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Florence, Oregon Siuslaw News Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Stand Down is today at the Florence Elks

The Siuslaw Community Stand Down will take place today, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Florence Elks Lodge 1858 in Florence. The Stand Down welcomes veterans and their families, senior citizens, unhoused persons, pregnant women, disabled persons and Youth and offers free on-site services for clothing, food, haircuts, housing, employment, medical, dental, mental health and more. brunch will be served

Number 4 • 134 years

from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Guests can meet in person with local western Lane agencies, Lane County agencies, and Veterans Administration services. The Elks Lodge is located at 1686 12th Street in Florence. The Stand Down is sponsored by the Western Lane Veteran and Community Partnership Coalition. For more information please contact Chaplain Rick Chilton at 541-305-3911.

The “Lotus building” is known locally because its parking lot is often used to view the bridge and shorebirds, but also as it’s used for overflow parking during busy Old Town events.

Planning Commission mulls Lotus building zoning change By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Florence Planning Commissioner Laurie Green said the Jan. 14 meeting

was the first time the commission had heard of a proposal to reuse the former Lotus building west of the Siuslaw Bridge to create 16 apartments.

The Commission considered whether to change the City’s zoning map to regarding areas of the shoreline and to change See LOTUS, Page A6

City launches new public records request system CITY OF FLORENCE

first constructed in 1935, but City records showed that some type of rebuild or remodel project was done in 1970. It was scheduled for demolition once the first building was removed, but remained standing as of press time Jan. 16. As for any future use of the

The City of Florence is introducing a new online platform for public records requests, designed to make the process more accessible and efficient for residents. The system, provided by NextRequest, allows users to submit requests online, track their status, and receive updates throughout the process. This service is live online as of January 10, 2025. The new platform simplifies how public records are requested and managed. Users can submit a detailed request and provide their contact information, after which the system routes it to the appropriate city staff for review and processing. The platform also facilitates clear communication, enabling staff to ask clarifying questions or provide updates directly to the requestor. Once records are available, they can be accessed and downloaded from the system. Previously, the City relied on a manual process requiring requestors to complete and submit forms via email

See BUILDINGS, Page A5

See CITY, Page A5

Two buildings removed downtown SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Long-time Florence residents likely noticed something missing from the 300 block of Highway 101 this week. Namely, the building that used to contain the former Hoberg’s gas station and later, Hoberg’s Muffler Shop. An excavator spent much of the week tearing

down the mostly cinder block building. According to City reports, the owner, Raycen Raines, was granted permission Jan. 6 to demolish the building and the neighboring Los Compadres building. Planning staff said the building, which was supported from below by large beams, could

not pass inspection for use. Since it couldn’t be fixed, the owner opted to remove the building, leaving it open for possible redevelopment, staff said. All asbestos removal was done in April of 2023. According to city records, the building was constructed in in 1936. The neighboring Los Compadres building was

City Council approves grant submitted for Veterans Memorial By TONY REED Siuslaw News

At its Jan. 6 meeting, the Florence City Council approved the submittal of a grant that would partially fund a veterans memorial next to the municipal airport. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) announced the opening of the 2025 Veterans’ and War Memorials grant cycle in December 2024. According to staff reports,

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Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

OPRD will be accepting grant applications for funding assistance through January 31, 2025. The Veterans and War Memorial Grant Program was created and established to provide funding assistance to local governments for the construction and restoration of veterans’ and war memorials. Public Works Director Mike Miller said the project was first identified in 2019. Grants were applied for in 2020 but due to the pandemic and other issues, no projects were awarded..

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B4-5

“But we did highly impress them with our application and we were asked to reapply when a future opportunity presented itself,” he said. Miller said grant amounts are typically about $300,000 and awards are in the $30,000 to $80,000 range. According to Miller’s presentation, partner veteran’s organizations must meet all of the following requirements and must • Represent veterans of the Armed Forces of the United

States of America • Be established for the purpose of supporting or recognizing veterans • Have an established membership, that includes officers, and bylaws • Physically located in Oregon or have a Chapter that is physically located in Oregon Our local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3232 meets all of the above criteria and have already committed their time and resources in this project to date, Miller said.

As in 2020, local chapters of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans have pledged their support to the project, said staff reports. DEDICATED TO The memorial will be dedicated to those who served in peace and war, and specifically, Brigadier General Benjamin King, a Florence resident with a long military history, including as a WWII Ace, An aviator See MEMORIAL, Page A7

1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR