges on the coast also removed their fiberglas-reinforced plastic systems around the same time and all similar bridges got a steel grid system.
MEETING AGENDA
In the 35 separate documents of meeting materials, Florence was only mentioned once, in a list of Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) adjustments.
“The attached list of about 250 added, modified, or canceled projects for the 20242027 STIP consists of the highest priority projects for each region within the available resources previously allocated by the commission,” according to a July 18 letter from Director Strickler to the Commission. “These projects will be paid for with either pre-determined funding reserves or funds reallocated from canceled phases or projects.”
McCartt noted that $575,000 has been allocated or spent on the initial phases of the project, while a proposed total of $2.8 million represents the estimated total cost to complete the entire project.
“This includes multi-year funding for comprehensive repairs, such as installing a new deck surface, making concrete column repairs, addressing deck joints, and replacing protective paint,” she said. “This funding ensures the long-term preservation and operation of the bridge.”
According to the state website, bridge repairs are coming, but the grate surface was not specifically mentioned.
“The Siuslaw River Bridge is in fair condition but needs repairs to preserve and extends its useful life” it reads. “The bridge surface currently has a lot of patches and damage from tire tracks. Several support columns are cracking and damaged. The sidewalks and curbs are cracked and separating.”
The information said ODOT will be “installing a new deck surface to preserve the bridge and give you a smoother ride, making repairs to the concrete columns, removing and repairing the deck joints, and removing and replace the protective paint that helps extend the life of the bridge.
It says ODOT will also look at what erosion control measures can be done to help preserve the bridge. The design phase was estimated to be between 2024 and 2026, with construction in starting 2027. According to the website, the project is not currently funded.
“We are still in the design phase and will have a clearer understanding of the cost and schedule as we move forward,” McCartt said.
“While noise mitigation is not explicitly included in the current project scope, we are taking the complaint seriously and examining the issue further.”
SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
Local Sports dates to remember
Sandboarders meet and ride the dunes
By TONY REED The Siuslaw News
Fitness model and Venomous Sand Board ambassador Gabrielle “Gabbi”
Malone came from St. Louis, Missouri last week to step into a sandboard on Florence’s dunes.
“A couple years ago we made a custom sandboard for Gabrielle and she has been an ambassador for sandboarding ever since but has never been here,” Sand Master Park owner Lon Beale said, noting that her and her fiancé Andrew Barco are also fitness models with a large social media following.
However, she had not been to the dunes in Florence until last week.
Malone said she used the board while living in Monterey, California. As an ambassador for the company, she promotes sandboarding online and while traveling.
Gabbi said she’s also a snowboarder from Breckinridge, Colorado and even though sandboarding is a bit more difficult, the runs are shorter. Barco tried sandboarding for the first time and started out rough, but was improving after a few tries.
Miss Oregon Teen Ashlyn Hart joined them on the dunes, along with Peruvian pro sandboarder, Gerson Valle Meza. Meza was in Florence awhile to enjoy the dunes and help at Beale’s shop. The group, helped by Sand
tips from pro sand-
Master instructor Caleb Van Winkle, spent the afternoon exploring and riding the dunes west of Highway 101
Beale was named grand marshal of the Rhododendron Days parade, for his part in making Florence the Sandboarding Capital of the World, as declared in 2020. Staff at his little sandboard rental shop off Highway 101 rent dozens of boards a day to firsttime and experienced sandboarders who come from around the country to enjoy the Florence dunes.
Malone said she would love to come back to Florence when her schedule allows. She loves Florence and jokingly calls it “coastal Colorado” for the merging of coast and forestland.
Kayakers do ten waters in ten days
Submitted by Florence Oregon Area Kayakers
Florence Oregon Area
Kayakers invite you to 10 Days on 10 Waters. Join us on Facebook for all the details.
It’s been said that we have so many lakes around here, one could kayak a different lake everyday! This is our third year of doing just that. In 2022 three paddlers
completed all 10-10. In 2023
- we doubled that with six brave souls… in 2024
Are you up for the challenge too? Are you a TEN?
You don’t need to be. Paddle one water, five or ten waters, come rain or shine.
