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Siuslaw News Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 43 • 134 years

No trailers for sale or rent By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Rain cleared as planned for an inspiring display of vintage trailers at Heceta RV Park in Florence on Oct. 11. A steady flow of visitors walked through the trailers remarking about their ages and how well they’d been restored. Some were parked behind equally-classic cars including a Jeep Waggoneer, and an Oldsmobile Starfire. The Florence Rhody Cruisers made appearances with classic cars at the event and around town. The 8th annual event brought trailers from all over the western states, about 25 in total, according to organizers. See more photos at thesiuslawnews. com Tony Reed photos

To spot a credit card skimmer like this one found at 7-11 in Florence, physically inspect it for looseness, odd bulkiness, or mismatched color, and check for broken security seals, especially on gas pumps. Also, when possible, compare the card reader to others nearby for differences, and always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. Photo courtesy of FPD

Skimmer found at local store FROM FLORENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT

The future home of Whitmore Classical Academy is slated to be the former Rite-Aid building at the corner of Highway 101 and 35th Street. Tony Reed photo.

Charter School building in escrow Part 2 of 2

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

With the pending purchase of the former Rite Aid building in Florence, Siuslaw Valley Charter School, the organization overseeing the creation of Whitmore Classical Academy, held a meeting Oct. 9 to elaborate on the purchase and plans to open a public charter school in fall 2026. SVCS Director Chuck Trent said that well over $1 million was raised already, another 500,000 is still needed for furniture, curriculum, computers, etc. He said a team is in place, an architect has already been selected, initial conceptual drawings have been done and the Oregon procurement process has concluded for the construction on the building. SVCS Board president Kay King said the idea for the school came from Donna

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Heinen, and much work has been done since 2022 to make it a reality. “We are trying to offer a school choice to our community and the students in the entire region, reaching up to Triangle Lake, Mapleton, Florence Reedsport, as far south as Charleston, and perhaps Coos Bay, up [north] as far as Newport, Yachats and of course, the whole Florence area,” she said. King said the school, Whitmore Classical Academy, is named after Dick Whitmore, an educator in the Florence area for more than 30 years. After introducing the SVCS board, and educational advisory team, King announced that the board was in the process of buying the the former Rite Aid building, putting the prospective opening date just a year away. SVCS Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Waggoner

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

read from Oregon Revised Statute 338.015 which reads, “It is the intent of this chapter that new types of schools, called public charter schools, be created as a legitimate avenue for parents, educators and community members to take responsible risks to create new, innovative and more flexible ways of educating children within the public school system.” After reading the ORS goals, which included increasing student learning, increasing choices, meeting individual academic needs, and encouraging the use of different learning methods, Waggoner said charter school movements are happening across the country, and that over 130 charter schools exist in the state of Oregon. “I know it’s unique for Florence because we haven’t had one before and it’s still a little unknown, but we have

worked really hard to be transparent and work with our district, along the way,” she said. “It’s been fun to sit down with other charter schools across Oregon to find out their unique ways of doing things, so we can glean ways of doing things and decide not to do other things.” Why classical education? Noting that Donna Heinen, the schools’ visionary, saw her own grandchildren attend classical schools, it was discovered that classical education is not a new method, but more of a traditional method that returns to the basics. “It talks about a method that’s based on liberal thinking,” she said, clarifying it’s not meant in a political sense. “It means that it tries to develop the freedom and independence of individuals, See CHARTER, Page A6

On Oct. 13, Florence Police received a complaint from 7-11 that they had found a credit card skimmer on the stores credit card reader that is used for customers to pay for their merchandise. An officer responded and found the skimmer device had the same appearance as the actual card reader. The device was placed by sliding the skimmer over the card reader and is not easily detected by looking at it. With the skimmer device the suspects are able to steal sensitive information such as the credit card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV). This data can then be used by the suspect(s) to create fake cards or make unauthorized purchases. If a skimmer is paired with a hidden camera or overlay, it can also capture your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or other personal details like your name and address. No camera was found associated with this skimmer device. It is believed by the store employees that the device was not on the 7-11 card reader at 3 pm on Oct. 13 and was discovered and removed by 9 pm on Oct. 13. However, at this point, Florence Police have not been able to determine when the skimmer device was placed on the reader and are reviewing video to attempt to narrow down the exact times the skimmer was in place. Customers of 7-11 especially between 3 pm and 9 pm on Oct. 13, but at this point it is for an undetermined amount of time up to 9 pm on Oct. 13, that used their credit card at 7-11 should take steps to protect their bank/credit card accounts. Monitor your accounts, your credit reports See SKIMMER, Page A7

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