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Siuslaw News Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 42 • 134 years

With 3:23 left in the game, Jericho Lake drops a pass to #5 Will Johnson, who ran it in for the last touchdown of the game, making it 48/13 Vikings. Tony Reed photos

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Siuslaw start league with a win WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The Vikings carried the momentum from their win against their rivals, La Pine, into the regular season. Siuslaw kicked off its Special District 4 campaign with an impressive 48-13 victory over South Umpqua on Oct. 3.It’s an “old school” rivalry that was reignited in 2021 when Siuslaw See FOOTBALL, Page A7

Supe reports on attendance, scores In a report to the Florence City Council Oct. 6, School District Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak gave a report on attendance at the schools. He said that at 1190 students, enrollment is steady, but not exact to last year. “We are up at the middle school but down at the elementary school by about 20 in each, so it balances out,” he said. “We’re fairly neutral at the high school was an overall population change of one.” He said that since a lot of families move in and out of the community on a seasonal basis, it represents about a 19% mobility rate. “If we look at this at the elementary school level, last year we had 585 kids come through the elementary school and 465 were there all year long,” he said, noting that continuity in classroom dynamics helps students succeed. “One of the bigger things people are looking at is state testing results are being

Jaxon Chang busts through the line for a touchdown.

See REPORTS, Page A6

FPD promotes Litterell Council approves Winter Warming Center request SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Police Chief John Pitcher congratulates Garrett Litterell on his promotion to sergeant. Tony Reed photo

Florence Police Chief John Pitcher announced the promotion of Garrett Litterell to sergeant at the regular meeting of the Florence City Council October 6. According to staff report, Litterell has a bachelors degree from Western Oregon University where he majored in criminal justice. He was hired with the city of Florence in November 2018 and received department of See FPD, Page A7

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

While it’s been warm on the Lane County Coast recently, the Florence City Council approved a request from Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Committee (FECWSC) top operate an overnight shelter in winter months when temperature are forecast below 34 degrees or 38 degrees during windy, rainy

nights. At the regular Oct. 6 meeting, City Manager Erin Reynolds said the action item has become “routine” for the council, adding that the City has already gone through a process to modify and expand some issues related to emergency sheltering. “This used to be in our Land Use title 10 and several years ago, it has moved into more of the administrative

chapter, still under your guidance and with your approval needed,” She told the council. “The City Council may allow a warming shelter [to be operated] by any nonprofit organization or religious institution when low temperatures or adverse weather conditions endanger human life.” Reynolds said the requested site

See CENTER, Page A7

Anonymous kayakers replace Cleowox Lake mailbox All Florence kayakers know the mailbox at the far end of Cleawox Lake with a journal inside and the words, “Dreams, Schemes, and Wishes” on the three visible sides. The red flag is always up. It has been a great surprise for kayakers to encounter for the first time or to be shown by someone who already knows about it. Over time the lettering had come loose from the mailbox

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

and the plastic hinge failed. The door would not stay shut after people examined the contents and signed the guest book. Recently a small flotilla of unidentified kayakers took matters into their own hands and cordless tools, replacing the old mailbox with a shiny new one bearing the same inscription and the same implied invitation to see what’s inside.

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

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