Most of the lakes require $5 Daily Pass, Annual Pass Lane County or a Senior Pass. If your boat is 10 feet or longer the State of Oregon requires you to have
a Waterway Access Permit. If you don’t already have one the permit can be obtained at Bi-Mart or at this site: https://boat.oregon.gov/ store
Bring your kayak, water bottle, snack, paddle, PFD - (personal flotation device) and your enthusiasm. Paddlers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Upon arrival, park and
visit the Check-In table at the launch, sign a Waiver since we’re doing this for fun. Each of us is solely responsible for our own incidents and mishaps.
We help each other with unloading and getting into our kayak, if needed. Please be aware of other boaters as we’re sharing the boat launch. Reminder: PFD (personal flotation devices) are required.
Details: Meet at the launch for each lake at 9:30 am to join us, unless otherwise noted. You can refer to the list of boat launches for the locations.
8/20: BEAVER CREEK, launch location by Hey 101
8/21: SUTTON LAKE, called twin lakes for a good reason.
8/22: MERCER LAKE, public launch at the far end
8/23: MUNSEL LAKE, has the most nursery logs
8/24: BENDER LANDING, heading up the North Fork
8/25: CLEAWOX LAKE - the arm is loaded with lilies @ Honeyman Park entrance launch
8/26: WOAHINK LAKE - East launch, open waters
8/27: SILTCOOS LAKE, launch location TBD
8/28: TAHKENITCH LAKE, the one with the most arms
8/29: EEL LAKE
Jack Johnson, Nick Johnson, Sean Campbell, Jeff Gray, John Rose, Camp Lacouture, Elijah Blankenship Boys soccer 2023 record: 10-4-1 overall, 6-2-1 3A/2A/1A Specific District 3 *—3A/2A/1A Special District 3 games Thursday, Aug. 29 — at Marshfield Jamboree, Coos Bay
Tuesday, Sept. 3 — Sweet Home, 6 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field
Tuesday, Sept. 10 — at Marshfield, 6 p.m., Coos Bay
Thursday, Sept. 12 — at Delphian, 5 p.m., Sheridan Monday, Sept. 16 — North Bend, 5 p.m., 27th and Oak field
Wednesday, Sept. 18 — Pacific/Bandon, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field
Thursday, Sept. 19 — Umpqua Valley Christian, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field *— Wednesday, Sept. 25 — at Elmira, TBD *— Monday, Sept. 30 — Sisters, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field*— Wednesday, Oct. 2 — Pleasant Hill, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field*— Monday, Oct. 7 — Creswell, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field*— Thursday, Oct. 10 — at East Linn Christian, 4:30 p.m., Lebanon*— Monday Oct. 14 — Central Linn, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field*— Thursday, Oct. 17 — at Santiam Christian, 6 p.m., Adair Village*—
From Left, Gabbi Malone, Gerson Valle Mesa, Andrew Barco, Ashlyn Hart and Caleb Van Winkle spent an afternoon surfing sand dunes in Florence.
Gerson Valle Mesa chases Gabbi Malone down a steep dune with a 360 camera.
Andrew Barco stops hard on one of his first attempts.
Ashlyn Hart and Gabbi Malone race down one of the steeper dunes.
Ashlyn Hart gets some
boarder Gerson Valle Mesa
Autonomous watercraft samples water off Lincoln, Lane coasts
By STEVE CARD Country Media
A state-of-the-art autonomous watercraft was launched from Newport’s Yaquina Bay on Tuesday, July 23, with a mission of collecting ocean water samples for the purpose of testing for water toxins.
This solar-powered craft, about the size of a large kayak, was developed through a collaborative effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oregon State University and the University of Washington.
Anna Bolm is a faculty researcher at Hatfield Marine Science Center who works with the Corporative Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies (CIMERS). This agency conducts research supporting NOAA’s mission, goals and strategic initiatives while training the next generation of marine scientists to advance basic knowledge about ocean ecosystems.
“We are working on this project with the Olympic Region Harmful Algal Bloom Partnership (HABs), which is run by UW,” Bolm said.
The vessel used to collect the water samples is called a Lightfish, built by the SeaSats company in San Diego.
Anthony Odell is a shellfish monitoring technician with UW who works with the Olympic Natural Resources Center. He said they have been working with SeaSats for a number of years, “and we fine-tuned our autonomous vehicle for environmental sampling.” He said the Applied Physics Lab at UW built the water sampler installed in the Lightfish and also added a number of other instruments. “It has a user interface system, so we can set up the track on the way out to meet the mission.
“There’s a lot of applications,” added Odell, “but with harmful algal bloom monitoring, it gives us the ability to look offshore because as these blooms develop, they kind of move offshore with upwelled water. So it gives us a better picture of what’s going on rather than just looking on the beach.”
He said this autonomous surface vehicle can be used to target some of the hot spots where harmful algal blooms originate. Being able to conduct this testing with an unmanned craft results in a considerable cost savings and an increase in human safety.
“We do some small boat work and some large ship work where we go off 50 to 100 nautical miles and do like a large grid,” Odell said. “It’s very expensive, very time consuming and ship time is a lot of money. So we’re kind of moving to autonomous surface vehicles. That also takes us out of harm’s way. This thing’s
going to go out and take water samples for us over the course of a couple of days and come back, and then we process it here.”
In the case of last week’s mission, the Lightfish was sent out to Stonewall Bank off Newport’s coast, and then it headed south to the Heceta Banks, “which we know is kind of an upwelling zone, a lot of nutrients come up to feed the plankton down there,” Odell said. The Lightfish gathered one-liter samples at a number of different sites, “and also at every site it filters a half-liter of water, and then we can take the filter that we bring back and we can test it for biotoxins and things like that.”
John Mickett, a UW oceanographer, is the principal investigator in the development of the Lightfish project. He said the project is being funded by NOAA through its Integrated Ocean Observing Systems branch.
“They have this program called Ocean Technology Transition … to get to the point where you can now use that system.” That involves collaboration with the universities.
“Our main goal is to collect information on the presence of these harmful algal blooms, where they are with toxin levels and quickly get that information available to stakeholders so they can help make decisions about closures or what is being affected,” Mickett said.
“We built a computer, a plumbing system and some sensors that now interface with their navigational control computer,” he added.
“Now it gives it the ability to go way offshore and take water samples and bring them back.”
Mickett said the biotoxins are found near the ocean’s surface. “They’re in the photic zone, so they’re as deep
as the sunlight will penetrate. We’ve done some studies, and we found out the highest concentration of the toxin that we’re looking at is generally just below the surface, so that’s why we have the intake at the bottom of the keel.”
Odell said there really are no limits as to where the Lightfish can go. “Because it’s solar powered, especially in sun like this, it can run indefinitely,” he said. “And on just battery power alone, when it’s fully charged, it can go 100 nautical miles, so it can do a large loop over the course of a couple days. We send it out and have it take water samples on the way back.”
And although the craft is fairly small, it can endure rough conditions. “It’s actually built for that,” said Odell. “The boat itself can go through large surf. It pops right back up and rights itself.”
The Lightfish is equipped with an automatic identification system (AIS), so other ships can see it. “It also has object avoidance, it has LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), so if something’s coming at it real fast, it can come to a dead stop or move out of the way,” Odell said. By having a more cost-effective and safer method of
gathering water samples, the hope is that they will have earlier notice when biotoxins may be posing a threat.
“Everything is going to be integrated into like an early warning system … a harmful algal bloom bulletin,” Odell said. “So just like the weather service predicting weather, we’re using biological models to predict harmful algal blooms.”
A recent paralytic shellfish bloom sickened a number of people who ate shellfish gathered along the coast. Odell said water samples had been tested prior to that, “and they came back fine, but it only takes a matter of days for these blooms to flourish. Mussels especially are big filter feeders, and they’ll build up that toxin really fast, so we had a number of people get really, really sick. This kind of gives us several weeks in advance we can go out and look where these things come from, and we can monitor those.”
Following the Lightfish’s run last week out of Newport, Bolm reported that everything went as hoped. “The mission was a success, and samples were properly collected.” She added that those samples have already been analyzed and no concerns were raised.
Has it been 5years ormoresinceyour tank was pumped?Then it’s time!
Callustotoday to schedule an appointment.
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Do you part and volunteer today to help support these organizations in our community.
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.
Peace Harbor Volunteers
Want to make a difference in the community and make new friends? Do you have a few hours a month? If so, we would love to have you join the Volunteer Program at PEACEHEALTH PEACE HARBOR MEDICAL CENTER. Opportunities are available both in and out of the Hospital setting. All training provided. Applications are available at the Lobby Volunteer Desk or the Gift Shop located in the Hospital at 400 9th Street, Florence, OR 97439.
Us Too Florence
Saving men one PSA test at a time. “Someone to talk to...who understands!” 541-997-6626 • 47maribob38@gmail.com www.ustooflorence.org
To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441
The Lightfish headed out of Yaquina Bay on Tuesday, July 23, and successfully completed its mission of gathering a number of water samples along the coast to be tested for biotoxins. (Photo by Steve Card)
The impact of this year’s wildfire season continues to reverberate throughout the state as the number of acres burned reaches 1.2 million. At this time, the number of acres burned is four times the average when compared to the same point in past seasons. As many as 1,261 fires have burned across the state with more than 100 still active.
Five megafires, fires that exceed 100,000 acres, are still burning in Eastern Oregon: The Battle Mountain Complex, Lone Rock, Durkee, Cow Valley and Falls fires. These megafires are now between 19% and 99% contained. Residents in these communities have been deeply affected by the wildfires. As many as 18 000 residents were under a level 1, 2 or 3
evacuation level during the height of the response to date with more than 8,000 still under some type of evacuation warning.
The full scale of the loss will not be clear for a few months at least. Initial reports show that dozens of people have been injured, and there was at least one wildfire-related death. An air tanker pilot named James Bailey Maxwell, 74, who died in a crash while working in the vicinity of the Falls Fire, north of Burns, on July 25, 2024
Initial reports show fires have destroyed as many as 28 homes and 73 structures.
Much of the damage has been to grazing land and livestock, heavily impacting the ranching community in eastern Oregon.
More than 10,000 people are involved in the response including 261 fire crews, 483
engines and 31 helicopters. Local and statewide emergency response departments and agencies are working around the clock to contain the remaining wildfires.
Several organizations are collecting funds and resources for those impacted. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) staff have gathered a list and made it available at Wildfire.oregon.gov.
Resources include: · The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and the Oregon Farm Bureau are collecting monetary donations. · Oregon State University is collecting monetary donations, pledges of any in-kind, and donations of hay, feed and transportation. · Wildland Firefighter Foundation supports firefighters on the frontlines who have been injured and families of those killed in the line of
duty.
OEM and agency partners want to caution the public to beware of scams when donating, and only give to trusted organizations. Scammers often contact their possible victims by telephone, social media, email or in person so be suspicious of direct asks.
Also, be cautious if the person asking for donations creates a sense of urgency and won’t let you think about it or donate later. If you want to donate money to support the wildfire recovery effort, it’s best to donate to the organization directly. OEM has compiled library of additional recovery resources with information from multiple agencies to help residents during and after of a fire.
This library includes but is not limited to: Basic needs support: List of shelters, food pantries, replace
SNAP benefits, medical equipment replacement and vital document replacement
Stay informed: Sign up for ORAlerts.gov to stay tuned for updates and additional resources.
Returning home: Assess damages to home, vehicles and property, report damages to local county emergency management office, file an insurance claim. Follow guidelines for safe cleanup safe cleanup because ash contains hazardous materials. How to avoid scams when rebuilding.
Mental Health: Help is available 24/7 to anyone who is struggling or experiencing a crisis. Call 988 for support statewide or visit Lines for Life.
AgriStress Hotline serves those in the farming, ranching, fisheries and forestry communities. Call 833-897-2474 or
visit their website. Agriculture resources: · OSU Extension Service’s list of resources for those impacted by wildfires in Oregon. · Livestock wildfire resources on the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s website. · Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Wildfire Fund Donations page. · Oregon Department of Environmental Quality wildfire resource page. · USDA Farm Service Agency’s Disaster Assistance Programs and Disaster Assistance Programs At-AGlance fact sheet. · USDA Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool. For additional information about current wildfires, response and recovery, go to Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery. Sign up for ORAlerts.gov to get lifesaving alerts and instructions during emergencies to help you and others stay safe in Oregon.
Critically endangered shark found in Puget Sound
Submitted by
Oregon Satte University
Oregon State University researchers have made the first scientific confirmation in Puget Sound of two distinct shark species, one of them critically endangered.
The presence of the broadnose sevengill shark and endangered soupfin shark in the sound, the southern portion of the Salish Sea, may indicate changes in what biologists in OSU’s Big Fish Lab describe as an economically, culturally and ecologically valuable inland waterway.
The Salish Sea separates northwest Washington from British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. The 6,500-square-mile body of water stretches into Washington as Puget Sound, and the sharks were caught close to Olympia near the
Schedule
From Page B1
Monday, Oct. 21 — La Pine, 4:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field Coach: Londi Tomaro A ssistants: Justin Linton, Nyra
sound’s southernmost point.
Taylor Chapple, an assistant professor in Oregon State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and graduate students Jessica Schulte and Ethan Personius report the broadnose sevengill and soupfin documentations in papers published in Frontiers in Marine Science.
The authors collaborated with partners at NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to confirm that the broadnose sevengill, an apex predator that can grow to nearly 10 feet, is now inhabiting heavily urbanized South Puget Sound.
“Understanding the sevengill presence in this new habitat is crucial for understanding the food webs of the Salish Sea, and it highlights the need for continued
Campbell, Robbie Wright, Tanner Borgnino (JV) Girls soccer
2023 record: 2-11-1 overall, 2-11-1 3A/2A/1A Special District 3 *—3A/2A/1A Special District 3 games
monitoring and research – including their relationship with other species of conservation concern, such as salmon,” said Schulte, the lead author on the sevengill paper.
Broadnose sevengill sharks – so named because they have two more gill slits than most shark species – eat a wide variety of prey: fishes (including rays and other sharks), crustaceans and marine mammals. They live in temperate waters worldwide, and off the west coast of North America they range from southern Alaska to Baja California.
DOCUMENTED
Prior to 2021, only one sevengill shark had ever been confirmed in the Salish Sea, at Point Roberts, Washington, near the Canadian border.
In August 2021, however, anecdotal reports indicated
Thursday, Aug. 29 — at Marshfield Jamboree, Coos
Bay Thursday, Sept. 3 — at Sweet Home, 6 p.m., pending endowment game *— Monday, Sept. 9 — at Central Linn, TBD Tuesday, Sept. 10 — at Marshfield, 6 p.m. *— Wednesday, Sept. 11 — Creswell, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field *— Monday, Sept. 16 — Sisters, 6:30 p.m., Hans
several of them had been caught in South Puget Sound.
During 10 days of field work in 2022 and 2023, the scientists caught nine sevengills, more than 190 miles away from their previously documented range. Eight of them were males – the largest measured just under 7 feet – and the female was about 4 feet, 6 inches.
“Our continued research on this species in Oregon and Washington waters will allow us to have a better handle on its role in our valuable marine ecosystems,” Schulte said.
The same holds for the soupfin shark, said Personius, the lead author on that paper. It is the largest species of hound shark, can be as big as 6 1/2 feet and got its name because of its use as the key ingredient in shark fin soup.
“Soupfin sharks were
Petersen Memorial Field *— Wednesday Sept. 18 — at Elmira, TBD *— Monday, Sept. 23 — at Pleasant Hill, 4:30 p.m. *— Thursday, Sept. 26 — at Santiam Christian, 6 p.m., Adair Village *— Wednesday, Oct. 2 — Central Linn, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field *— Monday, Oct. 7 — at Creswell, 6 p.m. *— Wednesday, Oct. 9 — at
relentlessly exploited during the 1930s and 1940s, including for their livers, which are rich in vitamin A,” Personius said. “Despite lower fishing pressure the species has not been able to recover and is currently under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.”
Like the broadnose sevengill shark, the soupfin shark is found in temperate waters around the globe and is a top predator in any ecosystem it inhabits, eating cephalopods as well as a variety of fishes.
Soupfin sharks are known as strong swimmers whose migrations can exceed 1,000 miles.
In field work concurrent with the sevengill project, the scientists caught one soupfin shark, a male that measured just over 5 feet.
“The Salish Sea has experienced pervasive shifts in
Sisters, TBD *— Monday, Oct. 14 — Elmira, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field *— Wednesday, Oct. 16 — Pleasant Hill, 6:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Field *— Tuesday, Oct. 22 — Santiam Christian, 4:30 p.m., Hans Petersen Memorial Coach: Amy Tregoning A ssistant: John Rogerson Volleyball 2023 record: 10-10 overall, 5-7 in Mountain Valley Conference *—Far West League games Thursday, Aug. 29 — Marshfield Jamboree Tuesday, Sept. 3 — North Bend, 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 — at Bandon, 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 — vs. Brookings-Harbor at Bandon, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9 — at
species abundance and composition along with industrialization and significant habitat degradation,” Personius said. “The appearance of soupfin sharks may be a result of climate change and changes in prey availability.”
Following the 2014-15 extreme marine heat wave event known as “The Blob,” he explained, anchovies emerged as a dominant forage fish species in the Salish Sea after having been historically uncommon there. Soupfin sharks are a known predator of anchovies.
Graduate student Maddie English is a co-author of the soupfin shark paper, along with scientists from the NOAA Marine Fisheries Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Research associate Alexandra McInturf contributed to the sevengill study.
Pleasant Hill, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 12 — Elmira, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 17 — at Junction City, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 — Waldport, 6 p.m. *— Tuesday, Sept. 24 Sutherlin, 6 p.m. *— Thursday, Sept. 26 — Coquille, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 — Junction City Tournament, TBD *— Tuesday, Oct. 1 — at South Umpqua, 6 p.m. *— Thursday, Oct. 3 — at Glide, 6 p.m. *—Tuesday, Oct. 8 — Douglas, 6 p.m. *— Thursday, Oct. 10 — at Sutherlin, 6 p.m. *—Tuesday, Oct. 15 — at Coquille, 6 p.m. *—Thursday, Oct. 17 South Umpqua, 6 p.m. *— Tuesday, Oct. 22 — Glide, 6 p.m. *—Thursday, Oct. 24 at Douglas, 6 p.m. Coach: McKenzie Perry A ssistants: Kim Stinger, Amanda Richards (JV)
Florence hosted National Night Out August 6
Photos by Tony Reed
CHARM TRAIL
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Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855792-9764.
DEVOTED CRAFTSMAN, 6’, 180, young 74, seeks rural-minded, nature-inspired, healthy, non-religious girl partner to share productive, romantic, fun, creative life together. Write Phil: PO Box 92, Waldport, OR 97394.
Crew Members - McDonalds is seeking enthusiastic & outgoing individuals looking for flexible schedule flexible hours. TEXT: OR192 to 38000 to apply. Customer Service RepresentativeZolezzi Insurance Agency is looking for a licensed customer service representative at their Florence location. Email resumes to craig@zianw.com.
Housekeeper- help older person 2-3 days per week. Near bus route in Florence. 503551-4838.
Resident ManagerJoin Our Team at Coast Marina RV Resort! In Beautiful Florence Oregon! This full-time, yearround position is an ideal opportunity for a couple. Bring your RV and become part of our community. The Association will provide the space, electricity, water, propane, wifi , and cover other expenses. In addition, this position comes with a Salary of $2500 to $2700 per month.
Interested, Contact Tom Lee at coastmarinarv@gmail.com and forward your resume.
Taxi Driver- Multiple Full-time Taxi Drivers. Stop by 1699 Pine Street for an application.
2018 9.4’ Sand Dolphin water tender boat w/ Minjota motor, batteries, fish finder and trailer. $587. Seal Rock, Oregon. 541-563-3466.
Garage/Estate Sale.
Household goods, furniture and a little bit of everything. Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. -3 p.m. 3474 Lilac street Florence.
SLN24-3009 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON FOR LANE COUNTY in the matter of the marriage of Saithip Somya Bailey and Richard Alan Bailey. Case No. 24CN02262. NOTICE TO RICHARD ALAN BAILEY IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED to appear and defend the complaint and order to show cause re: contempt and post-judgment enforcement filed against you in the above-entitled case within thirty (30) days from the date of First Publication as stated herein, and in case of your failure to do so, for want thereof, Plaintiff will apply to the court for relief demanded in the complaint. You are further required to appear at the Lane County Circuit Court on August 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at 125 E. 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401. You may be liable for attorney fees in this case. A judgment for attorney fees can be entered against you as provided in ORS Chapter 107
should Plaintiff in this case prevail. You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer”. The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or administrator within 30 days along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the Plaintiff’s attorney or, if the Plaintiff does not have an attorney, proof of service upon the Plaintiff. If you have any questions, you should see an attorney immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at (503) 684-3763 or toll-free in Oregon at
(800)452-7636. SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT: Plaintiff’s requested relief is for a finding of contempt, requiring Richard Alan Bailey to vacate the property listed in the complaint or allow eviction proceedings to take place to award Plaintiff exclusive possession of the property to then sell it, requiring Richard Alan Bailey to pay Plaintiff’s attorney fees and costs for this matter, requiring Richard Alan Bailey to be on bench probation, and granting other appropriate equitable relief as the court deems proper. /s/ Jacy F. Arnold, OSB #011880, Attorney for Plaintiff, Arnold Law, 115 W 8th Ave, Suite 280, Eugene, OR 97401. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION:
Back to school can mean the return of lice
The start of a new school year often means shopping for supplies, making new friends and getting acclimated to the teaching styles of new teachers. Unfortunately, a new school year also can mean head lice.
other blood-sucking insects, such as mosquitoes
may occur on the scalp, neck and ears. During vi-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no precise data regarding how many people get head lice each year. However, an estimated six to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children between the ages of three and 11.
What is head lice?
The Minnesota Department of Health says a head louse is an insect that can infest people. Lice make their homes in human hair and feed on blood. Head lice multiply rapidly by laying small, gray-colored, oval-shaped eggs known as nits. The nits are sticky and attach to the base of the hair close to the scalp. Unlike
or ticks, head lice are not known to spread disease. Who gets head lice?
Head lice do not discriminate when they choose a person. They are equal opportunity feeders and will hop on just about any scalp for a meal. Head lice are not indicative of a lack of hygiene.
The CDC says infestation with head lice is most common among preschool- and elementary schoolaged children and members of their household, including caretakers. What are the signs of head lice?
Itching is the most common symptom of head lice, says the Mayo Clinic. A louse bite causes an allergic reaction. Itchiness
sual inspections of the hair and scalp, one may be able to see lice and nits. However, both the eggs and the lice themselves are very small, so it can be challenging to spot them.
Parents and caregivers who suspect a child has lice should consult with a school nurse or a pediatrician. Studies show that many children are treated for head lice with home remedies or nonprescription medications when they didn’t even have lice. Dandruff, residue from hair products, scabs, or even dirt can be mistaken for lice.
How can head lice be prevented?
The most common way to contract head lice is through head-
to-head contact. Children should avoid head contact during play and other activities at school and home. Although transmission through shared brushes, combs, towels, hats, and clothing is less common, it is still possible, so sharing of these items should be discouraged.
The CDC says using a hot water cycle in the laundry and the high heat drying cycle can kill head lice on clothing and other items. Seal items that cannot be washed in a plastic bag and store them for two weeks.
Vacuum the floor and furniture to remove any nits or lice that have fallen off the head. Fumigant sprays or fogs, which can be toxic if inhaled, are not necessary to control head lice, indicates the CDC.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov 23/Dec 21
Sagittarius, something from your past will come back to the surface in the days to come. Maybe it is an error you made or it could be an opportunity that you thought was lost.
CAPRICORN
Dec 22/Jan 20
Think about adding more hobbies or recreational activities to your slate, Capricorn. All work and no play is not healthy for you right now. It’s time to find a greater balance in life.
AQUARIUS
Jan 21/Feb 18
Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra,
while. Although it’s good to have a cheery outlook, a no-nonsense approach will serve you well in the days ahead.
SCORPIO
Oct 24/Nov 22
Aquarius, the latest developments on the job have not been encouraging. You are tempted to cut back on your efforts, but you are worried about the implications of that.
PISCES
Feb 19/Mar 20
Scorpio, you could be having doubts about your role in your workplace. Maybe the work isn’t stimulating or the responsibilities too great. If change is happening, do it soon.
People who followed you in the past may now confront you with a difference of opinion, Pisces. No need to worry as a healthy dialogue could help the relationship grow.
A new school year may compel families to think about lice. Although lice is a nuisance, infestations can be treated.
ARIES
Mar 21/Apr 20
Things that have seemingly been holding you back should be reevaluated this week, Aries. You are looking elsewhere for solutions, when all you need to do is make a few tweaks.
TAURUS
Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, spend time reflecting on things this week, as you may have some difficult decisions to make in the near future. A close confidante can serve as a sounding board.
GEMINI
May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, now is the time to identify your priorities as they pertain to the job. Do you want a career and a company that you stick with? Or, are you satisfied with being a contract worker?
CANCER
Jun 22/Jul 22
Prepare for some stressful times ahead, Cancer. It is nothing you cannot survive, but it could throw a wrench in your plans for the time being. Reward yourself with some extra pampering.
OLIVE
By Emi Burdge
